How tight is too tight?
 

Just mounted some 28's on the Merlin. They are plump. I have about 2-3mm to the chainstays. Thoughts? Brake bridge, front derailuer and fork are all good.

As my grandfather used to say, "Tight is tight enough."

2-3mm on each side should be fine as long as your rims stay straight and true.

2-3mm is the just enough. Any less would be an issue.

My rule of thumb is around 3mm for road and 5-6mm for mountain.

As stated, if its close, keep your rims true.

Personally i would not do 2mm if i dident absolutely need to.

Thought this was going to be about bibs :)

Pictures?

I'm gonna suggest you could get some tire rub on the chainstays in a hard push up a hill out of the saddle. Is this expressly a "road" bike? If it ever sees wet bike paths (crushed limestone) it could also be an issue.

2 cents from me

3 is better than 2...

SPP

The stand won't reveal the answer. You're going to have to ride it and see. Out of the saddle efforts up a hill ought to tell you if there is enough room!

can you indent the chainstays 1-2mm?

Why is everyone going with these fat-assed tires? Guess I'm stuck in the old school...

You're a tall dude so I'm guessing you weigh more than 180#. Also guessing that you have not tried the wide, supple stuff. And, in my book, 28mm is not even close to fat-assed nowadays. Very soon I will be rolling on 2" tubeless, 415g slicks. The fat side, man. The fat side.

Ride 'em. Depending on how often the tire rubs the chainstay will allow you to judge what's acceptable. Just check them after every ride. Sooner or later you won't bother because it doesn't happen or, it happens and you search for skinnier tires.

If you're really worried about marring the chainstays, then put some duct tape at the potential contact points and let it sit for a few months. If the tire rubs the tape, the chainstay is spared and you have your answer.