Rippin
friend
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 30
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After almost a year of receiving my custom Calfee Tetra Pro I had it assembled today. It is basically a standard 50cm geometry bike, except that it uses 650c wheels. The fork I chose was the Alpha Q Sub 3 - all painted nicely to match the frame.
The wheels are Zipp 303 with Michelin Axial Pro tires (650 x 23c). These wheels fit perfectly on my OTHER 650c road bike that uses a Reynolds Ouzo Pro 650c fork.
After bringing home the bike I noticed a rubbing sound from the front wheel. I thought it was the brake pad rubbing on the rim but upon further inspection I noticed that the top of the front tire was rubbing on the inside top curve of the fork! What the???@!!! Fork is a 650c size, wheels are 650c - you'd think they'd work together. Anyone else experience this? Ideas? Suggestions? I'm definitely giving Calfee and True Temper a call tomorrow.
Here is a pic to show you the rubbing:
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bscheidt
new member
Reged: 07/01/04
Posts: 8
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You need to change to a 650c 20. They are a pain to put on but it wil solve your problem and give you beter performance.
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Rippin
friend
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 30
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Quote:
bscheidt wrote:
You need to change to a 650c 20. They are a pain to put on but it wil solve your problem and give you beter performance.
Yeah,looks like it. I just spoke with customer service at Calfee and they said that this problem is not uncommon with Alpha Q Sub 3 650c forks. They've had complaints before. They also recommended that I try a smaller width tire, like 20c, or another brand other than Michelin if I want to stick with 23c (as supposedly Michelin tires run fatter than others - I tend to agree). I guess the folks at True Temper needed as much space as possible in the crown area to strengthen the carbon fork, but this really tight tolerence is not good product design. I still need to talk with someone from True Temper to hear what they have to say. The least they could do is warn the public about this before people spend $100 worth of tires and find that they don't fit.
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bscheidt
new member
Reged: 07/01/04
Posts: 8
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I am having a different but equally as upsetting problem with a pair of Reynolds Stratus clinchers. My wife rides the 650c wheels and we bought these retail $2k wheels. They are great except the 20c tires are impossible to get on and off the rims. If we put on the 23c it is better, but she remains concerned that she will be stuck out on the road an unable to repair a puncture.
I only paid 1.2k, YIKES!, as I have a race team discount and I expected better. I think I'll try a posting on this problem and see if anyone has a solution.
Cheers
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Rippin
friend
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 30
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**Update**
I spoke with a representative at True Temper and he said that they've acknowledged the fact that my particluar fork is defective and that they've (or in the process of) retooling their machines to adjust for the noted problem above. He will send me a new fork under warranty and have Calfee paint it. Thumbs up to True Temper for their service!
But now I have another problem. Click here.
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