Toe Strikes? Bike Too Small? Pedals?

[F8th637]

A little background. I am knock-kneed so when my knees are straight and facing forward my feet tend to turn out. When my feet are straight my knees turn inward.

I finally got around to trying my clipless pedals for the first time today. I have two pairs that I'm trying out. I rode the first pair around today just fine. The second pair I tested out in a parking lot for a little bit. I noticed that my toes would get REALLY close to the tire and it rubbed a couple of times if I turned just right and had my foot in the right position. Before the clipless pedals I think that I rode with my toes kinda pointed outward because of the knock-kneedness. I think now the pedals are forcing me to ride the 'right' way.

Is it possible that my bike is too small? Would a bigger bike keep me from striking the tire with my toes?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[SadieKate]

No, your cleats are set up wrong. The cleats should position your feet the way they fall naturally. If you naturally ride toe out, your cleats should be set up to do this.

[velogirl]

What you described is referred to as "toe overlap." When your pedals are in the 3 and 9 o'clock position, the forward foot can hit the wheel, but only if you turn the wheel to about 90 degrees.

If you have a road bike, there's really never a reason for you to turn your wheel 90 degrees. You might experience toe overlap when you're just getting rolling and to avoid it make sure your wheel is pointing straight ahead in the direction you want to ride.

If you have a mountain or cyclocross bike, toe overlap would be more of an issue since you might do some slow-speed maneuvering on switchbacks or other tight turns.

Toe overlap is more common with smaller riders/bikes, but I had a custom cyclocross built for me that had toe overlap (and I'm almost 5'10" tall).

[SadieKate]

Regarding the cleat position, I think everyone should have this book in her library. Good section on cleat position.

http://www.amazon.com/Pruitts-Complete-Medical-Guide-Cyclists/dp/1931382808

If this is a road bike, toe overlap isn't that big a deal but wrongly positioned cleats are. You can end up with some painful injuries.

[F8th637]

Regarding the cleat position, I think everyone should have this book in her library. Good section on cleat position.

http://www.amazon.com/Pruitts-Complete-Medical-Guide-Cyclists/dp/1931382808

If this is a road bike, toe overlap isn't that big a deal but wrongly positioned cleats are. You can end up with some painful injuries.

Wow, thanks for the book suggestion! I love books that have to do with cycling and this one looks great! My bike is a hybrid. Yeah, I'm still adjusting my cleats because the right one was really bothersome to my knee. Thanks a lot!

[equus123]

hopefully this new setup works for you.

i also recommend Speedplays (type of pedal) for you because they have free float. this means that your foot is never really locked into one orientation as most pedal/cleat systems do and allows your foot to rotate naturally throughout the pedal stroke. (a converse example being Look Keo pedals - they have two different types of cleats, one with 4.5 degree and one with 9 degree "float" = 4.5 or 9 degrees of rotation of the foot are allowed by the pedal). this could either be a good thing or a bad thing for you but i wanted to throw it out there. maybe ask your local bike shop or other cyclists you know if this would be a good option for you.