I've seen a few threads that talk about pedal overlap. I've read most and still have no idea what it is.

It is when your toe hits the front wheel during a hard slow turn.

In most cases, toe overlap is not a problem.

my bike has toe overlap (i guess compact geometry plus big feet) but the only times ive experienced a problem with it is when trackstanding at stoplights. actually, sometimes it helps me track stand because i can sort of hold the tire still with my toe. other times it ****s me up and i have to pedal forward or fall down. i try not to fall down lol (still learning to trackstand)

so since I'm fairly tall 6ft 2 with sizes 12.5 shoes, I should expect to get some overlap with pretty much any bike?

No. It has to do with the wheelbase and the angles of the bike. Most bikes with track and road geometry will have toe overlap. Most bikes with touring geometry will not.

Toe overlaps usually happen on a smaller frame, <50cm or so, if you are 6'2", you won't have a problem with toe overlaps.

im 6'2, ride a 58, and have toe overlap ;p

i think toe overlap is going to happen on pretty much any track bike....thats just an assumption though. the assumption being, track geom tends to be more compact (right?)

i could be totally wrong, i only have a few frames of personal experience to go by.

I was spacing out when I said that, Veloria had it down.

At 6'2", on a 57cm Kilo TT - I have minimal, but existing toe overlap. I usually wear an 11-11.5 US sized regular shoe or a 44.5 Euro sized clipless cycling shoes.

For normal riding and even slow turns it has not been an issue. I occasionally get hung up while track standing. Tipping your toe up or down will probably be enough to get around the tire while trackstanding, it's just a habit I've not yet formed.

I used to ride a 55cm Cannondale criterium frame, and had very minor toe overlap problems. On my 53cm Pista, the overlap is so huge that it can actually cause issues at low speed.

Hmmm, why would anyone design a frame and/or install longer crank arms with pedals that use toe clips that hit the front tire ? Unless they didn't take any of it into account ergonomically at the design stage ?

Because toe overlap is only dangerous when the front wheel is turned to an extreme angle, track bikes were designed to be on the velodrome and they never see tight cornering on the track.

Yeah, everone gets to watch you fall over in the infield, not on the track! ;-)

bareknuckle toe overlap like whoa...bouts to kop some medium clips. thank god my foot is only between a 10.5-11.