This is what I was greeted with on my test ride after tinkering on this bike on and off all winter. It's even worse at the fender stay bolt, which sticks out the back of the fender. Not sure if I can even consider this rideable.

Yikes! That's pretty bad. That's worse than the toe overlap on my Raleigh Comp GS. 27" wheels, right? Somehow I think some of these 80s bikes were really made for 700C wheels, and they just threw on 27" because that was the thing back then.

Also, VO really should consider moving their drawbolt hole lower. I have the same complaint with VO fenders on my Raleigh comp. Honjo places the holes lower on the fender, where toe overlap wouldn't be a problem.

I don't know what to tell you, other than it doesn't look like fenders are going to work out on this bike. Luckily, I have zero toe overlap on my 25" Shogun with 650B wheels.

Time to get smaller feet.

Neal

Yep, it has 27s. It's a shame because it's so pretty with the fenders.

They're 10-1/2... that's not that big, is it??

I have that much overlap on half my bikes. Goes with the territory with 12 4E feet.

Or shorter cranks. Or move the cleats forward. Or see if your fork is bent.

Or swap out the crankset for one with a wider Q factor, and add pedal spacers.

Size 13W here. Little to no toe overlap on 3 out of four road bikes. Bad overlap with one bike, but it's also my smallest bike. All four have fenders. It doesn't have to come with the territory.

Toe overlap doesn't bother me. I just turn the handlebars. Don't panic!

What role is the Shogun 1500 meant for? I thought it was more of a light touring machine, so this seems odd.

Looks like an accident waiting to happen to me. Hope not though.

Unrideable? Only if you need to make lots of sharp turns.
This is my winter commuter - not good for track stands but fine for regular riding.

Inside pedal at 12o'clock in sharp corners. No worries.

Also If you are using Toe Clips and straps like a good little C&V'er it wouldn't matter how big your feet are because a toe clip sticks out the same distance regardless.

That's a lot of toe overlap, but I think the key point is that this is a new build that you're not used to riding. You'll get used to it.

Obviously there are a lot of ways you could solve this problem (shorter crank arms; lose the fenders; smaller front wheel; change the fork to one with more rake) but I imagine none of them will interest you much. Just ride it, and see if you can get used to it; my prediction is a couple weeks will go by and you'll forget all about it.

I have the same problem with my Concord I built up, I had installed a different fork ( chrome ) & think that may be the problem. I am going to put the old fork back on and see what it's like then maybe pedal extenders. This is the first bike I have ridden that has had this bad of a overlap problem most I can deal with but my Concord is just to dangerous to ride the way it is, I mean if something should happen and my timing is off I may lose a toe or something lol.

Glenn

Well, if smaller feet won't do the trick, I suggest you only ride straight. No turns!

Neal

You could try Japanese foot binding, how old are you?

If you can't lean into it, you weren't meant to go there.

The initial picture is about how much overlap I have on my Cannondale crit frame without fenders. I do have to be a little careful when making sharp turns such as a U-turn on a narrow road, but it's not an issue in normal riding. Certainly doesn't make the bike unrideable.

i've been riding and commuting on fixed-gear track bikes for years, they have a huge amount of toverlap. you get used to it after a few weeks and i don't even notice it now.

This.

Right, but a track bike is not designed to turn street corners. I guess you do get used to it, but it still detracts from the overall riding experience, especially on a fixed gear where you really have to anticipate how you're going to navigate a turn. Even with a non-fixed bike with overlap, I dislike having to position the cranks through a turn.

I'm in the "don't worry about it" crowd as well. All of my bikes have a significant amount of overlap.

Joel, sometimes ya get no respect!

Luckily I have no toe overlap on my fixed gear, but I do on my commuter. You just get used to it. The only problem I've had is that my toe came down on the fender which then ripped the fender up due to the rotation of the tire. Broke a fairly brand new front fender. Luckily I was just getting going so no crash, just a really slow speed stumble.