Retrofitting a 2002 Road Custom - Tektro brakes and fat tires

[reynoldslugs]

I should have listened to Grant - when I ordered my Road Standard in 2002 (2003?), I figured I would always use Campagnolo sidepulls with "wide" 25mm tires.  Grant tried to get me to realize the folly of that notion, but I eventually got what I asked for.  The bike was built originally built with Campi brakes and 25mm tires.

 

 Now - ten years later - I of course prefer fatter tires, but my foolish notion that my brakes "just had to be Campagnolo" left inadequate clearance for anything bigger than a 28mm tire... so today, we pulled off the Campagnolo s/p's and replaced them with Tektro 538's, and squeezed in a pair of Schwalbe Kojaks.  GP did a great job specing the bike, 'cuz the Tektros fit fine, and the Kojaks (which measure out at 32 mm) just barely fit - - albeit with only about 3mm clearance at the front caliper. 

 

The bike was always nice, now it's just dreamy - nothing like fat tires to make a sweet bike even better.

 

So thanks, Grant, I'm glad one of us had enough common sense to design a smart frame.

 

Pics of the new brakes, with the Kojaks, here:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/sets/72157631867204870/

 

Max B

Sonoma County CA

[PATRICK MOORE]

Aren't the Kojaks nice?

That is cutting it a bit close in front. I know tires expand in width
when inflated for a while; perhaps they'll not do so in height.

I just rode Kojaks today, but mine have what, 4" of clearance on the
Fargo. With the 32 actual/34 nominal on the 559 Riv, I can probably
get a fender under the front caliper (Superbe? RGC? Forget); no brake
in rear.

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-------------------------
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[Joe Bernard]

I don't know, bro, that looks awful close to me. I realize the chances of debris jamming that junction are small, but...

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[Christopher Murray]

EEEEEKKKK! Are you sure you want to be riding around like that?

Cheers!

cm

[reynoldslugs]

Well, you guys are right - - it's pretty tight.  I'll ride some more, on rough pavement, and give you an updated report. 

 

But then again, old Cyclotourist has this going on:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclotourist/6818728245/

 

We'll see  - Stay tuned.

 

Max

 

 

[LF]

On Saturday, October 27, 2012 7:06:21 PM UTC-4, reynoldslugs wrote:

I should have listened to Grant - when I ordered my Road Standard in 2002 (2003?),<snip> so today, we pulled off the Campagnolo s/p's and replaced them with Tektro 538's, and squeezed in a pair of Schwalbe Kojaks.  GP did a great job specing the bike, 'cuz the Tektros fit fine, and the Kojaks (which measure out at 32 mm) ...

FWIW, I have Pasela 32s with fenders on my older Road Custom.  Jack Brown 33s fit, but not with fenders. 

Best,

Larry

[lungimsam]

Wasn't the Road originally spec'd for 700 x 35c? 28c tiresw/fenders?

It would be great to see a pic taken level with the crown/brake assembly to see the actual clearance.

 

Good thing there aren't any shocks on those forks.

[rw1911]

Looks pretty tight, but a nice bike that would probably be difficult
to give up over to a few millimeters of rubber. Look at it this
way... with only 3mm of clearance, it greatly limits the amount of
debris that could actually lock up a wheel.

How about some full bike pics?

[Mike]

What about using something a bit smaller like a Challenge Paris
Roubaix. I think those measure 29mm or so.

[reynoldslugs]

Bobs,

 

First, someone requested full monty pics.  Here is an old set of this bike:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/sets/72157625808579123/

 

Since posting this set of pictures, the bike now wears a Selle AnAtomica saddle, new bar tape, and of course the new Tektros and Jack Browns.  One of the very great, fun things about a steel frame is the ability to replace the parts every ten years or so, and essentially give yourself a completely new (and different) bike. That's kind of what I meant with the first post -  being appreciative that Grant built in enough room to accomodate a more versatile build than my original Campagnolo set-up.

 

As to the clearance issue, I got the bike out and rode around the neighborhood today, not much.   The bike rolls fine, no problems. The pics I posted yesterday don't show the clearance very well (lousy photog skills), but there's actually about 4 mm clear space under the fork crown.  I know it's not optimal, but it rides fine. Some of the modern carbon Time Trial bikes that have that much clearance (maybe less).  I'm not saying 4mm of clearance is smart, but it works - - and feels like a totally new bike.

 

I'll get around to posting a better set of pictures soon.    After a few rides, I'll report back and let you know whether I've had to move to a Challenge Paris, or maybe a Grand Bois Cypres (I tried Gran Bois tires a few years ago, got a lot of flats).

 

Rock on

 

Max

[Benz, Sunnyvale, CA]

If you're looking for something a smidgen smaller than the Challenge PRs, try the Grand Bois Cerf Green. While Compass Bicycles had  them listed as 29mm, I've found that these fit my Colnago Master whereas the PRs didn't. Same wheel and pressure (Campagnolo Neutrons) and both sets of tires were used (so no question about "stretching").

[justin...@gmail.com]

Looks like a great candidate for a 650b conversion!