tyre to fork gap help

Just building up my new fixed gear project and there is a big gap from the tyre to the underside of the fork. Any idea why? Do I need a shorter fork with the same steerer length?
Can I get a front brake caliper long enough?
Any help would be great, as I wanted to change the forks to some alloy or carbon track forks.
Jack

Looks like a 700c wheel in a 27" fork. Easiest fix is deep drop break, tektro makes them, or a different fork, or a different frame unless you're attached to it

^^ Alternatively, a 1970's fork for 26" wheels fits a 700c real close.
You might have to buy a whole rusty wreck to get one, though.

That gap is massive; more like a 650c in a 27" fork?
Not sure a deep drop caliper would be deep enough.

Thats what I thought as I have a 27" wheel in the background and fits alot better. Frame is just a raleigh but I do like it. So a new set if forks would be the option as I wanted to change them anyway.

If it's just an old raleigh, i'd get a whole new frame. You can get something nice second hand that's 700c for about the same as a new carbon fork

What length steerer and thread do you need?
I'll check my stock of 700c forks.

The steerer needs to be about 190mm. Please let me know what you have. I would be interested in a threadless fork with a stem. Thanks for looking.

If you are dead set on keeping the frame get a new fork.

Before. After.

Yep looks much better! !

That gap does look huge: I've just slung a 700c with a 25mm tyre in 27" forks and the gap twixt tyre and crown is 30mm.

Measure from the brake mounting hole in the forks to the rim: I have a pair of exceptionally deep drop brakes in the parts bin.

You may be interested in threadless forks, but the steerer in your Raleigh will be 1" whereas the standard for threadless in 1 1/8".

There are threadless 1" forks but they are scarce and pricey; you'll also need a new headset: far more money than the frame deserves.

If you are dead set on keeping the frame get a new fork.

Before. After.

It does look nice, but the BB has been dropped which is a consideration if you are riding fixed.

I only have a 700c Condor fork with 195 mm steerer (853os frame, fork won't be made of same.)
But it's not going on a Raleigh frame!

Ok no worries. Will keep looking for a set of forks. Yeah threadless 1" forks are scarce but there are a few about that im looking at.

I will measure the distance for the brake when I get home.

I can well understand your attachment to the frame; however trying to update old frames is a good way of ending up with an expensive compromise, that doesn't work particularly well and looks a bastard.

You've already got a 27" front wheel and fixed rears are available on Ebay for sub-£50: bang, you've got a decent beater/pub/Winter bike.

You could then buy a modern threadless frameset and build that up for "Sunday best".

I can tell you from bitter experience that this will be cheaper, less frustrating and you will have two bikes that perform well and look boss.

^ this times a million.
Plenty of bargainriffic 27" wheelsets to be had that'll look a thousand times better than another fork ever could on that frame.
Do it once, do it right. Don't faff about making your frame pretend to be something it isn't.

That gap surely does look huge.

You sure it's not a 650c wheel in a 27" fork?

No its definitely a 700c, just fitted new tyes and tubes. I have just sourced a nice set on alloy track forks for the mere sum of £8 so will be picking them up tomorrow. Should look much better. Hopefully then I will be able to use the brake caliper I have.
The bike so far has only cost me £40 so is a bargain so far. Should look better tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help.

New fork fitted. £8 bargain. Looks and feels much better. What do you think?

Good work, doesn't look so bad (apart from the front brake cable).

However, as a result of the shorter fork and fitting 700c wheels your cranks look very close to the ground: have you ridden it?

Yeah I do need to shorten the brake cable, couldn't find my pliers. Have ridden it and it's fine. Got a new chain coming as this one is slightly old and mucky.

New fork fitted. £8 bargain. Looks and feels much better. What do you think?

Dat pedalstrike

Don't get it?

You will when you turn left or right.

Or, by the look of that, even straight on.

None so far, had a decent ride today.

Seems to be good, the crankset is a 170mm. I might have a look at getting a 160mm. What do you guys think?