How close should a front mech get to the rear tyre?

[ishaw]

I have mounted an sram x-9 rear mech to my pipedream using a shim, but that aside it is a standard affair. When the rear wheel was put on though, the tyre rubbed against the front mech. I had a little wriggle room with the adjuster screws so have used these to move the mech a bit, but it still feels a bit close for my liking.

Am I worrying over nothing or should I consider a new/alternative front mech that will allow greater clearance (if there is such a thing)?

 

[mattr]

Some bikes require that the front mech has bits cut off it to fit.
Especially with big tyres. The multi fit ones are worst, all those extra sticky out bits so you can do any cable run.
Have a rummage through the SRAM catalogue and see which has the least sticky out stuff.
Or you could get a shimano mech (but check the catalogue first) at least it'll actually shift tho!

Or you could trim your current mech.

 

[ishaw]

There's Not much to play with on the x-9 mech, I might try a shimano one to see if that is a better fit, but wanted to try and keep the mechs and shifters matching (sad I know),

 

[suburbanreuben]

Re:

Has the mech been adjusted to shift properly yet or is it still a "dry" build? Don't start buggerin about until it doesn't fit when adjustd correctly.

 

[ishaw]

Still a dry build at the moment, but i try and like things up and adjust them as best I can so it should he fairly representitive, though not conclusive.

Waiting for gear cables to arrive before I can really test things out as well as fitting a chain.

 

[sic_nick]

Some bikes require that the front mech has bits cut off it to fit.
Especially with big tyres. The multi fit ones are worst, all those extra sticky out bits so you can do any cable run.
Have a rummage through the SRAM catalogue and see which has the least sticky out stuff.
Or you could get a shimano mech (but check the catalogue first) at least it'll actually shift tho!

Or you could trim your current mech.

Just what parts of the front mech are you talking about trimming? The cage is quite structural and necessary. I've never heard people trimming front mechs to fit.

 

[mattr]

The "extra" bits of the cable lever arm which aren't used.
i.e. where you have capability to run top or bottom routed cable with the same mech.

The triple slx front mech I was running on one of my hardtails had about 3mm clearance with 2.2" tyres. The 2.5" I now have would either require trimming of the bottom pull bits of the mech, or a new mech. I've gone double and top pull only.

It's more usual (or at least, less unusual) with fat bikes or racey 29ers, with their minimal clearances between tyre and seat tube.

 

[ishaw]

Pics up. There is nothing kooky or odd about the mech, no dual pull, no extras, its just a standard mech on a steel frame and I've not come across this before (or perhaps I haven't noticed and should not be worrying).

 

[cce]

having looked on the pipedream website, all the photo bikes seem to have the same problem

do they have a particularly tight rear triangle?

 

[ishaw]

I've absolutely no idea, only noticed when building up and haven't thought to look at similar bikes which would have been a good idea.

Is it a/going to be a problem? Been contemplating dropping the granny ring and running 2 up front, and it's much easier to get a 2x0 xo front mech (direct mount).

Would a 2x10 front work with 3x xo shifters??