Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - question about toshi straps

hey, so i have a few questions about toshi straps.. i've heard they're amazing, and im pretty sick of the ****ty 6 dollar nylon ones im running right now.

1. if i do drop a lot of money for a pair of toshis.. do people remove them whenever they lock up their bike? i'd really hate to go to the bike rack to see that my toshis are gone and i will need to make the trip up and down hills back to my dorm without straps... BUT it will also be a ***** to take them off and put them on every time i ride

2. doubles or singles? i have mks sylvan pedals with mks straps but they only have a loop for one strap.. can double be ridden like this?


any insight would be greatly appreciated

I would also like to know about these. I got the MK9s from eBay and they came with single leather straps but they seem to loosen up on me and I feel they don't hold me in as well as they should. The MK9s also only have a spot for one strap, can I run the doubles too?

1. You won't need to pull the straps every time you lock up. On the Sylvans, you'll usually have to use pliers to get them through anyway. The silkscreening on the strap wears off after a few adjustments anyway, so most guys won't be able to tell they're toshis unless they have a super sharp eye.

2. Go double, they're so much more secure than the single.

http://www.f1x3d.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=471

This link is useful; there's a dozen different ways to mount your straps, but I've found this way is awesome. It may be overkill to twist the toshi bc it's so thick anyway and fits into the MKS realllly tight, but it get's the job done.

Toshi's don't stretch like cheaper leather or synthetic straps. However, with the advent of clipless pedals, i don't see the point in dropping that much money and still having inferior foot retention.

For the price of a pair of toshi doubles, you could get yourself a decent clipless pedals. My SPD's were about 50 bucks(you can get them a lot cheaper online but i got them at the LBS) and there are a huge range of shoes out there.

Just my $.2

Well the argument between clips/straps vs clipless is another thread in itself.

But if you want to run clips and straps for cool/vintage factor, Toshis are the benchmark.

Well the argument between clips/straps vs clipless is another thread in itself.

But if you want to run clips and straps for cool/vintage factor, Toshis are the benchmark.
Nah. Bindas rule.

though suede may be a bit better, sag laminated doubles at $65 makes toshis a lot less relevant.

Go for the double straps. The initial price is a bummer but well worth it.
Much more secure braking power and no stretching.

As far as upgrades go, it's a very noticeable difference.

SAGs are still $95ish. I think you're thinking of Cadence.

SAGs are still $95ish. I think you're thinking of Cadence.

i was quoting this site, but apparently shipping is where they get you.

http://www.pbicollection.com/sagbikestraps.aspx

SAGs are a lot thinner and feel a lot less reliable than the toshis.

though suede may be a bit better, sag laminated doubles at $65 makes toshis a lot less relevant.

Something put together by a streetwear company that got dropped a month ago, verse a strap that has been used for decades.

Toshi doubles = win.

I run them with my Sylvans and they're great. Single best upgrade I've done besides switching from a conversion to a track frame.

If those SAG straps are anything like the Errebi Sprint Doubles, then that is money well wasted.

all city's are 1/2 the price and have a 2 year warranty.
save your receipt, and also $50.
You dont need toshi's unless you ride in the rain all the time, and I know you dont.

$50 double straps are 1/2 as stupid as $100 double straps.

toshis cost a lot of money. i was super hesitant on buying them too.

after riding them though, i don't feel like i wasted money at all.

Umm ... Aren't we talking about not getting our Toshi's stolen?

How about tie-wraps? I heard people twisting their straps right under their feet, is it for security reasons?

I don't think I get my Toshi stolen. For one thing, it's old. And, I got one broken from a fall and I replaced the broken one with MKS one. ... (I think Toshi is slightly better than MKS. I have to tie the leather flap so the flap don't tear off from slipping on-off. ... I think it's really for Keirin work; not for urban stuff.) Whoever steals mine is going to need another one.

i wouldn't worry too much about getting your straps stolen though i have heard the odd story of it happening.

i have toshi singles and theyre fine for straps, though clipless obviously is far superior. double straps are kind of irrelevant. they don't make a huge difference, and especially not a $100 difference.

The all citys are crappy. What good is a 2 year warranty if you have to go through the headache of dealing with it if they break?

With toshis, you install them, and forget about them.

Nah. Bindas rule.

Where are you getting Bindas these days? I could use a few sets of Extras.

Something put together by a streetwear company that got dropped a month ago, verse a strap that has been used for decades.

did sag actually participate in putting them together? its laminated and would have my attention if i used clips.

I'm not interested in buying parts from a fashion house.

Are there any synthetic doubles out there?

i was the same way. no way i'm spending 100.00 on toshi's. but i've worn through 2 sets of soma double's at 35.00 - 40.00 per set in the last couple years. they slip and stretch and generally suck. just scored some toshi doubles for 60.00 on CL yesterday. they are way better. my friend's are three years old, ridden in the rain and still going strong. if you do the math toshi's are a better deal...

toshis cost a lot of money. i was super hesitant on buying them too.

after riding them though, i don't feel like i wasted money at all.

word. I think that was everyone's initial sentiment. also, no one is going to steal your toshi doubles (they are super difficult to get on in the first place), someone is more likely to steal your saddle then your toe straps.

If you wait on Ebay, you can usually pick up a new pair for $70-$80, incl. shipping. Still pricey, but but better than a benj.

+ 1 on Toshi's. I echo Brooklyn Bikes sentiments. though it was a waste of money till I "wasted" the money on them. if you're commited to clips/straps and skidding, they're absolutely worth it.

did sag actually participate in putting them together? its laminated and would have my attention if i used clips.

from my understanding sag and mash both put in a good amount of time developing them. I haven't put mine on yet, but I'm going to write up a big review on them to see how they roll.

http://www.tracksupermarket.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=201

I feel like im letting the cat out of the bag with this link. They have all the primo track stuff for way cheaper than anyone else!

BTW...toshi doubles are worth the money.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/reviews/pedals/

i use the "alternate criss cross" with my sylvans and all-city doubles (when im not clipless). gets your straps a bit more around your foot, which i prefer. go for toshi if you have the money, or even kashimax, hah. the nice thing about kashimax (and i think the errebi) is that they come with the stabilizer thing (cadence sells one, their "doubilizer") to keep the second strap in place if you don't have double-strap-specific clips.

i forgot to add that someone tried to steal my toshis once. i got back to my bike and saw it loosened up. apparently the guy gave up trying to pull it out.

I have the SAG doubles and i think that they're pretty awesome, although i have never tried the toshis. I think i was really just a sucker for the extra leather piece that comes with the sags. They feel very snug and secure when on top of the clips. As for the all-city doubles that were recommended, I had a pair and they sucked sh*t. After a month or so, with no riding in wet conditions, they stretched out a lot. also anytime i did a seated skid or pulled up with a bit of force, they got loose.

extra leather piece is a doublizer.

The all citys are crappy. What good is a 2 year warranty if you have to go through the headache of dealing with it if they break?

With toshis, you install them, and forget about them.

You dont know what you are talking about. Thanks though!


If you dont want the straps stolen, adjust to taste and then wire-tie them.
Then they wont slip either. All leather straps seem to slip.

What do you mean by wire-tie jakerock?

All leather straps seem to slip.

Wrong! Not if properly installed, and not if they say "Toshi"

You dont know what you are talking about. Thanks though!


If you dont want the straps stolen, adjust to taste and then wire-tie them.
Then they wont slip either. All leather straps seem to slip.

based on this post, i think it is YOU who doesn't know what you're talking about.

You dont know what you are talking about. Thanks though!


If you dont want the straps stolen, adjust to taste and then wire-tie them.
Then they wont slip either. All leather straps seem to slip.

I've owned all citys and somas. They both suck balls equally. There's no point in trying to argue their quality over toshis.

Where are you getting Bindas these days? I could use a few sets of Extras.
Beats me -- I'm still using the same straps I bought 25+ years ago.

But they do turn up on eBay pretty often.

Beats me -- I'm still using the same straps I bought 25+ years ago.

But they do turn up on eBay pretty often.

I'll have to keep an eye out, I just assumed they were lost to the mists of time like mafac cantis.

I'm still using them on all the bikes that had them in the first place, but there have been some new acquisitions in those years..
http://entirely-adequate.com/binda.jpg