I am riding a 2008 Specialized Transition S-Works and have some Mavic Kysrium Elite wheels that I want to use for training rides. The problem is that the spokes of the rear wheel rub on the chain stay just in front of the horizontal dropouts where the stay kicks in…
I can get minimal clearance if I have the wheel way back on the dropouts but this creates a huge gap between the tire and the frame and means that the brake pads have to be moved to their most rear position to contact the rim - surely this is not right? Can this be solved in a simple way, perhaps by adding in a spacer? I am sure I have seen Transitions sold with Kysrium wheels so there must be a way…
Specialized tech support could only offer me the helpful advice of taking it to a dealer…great!
Have photos, but dont know how to post them - sorry first time!!
This seems strange since Mavics are relatively common wheelsets and I haven’t heard of any issues like this one. I assume the wheels are dished properly and there are not any broken spokes.
To upload photos first upload them to a photo hosting site like Photobucket, then right click on the expanded version of the photo, select 'copy", then paste it directly into the window of your ST post.
Those are much better pics. That is really interesting. I have a hard time thinking that the fault is in the frame but I can’t imagine that it is in the wheelset since they are new. Maybe it is only an issue with your specific size frame. Kind of like how only certain size P3C’s will work with bulged discs or whatever. I would take it to a trusted/old school/knowledgeable bike mechanic. they always seem to be able to identify problems that I would otherwise overlook completely. Sometimes it is something very obvious.
I realise that the extreme aero design of the bike lends itself to run this kind of wheel, but how do you explain the fact that the transition in its lower spec form such as the Expert was sold with a Mavic Ksyrium wheel set?
Did you read Dan’s 2010 Tri bikes artical? I think he explans it well.
These new bikes are sexy, but they weren’t built for you. They were built for pro cycling teams, the riders of which spend less time on their timed race bikes than you do, both in training and in racing.
Here’s a question for you to ponder: If these bikes were made for a bike brand’s pro teams, not for triathletes, do these companies really care whether they sell these bikes to triathletes or not?
I went for the Transition over other bikes (initially interested in a Cervelo) as I had a fit with a ST qualified fitter and Transition was one of the bikes that most closely suited my optimal stack and reach. It is an absolute dream to ride, and I am very happy with it. A great updgrade from my road bike ‘adapted’ for use in tri.
I ran into the same issue when I put Hed Jet 6’s on my Transition. Like you, I backed the wheel out just a bit and problem solved. I’ll never know if the aero drag suffers (per Cervelo’s view) or improves (per Look’s). I had to adjust the brake pads, but I didn’t have to max them out. Your hubs may be just a tad wider than mine so you have to increase the gap more than I do.
Interestingly, I didn’t realize there would be a problem because the LBS I bought from had already switched the stock wheels for some Fusee Stars from another bike. When I realized what the issue was with my race wheels, I then figured out why they had up-graded the wheels…they must have be struggling with get rid of the spoke rub. They’re fine as training wheels and you can pick them up for a song on e-bay. The red trim on them would also go much better with your red frame than it does with my carbon/yellow.
Hey thanks, reassuring to hear that it is not an isolated problem with my bike.
Although the Specialized tech team are still concerned, and not satisfied with the temp washer fix by my LBS. They want me to take the bike to their authorised dealer here in HK and get them to have a proper look at it to make sure that the frame is not out of alignment as they seem to think that “something is amiss”.
Will report back once I have taken it in for a full check over…
Here is a photo showing the rubbing spot on the right. Thanks for the instruction!
