Ready to Buy a LOOK 585, Overlap Concern?

[dianne_1234]

I've had many many bikes over the years (almost 30 now? ) with varying degrees of toe overlap. I've learned it's not a binary thing: you have it or you don't. Instead I see it as a gradient: a little toe overlap, a little more, or a lot?

If my toe just brushes the tire at the closest point, and overlaps, say, a quarter inch or so, it's usually no big deal and I have few problems.

On the other hand if I have a good inch or more overlap, then it's harder to live with. I had a bike like that and the difference isn't only in the overlap distance - it's also in the arc length (of my pedal stroke) during which interference is possible: it's a longer arc when there's more overlap. So I found interference during a bigger portion of my pedal stroke; my shoe spends more time in the "overlap zone" each pedal stroke. This means I spend more time overlapped and potentially unable to correct my steering.

Nevertheless I never crashed on that bike; it was just more annoying (and occasionally scary!).

Naturally there are in-between bikes too.

[Laguna]

I've had many many bikes over the years (almost 30 now? ) with varying degrees of toe overlap. I've learned it's not a binary thing: you have it or you don't. Instead I see it as a gradient: a little toe overlap, a little more, or a lot?

If my toe just brushes the tire at the closest point, and overlaps, say, a quarter inch or so, it's usually no big deal and I have few problems.

On the other hand if I have a good inch or more overlap, then it's harder to live with. I had a bike like that and the difference isn't only in the overlap distance - it's also in the arc length (of my pedal stroke) during which interference is possible: it's a longer arc when there's more overlap. So I found interference during a bigger portion of my pedal stroke; my shoe spends more time in the "overlap zone" each pedal stroke. This means I spend more time overlapped and potentially unable to correct my steering.

Nevertheless I never crashed on that bike; it was just more annoying (and occasionally scary!).

Naturally there are in-between bikes too.

Dianne, you are right on...good points. And thanks for sharing your Ischial Tuberosity info.