Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Wabi Cycles vs. Toshi Doubles

Looking to upgrade from my (half-decent but could be better) Soma double straps. Have heard Toshi's are the Holy Grail of double straps (aside from the $160 Kashimax?) but have also heard great reviews of the Wabi Cycles doubles. Are the Toshi's that much better they're worth spending over 3 times the price? A hundred bucks for straps seems slightly absurd, but if they're worth it, I suppose I'd cough it up. I was thinking some MKS GR-9's and maybe some FUBAR double clips (all in black). Any advice appreciated.

Just buy a cow and make your own.
Jk but 100$ for a little pecice of leather seems ridiculuos.

I've had the Wabi straps for nine months. When you get them, they smell terrible, and the leather dye WILL rub off onto your shoes (annoying since I wear white Sambas). They've held up pretty well, although they are starting to wear out on the inner edges where your foot slides in and out. Not bad overall. That being said, as soon as those DZR shoes come out, I'm going clipless.

I've been riding Wabi's (rebranded Exustars, FYI) for a couple months.

The stories about the smell are absolutely true: straight elephant dick. But after a two weeks, it's gone. They've definitely left faint black streaks on my shoes, but it's not bad at all. If anything, it's kinda like an esoteric mark of the cyclist? I dunno.

I can't imagine Toshis being worth the (HUGE) price difference: Wabi's are like $35 shipped, and wonderful.

I absolutely would never buy Toshis.

I absolutely would never buy Toshis.
+1..I could get a clipless set up with ~$100.

DIY nylon double straps + plastic clips had served me quite well.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Zb7K43b1D4/SDPP7K1TjII/AAAAAAAAAQE/_GMRBZ0KTJ4/s400/blickblocks.jpg

Thanks blicks for coming up with this.

I can only speak on behalf of the Exustar straps that Wabi sells, and they are the best bang for the buck, in my opinion. I cannot speak on behalf of the Smell, as mine did not smell as such, or I don't recall, and neither for the staining, I wore light brown suede shoes with these. Only problem I've had thus far is my right set has worn out one layer of it. And I really haven't had them for all that long, about 7 or 8 months now, but no more wear on the left side, or anywhere else on the straps, perhaps it is my form.

I have toshi doubles. They're not worth $100 to me. And this is coming from someone who is less than conservative when it comes to spending money on bikes.

All-city Deluxe Doubles are also an alternative that should be considered.

http://allcitycycles.com/images/sized/images/products2/Deluxetoestrap1-315x419.jpg
http://allcitycycles.com/products/components/deluxe_doubles/

Especially since they're about half the cost of Toshis.

I stopped using my Wabi straps because I didn't like the pedals that came with them.

All-city Deluxe Doubles are also an alternative that should be considered.

Especially since they're about half the cost of Toshis.

I would have bought those instead of the Wabi's had they been available at the time. If I don't go clipless, I might have to get those, especially since they would go so well with my white All-City double clips.

got the brown all cities today. clips are backordered, if this thread is still alive when they come in ill post a review. they look sturdy.

the new updated all city straps look sweet

All-city Deluxe Doubles are also an alternative that should be considered.

http://allcitycycles.com/images/sized/images/products2/Deluxetoestrap1-315x419.jpg
http://allcitycycles.com/products/components/deluxe_doubles/

Especially since they're about half the cost of Toshis.

Are these guys laminated?

Are these guys laminated?

Super deluxe (pronounced deeelux) double toe strap, constructed of two strips our new higher quality leather with a layer of non stretching laminate in the middle, topped off with our new non slip buckles

Thanks folks, pretty much sealed that deal. Interesting how sooo many people buy Toshi's. I guess it's a spare-no-expense type deal (something I'm all too familiar with). Not sure I'm crazy about staining my shoes though, hmm.. any way to avoid that? Those All-City's look pretty nice too.

Toshi's aren't THAT expensive considering the price we pay for other components. Foot retention is pretty important to some riders and you're talking about spending $100 vs $40 on something that should last years. I've had wabi/exustar doubles on a brakeless bike for over 6 months(?) and they never slipped or stretched. But if you were to put them side by side with Toshi's you could see quality differences (thickness, suede material, buckles).

+1..I could get a clipless set up with ~$100.

DIY nylon double straps + plastic clips had served me quite well.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Zb7K43b1D4/SDPP7K1TjII/AAAAAAAAAQE/_GMRBZ0KTJ4/s400/blickblocks.jpg

Thanks blicks for coming up with this.

A little more explanation on this please.

Toshi's aren't THAT expensive considering the price we pay for other components. Foot retention is pretty important to some riders and you're talking about spending $100 vs $40 on something that should last years. I've had wabi/exustar doubles on a brakeless bike for over 6 months(?) and they never slipped or stretched. But if you were to put them side by side with Toshi's you could see quality differences (thickness, suede material, buckles).

True, but when factoring in a new pair of pedals and clips, it does make for a noticeably costlier investment (or maybe I just need to get a job).

A little more explanation on this please.


There's isn't much to be explained.

There's isn't much to be explained.

Why dose it recommend to cross the straps? Is it for two single straps per side? Do you cross doubles?

Why dose it recommend to cross the straps? Is it for two single straps per side? Do you cross doubles?

Yes it's to use 2 single straps as a "double".