noglider 

I don't ride fixed much, but I had to take a short ride today, so I took my fixie. I had to drop my car off for repair. Tossed the bike in the car, dropped the car off, and rode home. It's about 1.5 miles.

I turned a corner and heard a loud CRACK sound. Afterwards, I realized it was the forward tip of my steel toe clip hitting the ground. It didn't upset my balance, but it makes me wonder: how close am I to an upsetting collision with the ground?

How do I measure this and mitigate the likelihood?

This is a cheapo bike from Nashbar. It's built to be a fixie, but it may not have a high bottom bracket or short crankarms to make it safe.

ADSR

Just don't lean so much. Sheesh.

jtarver

Awarenees goes a long way here, as you ride fixed wheel more, you will be more aware of the potential for pedal strike. Otherwise, shorter cranks, lower profile pedals or clipless can lower the odds a bit. Also, pedal stike happens other places than corners. Riding too close to a curb or obstacle can give you an unexpected suprise as well. One other thing you may consider is less leaning into turns and a more upright posture and actual steering with the handlebars. Looks and feels a bit odd at first, but it works. Good luck

ianjk

You have to adjust your riding/cornering style with a fixed gear, no matter what the ground clearance.

noglider 

Yeah, I guess that's it. On the bike I usually ride, I've been teaching myself to lean more and more, so I have to reverse this habit on my fixie.

jtgotsjets

I thought this thread was going to be more catastrophic.

PluperfectArson

Yeah, I had to stop leaning too far over because a lump in the ground caused me to pedal strike, which actually threw me off balance and I went flying.

**** is fun.

noglider 

I could write a story if you need.

destikon

100mm cranks

roastbeef

yea, short crank arms are the best way to avoid pedal strike. i think i'm running 165mm cranks, never had a problem.

PluperfectArson

I run 165mm cranks, and I still have problems occasionally.

I lean over more than anyone not on a track should, though.

LoRoK

165s here, and only have a problem on one corner where there is a big lump of asphalt right in the way of my right pedal. I have learned to avoid it.

spcialzdspksman

This has nothing to do with pedal strike, but today my bike flipped from under me because the wheels got caught on the rail tracks on the street. And the worse thing was, this happened in the middle of a giant intersection with tons of drivers who just watched as this happened. Only one of them came over to ask if was ok. These statistics indicate, 5% of drivers will give a **** what happens to cyclists on the road.

mumblesmumbles

I've pedal struck a curb while making a left at moderate speed. Not fun.

mumblesmumbles

Upper Market?

PluperfectArson

I know of two people who have had this happen to them here in downtown Portland on the MAX tracks.

noglider 

Jeez, yet another argument against riding fixed!

I'm half joking, but you really have to have a lot of skill AND willingness to crash.

the_don

Man, there isn't a day that goes by that you don't go flying off your bike!

j3ffr3y

I thought this thread was going to be about *******.
cocalne is wordfiltered?

kyselad

Jeez, what ******* came up with that filtering system?

JiveTurkey

I like how the above did not get censored.

Anyway, back to the topic... Along the lines of adjusting your cornering style: since it was the front of your toe-clip that scraped, was your foot actually angled down? If so, try to level your foot out around turns.

For sharp turns, try leaning your body over while keeping the bike relatively upright.

bones_mcbones

Or you could be ridiculously uncool and just ride SS

noglider 

Yeah, what is it with SS? I don't get it.

Ken Cox

I ride with 170mm cranks and a high bottom bracket and a pedal strike seems highly improbable unto impossible on my bike.

norskagent

I always try to cross RR tracks as close to 90^ as possible, especially if they are wet.