Toe wheel overlap
10-16-10, 09:51 AM
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Toe wheel overlap
My friends are getting me into road riding so I'm test riding a pretty nice Orbea Onix the other day at the LBS. The 57cm frame felt big so I jumped on a 54, which was better. However, there was quite a bit of toe overlap on the front wheel, which I realize isn't a huge deal when road riding high speed but most of my riding in the past is commuter so having the psych of thinking about my shoe is going into the spokes made me nervous. The LBS guy said this was pretty common problem. I thought it was just a frame that's not for me. What do you guys think? Should I sweat the overlap, is this common or find a different geometry?
10-16-10, 10:00 AM
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It's very common. The only time I have an issue is stopped. When you are riding you will never have an issue with it.
10-16-10, 10:05 AM
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That does not sound good. How tall are you and what is your inseam?
I am 5'8" with a 31" inseam. I can ride up to a 54 cm but I went with 53 cm. 53 cm seems to fit me very well.
I am 5'8" with a 31" inseam. I can ride up to a 54 cm but I went with 53 cm. 53 cm seems to fit me very well.
10-16-10, 10:10 AM
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Don't sweat it. Your shoe isn't going into the spokes unless you have clown feet!
Unless you're really zig zagging through traffic it really won;t be an issue.
Unless you're really zig zagging through traffic it really won;t be an issue.
10-16-10, 10:16 AM
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On road geometry it's very common.
It's not really a big deal though. Just watch what foot your putting forward when you're turning... However it only occurs when you're going really slow.
It's not really a big deal though. Just watch what foot your putting forward when you're turning... However it only occurs when you're going really slow.
10-16-10, 10:26 AM
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Even then, it's usually a non-issue. If you are going any faster than a few miles an hour, the bike will not require more than ~5 degrees of movement on each side. Beside that, you will, more likely than not, naturally make a habit riding with your crank arms in a vertical orientation when turning anyway.
10-16-10, 10:29 AM
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SactoDoug seems to be the only dissenter thus far. To answer question, I'm 5'10" with 30" inseam. My commuter is 51 cm, but it's got a lot of stem and handle mods (very comfy) making it good for town riding and my mountain is 19" (48cm, I believe in conversion). I think the Orbeas run big on the top tube, maybe that's part of this particular bike. It still freaks me a little bit; I might try the 57 with a mod stem or look for a 55.
10-16-10, 10:34 AM
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toe overlap is a way of life for me, except on the MTB
it makes 'cross a PITA when the promoters plan a twisty race with lots of squiggles.
you will never hit the spokes. you will hit the tire. if it happens, just avoid freaking out and you will most likely be fine.
it makes 'cross a PITA when the promoters plan a twisty race with lots of squiggles.
you will never hit the spokes. you will hit the tire. if it happens, just avoid freaking out and you will most likely be fine.
10-16-10, 10:55 AM
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Most of my road bikes have had overlap. Only time it really bothered me was when I ran full fenders on my Univega.
10-16-10, 11:28 AM
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My custom road frame has MAJOR overlap. It is really only an issue when starting/stopping and turning. The first time I hit the front tire with my foot it scared the CRAP out of me. Once you are aware it's there, you just know not to pedal when turning the wheel at very low speeds.
So no biggie.
So no biggie.
10-16-10, 11:45 AM
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I am not dissenting. I just think that the first thing that should be asked is if you are on the right sized bike.
I'm surprised you were able to straddle a 57 cm bike with a 30" inseam. I know I couldn't with my 31" inseam.
If everything is sized right, then I guess you shouldn't worry about it as others have said.
I'm surprised you were able to straddle a 57 cm bike with a 30" inseam. I know I couldn't with my 31" inseam.
If everything is sized right, then I guess you shouldn't worry about it as others have said.
10-16-10, 12:11 PM
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Just to say what has already been said, don't worry about it.
My toes will hit the wheel if I'm not paying attention turning at slow speed. Perfect fix to it is be in the habit of having your pedals straight up and down when turning, with the pedal up that's toward the turn.
If you're turning sharp you can also strike the pedal on the ground, so it is a good habit to be in. Even when I take slow turns I do it just so I'm always in the practice.
My toes will hit the wheel if I'm not paying attention turning at slow speed. Perfect fix to it is be in the habit of having your pedals straight up and down when turning, with the pedal up that's toward the turn.
If you're turning sharp you can also strike the pedal on the ground, so it is a good habit to be in. Even when I take slow turns I do it just so I'm always in the practice.
10-16-10, 12:35 PM
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Thanks, guys.
SactoDoug seems to be the only dissenter thus far. To answer question, I'm 5'10" with 30" inseam. My commuter is 51 cm, but it's got a lot of stem and handle mods (very comfy) making it good for town riding and my mountain is 19" (48cm, I believe in conversion). I think the Orbeas run big on the top tube, maybe that's part of this particular bike. It still freaks me a little bit; I might try the 57 with a mod stem or look for a 55.
SactoDoug seems to be the only dissenter thus far. To answer question, I'm 5'10" with 30" inseam. My commuter is 51 cm, but it's got a lot of stem and handle mods (very comfy) making it good for town riding and my mountain is 19" (48cm, I believe in conversion). I think the Orbeas run big on the top tube, maybe that's part of this particular bike. It still freaks me a little bit; I might try the 57 with a mod stem or look for a 55.
10-16-10, 12:40 PM
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Only time I run into issues is from a stand still, steep climbing right hand turn. I have gotten stuck =o toe into rear of front wheel, sudden surprising halt when your trying to muscle it forward LOL.
It's a rare issue.
But common for road bikes, especially short wheel base race geometry ones.
It's a rare issue.
But common for road bikes, especially short wheel base race geometry ones.
10-16-10, 03:33 PM
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About the same size as you and ride a couple of 54's with toe overlap. Not an issue. I don't even think about it anymore.
10-16-10, 03:49 PM
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You become so accustomed to the overlap it becomes second nature to turn your bars a little sharper before your toe hits the tire....just my experience!
10-16-10, 04:11 PM
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Never thought about this so I went and checked. My 57.5cm Supersix overlaps my shoes by about 1cm. I never remember them rubbing so I agree that it's a non-issue. If you do turn sharply just don't have a foot forward. You'll more than likely have your feet at 6 and 12 o'clock. GL
10-16-10, 04:49 PM
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I'm 5'10" with a 30.75" inseam and I ride a 54 without problem. Plenty of toe overlap with my size 10 feet, but as mentioned above, unless you ride 3 mph it shouldn't be a problem. If you were able to look down while making a typical right-hand turn (please don't) you'd see your tire move maybe an inch from center.
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10-16-10, 05:25 PM
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5'7" with a 30" inseam. on a 54cm. I have toe overlap. There's no way your foot will go into the spokes. Your toe may rub on the tire, but that's about it.
10-16-10, 05:28 PM
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I just check my bike as I was riding it. Sure enough, I have a slight toe overlap if I position my crank and foot just right. I never noticed it before.
10-16-10, 05:36 PM
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Overlap has never really been a problem for me, unless im turning around really slow.
10-16-10, 06:56 PM
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What if he is at a stop light and is making sharp turns left or right, and not a track stand? Just stay in your straps? This is an non-issue...he will learn when falls at 5 mph...lol....53CM and 56 Cm bikes in my rides...5 foot 11....155lbs!
10-16-10, 07:00 PM
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almost all road bikes have a good bit of toe overlap. It's completely normal.
The only time it's a problem is really low speed, I've actually fallen once because of it. Climbing a gravel parking lot before a race, turned around to look for a teammate, didn't pay attention, got my right foot wedged between my tire and downtube. Down I went, with a nice chainring into the calf.
I went to the medic after the race, and she asked which crash I was involved in to have me fill out the paperwork. I told her I fell in the parking lot before the race.
The only time it's a problem is really low speed, I've actually fallen once because of it. Climbing a gravel parking lot before a race, turned around to look for a teammate, didn't pay attention, got my right foot wedged between my tire and downtube. Down I went, with a nice chainring into the calf.
I went to the medic after the race, and she asked which crash I was involved in to have me fill out the paperwork. I told her I fell in the parking lot before the race.
10-16-10, 07:07 PM
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almost all road bikes have a good bit of toe overlap. It's completely normal.
The only time it's a problem is really low speed, I've actually fallen once because of it. Climbing a gravel parking lot before a race, turned around to look for a teammate, didn't pay attention, got my right foot wedged between my tire and downtube. Down I went, with a nice chainring into the calf.
I went to the medic after the race, and she asked which crash I was involved in to have me fill out the paperwork. I told her I fell in the parking lot before the race.
The only time it's a problem is really low speed, I've actually fallen once because of it. Climbing a gravel parking lot before a race, turned around to look for a teammate, didn't pay attention, got my right foot wedged between my tire and downtube. Down I went, with a nice chainring into the calf.
I went to the medic after the race, and she asked which crash I was involved in to have me fill out the paperwork. I told her I fell in the parking lot before the race.
We all have some embarrassing things to share! I fell in front of a cop and received a sobriety test...lol