New shoes and toe clip overlap

pk6526

Hi all,

I'm a runner that has got into cycling through triathlon (go figure) - I'm explaining this so you understand what I've done.

After a good first triathlon season using SPD cleats (well I didn't know - I was a runner!) I decided I needed to do it properly and last weekend went out and bought some really well-fitting shoes and Look cleats & pedals. Having made the conscious decision to go to a good independent cycle shop to buy them, I took advantage of professional cleat fitting.

I eagerly fitted my new pedals and checked the bike for fit - to my horror I can now touch the tips of my shoes with the front wheel. Not by much, but enough to convince me I'll crash if I try pedalling as I go round a slow-speed corner!

So ... any advice on what to do next? I've read a few pieces about crank length, one solution might be to get hold of some shorter cranks. I suppose I could move the cleats forward on the shoes a bit but from what I understand that will slow me down and possibly cause injury. I could just be very careful at slow speeds....

Or is it a lost cause and I need a bigger bike? I hope not as I spent enough on it not too long ago!

g00se

Toe overlap isn't uncommon. On normal riding, you'll never turn the wheel enough for it to matter. It could be an issue if you move away from a standstill on a turn, if you trackstand or if you make a deliberate, slow, sharp turn -like around anti-car stiles at the start of a bike path. In these cases, you would be able to manoeuvre your cranks to avoid a clash.

Duffer65

I have a slight toe overlap on my bike, but it's never been an issue when out riding.

amaferanga

I've got overlap on all my bikes. Only time I notice it is if I do a very sharp low speed turn (e.g. a u-turn in the road).

merak

+1 - I have significant overlap on two of my bikes, and although you might imagine it would be a problem, it isn't (except your shoes get scuffed).

Omar Little

i have it on my road bike, it is common particular on modern compact frames

not an issue unless you are going really slow and doing a tight turn - in which case you have time to think about watching where your foot is in relation to the wheel.

keef66

Came as a shock to me when I returned to road bikes after a 25 year absence.

Don't panic, you'll get used to it like the rest of us did. U-turns have to be achieved freewheeling with the cranks vertical after a brief push-off. Not to be attempted on a steep hill!

t5nel

Mine overlap too.

Never been a major issue but I have scuffed the fornt of my shoes when positioning bike at traffic lights etc.

sloppyschleckonds

Toe overlap is not the end of the world, unless you crash and die – then it is.

pk6526

Hey thanks for all that - I know it might sound silly but it's a great relief to hear!