Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the Latest Giveaway coming soon


Crank arm too long
#1
I recently bought a cheap fixie bike from Walmart. The crank arms seem to be too long and I'm finding it to be a problem whenever I want to turn. Although I'm not doing much turning when I do I can't without having my crank arm hit the front wheel or my feet hitting the wheel. Please help
  Reply
#2
This is called toe overlap and it's fairly common on bikes. It's tougher on fixies because you can't coast while turning.
http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2011/01/whos-afraid-of-toe-overlap.html

If it is just your toe hitting the front wheel, you should get used to it after a little while and find that it doesn't cause a problem anymore. You can try getting shorter crank arms. The current length should be stamped on the inner side of the crank, it will probably be 170mm or 175mm. You can maybe go down a cm or so, but not much more than that. Sometimes smaller pedals help a little, but mainly by encouraging you to keep your feet farther back. A smaller tire may also help, but again talking a few mm at best normally.

If your crank arm is actually hitting the front wheel as you say in your question though, something is wrong with the bike. Either your fork is bent back or it was installed backwards. The installed backwards thing is surprisingly common, especially at big-box stores. The front axle should sit slightly in front of the tips of the fork. Check this out first. Bent or backwards are both dangerous.
  Reply


Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What is your dream cycling destination?
Yesterday 11:15 PM
1996 Cannondale Silkpath h300 upgrade
Yesterday 09:11 PM
Specialized expedition in need of repair
Yesterday 01:55 PM
2010 Specialized Hardrock
04-23-2024 05:54 AM
QUINTANA ROO "KILO" 1999
04-22-2024 02:04 PM
How much do you bike per year?
04-22-2024 01:35 PM
Christmas presents for cycling
04-22-2024 01:31 PM
$10,000?
04-22-2024 01:26 PM
Do you have a four foot rule?
04-22-2024 01:12 PM
Fat bikes for ever..
04-22-2024 12:23 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
27 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
24 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
14 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 5. Frankly
12 posts