Pedal Clearance??
 

Hey Everyone.

I am wondering what should be the minimal amount of pedal clearance that someone would be okay with getting away with. I have had no issues with my Trek DS 8.2 with rigid fork, but the other day thought my pedal when in the down position looked liked if I took a turn to sharp I might have an issue. The geometry of the bike is the same as when I had the suspension fork on the front. I had the bike shop install the fork and it is suspension corrected.

Just curious as what you guys thought is an okay pedal clearance. I have yet to measure it exactly....I will have to sometime tomorrow.

If I read this right any bike will have an issue with pedal strike if the inside pedal is in the down position and at a sharp enough lean angle, which is why if you're taking a right hand turn the right pedal should be in the upper most position and left pedal for left turn. If you mean toe overlap with the front tire again upper position will fix that also.

That issue is not the equipment it is the rider. Don't turn with the pedal in the down position. If the proper fork is installed and the suspension is set properly the bike should sit relatively level with you on it. There is no "standard" pedal height.

I think that even racers who like to pedal through corners when they can need to keep their inner pedal up when they lean into a hard corner... If it is alright for the guy in the yellow jersey to coast through a turn, I assume it is ok for me. :)

Plus, I feel more stable with my inner pedal up, placing some weight on the outer pedal... I don't know if it is all in my head, but I feel more confident.

That is because you are lowering your center of gravity, as well as lowering the point in which the weight is applied - from the saddle to the pedal. This is one way to turn a corner. The other is to pedal furiously without clipping the pavement