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Are my toe clips overlapping TOO much?....

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Are my toe clips overlapping TOO much?....

Old 01-13-09, 10:53 PM
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Are my toe clips overlapping TOO much?....

Ok first of all, I realize this topic of overlap has been discussed numerous times throughout this forum (I've been searching) and for that I apologize, however I have a slightly different question.

I understand that with smaller track frames, overlap is inevitable, and that the answer is most likely for me to just get used to it. But what I'm asking is how much overlap is too much?

I just finished my first build on a 50cm track frame, and have yet to ride it due to the snow/rain weather we have right now, so I have yet to see if I can get used to the overlap, but I wanted to share some pics of my set up to see if anyone thought that my circumstance was something I should try and fix. And I already know my options to fix them, toes cutting off being #1 choice.

Right now the bike's specs are as follows: 50cm frame, 700c wheels, 170mm cranks. MKS sylvan pedals and Large toe clips.
My specs are: 5'8ish, inseam: 30inches

here are the pics:





Here's where the tire hits my shoe when the wheel is turned and the cranks are straight


last one:


So am I just being way to paranoid since I've yet to actually really ride this bike to see what it feels like? Or do I have an excessive amount of overlap?.... Just learn to deal with it? or should I consider smaller clips/cranks?

my brother has the same frame but in 53cm, and his toe overlap is minimal. The tire just skims the toe clip, but obviously this is expected considering he has a bigger frame.

Thanks for any help, it's much appreciated.
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Old 01-13-09, 10:54 PM
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Just deal with it, it's no big deal.
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Old 01-13-09, 10:57 PM
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ride.
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Old 01-13-09, 10:58 PM
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its a lot of overlap but you will learn to ride it. Only question is if you're building a 50cm track frame did you go with 170mm cranks?
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Old 01-13-09, 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Thetank
its a lot of overlap but you will learn to ride it. Only question is if you're building a 50cm track frame did you go with 170mm cranks?
Because I was misinformed as to how I should calculate my crank size.... stupid I know, but if I can exchange them, do you think I should do so? I'm going to see if I can swap them out for 165's.
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Old 01-13-09, 11:16 PM
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Might aswell keep them now. 5mm ain't going to do shiiiiiiittttt for that.
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Old 01-13-09, 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Syncmaster
Right now the bike's specs are as follows: 50cm frame, 700c wheels, 170mm cranks. MKS sylvan pedals and Large toe clips.
My specs are: 5'8ish, inseam: 30inches
did you get the correct size frame? you seem to be of average size, but purchased a tiny bicycle.
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Old 01-13-09, 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Geordi Laforge
did you get the correct size frame? you seem to be of average size, but purchased a tiny bicycle.
Yes I believe that I did buy the right size frame. My brother has the next size up, and I rode that bike for a month in New York, and it was way too big for me. So I figured I would get the next size down. The stand over height seems right for my leg length.

unless my brother told me the wrong size that he had... which is a possibility...
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Old 01-14-09, 12:08 AM
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I dont know man.
going clipless + shorter crank + a 650 wheel might get rid of the overlap, if you're willing to go that far.

but the best thing is just to get used to it - quite common on track frames that arent really designed to turn more than a few degrees to the left.
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Old 01-14-09, 12:13 AM
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Probably hard to change this stuff now but 165 cranks plus small/medium cages would help a bit. Changing the cages is a quick/cheap change to try. Why the large cages? The shorter cranks are better for spinning too, if that is your thing.

Last edited by jhaber; 01-14-09 at 12:44 AM.
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Old 01-14-09, 12:18 AM
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medium clips are tiny. I'd only do that if they actually fit and arent too uncomfortable. I use large MKS clips and my girlfriend uses medium. I can fit my feet into them, but they make the pedal sit further toward my toes. Riding on your toes sucks after a few blocks and isnt recommended.
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Old 01-14-09, 12:29 AM
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Thanks all for the suggestions. Do you know how much shorter the medium MKS clips are compared to the Large ones?
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Old 01-14-09, 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by rduenas
Might aswell keep them now. 5mm ain't going to do shiiiiiiittttt for that.
Yes it will, it will place the pedal further away from the wheel helping to remedy his issue. Add some smaller toe clips and you can lessen the overlap. I wouldn't go too small quite honestly, remember you have to position the ball of your foot right over the pedal axle or as close to it or your feet will hurt on even short rides. If you can exchange the cranks without having to pay I would go for it, even the small difference will help with not only toe overlap but also with pedal strike on sharp turns.
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Old 01-14-09, 12:45 AM
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How about some Power Grips?
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Old 01-14-09, 12:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Syncmaster
Thanks all for the suggestions. Do you know how much shorter the medium MKS clips are compared to the Large ones?
S - Kid's sizes, Smaller Women's sizes
M - Men's sizes 5-8, Most Women' sizes
L - Men's sizes 8-10
XL - Men's sizes 10 and up

they are tiny.
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Old 01-14-09, 02:33 AM
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Plus the XLL - Extra large long.
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Old 01-14-09, 03:40 AM
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the overlap will only really be a problem if you're riding too slow, so... learn to deal with it.
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Old 01-14-09, 10:01 AM
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I was a nervous about overlap when I started riding fixed too. The only times it will be a problem are when you are making tight low speed turns, and possibly when you're learning to track stand (ex. trying to stand right foot forward and turning your wheel to the left to catch your balance). In both cases IF the overlap actually causes you to fall it will be at low-no speed and you shouldn't get hurt. You can also often get around the low speed cornering issue by leaning your bike more than usual while keeping your body fairly upright. At high speed you're never going to need to turn your wheel that much so the overlap isn't an issue.
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Old 01-14-09, 10:21 AM
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Thanks everyone. I'm trying to see if I can exchange my crankset for the 165's. And I contacted my brother and his order for his bike says it's positively a 53cm that he's riding (which again was too big for me) I've been told that the frames we got run big for their sizing, and I measured my frame and it's actually more like a 53cm. So I did get the right frame size, I'm going to try and get the smaller crankset, and possibly new toe clips if I can go smaller while not sacrificing fit. I realize I should still have some overlap and that I probably wont' be able to eliminate it completely, but I would like to reduce it to a slightly more normal length. Besides, I fit my cranklength to my body incorrectly anyway, I might as well try and rectify my mistake now before I start riding and beating up my bike.
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Old 01-14-09, 10:25 AM
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mine's worse than yours; 170s/mks L on a 54cm tk2 frame. you get used to it, or you fall.
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Old 01-14-09, 10:29 AM
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Hmm, yeah I know there are worse overlaps out there, (ie. Monster toe overlap thread...) but now I'm saying I'll try and replace my cranks for 165's since they're not the right fit in the first place. hopefully it will hope both ways.
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Old 02-13-10, 03:57 AM
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I have a huge toe overlap on my 62 cm frame... It's weird.
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Old 02-13-10, 05:17 AM
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Dude.. falling at low speed is when I get hurt the most. Well not really, but it seems like it.
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Old 02-13-10, 06:22 AM
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Originally Posted by adriano
ride.
ride fast
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Old 02-13-10, 06:37 AM
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Think of it this way, ... next time you get a new bike, you will be so uber used to toe overlaps, you will rock the streets like a demon-incarnate.
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