Toe Overlap

OK so... last week I raided my savings + bought a bianchi pista, my first fixie, and then promptly fell off at high speed resulting in my first ambulance trip to A & E.

In the 20 minutes or so of tentative riding before the accident, I noticed toe - overlap problems, but only at low speed/largish turns. However this was on standard pedals without clips, and in the interest of saving my shins from too much abuse i think clips would be a sensible idea.. but the clearances just look daft when i hold the clips to the pedals!

By the way I don't think my accident was anything to do with the toe-overlap - my last memory was going down a hill at speed and I'm more or less certain i lost control because i tried to coast. This was about a week ago and my injuries have prevented me from getting on the bike since, so I can't yet judge the severity of the problem, but I'd like to hear what you guys think about it.

I'm about 6ft tall (maybe a little more) with size 10-11 feet riding a 55cm framed pista. Any advice from the other pista riders on here?

hmm. sounds really scary. I'd be surprised if you can ever cycle again without the fear - i think you should sell me your Pista for 200 pounds.

hold on - you did fit a brake, right?

Yes of course I did, a shimano 105. And nimhbus that really isn't very helpful! Plus it wasnt scary at all, I don't remember any of the bad bits, just going down a big hill nice and fast and then waking up in an ambulance being the centre of attention! what could be better!

I tried to coast last night. Buckaroo!

I keep forgetting. I have to master this whole swapping bikes thing. Last nights was the result of riding a BMX 10 miles yesterday, it only takes one bike I'm not used to for me to forget to pedal at some pot hole or other. At least I haven't come off yet.

Hope you're OK asm. If you need a beer catch me out drinking some time and I'll buy.

Oh, and brakes do help.

Sorry, it was a joke! No offence intended.

although i was genuinely wondering about the brake..

isn't the bike damaged?

and toe overlap isn't a problem.

riding a fixed bike for the first time on flat pedals is a bit silly really, you need to know your onions if you want to ride without clips/straps or spd

Riding fixed with no clips is a bad idea. When I first started riding there were a few 'attempting to coast' issues, but the clips kept my legs moving causing a slight confusion before getting the swing of it again. If I'd have had no toe clips I definately would've come off. Pedal strike to the back of the legs and no control. Get short clips. I have lots of lap over at the moment but hasn't been a big problem. Swapping my Large for Mediums clips though.

RPM isn't the bike damaged?

Love the priorities of cyclists ;)

Frankly I can't believe how undamaged it is. just scuffed up the bartape and one side of the seat a little bit. The back wheel was a little off center but to be honest i wouldn't be surprised if it was like that before the crash knowing evans (especially the one in gateshead.. they couldnt believe i was thinking of riding it on the street!).

Compared to my injuries: pedal shaped imprint in right shin (except vertical, so i was horizontal to the bike when i received it...), grazes on both knees + elbows, huge graze on my right shoulder and a small one on my left, grazes on the right side of my head and the side of my right ear closest to my head, a buggered right collarbone/shoulder (still cant move it properly) and a sizeable concussion. Got a Head Injury Card from hospital, going to use it as a spoke card methinks. Judging by my track record it may actually come in useful in the future.

How come toe overlap isnt a problem? what if i need to turn a corner? :(

it just isn't. trust me

You lean.

yeah but... gahh I guess I'll just shut up and wait till I'm well enough to ride and find out for myself. :) on the subject of toeclips, what type would you recommend?

Time ATAC and Sidi Dominators.

hehe

I'd stick with clips and straps when you're learning on a fixie. Just makes life easier. Just get some MKS clips (cheapish and they're ok), get a single decent strap (or better yet two decent straps and then convert into a homemade double).

But jesus man, I'm sorry you got hurt but riding a fixie takes a little skill. You have to take it easy, practice and build up your skill level. You could have seriously buggered yourself there as well potentially hurting others. You need to get build up spin, stopping etc before you start bombing around like Chris Hoy riding a Kilo.

Toeverlap is just another thing to get used to. You'll be surprised at how easy its is to overcome with a little practice. However, if you have more toeverlap than you feel comfortable with, then clipless may be worth considering at some point.

(I feel a bit like a dad here but I've seen some of the 'best' minds of my generation destroyed by track bikes, starving hysterical naked (due to spending all the money on pointless NJS bling), dragging themselves through the streets at dawn, beaten by an angry fixie, broken by brakeless)

i'd second the atacs and sidis - i always used to find clips a bugger to get out of when they were tight enough to feel safe......maybe powerstraps are worth a look?? jv - how are you getting on with them now??

it's worth noting that clips/straps will bring your foot further back on the pedals than flats and spd's probably further still, you may not have any overlap then?

Thanks pip, its worth noting that this was only the 2nd time i'd been out on a fixie and was supposed to be only a 5 minute thing before tea on some quiet residential streets in my local village, and 3 minutes into this 5 minute ride i went down a hill when I obviously shouldn't have. I bought some toeclips (well actually evans gave me them for free) when i bought the bike - i just hadn't got round to fitting them yet :). The pedals I have on it are MKS so MKS clips might not be a bad idea as the ones I have really dont look like they'd fit very well...

In a day or two i'll be fit enough to get back on it, will fit the clips first. Also, I'll be wearing a helmet too. concussions aren't fun!

hey, alex. i hope you're alright, dude. i did something similar, but just skidded. my chain came off going really fast down a steep hill. back wheel locked and i skidded, but managed to keep on the bike.

like velocity boy, when you're in town, i'll buy you a pint. and congrats on your bike.

That reminds me, thanks for the offer david, I'm sure i'll take you up on it soon! Great, sounds like I'm halfway through a good night already! I should fall off my bike more regularly!

By the way hovis this doesn't mean i won't be needing your wheel building rig at some point next academic year.. am dismantling/selling bits of the white raleigh to put on/buy bits for my frame i bought.

btw - forgot to say...glad youre going to be ok....take it easy and enjoy!

thanks steves, I appreciate it!

asm That reminds me, thanks for the offer david, I'm sure i'll take you up on it soon! Great, sounds like I'm halfway through a good night already! I should fall off my bike more regularly!

By the way hovis this doesn't mean i won't be needing your wheel building rig at some point next academic year.. am dismantling/selling bits of the white raleigh to put on/buy bits for my frame i bought.

don't make falling off your bike a habit. drinks or otherwise. ;)

as for the rig, just let me know when you need it. glad you're up and running.

When I was a courier you used to see new people on new bikes turning up all the time and I'll tell the number that come a cropper in the first six weeks just ain't funny - you got to learn the ropes - you got to go easy - nice and easy to start with - then a little bit faster - accidents ain't ZEN