Today was going to be the virgin run of my Bottecchia after restoring her, only one problem, I couldn't get my feet into the toe straps!?! I have size 13 feet that are wide, the straps at full open were too snug and I made a fool of my self trying to launch several times before realizing this isn't going to happen.

I want to keep her as vintage as possible, hoping to find longer leather straps, if not nylon.

Jim

You will likely have to go with nylon MTB straps. Vintage isn't always worth it if it isn't functional or comfortable. If you have a clipless system on your other bikes a clipless system will make this ride more enjoyable.

I gave up on straps years ago. I just ride without them on vintage bikes. My off topic commuter is also just platforms. I've gone all Grant Peterson except for the Speedplays on 1 bike.

You can always take your current straps to a shoe repair shop, a real cobbler guy like Jose in my old neighborhood. Get him to cut some longer leather pieces and rivet them to the existing buckles for you. If you must have straps that work this might be the most expedient method and probably would not cost any more than buying long vintage if you can even find them.

I found and bought a pair of white leather straps that are 420mm long. If they don't fit, I will go with nylon straps. I've never been so embarrassed.

Jim

Wider pedals are also an option, and probably a good idea. Using pedals that are too narrow will likely lead to straps rubbing the finish off the crank arm, which is of course a classic look, but one that reduces the strength (not to mention the weight and the value) of the crank.

I am going to remove the clips for the time being until I get back into the hang of riding again. This will let me ease back into it and get my way too out of shape legs get some muscle mass then either go with properly fitted vintage straps (to keep it eroica).

The Bianchi frame that is on the way to me will be a daily rider and will get clipless pedals during its build.

Jim

Just wait until you come to a complete stop in front of the group and you can't get out of your straps.

BG:

That almost happened to me in traffic on a major street. I had to panic stop to miss a car and literally pulled my foot out of the shoe! Didn't have time to reach down and release the strap!

Jim

+1

On the flip side, I dialed in the placement of my Magnepan's and the Soundstage is absolutely 3 Dimensional and the walls disappeared into blissful music!

Jim

Even worse is when fate takes a hand. I came up to a stop light clipped in and was fully prepared, except for the right shoelace that had caught between the chain and chainring. Not enough slack, it wouldn't break when I tugged my foot away, and time ran out with me slightly overbalanced to the right. No known witnesses, no lasting damage and the biggest upside was that the lane I toppled into was empty at that moment.

I had the same thing happen to me, except I had LOTS of witnesses and I landed in the grass. I started double knotting my laces or tucking them into the shoe after that.

Just keep at it! I had to fall down in the loose gravel ten feet out my garage door twice before I figured out how to walk the bike out to the street to get on it!

FBOATSB:

I feel your pain! Took off the clips and the restored Bottecchia had its virgin ride! First off, I'm sore in places I forgot I had. Secondly, I'm please how she performed, a little stiff, but fast and responsive. Finally, need to do some minor adjustments, raise the seat post as well as the stem before my next ride.

Jim

What shoes are you using? If you're using street shoes or modern bike shoes, the toe box is often much larger than the toe box on a traditional bike shoe.

I'm using Van's.

I understand that racers tightened those straps... back-in-the-day. But The guys like me that rode the streets and roads with clips and straps in the 60's didn't.

I actually like the old toe cages and I use them on my vintage bikes. But I still don't tighten the straps. What would be the point? Any extra efficiently was always debatable... and now they are just on vintage bikes anyway.

Did I miss the pictures?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133196.../shares/PifPd0

I've never spent the time to do the whole soundstage placement thing. At my first big kids apartment, I had a nice surround set up- Bose 501 on the floor, Bose 301s suspended from the ceiling angled down and in and a set of Infinity bookshelves to the rear at ear level. That sounded great.

My listening area isn't great now- but it allows me to be awash with sound.

https://flic.kr/p/vCtMdi

Those are nifty looking speakers.

Is that a tube power amp?

Nice.

Golden Boy:

The Speakers are Magnepan 2.5's that I restored and upgraded the x/o's. The amp is an AR VS110 tube amp. The Preamp is a Bottlehead that has several upgrades/tweeks and the CDP is an Ah Troeb with tube output. It is a fine system if I say so myself.

Jim

Golden, I am extremely jealous of your Marantz 2325. Beautiful piece, and crazy powerful.
I also notice your Original Large Advents. I've got two pair, one of them the bull-nose version, and at one time had them stacked and wired in series. Remarkable sound!