smurv

Part of you know some of my leather work from this bike:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...540-frera.html

Some time ago i did recovery for my saddle. I bought some thread and leather. It was nothing special but works fine until today.





It was for me a great fun to make it. So i decided to read about leatherwork. Now, i make everything by my hands. Cut, dye finish, and all is made from vegetable-tanned leather and stainless steel.

This is results of 3 years my work on some standards bicycle product:









But the fact is that the most interesting thing will be custom made:

It's full rebuild, shell make from hardened leather, stitched by hand




I will update this thread with new works .

This thread match in ss/fg to but make it more classic

big chainring 

Nice work. And the photography and presentation is excellent too.

rootboy 

Beautiful stuff, Smurv. As one who dabbles in leather, I really appreciate your work.

rootboy 

Do you have a website where you sell your work?

redcaymatt

Excellent work. I like the stand for the bars.

smurv

Thanks all, just make my best .


Big chainring unfortunately i just make leather goods, and photos are made by my friend. Since 3 weeks i have been looking for some SLR camera. Maybe then i will make some more photos from workshop.


Root Boy, yes i got website, but i want obey forum rules. And as a newbie it will be just rude to link my http .

Big Block

smurv

photos>words

sloar 

Beautiful work, I've dabbled in leather work and it's not an easy thing to master.

rootboy 

Check out these cool and beautifully made products, guys!

GB Leather GB leather - Home

Thanks Big Block

Beautiful work, GB.

rhm

I think --no doubt someone will correct me if necessary-- you are allowed to put the link to your website in your signature.

bici_mania

That is impressive work. And as stated previously, beautiful photography.

I see myself getting in trouble for the money I spent, very soon.

noglider 

It wouldn't hurt if you take a paid membership. I have one, and I think it's $12/year. As a result, I don't see banner ads, and my pages load more quickly and are more sensibly laid out.

rootboy 

Ditto. Twelve bucks is nuthin. In fact, I'm kind of surprised it's so little.

Nice looking web site, GB. And your photographer's site is well worth a look too.

I've got to ask….did you say that all that stitching, like on your double toe straps with the stitching around the edges, is done by hand? No machine?
If so, I've got a long ways to go….

I like the green ones. But I'm not at all sure how I would feel with my feet buckled in with a standard buckle. I suppose one could leave it loose enough to bail out of.

Your work is really nice looking.

noglider 

I agree that the old fashioned spring-loaded toe strap buckle is better. It's very nice, because tightening and loosening is quick and easy with one hand, while on the bike.

smurv

Ohh I will interest signature as soon as it possible .

Yes, Rootboy, my photographer is a artist for sure, but i help him as i can.

This stitching is made by machine, but it can by made by hand. The saddle upper is without machine ... I prefer hand stitching but not always it's got sens...

And this is it Noglider! Why and when you need tightening and loosening pedal straps? For me this strap is for connect your feet with pedal, and this buckles make it, or it's just wont for fixed gear bike... However I just want make durable and indestructible product, so i take the best leather and make bespoke buckles made from stainless steal.

curiosity: i hang on single strap (~90kg), without any signs of damage

Thanks all

rootboy 

Noglider will probably respond while I'm typing but… the best reason for a strap/buckle configuration like standard toe straps, Smurv, is to be able to remove your foot quickly in case of an emergency or if you have to stop quickly. But that's mostly for those of us who use slotted cleats. Having the foot cinched down tightly can be a bit dangerous. With the strap run through this buckle as shown, and the brass roller, one can simply flick the edge of the buckle and the strap loosens, allowing you to pull you foot out quickly.

But your straps may be for a no cleat application.

Say, when you get some time, I would sure appreciate it if you could tell us about the vintage cycling scene in Poland. Are many people into vintage bikes there? Do you see many nice vintage bikes there? Etc.

My hand stitching leaves a little bit to be desired but I'm getting more uniform. Tell me about your sewing machine too! I love stuff like this.

Thanks. Rootboy

noglider 

When do I adjust my straps? Often.

Why do I adjust my straps? I want them tight if I want speed. I want them loose when I want to be able to pull out quickly in traffic. Often, I want my right strap looser than my left strap, because I take my right foot out more often. I ride with various shoes, and the adjustment is wrong when switching shoes.

I don't ride a fixed gear with straps, though it's not a bad thing to do. If I rode fixed on the street with straps, I would keep the left tight and the right loose. If I rode on the track with straps, I would hang onto the rail and reach down to adjust my straps.

In all cases, I need to adjust my straps with only one hand.

eschlwc

i would buy that strap with its standard buckle to use with sneakers. it would definitely work for me.

rootboy 

That's the ticket, Eschlwc. With some flat soled shoes and platform pedals, these wouldn't need to be tightened. Just a soft cage for your foot. easy to pull out of.

They sure are handsome looking.

smurv

I got some experience with using standard toe straps with classic shimano 600 pedals, but it wasn't fine for me. It always loosening during ride... It was annoying. So i decide to do something better then this.

My arrangements was: indestructible, rustproof, and don't tightening it every day. It for use with standard cage, without using cleat/clips pedals...

I used to ride this toe straps for 2 years without any problems, those are tight but not so much to can't pull out your feet. An emergency.. if it will be real threat You don't have time to draw feet with cleat/clips it the same...

I wish you have chance to ride this straps, Noglider. Maybe you change your mind... But you are right if one day you wear sneakers and next day take big mountain boots this buckles can be disruptive .


Rootboy, vintage cycling scene in Poland is quite pure, in my opinion. In our history, we got only one company making some bicycle in ~60-80's. Those are usually made from crap steal, without any classic parts like campagnolo/shimano. I know about 2-3 models for polish national team with some columbus steal etc. I'm sure, Frera it the best vintage bike in the city, probably one the most in Poland - in my opinion of course. But if i can see repost photo on French forum in "bike porn" i can have right .

About my "workshop" i will tell something in future, i swear.

cs1

Agreed but where can you buy them?

rootboy 

You really can't. A fellow over on the CR list who is in to making toe straps looked all over. I think he found one source but they were sort of cheesy cheap and minimum order was 1000. So he recycles old ones.

noglider 

Zefal, which still exists, took over the Christophe brand. You can still get Zefal straps. Do they come with the good old buckle? I know it seems silly to buy a strap to make a strap, but ...

Citoyen du Monde

I must admit to being rather confused by these items. I can't see the utility. The stitching on the saddle is a weak point and will definitely wear prematurely and potentially cause chafing. The multiple holes in the straps are likewise unwise if you plan on making a proper use of the toe clips and straps. Plus why use track toe clips with two straps if you don't even make proper use of one set of straps? The handlebar wrap is likewise a poor replica of items already on the market. I say poor replica inasmuch as it is very lumpy in the middle of the wrap preventing you from getting the smooth gripping surface that most people prefer.

I admire the desire to personalize your bike components, and am impressed that you set about completing the work (most of us simply talk about desiring to do such work) but find that you clear skills could best be used for somewhat better purposes.

Perhaps something like this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/309413...n/photostream/