What to expect at the LBS?

[Eden]

My view on toe overlap is that many of us learn to deal with it such that it becomes virtually a non-issue. Avoiding toe overlap at any cost can lead to less than ideal compromises in terms of bike geometry and/or how the bike is set up.

Just my humble opinion; I realize that there are different opinions on toe overlap out there.

No arguments here - I barely even notice the large amount of toe overlap on the cross bike until I try to put a fender on it. Even occasionally using it for cross racing and even on some of the rougher, slower parts of the courses, I still don't turn the handlebars sharply to turn... especially with my pedals in the 15/45 position....

Take home lesson is find what suits you best.... until pretty recently all I ever heard (as a short rider) was that it was *impossible* for me to get a good fit on a 700C bike - toe overlap.... bad head tube angle.... bad seat tube angle.... handling compromise... etc, etc... but in practice with my particular goofball proportions that's what works best for me. On the whole my 650 and my 700 bikes are around the same level of long ride comfort, but the 700 out performs the 650 in a number of ways.

[Sky King]

No arguments here - I barely even notice the large amount of toe overlap on the cross bike until I try to put a fender on it. Even occasionally using it for cross racing and even on some of the rougher, slower parts of the courses, I still don't turn the handlebars sharply to turn... especially with my pedals in the 15/45 position....

Take home lesson is find what suits you best.... until pretty recently all I ever heard (as a short rider) was that it was *impossible* for me to get a good fit on a 700C bike - toe overlap.... bad head tube angle.... bad seat tube angle.... handling compromise... etc, etc... but in practice with my particular goofball proportions that's what works best for me. On the whole my 650 and my 700 bikes are around the same level of long ride comfort, but the 700 out performs the 650 in a number of ways.

Love your sentence - what suits you best. Every bike is different, and as we all know not every bike fits every need. Love my 650B's for the type of riding I do (touring, long day rides & commuting) The first sentence out of my mouth when a customer comes in asking about bikes is "what do you see yourself riding with said bike" my second sentence is "how would you describe your bike riding skills, as in what have your been used to riding"