Does toe overlap mean a bike is too small?

solboy

I have been offered a road bike that seems to fit apart from there is the toe overlap problem and this makes low speed manouvers a bit tricky. On the open road and at normal speeds this is obviously less of an issue.

Has anyone experienced this on their road bikes? Do i need a bigger frame?

MrChuck

It's not uncommon, so it doesn't necessarily mean the bike's too small.
OTOH it doesn't mean it isn't too small either!

Helpful. eh?

moonshine

my commuting / winter bike is converted fixed track bike, and the toe overlap is only a problem doing track stands at lights... once moving it isn't a problem

AidanR

Toe overlap is a problem on smaller frames, and is a consequence of brands using standard 43mm or 45mm rake forks when ideally they should be using larger rakes and slacker head tubes to move the wheel out of the way. But that would cost more, so they don't.

Toe overlap is not indicative of whether the frame is too big or too small for you with the information you have given.

nickwill

AidanR wrote:

Toe overlap is a problem on smaller frames, and is a consequence of brands using standard 43mm or 45mm rake forks when ideally they should be using larger rakes and slacker head tubes to move the wheel out of the way. But that would cost more, so they don't.

Toe overlap is not indicative of whether the frame is too big or too small for you with the information you have given.

On the other hand it might mean that they have chosen to make the compromise in this area rather than others. Perhaps they have put fore/aft weight balance and handling as higher priorities!

meggiedude

AidanR wrote:

Toe overlap is not indicative of whether the frame is too big or too small for you with the information you have given.

Maybe he has big feet - as per Ronald McDonald
Here's an example of the problem.



Sorry, I'll get me coat.

MD

Flambes

It can also mean the front end has had a knock, and the headtube is not at the angle it once was.

Also - are you using your own pedals and shoes to test the bike? May find once yours are on with the cleats in the right position, it may not be such an issue.

Or you can get some shorter cranks (probably not what you want to do though).

Father Jack

My Giant has this, as you can tell as the wheel is close to the chainset, say it's normal. Also as said if you have large feet more likely to have overlap too

desweller

My frame is slightly too big for me, and I still get toe overlap.

So, no.

Smokin Joe

The last bike I had without toe overlap was an old sit up and beg back in the mid-sixties.

All race bikes have it, nothing to worry about.

ride_whenever

tiny little runts tend to get toe overlap more often than giants.