How to fix a tire that rubs?

A rubbing wheel can be really frustrating for any cyclist as it creates unnecessary friction while steering and braking.

If your wheel seems to be making a repetitive grinding noise when spinning (it would be very faint or obvious), here are some possibilities to fix the problem:

  1. Your wheel/rim no longer rotates correctly

    This may be because you went over a bump or obstacle that bent the tire and is now rubbing on the brakes or chain. You may need to replace your tires depending on how warped the ply is.

  2. It's rubbing on the brake pads

    Check that the brake discs and pads are clean (use a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris). Also check that the protective plastic piece that was between the brake pads was removed during assembly. Here is a short video on how to remove it.

  3. The fender has moved

    Sometimes the fender bolts come loose and it leans down on one end and ends up rubbing against the wheel. Simply realign the fender away from the wheel and tighten it into place.

  4. It's rubbing against a wire

    Sometimes the cables become loose and may come into contact with one of your wheels. If that's the case, simply move the cable to the side or tie it away from the wheel with a zip tie if necessary.

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