Reynolds 531

[roundisland]

Hi, Just brought a 1992 Dawes Galaxy with the Reynolds 531 steel frame. The bike is tatty but rides much better than my other Dawes hybrid/mountain bike.

its a 21" frame and with the seat raised a few inches fits me fine my first ride took me about 30 miles and I felt pretty freash at the end of it unlike my other bike a 30 mile ride would take it out of me a bit.

The thing I dont understand is why my toe clips on my pedals are touching the front wheel at times when turning and peddeling, is this normal??

thanks

 

[Landslide]

It's known as "toeclip overlap". It tends to happen more on smaller frames.

Bugs the hell out of some people who are convinced that they're only one overlap moment away from CATASTROPHIC DEATH!!!
Me? I can live with it!

 

[tyred]

It is indeed normal and you'll soon get used to it and it won't cause you any problems.

Here's Sheldon Brown's opinion -
Toe Clip Overlap

On many bicycles, especially smaller sizes, it is possible for the front fender or tire to bump into the rider's toe or to the toe clip. Some people worry a lot about this, but it is rarely a significant problem in practice. The only time it can happen is when the handlebars are turned quite far to the side, which only happens at very low speeds.
Many, many people ride bikes with fairly severe overlap with no practical problems, sometimes having to make a slight adjustment to their pedaling habits at very slow speeds.
On smaller size bikes with full size wheels, it is usually impossible to eliminate overlap without causing adverse fit/handling issues.

 

[mossy]

531

Yes I agree .You will soon get so thats its second nature to move the pedals so you can turn the wheel.
I have a diamante short wheel base bike but it is a superb ride still.
Pedals overlap the wheels and I do not have toe clips!
Good luck just go ride.

 

[roundisland]

Many thanks for the responses I can get to live with it i am really happy with the bike and its nice to know that its normal.

The other thing I;m finding hard to get used to is the gears on the the frame when changing gear the bike feels really twitchy I know its my lack of experience and control of the bike. I seem to loose so much speed on hills when trying to change gear!! is there any speical tecnique to using gears on the that are on the frame of the bike?

Thanks

 

[Tynan]

downtube shifters?

same old same old advice is to plan ahead, change earlier and not when you're really putting power into the gears

 

[roundisland]

Yep, downtube shifters...advice wil be taken!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Best tip for stability whilst using down tube shifters is to hold the top of the bars with your non-shifting hand as close to the stem as possible. That way any twitches will be minimised.

 

[Bigtwin]

What the hell are you doing?!

This whole thing is just inches away from a disasterous happening of unimaginable hediousness.

Send the frame to me now - right now - and we'll say no more about it.

 

[roundisland]

What the hell are you doing?!

This whole thing is just inches away from a disasterous happening of unimaginable hediousness.

Send the frame to me now - right now - and we'll say no more about it.

I'm not parting with this frame I lurveeeeeeee it!!!!!

Thanks for all the tips its really helpful to a drop handle bar newbie!

 

[Bigtwin]

I'm not parting with this frame I lurveeeeeeee it!!!!!

Yeah I know, I have one. It's a fantastic frame, and by a way the most comfortable ride I have, if not the lightest.

 

[fossyant]

My Ribble has the overlap - very 'tight' frame clearance - never had an issue