So I took the plunge yesterday, and had a set of PB Hardcore fenders mounted. They look great, and though the weather was dry, I managed to find a few spots to test them out ;-)

My issue is this, though: Foot clearance - - I seem to need more! I don't have particularly large feet -- size 44 MTB shoes -- but my left foot made contact with the fender stay several times in my 27 mile shakedown ride, including one event during a relatively normal turn from street to street (i.e. not a low speed, sharp turn / parking lot maneuver). One of the contacts was hard enough to bend the stay slightly. Is this something I just need to get used to, or is there some strategy for avoiding this unintended contact?

I seem to have plenty of clearance to the rear, so I am considering moving my cleats forward some (which should have the effect of moving my toes back, right?), to see if gaining some space that way is practical --I didn't work too hard aligning my cleats when I started -- I more-or-less centered them, figuring that I'd move them if there was an issue. That was well over 400 miles ago.

Another idea was to cut off the 'excess' part of the fender stay, as it sticks out about an inch? behind the fender hardware itself. I have no plans to remount these to another bike, but is there some functional reason to keep the excess?

Thanks for anyone who might have some ideas.