I switched to shorter screws and rotated the rack as far back as it can go with only a single pair of screws in the brackets instead of two pairs, but there is still so little clearance that I'm worried the weight of the panniers and any force from hitting a bump on the road is going to make my tire scrape against the lock nuts / bottom of the rack and sustain damage. Is there anything else I can do or do I have to buy another rack designed for thicker tires?
Update: Consensus seems to be there's enough clearance, but I can squeeze out a little more by getting smaller head screws and flipping them over, which I can do for about $3, so I think I will. Thanks for the advice everyone
by Unicyclic
13 Comments
Switch to pan head bolts and flip them over so the nuts are on top.
https://boltdepot.com/
Looks like there’s enough clearance
Old Man Mountain’s Divide Drop Outs might be close to what you’re looking for. It’s an M6 bolt at the bottom, if I’m remembering correctly.
You should be fine. I like them kiss-close like that. Low center of gravity. And all the impact vectors are gonna go straight down into the frame through solid metal. I’ve had my racks go out of adjustment and hit the tire. But your rack has no adjustment that would slip under typical impact.
Make an extension for the lower attachment point so the rack is raised up ? 50mm long , two holes. You’d have to also have a brace over to the seat stay, to prevent the extension rotating
Turn all your bolts over, so they are head down/nut up… switch them to carriage bolts with a smooth head?
Get a rack designed for 28-29″ wheels. That looks like one for 26″ wheels
Plenty of clearance there. No problem present.
If it’s only by a few millimeters, should be ok. Although if it bothers you, the reverseing the mounting bolts.
Clearance is clearance. Unless you plan on installing fenders under that rack I’d leave it alone.
The amount of weight that would flex that rack enough to hit the tire would also break spokes. Have an adult friend sit on the rack while you hold the bike up to check. It won’t touch the tire.
If you do need to install fenders, I’d just get a different rack. That looks like a 26″ rack on a bike with 700c tires.
Can the two stays that attach be separated, or rather, readjusted and tightened back up a little further apart? Some racks are adjustable there. I made mine as far apart as I could and mother scree is over the tire.
Edit: a closer look shows that the width is not adjustable like that.
Maybe a flush nut?
I think that’s about as much clearance as my fenders have, and the only time that’s a problem is when leaves get stuck during the fall. Even then, it’s only a “problem” because I don’t like the sound.
Probably a sign that it shouldn’t be used lol. Joking but not completely to be honest lol i find them lame but i understand they can be very helpful. I used to tow my bike trailer i had and took the seat and straps out of and used some thick styrofoam on the bottom. Great for some food and beers lol 😆 ans i even managed to pull my buddy thats 6 4 and around 300 pounds to go get dope back when i was on that shit lol it was hilarious and ill never forget that and the ppl looking. Hope he can rest easy 🙏 the world lost a good fela for sure
why u use marathon 47c, 35 or 37c is good enough, it’s a pretty heavy tire. my 37c marathon plus weight over 1kg per one.