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Getting rid of toe overlap?

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Old 05-06-08 | 10:53 AM
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Getting rid of toe overlap?

I've read around and everyone says I'll get used to it, but I'm having the hardest time doing so..

I've got a 50cm spicer/mercier frame. I'm running MKS GR9 pedals, and Soma SM/MD cages. I'm running 170 IRO cranks and I still get about an inch of overlap.

I'm thinking about straight out buying a new frameset.. but I was looking for alternatives. Any suggestions?
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Old 05-06-08 | 10:56 AM
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most even semi-aggressive track frames that size have some overlap. even my 56cm roadbike has about an inch.
 
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Old 05-06-08 | 10:56 AM
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Remove the toes...problem solved.

I doubt you will find a true track bike in that size without overlap.
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Old 05-06-08 | 10:59 AM
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Clipless pedals + 165mm cranks are going to be your best bet for getting rid of overlap.
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Old 05-06-08 | 11:02 AM
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Umm that frame is really tight, because of the size. for starters your fork has a 37.5 rake. this is not so bad given the headtube angle so you could probably go with a 40 rake on the fork and not notice too much of a difference. next you need to get rid of those crappy iro 170 cranks and put on a set of 165 cranks. you will be well on your way with those two changes and the small-ish cages on your pedals. if you need more, buy the small size cages for the pedals. they wont be too bad , i mean how big can your shoe really be with a 50 frame?
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Old 05-06-08 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Hirohsima
Clipless pedals + 165mm cranks are going to be your best bet for getting rid of overlap.
+1.......or even clipless alone might do the trick....

There could easily be an inch difference between that and running clips.

Toe overlap is a non-issue for me. I instinctively avoid making contact.
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Old 05-06-08 | 11:03 AM
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Do you actually find yourself kicking the tire often?

My Trek conversion probably has an inch and a half of overlap and I only experience contact when doing super tight turns at super low speeds, which is rare.
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Old 05-06-08 | 11:03 AM
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get shorter legs tranplanted onto your body
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Old 05-06-08 | 11:13 AM
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ride faster
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Old 05-06-08 | 12:50 PM
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Yes.
1. Why does toe overlap make you nervous? Are you often kicking the tire?
2. Toes can be removed.
3. Shorter crank arms? You're riding a perty small frame, I assume ur prolly a short person. 170's might be WAY huge for you.
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Old 05-06-08 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by carail
ride faster
Agreed. Also, learn to point your toes down at slow speeds.
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Old 05-06-08 | 04:58 PM
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Deal with it. It's a fact of life when you ride small frames. I have the same frame, same pedals, with 165mm cranks. There's definitely toe overlap, but it's never been anything more than an annoyance.

The other option would be to get much, much taller so that you could get a frame large enough to not have toe overlap with 700c wheels.
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Old 05-06-08 | 04:59 PM
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have your toes cut off, that'l fix this prob.
 
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Old 05-06-08 | 05:57 PM
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LIve with it. Or sell your bike, and get a touring frame. Those are the real options.
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Old 05-06-08 | 06:25 PM
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suck it up dude. On nearly every bike you're going to get overlap.
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Old 05-06-08 | 06:46 PM
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My 56 road bike has overlap about two inches down the shoe. My cross bike even has overlap. The best thing you can do is to practice a lot at slow speeds so that you realize when you're about to hit the tire. This will also teach you how to deal with it when it does happen.
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Old 05-06-08 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by chevahh
suck it up dude. On nearly every bike you're going to get overlap.
i'm glad i don't know what toe overlap is! =)
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Old 05-06-08 | 07:21 PM
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grow taller...ride a 60cm toe overlap what?
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Old 05-06-08 | 07:36 PM
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i say try smaller crank size...why would u think of buying a new frameset if 50 is ur size?
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Old 05-06-08 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by dervish
i say try smaller crank size...why would u think of buying a new frameset if 50 is ur size?
Yeah, I was thinking that.. is 160 too small?

The reason why I'm thinking about buying a new frameset is cause I'm not sure if I want something with track geometry anymore.. since I dont think I'll ever go to the track. Did it for the street cred of course..
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Old 05-06-08 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by PaginaVilot
Yeah, I was thinking that.. is 160 too small?

The reason why I'm thinking about buying a new frameset is cause I'm not sure if I want something with track geometry anymore.. since I dont think I'll ever go to the track. Did it for the street cred of course..
hmmm...is the geom just really tight together or sumthin? u may want to try a conversion if ur truly set on changing framesets, i did one and i love it
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Old 05-06-08 | 09:45 PM
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Point your outside foot down when doing super slow turns
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Old 05-06-08 | 09:53 PM
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practice, practice, practice.
you'll learn to avoid toe overlap.
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Old 05-06-08 | 09:58 PM
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drink more milk so you can grow taller
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Old 05-06-08 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by blankgen
Point your outside foot down when doing super slow turns
Thanks. I tried this out a bit today and I'm sure I can get the hang of it after awhile.

Originally Posted by dervish
hmmm...is the geom just really tight together or sumthin? u may want to try a conversion if ur truly set on changing framesets, i did one and i love it
My previous bike/borrowed bike was a fuji track. I'm not sure if this geometry is very different, but both bikes feel very different. But that could be for many reasons.. (diff frame size, geometry, different parts)

But the conversion might be something I'll really like.. I'll look into that a bit. Doesn't seem as if their are any benefits (for me) riding a frame with track geometry.... besides the steet cred.
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