Bicycle toe-front wheel overlap

Posted by: winkyincanada on 31 May 2010

I have started this, rather than respond to "Hawk" over in another (potentially hijacked) post. Reproduced here:


quote:

Originally posted by The Hawk:
quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by The Hawk:
found out all good race bikes have toe-clip "overlap'


Who told you that?

Why are our experiences so different, I wonder?


It's a function of many, many things, amongst them:-

Wheelbase
Steerer angle
Fork rake
Crank length
Shoe size
Designer's choice.

Once you know it is an issue with a frame it becomes a non issue unless you are trying to track-stand it. If you are going slowly enough for it to come into play there are easier ways to turn around.

A little more of an issue on a fixed as you can't ratchet the bike around an ultra tight corner such as on a bridge ramp, but even then not much of an issue.

More often would be leaving the mudguard (fender) stays long enough to sit either side of the down tube. Not smart.

John

Posted on: 10 June 2010 by Rockingdoc
quote:
Originally posted by winkyincanada:
So you just don't like to look of the clothing. Winker?


I should have been clearer. My cruel finger pointing is at the team livery bike+lycra matching combinations complete with "sponsors" logos, being displayed on bodies that the "sponsors" would think twice about letting in the hospitality marquee, let alone ride their bikes.
Why is it considered acceptable for well off old men to parade about as comedy interpretations of TdF riders when they wouldn't be seen dead in a rally team liveried Subaru Impreza?

BTW Have you seen the Rapha tweed cycling suits?
I thought it might do me for cycling around work (I do home visits by bike), until I enquired about the price. "We start at around three thousand poinds for off the peg sir"
Posted on: 10 June 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
I'm always impressed by how good modern cycle clothing is at keeping you hot/dry/cool etc according to need. That includes Lycra/merino and fancy softshells. I do however cringe at some of the 'explosion in a flourescent paint factory' colour schemes worn by men who'd generally not be seen dead in anything that was not grey or brown in their working day!

As for Rapha; they really are taking the mick much of the time. Assos/Castelli stuff may be pricey but great design and longevity. I had a Rapha jacket that went totally out of shape after 3 months-and it went back as a result.

Bruce
Posted on: 10 June 2010 by winkyincanada
quote:


As for Rapha; they really are taking the mick much of the time. Assos/Castelli stuff may be pricey but great design and longevity. I had a Rapha jacket that went totally out of shape after 3 months-and it went back as a result.

Bruce


My Assos bibs are the best I have ever owned by some margin. Not cheap, but you can see and feel the value.

Rapha can be a mixed bag. I have a few of their wool jerseys which I really like and are lasting very well. I also have a pair of their looser fitting 3/4 shorts for when I have things to do at the other end of the (short) ride and don't want to pack clothes, or as an extra layer on my winter commute. They are very good.

But I probably wouldn't buy a lot of their other stuff. Fashion over function, perhaps. But, they have a no questions asked returns policy and seem to have hit a niche (bankers who wish they were bike couriers), so good luck to them. The magazines and books (even their catalogues) are great, however.