I'm in the market for a winter commuter/errand bike. Probably one of the $500ish bikes (San Jose, Paddy Wagon, etc), or maybe a Pompino or CRB if the wife isn't paying attention.

I'd like to go fixed, but I'm concerned about toe-overlap. My current Cannondale R800 (seat tube: 52 C-T, top tube: 53.5 C-C) has horrible overlap. Is this something I'm going to run into on these bikes? Or, is the geometry such that it isn't an issue? (more rake on the fork, or something?)

will you ride with fenders? A winter commuter without them seems non-sensical but they will guarantee toe overlap with most frames.

You'll get used to it though.

I haven't decided about fenders. I'm not worried about splatter - my office has a locker-room with showers.

i've ridden a few bikes with mad overlap, needless to say these frames were much too small for me, however, the only time that it became a serious issue was when i would trackstand and in the act of attempting to balance my self the front wheel would turn a great deal >90 degrees or so and then clip my leading foot; there also seemed to be a problem when i made reeeallly slow turns; neither of these really hampered my riding or confidency in riding.... i've had issues with fenders on my bike that fits me fine and has no overlap... it seems every winter i wage this seemingly vain battle to provide my bike and butt with ample splatter cover and relatively inexpensive fenders (excluding the big aluminum ones on my cruiser bike) that a)keep me relatively dry b)don't greatly interfere with my riding....i'm still at the drawing board there...

I don't think the Paddy Wagon has much overlap (you're riding SPD?). Maybe it's even 0. I'm riding platforms so I'm not sure. It's a great bike though and not very expensive...

if you live anywhere that gets snowy and sloppy, you want fenders. your feet get soaking wet, your back gets a dirty stripe, and sometimes you even get splatter in your face or chest area. fenders don't only protect you, either. if you get a good front fender, it should keep your chain cleaner as well (salt and sand in the winter muck up chains very quick)
https://sheldonbrown.com/fenders.html

Yes, I ride clipless pedals (Time ATAC).

Wouldn't running a rear fender make changing a flat impossible (without taking the fender off)? Most of the budget-fixies are track-ends. Which begs the question - why don't they use horizontal dropouts like Surly?

cause trackends are way cooler!
duh.

I suppose. But getting to work > being cool. The Cannondale is pretty freddy as it is - what with the over-sized puncture-resistant tires, plethora of blinkies, and seatpost rack. Pretty much anything would be a step in the right direction.

You can mount the fenders with some safety release mounts that are usually used on the front. then it will just snap in and out to remove your wheel.

you were doing it wrong then

+1
If your leading foot hits your tire then youre doing it totally wrong

get used to overlap or quit riding track bikes

I have some overlap. I've learned to love it.

toe overlap makes me nervous whenever i ride my beater w/fenders. it happens. i've gotten kinda good at "knowing" when it's going to happen and widening my turns, but sometimes it's unavoidable, especially when going slowly between close cars in traffic while switching lanes.
i recently bought a fender style which allows you to adjust where you mount the brackets. once i get ready to install it, i'm going to cut six inches or so off the end and shift the whole thing forward.

but yes, it happens. and it sucks. you will probably fall once every two months.

i was riding forever when a bunch of toe overlap but needed some new pedals for a new bike i was working on anyways, right now i've got MKS GR-9 pedals with their adjustable toe clips. there's a bolt on the top strap and bottom to allow you to move your toe out however far you want. i've got the ball of my foot more over the spindle than ever and have got about two millimeters of clearance.

I have a decent amount of overlap. (almost) Never an issue.

The only thing I have trouble with is the one very sharp 180 turn I need to make up hill on a 3' wide path. Going down it I can skid it, uphill I haven't figured it out yet.

Al

I have had no toe overlap issues with my Jamie Roy. It has a more road geometry than track geometry, but coming from a roadie background, thats wuts I like.

Edit: It still is an issue if I am going VERY slow and try to turn basically 90 degrees, other than that, not an issue.

The Rob Roy has fender mounts. You could get in on the group buy going on, but you'll have to wait half the winter before you get your bike.