My clips are protected
 

I was so excited that Velo-Orange had pre-cut leather with guide holes for toe-clip protectors...

The w0w had them until I touched them and they promptly disintegrated along with the white leather straps. I had never seen toe-clip protectors prior to owning this bike (I know, where have I been?) I don't know who you'd have to protect your toe-clips from but I figure the world has become an even scarier place in the past 30 years and who am I to judge who needs protection? Actually I'm suprised some agency hasn't mandated it. :D
They also sell MKS clips with the leather already sewn on (I'll get back to these)

I got the package from them two days after I ordered +1.

It came with everything that I needed to give my bike that bling that says "I love you."
4 pieces of leather
some waxy string
1 needle (just 1)
instructions

I was excited to get started, but my excitement was short lived. The needle broke as I threaded it through the first hole:(

Two weeks later:
I borrowed a hooked needle for sewing leather from my girlfriend. This one lasted through half of the first leg before it broke.
The last one I used was big enough that I was afraid was going to rip through the leather. It didn't though. So with the added help of a pair of pliers to pull the needle though and leather gloves (i only stabbed myself once) Here we are:


http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/clipped1.jpg
The curved needle broke at the beginning of the eye, the same as the first needle.
http://www.offcenterdesign.org/images/clipped2.jpg
It's was really hard to get the stitching right but I figure that no one's going to spend too much time inspecting my sewing.

So it took me a little longer than expected, but they're done.

The difference between the leather by itself and the clips with the leather already attached: $15.00, the satisfaction of perservering through hardship and coming out with beautifully leather protected toe-clips: priceless.

The leather doesn't protect the clips, it protects your shoes!;)
Top

I had these for a while in black with red threading on my fixed gear. I loved the way they looked when new. Unfortunately, after a fall and winter of commuting they became stretched out and scuffed to the point of ugliness. Some day I would like to give them another go. Good luck with yours.

I hope you have a Honey saddle to go along with those

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH:eek:
...but I don't wear shoes.

Looking for the best price right now.;)

I ordered various leather products from VO and got about 6 or 7 needless. I have finished one set of clips and broken all the needles plus one! Are those the heavy duty ones? They were IMPOSSIBLE to lace like that, but the thinner ones are much easier... I have to find more needles now... what a chore!

This was the first time I had dealt with sewing leather. It hasn't put me off so far. I'd like to do the leather bar cover as well.
The needle that I ended up using is kind of a beast, but it was hard threading through the leather even with the small needle that was included. This one is 2.5 inches long, 1mm in diameter, and flattened at the end. It did it like a pro.
I will ask my girlfriend what company makes them.

Sorry I meant to ask if those were the heavy duty leather covers or the regular ones.

"heavy-duty...honey":D

I've got 2 sets of the Elk-hide bar wrap, and I should be putting one on my Raleigh Gran Sport randoneur, but.....I'm scared. And this hasn't helped!

Well I must say I am throughly impressed with your abilities.

Do the protectors come pre-punched? I do a lot of sewing and I've found it's much easier to work with leather when it's been pre-punched with an awl. Leather that thick would also need a fairly strong leather-specific needle, I'd imagine.

It's such a great idea though, I think I'd wear nicer shoes when riding if I didn't have to worry about them getting so scuffed.

Let me guess, your other bike is a Rivendell.......:D
I love the WOW, BTW.
Top

Lubricate your needles with vasoline and they sew up like a hot knife through butter. When the leather gets scuffed, just put some neats foot on it . . . brings 'em back like new.

Look for a Sailmaker's Palm (it's like an industrial strength thimble).

- Wil

I'm glad this thread came up because I just ordered two sets of the black elk-hide from Velo Orange a couple weeks ago. I've been dreading doing it just because I know my (limited) skills with a needle and didn't want to screw them up.

That hint about vaseline will definitely be used.

Well that wasn't hard. Though I may need to give my fingers an ice-bath now.

A couple hints for others trying to do this. The black leather made it extremely difficult to see the holes that were punched so I stretched each piece in order to open them up some. I also ran the needle through the holes several times to help open them up some:
http://fileanchor.com/94642-r.jpg

And after breaking a needle I figured out that if I turned the leather to the outside edge (especially when doing the second pass of the stitching) I could get a much straighter line and avoid stressing the needle:
http://fileanchor.com/94643-r.jpg

Done!
http://fileanchor.com/94644-r.jpg

I have to admit that the honey brown looks much better than the black- but It wouldn't have gone with the color scheme of the bike, plus black won't show the tons of road grime that I encounter daily.

You are a friggin genius! :D


Anyone who is doing the bar-wrap should post their progress. (too bad you can't turn those)