I recently changed 27,5X4,5" Bontrager Barbegazis on my Dude. There’s enough tire/frame clearance, but I noticed that on the lowest gear the chain runs pretty close to the rear tire especially below the chainstay. There’s like 1-2mm clearance tops. It doesn’t touch the tire but during the ride I could see some rub marks developing, I guess the chain just moves a bit.
I’m 99% sure everything is in order (derailleur and hanger are straight, tire properly mounted and wheel aligned etc) so there’s not much I can do. Is this rideable or should I go back to stock 3.8” Maxxis Minion?
I did some tests and on the second to lowest gear there’s no rubbing during a ride. I could probably live with that, but the chain still does effectively collect all the excess dirt from the tire on the low-ish gears.
by Doctor-Cute