Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - how the hell do you turn?!?

i just got a kilo tt and now im thinking of returning it cause i cant turn without hitting my foot up against the front tire! ive already tried pointing my toes different directions but its still bothering me :( any suggestions?

shoe/wheel overlap is common at driveway maneuvering speeds. But it should not be an issue when you're actually moving at speeds above 5mph, when you just lean into a turn more so than actually turning the handlebars.

shoe/wheel overlap is common at driveway maneuvering speeds. But it should not be an issue when you're actually moving at speeds above 5mph, when you just lean into a turn more so than actually turning the handlebars.

seconded. I usually don't even turn my handlebars to turn at decent speeds... only lean

haha alright ill have to try that :D idk though cause im like 5'8 with a 29 inseam so im wondering if i should sell my bran neew 50cm kilo cause of the toelap

Yeah try it out for a few days riding normally before you decide to return. You shouldn't even notice it because it won't normally happen.

uh, lots of bikes have toe overlap especially them track bikes

http://asset.soup.io/asset/0622/1047_b2b8_600.jpeg

seconded. I usually don't even turn my handlebars to turn at decent speeds... only lean


Incorrect. You are still turning your bars, just not much at speed.

Also, the more you lean, the more likely you are to encounter pedal strike.

You've just gotta find the correct balance, is all.

u'll get used to toe overlap. Give it a few days.
Just time the turn.

Slow u-turns with FG, just take your feet off the pedals or slide your foot back and have your toes on the pedal. Is this an issue with the toe clip or pedal actually hitting the front tire ? If that's the case return the bike or get a fork that has more rake to it. In SS mode, orient the cranks to the 6 & 12 o'clock positions in freewheel.

or get a fork that has more rake to it.

I'd rather have a bit over overlap and learn how to ride/deal with it than spend money on making my bike ride like crud by changing the geometry.

Slow u-turns with FG, just take your feet off the pedals or slide your foot back and have your toes on the pedal. Is this an issue with the toe clip or pedal actually hitting the front tire ?
It's trivially easy to take your foot out of the clip and let the pedal flop over, then put your foot back on so that it's on the "bottom" of the pedal and the cage is facing backwards. You can then move your foot back on the pedal a little bit so as to avoid toe overlap.

I typically do it with my front foot when trackstanding for just that reason, and it's just as easy to do if you really *must* make a bunch of tight turns at 2mph.

haha alright ill have to try that :D idk though cause im like 5'8 with a 29 inseam so im wondering if i should sell my bran neew 50cm kilo cause of the toelap

Unless you have really short legs, that sounds like the wrong size bike for you. I'm 5' 9" and I'm comfortable on 54 - 58cm bikes.

Frame sizing is usually more about reach than leg length. Seat posts are pretty easy to adjust.

I'm 6'2 and my fixed is 56 cm square.

I'd rather have a bit over overlap and learn how to ride/deal with it than spend money on making my bike ride like crud by changing the geometry.

That works too ! Personally I'd do the same and not worry about it if the bike I wound up with had overlap. I'm cheap that way.

It's trivially easy to take your foot out of the clip and let the pedal flop over, then put your foot back on so that it's on the "bottom" of the pedal and the cage is facing backwards. You can then move your foot back on the pedal a little bit so as to avoid toe overlap.

I typically do it with my front foot when trackstanding for just that reason, and it's just as easy to do if you really *must* make a bunch of tight turns at 2mph.

That works too, I can see it making sense to spin the toe clip to the underside, that way whatever retention isn't sticking forward to contact the front tire. And did I mention that removing the toe clip would be an advantage in this situation ? But that's another discussion. :)

yeh it sounds like it but i remember the geo of the kilo is like 3cm bigger? so like a 54 is good for me so how big of a difference is 53?
Unless you have really short legs, that sounds like the wrong size bike for you. I'm 5' 9" and I'm comfortable on 54 - 58cm bikes.

haha alright ill have to try that :D idk though cause im like 5'8 with a 29 inseam so im wondering if i should sell my bran neew 50cm kilo cause of the toelap
You don't use pants inseam for bike sizing; you need your standover height.

Google standover height for measuring tips, and then compare that to the Kilo's geometry chart to see approximately what size would be good for you. I know that bike size isn't determined solely by standover height, but regardless, it sounds like the bike is too small for you (especially if you used inseam instead of standover height).

Track bikes tend to have toe overlap, and smaller bikes even more so.

alright so i did as you said and i guess i have a standover height of 74cm. now what? :0
You don't use pants inseam for bike sizing; you need your standover height.

Google standover height for measuring tips, and then compare that to the Kilo's geometry chart to see approximately what size would be good for you. I know that bike size isn't determined solely by standover height, but regardless, it sounds like the bike is too small for you (especially if you used inseam instead of standover height).

Track bikes tend to have toe overlap, and smaller bikes even more so.

alright so i did as you said and i guess i have a standover height of 74cm. now what? :0

Barefoot or with shoes? I'm only 5'-3", but my barefoot standover is 28", so you must have very short legs compared to your torso. So you probably can't straddle your 50cm Kilo TT, but have no problem with reach to the bars. If you get a smaller 47cm Kilo TT, then you'll have standover but need a super long stem not to be cramped on the bike. I'd say provided you can get the seat high enough relative to the bars for a comforable riding position (same height or higher), then just learn not to straddle your frame when starting and stopping.

daaang dude all of this is confusing :(

daaang dude all of this is confusing :(

No its not. If you are not a gangly giant but want steep geometry, you'll have to deal with overlap. Just get used to it....everybody else does.

It's actually not that bad Bro, I myself have a 50cm Kilo and toe overlap is never an issue. I often make sharp U turns around my college at slow speeds. Like what others say, find the balance between turning and leaning. I was skeptical about buying a kilo but I found out that it's not a issue I would have to worry about.

I ride a 62cm frame so toe overlap isnt an issue.

maybe you should return your bike and get one that fits you.

thanks dude :D
It's actually not that bad Bro, I myself have a 50cm Kilo and toe overlap is never an issue. I often make sharp U turns around my college at slow speeds. Like what others say, find the balance between turning and leaning. I was skeptical about buying a kilo but I found out that it's not a issue I would have to worry about.

It is a wheel base issue, not a sizing issue (although larger frames have longer wheelbases). track oriented bikes have short wheelbases - so make sure that is what you want before you order. ;-)

That is what makes the LBS such a good resource!