Cyclocross Racing and Toe Overlap

[madisongrrl]

Does anyone have any experience Cyclocross racing? Do you have toe overlap on your bike? Is there a way to minimized toe overlap (slightly smaller bb and crank, 650 wheels) or do I just have to suck it up and deal with it?

I'm going in for a cyclocross fitting tomorrow, so I have yet to order my bike. I'm looking at the Ridley crosswind, Surly cross check, Specialized Tricomp, Redline Conquest Pro, Felt F1, and Bianchi Axis. I think I'll have toe overlap with anyone of these bikes.....that is what happens when you are small.

[velogirl]

Yippee! Cross is THE BEST sport! You'll have so much fun. I've been racing cross for a few years and it's the reason I live in the fall/winter.

Anyways, I'm 5'10" and my first bike (a custom Luna Orbit) had toe overlap. Toe overlap doesn't matter much on the road, but it definitely comes into play with cross when you're doing slow technical stuff or mounting with a slight turn, etc. I was pretty bummed about this and when I asked Margo (the builder) she said "oops, I forgot to get your shoe size." When you get a high-end frame, there shouldn't be any "oops."

My next cross frames (Ritchey Break-Away steel and titanium) don't have toe overlap.

I'm selling the Luna this year and keeping the Ritchey. Although there are some wonderful things about the Luna (super-light and responsive, cool paint job) I just don't like the toe overlap.

[spokewench]

I ride a 50 redline conquest pro - and yes, it has toe overlap - I have never had a problem with it and we had some complete turn arounds on some of our courses. Maybe some day it will bother me but so far no it hasn't.

I love cyclocross - absolutely suck at it, but it is so much fun especially with lots of snow on the ground!