Clearance

Just put together this for my girlfriend to replace hers that got nicked... it's all coming together okay but am a bit worried about the extremely tight clearance for the back wheel. Do you think it will be okay, it does run freely only scuffing where the brand new tyres have a little extra nobbles on them that will wear down.

Are those 25c Gatorskins? Go down to 23c tyres.. save the paint!
EDIT -Just re-read the post and it sounds like your paint is OK.
Will you need to deflate the tyre to remove the wheel / fit the chain?

They look like 700x25 tyres if so get 700x23

they're 23 already, though about going down to 20 but though it might be a little skidy in the wet..

Just inverse shim it, it'll be fine

maybe file out the dropouts a few mm.

You can get the wheel in an(riding single speed not fixed so am hoping I can get away with the chain have a little more slack the riding fixed..?)

why is so tight? i don't get it.

isn't it a bit hot to have the radiators on?

maybe file out the dropouts a few mm.

That could do it, thanks.

why is so tight? i don't get it.

that's just the way it's made... it's got road semi vertical rear drop out so no room to move it any where else...

that's just the way it's made...

yes i think i understand this. the bike was made with very tight rear clearance. as in, when they built it, it was like this.

however, the question remains: why?

Maybe its built for smaller wheels.

yes i think i understand this. the bike was made with very tight rear clearance. as in, when they built it, it was like this.

however, the question remains: why?

Doesn't a compact racing wheelbase have less drag?

the clearance is too tight.

the bike could conceivably have been built to order with 26" wheels.

Not with brake mounts like that it wouldn't.

Slack seat tube? WTF is going on with that?

Are you SURE it can't move back further? Like the axle's not catching on the dropout somewhere??

Slack seat tube? WTF is going on with that?

Are you SURE it can't move back further? Like the axle's not catching on the dropout somewhere??

I think the seat tube looks odd because of the angle the pic is taken, looks fine in real life...

Def not catching on the axle, i'm going to file out the drop outs if it becomes a problem though

crickey, there are people on here that would kill to get a tight fit like that ! good work !

the clearance is too tight.

the bike could conceivably have been built to order with 26" wheels.

however +1

try a lower profile tire

You need to file the dropouts a little, otherwise if you run it as it is and the chain slackens off from riding it will push the wheel against the seatube.

Or, if you are feeling rich, have the rear re-built with an White industries Eno hub to put the wheel a little further back.

You need to file the dropouts a little, otherwise if you run it as it is and the chain slackens off from riding it will push the wheel against the seatube.

what about if I tighten the track nuts up f'ing tight, should be okay then you think?

It will still move.. eventually. Your legs are a lot stronger than your arms.

Could fit a chain-tug/s