Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Toe overlap

How much toe overlap is too much? In fact, is there such a distinction as some overlap is alright but above a limit it is just bad. Naturally no overlap would be the best option, but overlap is unavoidable for short torsoed people on a track bike (not couting going with 650c wheels). I am asking this because the bikes I owned in the past have never caused overlap. I test rode a KHS track bike which fit my short torso perfectly, except for about an inch of toe overlap (hard to tell how much). Do any of you ride fixies with toe overlap and does it bother you? How much of an issue is this?

How much toe overlap is too much? In fact, is there such a distinction as some overlap is alright but above a limit it is just bad. Naturally no overlap would be the best option, but overlap is unavoidable for short torsoed people on a track bike (not couting going with 650c wheels). I am asking this because the bikes I owned in the past have never caused overlap. I test rode a KHS track bike which fit my short torso perfectly, except for about an inch of toe overlap (hard to tell how much). Do any of you ride fixies with toe overlap and does it bother you? How much of an issue is this?


After you ride for awhile, you get to anticipate the times when overlap is a problem and, when you think of it, it only happens when you are going very slowly. You just accommodate your movements to the problem and it disappears from your radar screen. Seriously, it becomes second nature to avoid situations that it is a problem.


fixedgearhead

After you ride for awhile, you get to anticipate the times when overlap is a problem and, when you think of it, it only happens when you are going very slowly. You just accommodate your movements to the problem and it disappears from your radar screen. Seriously, it becomes second nature to avoid situations that it is a problem.


fixedgearhead

I'd second that.. I have a small framed (for my size) road bike and the only time I've had problems with toe overlap is at low speed, eg. threading through obstacles. When I'm at speed, I rarely turn the wheel enough to make the toe overlap an issue.

Cheers

Cam

I'd second that.. I have a small framed (for my size) road bike and the only time I've had problems with toe overlap is at low speed, eg. threading through obstacles. When I'm at speed, I rarely turn the wheel enough to make the toe overlap an issue.

Cheers

Cam

the more toe overlap the BETTER!!!!

seriously, it isnt a problem...only at super slow speeds....and, who rides a track bike at super slow speedS?????

duh..randy

the more toe overlap the BETTER!!!!

seriously, it isnt a problem...only at super slow speeds....and, who rides a track bike at super slow speedS?????

duh..randy
What is really funny is when track riders are doing track stands to try to force the rider behind to come forward and thereby let the one in front take the rear position and one of them catches their toe on the front wheel and promptly dumps themselves on the track and the other person sails off to a win. It has happened to me and I felt really stupid.


fixedgearhead

yea I was gonna say if you like to never come out of your pedals you may have a problem at lights (that you must stop at ;) ) and try to track stand. I cant really do it but when I try I find myself twitching the front tire left and right and if I had overlap I'd be kissing the road. Maby I am doing it wrong?

yea I was gonna say if you like to never come out of your pedals you may have a problem at lights (that you must stop at ;) ) and try to track stand. I cant really do it but when I try I find myself twitching the front tire left and right and if I had overlap I'd be kissing the road. Maby I am doing it wrong?

Don't twitch the front tire, just turn it towards your front foot. Overlap shouldn't be a problem.

yea I was gonna say if you like to never come out of your pedals you may have a problem at lights (that you must stop at ;) ) and try to track stand. I cant really do it but when I try I find myself twitching the front tire left and right and if I had overlap I'd be kissing the road. Maby I am doing it wrong?


What I do is not hold my feet quite parallel to the ground. Have one a little lower than the other when you try to track stand. Also point your toes downward and the pedal overlap is eliminated.

fixedgearhead