This frame (90s MTB) cleared the 26×2.0 knobby that came on it. The 2.1 contacts the frame on one side but has ample room on the other side. I am sure the wheel is fully seated in the dropouts, and the wheel is slightly out of true but not nearly enough to cause this. Is the frame just not symmetrical or is something wrong with it?
by pobrecito9227
9 Comments
What kind of dropouts do you have? Can you move one side forward or backward?
https://share.google/images/pITWYkTVd8vwa8lLm
Is the tire properly seated on the rim? Does it have a wobble independent of the rim?
It’s possible the frame has asymmetrical stays.
Your rim is way out of dish (the spokes on the side that is rubbing are too tight compared to the spokes on the other side).
You can do some reading and correct the dish by yourself if you’re handy, or get it fixed at your LBS.
reverse the wheel? does it touch the other side.
I had this issue with a quick release rim, for some reason it wouldn’t sit entirely flush. My solution was undoing the quick release a few times until it seated flat and the wheel spun freely. Probably not your answer but worth trying if everything else seems fine!
There’s a few possibilities:
Your frame doesn’t have clearance for that wide of tire (doubtful)
Your wheel isn’t in the dropouts correctly (unlikely but possible)
Your wheel is out of true/needs to be dished (likely)
Flip the wheel around in the dropouts. If you notice that the rubbing is on the same side of the frame, then your frame requires straightening. If it’s on the opposite side with the wheel flipped over, your wheel needs dishing. Realigning a frame is fairly easy (only do this with steel). RJ the bike guy has a vid on how to do this with string and a 2×4. Good luck!
Loosen quick release lever and center wheel.
Maybe. It’s hard to tell without looking down at it or looking at it from the bb.
I went up a few sizes in width on my bike and the tire rubbed because the frame has a slight bend in it (steel frame, scrapped due to an accident). I was able to put a spacer/shim between the dropout and quick release on one side to align the wheel with the frame. I just have to remember it’s there and not lose it whenever I remove the wheel. Never do this on someone else’s bike… they will lose the shim even if you tell them.