Shoe rubbing problems!

I just picked up my Litespeed Teramo from my LBS and noticed that while executing a sharp turn the front of my shoe rubs against the front tire while pedaling. I love the bike and the frame fits great, what could be the problem? Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

it depends how bad the rub is, i.e., how far your toe overlaps the tyre/rim.
If there's so much overlap that it prevents the wheel turning, it could cause you to crash if you're not used to it. If it's just a bit of annoying tyre rub, then it's not such a big problem, unless you start wrecking your sidewalls.

A long time ago, I had a very old bike that did this all the time, but I got used to it quickly, so it became 2nd nature to avoid it when I made sharp turns. This meant it wasn't a problem for me, but when I started getting more bikes, then went back to the "offending" bike, I almost fell off a couple of times
D'OH!!

Thanks for the response, what causes this? is it just the design of the frame (its a compact) or did i go wrong somewhere in my component selection?

My first thought is that you have frame that is a little bit too small for you, but (don't panic ), it could be your cleat placement (feet obviously too far forward on the pedal), or you have very big feet; very long cranks; a very short fork rake*, or it could just be a short wheelbase?

what bike is it?



*rake is the forward offset of the end of the fork, relative to the fork steerer/headtube. Common rakes are 42.5mm, 44mm, or 45mm. Short rakes of 40mm are sometimes found on track bikes. Rakes of 50mm are available, but big rakes may adversely affect the steering

Its a Litespeed Teramo in a M. It doesnt feel small. It is a compact frame and i have 172.5 crank arms. I shifted the cleats and it helps a bit more, i think i can live with it but my Specialized of the same size didnt do this.

here's the Teramo geometry chart:
http://www.litespeed.com/bikes/geometry.aspx?bk=teramo

if you find the chart for the Specialized you can obviously compare the appropriate measurements: fork rake, headtube angle, and front to centre (bottom bracket to front wheel hub)

What model Specialized is it?
http://www.specialized.com/

Toe overlap is normal with a small, tight geometry racing bike, especially if you have big feet. It only happens at very low speed, like when you are almost track standing and making a turn. At speed you cannot turn the front wheel far enough to cause toe overlap because you would crash if you did.

Not a problem.

__________________
"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

if it's just a bit of tyre rub, I wouldn't worry about it

Don't move your cleats. When making tight, low speed turns don't put your outside foot in the three o'clock position.

__________________
"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

don'tcha just love bike companies providing "impartial" ratings

You don't have a problem. In fact almost anybody under about 5' 4" or so who rides a 700c bike has your exact situation.

I have significant front wheel/toe overlap with the fenders on my commuter bike (56cm frame size) and I have never hit my foot on it during regular riding because the wheel doesn't really turn that far. I can hit the fender/wheel though with tight turns at low speed, so in those situations I am careful--it has become second nature to coast through those tight turns (like a 180 degree turn in a short space).

As far as your Teramo goes, it is just the way some frames with short wheelbases are. I suspect that the frame probably does fit you properly. In the course of normal road riding you should never really need to turn your front wheel that far.

One wonders if those numbers are based on actual test data or if they just pulled them out of their backsides.

__________________
"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. You are absolutely right. At high speeds i dont get any rub. Thank you.