Front tire and downtube are extremely close

Question

I bought a brand new Oolter Torm S

The distance between the front wheel and the frame looks normal. However the bike that I got looks like this:

I did buy a bike that is slightly too small (framesize 52, I need 56) but I didn't expect the front wheel rubbing the downtube when applying the brakes.

@MaplePanda There was no 56 lol. Now there is nothing. These Oolter bikes are very rare. I was looking for a cheap road bike with a motor. There's one for 1800chf on bikester now, the 2nd cheapest is already at 3800. This oolter came in at 1200. — AzulShiva, Feb 15 '23 at 21:35
Fair enough. With all due respect, you might want a professional to check over the bike for other assembly errors. — MaplePanda, Feb 15 '23 at 22:06
If it came assembled like that from a "professional" as per your comment below. I would 100% be send that pic to the professional and/or his employer. Someone needs some training. — Hursey, Feb 16 '23 at 00:54
@MaplePanda: Can’t find a geometry chart, but a size 52 probably only has 2cm less reach and 3cm less stack than a size 56. Easy to compensate with a longer stem (just use a 110mm instead of the default 90mm) and pulling out the seatpost. — Michael, Feb 16 '23 at 08:46
Related questions: Why the backwards fork? (same issue on purpose), Why is the steering so twitchy? Steel 90's MTB fork (opposite issue). — mkrieger1, Feb 16 '23 at 14:21
@Michael Fair enough. I suppose there might be some smaller issues (eg. a relatively short wheelbase), but having the fork installed backwards is not helping in that department either. — MaplePanda, Feb 16 '23 at 16:10
@MaplePanda nah, the stem came pre-assembled. So I ignorantly assumed it was correct — AzulShiva, Feb 18 '23 at 17:13

score 60 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 16 '23 at 09:22

60

Your fork is installed backwards. Loosen the stem, rotate the fork 180°, retighten the stem. You'll probably need to adjust the front brake's cable too.

Some details that show the fork is installed backwards:

the trail of the front wheel is negative - wheel trail should always be positive
the front disc brake should be on the left side of the bike
the disc caliper is never on the leading edge of the fork

And finally there's a clue in the decoration - the diagonal stripes go the opposite way from the ones in the example :-). _{Thanks to shoover for the details.}

edited Feb 16 '23 at 09:22

sleske

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answered Feb 15 '23 at 18:01

Adam Rice

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oh dear... the instruction manual said to let a "professional" assemble the bike. I scoffed... and nearly flew over the handlebars. Such a humbling experience. – AzulShiva Feb 15 '23 at 18:06
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You can tell because (a) the trail is negative and (b) the diagonal stripes go the opposite way from the ones in the example. – shoover Feb 15 '23 at 20:09
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Also, both disc brakes should be on the same side of the bike. And the disc caliper is never on the leading edge of the fork. – Adam Rice Feb 15 '23 at 20:25
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The trail, as defined in the Wikipedia article that is linked, is not negative, it is even more positive than it should be. Maybe you meant the fork offset or the mechanical trail. – mkrieger1 Feb 16 '23 at 14:09
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No offence, @AzulShiva, but if you've made a mistake like this, I'd stop by your LFBS (local friendly bike shop) to have them check the bike and see if you've made any other mistakes. There could be more subtle ones, such as under or overtightening something. – SQB Feb 16 '23 at 14:27
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I'll bet the turn radius is tighter on that setup... – Ted Hohl Feb 16 '23 at 16:22
@SQB the mistake (stem incorrectly assembled) was made by OOLTER. My mistake was not noticing. – AzulShiva Feb 18 '23 at 17:14
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@AzulShiva in that case, I'd have your LFBS check if there's anything else you didn't notice. – SQB Feb 19 '23 at 08:10

Front tire and downtube are extremely close

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