Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - random and weird idea

Not totally satisfied with the amount of stiffness my toe clip straps provide and since mine pedals are not double-strap compatible and I don't like the restrictions of clipless, I began brainstorming other possibilities to stiffen my toe clips. I came up with these: http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/shop_cart/pg_alt_view_popup.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=shop_cart/pg_alt_view_popup.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1039836240.1122526309@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdkaddffhihfedcgelceffdfgidgml.0&MID=9876&prod_id=197053


4 in diameter metal clamp worm drives.

This is more just a curioisty, but what are people's thoughts on this? Totally stupid? Will destroy my shoes? Will work just fine? Just wondering.

Um, my impression of straps was that you tighten after you start moving, and loosen when you need to stop...

Are you going to trackstand long enough to pull a screwdriver out of your jersey and loosen these? It seems like they'd need to be loose enough that any extra stifness you got would be a moot point...

I've never really heard of or seen people loosening their straps prior to stopping.
I keep them constantly pretty snug but not to a point where I can't remove my feet when I need to, wherein lies my problem, I suppose.
My issue really is in the flex of the straps. I used to have nylon, upgraded to leather, which was an improvement, but still leaves some to be desired.
I figured I could wrench these down to a solid tightness but then not have to worry about any stretching or flexing.

Hmm...
Hoseclamps.
If you were to set them to your desired 'sloppiness' level and use smooth soled shoes for urban riding, I can see the point. You will not obtain ultimate contact but maybe a desired level of contact.

They should not break easily.

For track situations with old style cleated shoes and a trackside handler, they could become the ultimate 'will not release' pedals.

You will not obtain ultimate contact but maybe a desired level of contact.




Are you talking about shoe to strap contact or shoe to pedal?

Are you talking about shoe to strap contact or shoe to pedal?

Considering that adjustment cannnot be adjusted 'on the fly' as some people do with their straps by cinching them down in motion and releasing as needed, the ability to slide in and out would weigh against total immobility of the foot. Enough 'slop' would be required to get into or out of the pedals as needed. This would not be the 'ultimate' oneness with the bike required to win track races but could be ideal for your use on the street.

In practice, I ride with my straps loose enough to slide out of in traffic.

Um, my impression of straps was that you tighten after you start moving, and loosen when you need to stop...
i would like to see pictures of these straps that can be loosened/tightened on the fly. all the straps i've had couldn't. straps i've had need two hands to tighten.

Do you have a SS? loosening on the fly would be pretty difficult on a fix. easier just to go clipless, i think.

i rode clips and straps for a while, since converting to clipless, i've been much happier. IMHO.

Have you tried the double thick toeclips? I have some ALE ones that are a bit too small ( I wear size 11 shoe) . PM me if you'd like some pics. I had some MKS clips that snapped at the strap loop rivet, so I drilled out the rivet and re-riveted them on a new pair, just below the existing ones, so I could run double straps...it works great.
Also, has anyone tried to use bejeweled kitten collars for toe straps? Now that'd be cute.

Sounds like your asking for a 0mph fallover, and for a boo-boo on your knee

http://photos16.flickr.com/23016146_ffb334c202_m.jpg

Straps are made to be tightened and loosened with one hand, on the fly.
Tightening: Don't tuck the excess into the buckle. When riding, pull it straight up. The strap will tighten.
Loosening: Put your finger on the tab on the top of the buckle, and flick it outward away from the bike.

Straps that would take two hands to operate would be pretty stupid on a bike, no? Do you think that old racers had to have someone catch them every time they stopped, or that they were elite enough to do a two handed operation down there while riding?

:D

try PowerGrips.

that looks like a hurts donut.

Hyper, as promised....pics of the double clips I have. They fit like MKS Large in the toe area(which are pictured attached to a pedal for comparison), but the strap loop arm thingy is about 1 CM shorter than MKS and doesn't go far enough up my foot to be comfortable.The strap ends up riding too low on my instep. I tried 'em out for one ride and liked the stiffness they provided, but couln't get used to the strap positioning. I hope I explained well enough, but the pics are pretty explanatory.