Really tight wheel clearance - is this right?

[hamster]

I've not ridden it yet, but as far as I can see, my toes will definitely overlap the edge of the wheel when riding. Not considered it before, but is that something that might be an issue?

If it's a small frame (51cm or smaller) than it's not uncommon to get toe overlap. My Litespeed is just like that. You learn to go right foot first when turning right! It isn't ideal but far less of a problem than you would expect.

 

[cycletothesea]

I've not ridden it yet, but as far as I can see, my toes will definitely overlap the edge of the wheel when riding. Not considered it before, but is that something that might be an issue?

If it's a small frame (51cm or smaller) than it's not uncommon to get toe overlap. My Litespeed is just like that. You learn to go right foot first when turning right! It isn't ideal but far less of a problem than you would expect.

No, it's not a particularly small frame. 55cm top tube, 53.5 cm seat-tube. A little smaller than I'm used to, but the compact geometry exaggerates it.

 

[half cog]

my woodrup ( sold it last year) had a 36" wheelbase. Hugh amount of toe overlap. Never tried it on fixed but as has been said freewheel is no problem.Next time you ride around a curve in the road note just how little you turn the bars. Its more leaning than steering.( sorry just realised thats already been said )The only time I ever got in contact was when turning round in the road. You just get used to having your foot in the right place.Some people do seem to get heated about it but to be honest its fine. The chap who owned the Woodrup before me reckoned he had done TTs on fixed on it.I suppose as long as you stay aware of what is going on it would probably be o.k.It should be an interesting ride.Just go steady till you get the feel of it
Peter

 

[Old Ned]

Bags of clearance under the down tube. BITD on ultra short wheel base TT bikes I remember someone commenting that when he front braked a bit to hard his front tyre touched the underside of the DT. Now THAT'S close clearance!

Toe overlap is a red herring. It should be automatic in any experienced cyclist not to allow it to happen. If you're turning so tightly that it happens at speed then you're probably about to fall off anyway!

 

[cycletothesea]

Are short-wheel base, tight clearance frames supposed to be quicker then?

 

[Midlife]

They were in the 1970's.

shaun

 

[mattr]

Are short-wheel base, tight clearance frames supposed to be quicker then?

They feel quicker.

Probably slower in reality!

 

[half cog]

Ahh. This is where reality kicks in.Because my woodrup was as twitchy as hell it was in fact slower than the ellis Briggs ( 37 1/2 wheelbase )that I got to replace it.When I rode the Woodrup a lot it tended to even out a bit but if I had been on any other bike for a while it was a bit of a handful.Even then there did not seem to be a hugh advantage. Short wheelbase steep angled bikes are quicker on the sprint hence they are used as track bikes. However get one on a bumpy twisty downhill and you will spend a lot of effort fighting the bike.Once you are used to it it is a lot of fun but you need your whits about you or you are going to get dumped. I enjoyed it whilst I had it but eventually I decided that it no longer fitted in with my changing riding style ( read getting older ).Now the Briggs you can really let go on the downhills.I know exactly what it is going to do and that builds the confidence for fast decents. Frankly for me it is a quicker bike.