General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I need bike advice desperately Rss Feed  
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2005-08-29 11:41 AM

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Subject: I need bike advice desperately
OK, so I've been riding a bike since I'm little, hardly ever fall off. With my new bike, which I got in June, I've fallen off 4 times now. The reason??? When I am making a sharp turn & peddling, the front of my shoe hits the front tire/wheel, and over I go. It's a look 555 size 49, compact geometry, with 172.5 cranks. I was hoping that putting 170 cranks on it may help, but I most certainly will still hit that front wheel.
So, in speaking with the guy who sold/fit me to the bike (I had a professional fitting), he said with this type of race bike in this size, this will happen. His bike is the same way & he's learned to manage.
Does this sound right? I spent $3,000 for this bike. Not sure if I need to work on some bike skills or I need to sell this baby on ebay & get a different bike.
Help!!!


2005-08-29 11:54 AM
in reply to: #236476

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Champion
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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
It sounds about right.  In bicycles of that size that is a problem.  Did you get the 650cm wheels or the 700cm wheels? 
2005-08-29 11:54 AM
in reply to: #236476

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Champion
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20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
It sounds about right.  In bicycles of that size that is a problem.  Did you get the 650cm wheels or the 700cm wheels?  Back
2005-08-29 11:54 AM
in reply to: #236476

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Champion
4902
20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
It sounds about right.  In bicycles of that size that is a problem.  Did you get the 650cm wheels or the 700cm wheels?  Back in
2005-08-29 11:54 AM
in reply to: #236476

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Champion
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Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
It sounds about right.  In bicycles of that size that is a problem.  Back in the eighties, they used to build racing bikes for smaller cyclists with a smaller wheel in the front. But, some federation banned bicycles with different sized wheels and you don't see this anymore. It's a shame too because it worked quite well. Did you get the 650cm wheels or the 700cm wheels?

Edited by Machiavelo 2005-08-29 11:57 AM
2005-08-29 11:56 AM
in reply to: #236476

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
700cm wheels. I'm 5'6, with long legs/short torso hence needed the top tube to be shorter than the down tube. So I just need to hone my bike skills? I plan on practicing u-turns tomorrow morning (better wear knee pads!)


2005-08-29 11:56 AM
in reply to: #236476

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately

Oooops.....



Edited by Machiavelo 2005-08-29 11:57 AM
2005-08-29 12:01 PM
in reply to: #236476

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
Trish, my toes hit the front wheel on my race bike. It's a rare day though when I make that sharp of a turn. Usually at speed the front wheel just turns a little bit. If I ever have to make a slow sharp corner that turns my wheel that much I have learned to not pedal while the wheel is in position to hit my toe.
2005-08-29 12:07 PM
in reply to: #236505

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
jdtschida - 2005-08-29 12:01 PM

Trish, my toes hit the front wheel on my race bike. It's a rare day though when I make that sharp of a turn. Usually at speed the front wheel just turns a little bit. If I ever have to make a slow sharp corner that turns my wheel that much I have learned to not pedal while the wheel is in position to hit my toe.


How do you manage not pedalling if you are going up an steep incline? Do you get off your bike?
2005-08-29 12:16 PM
in reply to: #236512

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
haha, no. I don't get off. I guess I've never gone up up a steep incline slow enough that it'd be a problem. I mean, I can see it happening if I go from a complete stop and am just barely moving along for some reason, but for the most part I've never been in that situation.

Sometimes though I'll find myself at a stop light with one foot clipped in still and towards the wheel, then I'll turn the wheel enough that it actually hits my toe and kinda gets stuck there... I've never fallen from that, but close. Just have to react quick to either rotate the crank more, or unclip both feet.

I'll do a quick search at bikeforums.net and see what I can come up with for more info.

2005-08-29 12:23 PM
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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately


2005-08-29 12:51 PM
in reply to: #236476

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
these links are very helpful, thank you. I suppose for normal, controlled cycling this will be fine. But I live in NYC, sometimes I cannot plan out where my feet are. Think 165 cranks would be awful? My LBS guy seems to advise against changing the crank size, but I think I'll be more comfortable
2005-08-29 12:57 PM
in reply to: #236562

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
trish123 - 2005-08-29 12:51 PM
Think 165 cranks would be awful? My LBS guy seems to advise against changing the crank size, but I think I'll be more comfortable


I honestly don't know enough about crank length to say. From your 172.5mm cranks, it's only 7.5mm shorter. Do you really think that'll shorten it enough?

You said your LBS guy advises against it. Does he seem really knowledgable? You might try asking around town to see what shops are known for having the best bike fitters. Or at least talk to some other shops to get more opinions.
2005-08-29 4:10 PM
in reply to: #236476

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Subject: RE: I need bike advice desperately
common for small bikes. At your size, if it's a tri bike you should have been encouraged to go to a 650c size.
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