Slow speed turns: Front Wheel vs. Shoe?

[woodcycl]

Just rode my new 05' Cannondale Road tandem for the first time tonight with a family member ... Wow, what a HUGE difference over riding a single!! It's going to take some getting use to ... but will be well worth it.

Big question ... is it normal when doing slower turns and having to actually "turn" the handlebars for my foot to hit/touch the back of the front wheel/tire?? Boy ... this really thru me for a loop when it happened! I guess this means that pedaling AND turning the handlebar at the same time for the captain is a no-no?

[TandemGeek]

Small size tandem? Regardless, despite all the cautions regarding toe overlap it's not all that uncommon, particularly for smaller riders on 700c wheeled bikes and tandems. In fact, I've got overlap on two custom tandems and two custom singles.

As for how to deal with it, the slow speed turn and U-turn situations are about the only ones where you'll encounter any potential problems. To eliminate the interference problem just remember to pedal with your toes pointed down during slow-speed manuevers.

[zonatandem]

Not uncommon.
But, yes, you can U-turn; just be very aware of where your toe/shoe is in relation to front tire. Quite do-able with a bit of practice.

[NZLcyclist]

particularly for smaller riders on 700c wheeled bikes and tandems.

Not just smaller bikes..... my 58cm single gets it bad... could be the size 47 shoes though.... Don't worry about it, just learn to deal with it, it's normal and happens to many types and sizes of bikes :):):)

Brendon

[bockwho]

this is something that we have just delt with.. on our tandem 500 miles old. when making a U turn in a road I always turn so her dismount side is on the inside. this way if I am not going to make it or somthing happens her foot is ready to go down. I also try and make the turn in a nice drive way or intersecting road in the event I over shoot a bit.

the other day we bolted out and forgot the water bottles I made a u turn and over shot and started into some flat rocks at he edge of someones dirveway. I locked down the breaks b/c of the angle of the wheel and she dropped her foot great job on her part to know I was in trouble.

we also will not cross a busy street 2 lane with speeds in excess of 55 or 60mph we stop she hops off grabs her water bottle and jogs across the street while I ride. We have gotten a few stop and go's if its on a down hill but for the most part she hops off.

[zonatandem]

. . . practice makes perfect!