Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - problems installing straps on my Sylvans

using this pic as a guide:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/tocleat.html

but on advice of the folks here i got laminated straps and they seem to fat to go thru the body of the pedal like that. if i go under the bottom they're not long enough to fit properly.

any advice?

cinelli laminated straps and MKS Sylvan track pedals - pretty pricey straps and i'm bummed that i can't get them sorted out...

okay, so these straps are going to be too short even if i ram them thru - just wrapping them around my shoes they barely go - that's without even having them installed in the Sylvans.

i'm going to get some cheap straps locally and see how that works if i can find some that are longer.

thanks anyway guys....

i had regular mks straps and they seemed to fat to fit through the bottom so i just got some pliers and yanked the suckers through

yeah, that's the advice i got from the person i bought these from. but i don't want to damage them if they're still not gonna be long enough once i get them in there. i'm gonna try some cheap straps bought locally and likely return the laminated $28 straps for now.

thanks for the quick reply tho.

A good tip is to twist the strap around a few times as you thread it through the pedal. Find it keeps the straps in position and stops 'em slipping around.

I'm not sure if this will work in your situation but I ran the strap through the two back slots of my MKS pedals. I'll try and post a photo this evening.

thanks pip, i saw you mention that when i was searching for toe strap install info. i'll give it a go as soon as i find straps that fit. =)

They aren't flashy, but Performance has a functional set of nylon straps (with pretty easily-adjusted clips) for $6. They're what I'm running now, and they fit through my MKSes fine.

thanks pip, i saw you mention that when i was searching for toe strap install info. i'll give it a go as soon as i find straps that fit. =)

Its weird that you can't find straps to fit. Had a pair of Slyvians for a while and they're no different than any other pedal (and obviously based on old campy pedals). Never ran into staps that are too short, so I wonder if someone had cut the ones you had?

EAI have nice, really long straps that I've seen in several bike shops. Even the SOMA cheapo ones are much longer than you would need.

As to the laminated straps being too fat, never found a pair that weren't a match for a pair of needle nose pliers, a little dobin/grease and some yanking. Obviously once in, getting them back out can be tricky, so make sure you have the buckle on the outside and in the correct orientation.

Love clips and straps for urban riding.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5798/drinkbeersuccess6zl.jpg
hint: channel locks and beers.

yeah, i think those of you who were suggesting that i just was being too gentle were correct.

as it is i got some cheap leather straps for $9 from the LBS and they're in and fit my shoes fine. i didn't want to screw up the Cinelli laminated straps only to find they were too short because they cost like $29. i'm going to return them for now and get what use i can from these cheaper ones. as it is i'm not quite using them right because i can't coast to tighten or loosen them. in fact the shoes i used for my first 20 mile test ride today were a bit too knobby and i don't think if i came out of the pedal i could have even gotten my foot back in.

old steel frame rides great though and the loop i did this afternoon didn't pose any big challenges to the one-gear-only-ness - i mean i don't think i insulted my knees at all on the few small climbs.

thanks a bunch for the advice everybody - i'll post a pic of the new old bike tomorrow when the sun comes back. for now it's time to stretch, shower and sit back for monday night football.

-edit- just rode over to watch MNF with some friends and i was able to get in and out of the toe clips on the move albeit going very slowly. just takes practice i guess.

A good tip is to twist the strap around a few times as you thread it through the pedal. Find it keeps the straps in position and stops 'em slipping around.

Paolo at the Italian LBS I used to go to told me that one twist was for buona fortuna (good luck).

that's awesome ^_^

i wish double straps werent so damn expensive