Tyres are Gravel King SS, 45mm.
Fenders are Velo Orange 52mm.
Recommended difference is 8mm minimum, ideally 10-12mm.
Difference here is obviously 7mm. Bike shop said it would be OK but I’m not so sure. No audible rubbing but when I free spin the back wheel it slows down to a stop slightly quicker…
First three pics are back wheel, which is especially tight on the non-drivetrain side at the front. Last two are front wheel which looks good at the front but also has a tight spot.
What would you do? Ride it and forget? Smaller back wheel? Bigger fenders?
by jacknewthoughts
8 Comments
Your back wheel is stopping spinning not because it’s rubbing on that fender. If it were rubbing at all you would feel and see it and it would stop very fast. I would go to a fender with more clearance personally. Anything that the tire picks up that is a bit sticky will rub and be annoying until it comes off the fender. Leaves, rocks, etc. a bit more clearance would allow those to not be an issue. If the fender gets a bit misaligned, and this happens a lot, you will get rubbing. So yeah too tight.
Quicker free spin stop could be a result of an air drag, or those little tire nubs or hair rubbing slightly to the fender. If you could not feel the difference while riding I would not bother it. Looks slick btw!
Me personally I’d ride it a little if it feels okay then just look for rub marks.
I have similar fenders on both road and gravel bikes. They are generally meant to be quite tight, and to me, they look perfect.
As previously said, you would definitely notice it if they were rubbing, and they sometimes need a little fettling as you first ride the bike .
Nice fenders, Velo Orange
They are exactly the right size. Road spray is more vertical than horizontal, directionally speaking.
They are exactly the right size. Road spray is more vertical than horizontal, directionally speaking.
You got them on, and they are not apparently rubbing on the tire. Ride on and be prepared to fiddle with them. Really close tolerances.
You got them on, and they are not apparently rubbing on the tire. Ride on and be prepared to fiddle with them. Really close tolerances.