Toe Clip Straps
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Cincinnati
Bikes: 1988 Centurion Le Mans RS (stolen!), 2009 Bianchi Pista (48-16), 2014 Gunnar Sport (Arrived! Pictures soon!)
I've had these for 8 years, and it's just now about time to replace them (for aesthetic reasons, still work fine, but getting grungy): https://www.amazon.com/MKS-Black-Leat.../dp/B001GSSOFI
I use them on and off, whenever I don't feel like using my clipless. Probably have about 4000-6000 miles on them?
I use them on and off, whenever I don't feel like using my clipless. Probably have about 4000-6000 miles on them?
#3
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,139
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
It's been a long time since I've used toe clips and straps but Christophe were always a good brand in both leather and nylon. Zefal owns them now so I can't speak to their quality. Leather is stiff and lasts a while but takes time to break in. Nylon straps are instantly broken in and durable but they can bet cut more easily.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#4
aka Timi

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,600
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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: Bianchi Lupo & Bianchi Volpe Disc: touring. Bianchi Volpe: commuting
Toe Clip Straps
+1 Zefal Christophe
https://www.zefal.com/en/19-toe-clips-and-toe-straps
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mobile/zefal-zefal-mt-christophe-technopolymer-440-mm-toe-straps-black-prod20627/
https://www.zefal.com/en/19-toe-clips-and-toe-straps
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mobile/zefal-zefal-mt-christophe-technopolymer-440-mm-toe-straps-black-prod20627/
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike
Yup, back "in the day" the best toe straps I've Ever Used were laminated. Nylon, between inner and outer layer of leather. No Stretching when they got wet, lasted till the teeth in the strap buckle chewed through the strap. Christophe? Maybe Avocet or some other company now defunct when toe strap market crashed.
#6
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
One thing I did with the commonly available cheap nylon webbing ones, which made them more useful ..
Is impregnate the webbing with Plastidip ,the tool handle stuff , when they were New ..
(un contaminated so the stuff is absorbed & sticks.)
that stiffens them up so they will act like a leather strap might.
Like, stay open while you stuff your toe in the Clip.
Cures the abrasion issue too , but its a Job You have to do, it is not an as-is Buy.
nowhere near as McGuyver looking as the below .. thing..
Is impregnate the webbing with Plastidip ,the tool handle stuff , when they were New ..
(un contaminated so the stuff is absorbed & sticks.)
that stiffens them up so they will act like a leather strap might.
Like, stay open while you stuff your toe in the Clip.
Cures the abrasion issue too , but its a Job You have to do, it is not an as-is Buy.
nowhere near as McGuyver looking as the below .. thing..
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-27-14 at 01:12 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 1
From: 6367 km away from the center of the Earth
Homemade one will last ad vitam aeternam
All you need is stainless steel fixing bands and ties + vinyl hose
(an inner tube instead of vinyl hose will works as well but won't last long)
(straps are SS fixing bands)
(vinyl hose or inner tube is just for not having the fixing band directly in contact with your foot, you do that by inserting the fixing band inside the vinyl hose)



optional(for better comfort):
I've also added SS deep sockets as counterweight to have pedals always at the right position. Just attach those under your pedals with SS ties.
All you need is stainless steel fixing bands and ties + vinyl hose
(an inner tube instead of vinyl hose will works as well but won't last long)
(straps are SS fixing bands)
(vinyl hose or inner tube is just for not having the fixing band directly in contact with your foot, you do that by inserting the fixing band inside the vinyl hose)



optional(for better comfort):
I've also added SS deep sockets as counterweight to have pedals always at the right position. Just attach those under your pedals with SS ties.
Last edited by erig007; 06-25-14 at 10:41 AM.
#8
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Homemade one will last ad vitam aeternam
All you need is stainless steel fixing bands and ties + vinyl hose
(an inner tube instead of vinyl hose will works as well but won't last long)
(straps are SS fixing bands)
(vinyl hose or inner tube is just for not having the fixing band directly in contact with your foot, you do that by inserting the fixing band inside the vinyl hose)



optional(for better comfort):
I've also added SS deep sockets as counterweight to have pedals always at the right position. Just attach those under your pedals with SS ties.

All you need is stainless steel fixing bands and ties + vinyl hose
(an inner tube instead of vinyl hose will works as well but won't last long)
(straps are SS fixing bands)
(vinyl hose or inner tube is just for not having the fixing band directly in contact with your foot, you do that by inserting the fixing band inside the vinyl hose)



optional(for better comfort):
I've also added SS deep sockets as counterweight to have pedals always at the right position. Just attach those under your pedals with SS ties.

#9
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,666
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From: 6367 km away from the center of the Earth
Haven't seen my DIY alarm clock yet, that is funny
Some of the parts being: some bread crumbs, an empty orange juice pack, a few coins, a blackboard, some sewing thread, some water...
Did that when i was at a hotel in uk and i didn't have an alarm clock with me.
Some of the parts being: some bread crumbs, an empty orange juice pack, a few coins, a blackboard, some sewing thread, some water...

Did that when i was at a hotel in uk and i didn't have an alarm clock with me.
#10
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
#13
Senior Member



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From: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Bikes: 2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1992 Paramount PDG Series, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1969? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I
Yup, back "in the day" the best toe straps I've Ever Used were laminated. Nylon, between inner and outer layer of leather. No Stretching when they got wet, lasted till the teeth in the strap buckle chewed through the strap. Christophe? Maybe Avocet or some other company now defunct when toe strap market crashed.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
Yup, back "in the day" the best toe straps I've Ever Used were laminated. Nylon, between inner and outer layer of leather. No Stretching when they got wet, lasted till the teeth in the strap buckle chewed through the strap. Christophe? Maybe Avocet or some other company now defunct when toe strap market crashed.
#16
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,138
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I really dislike the new nylon straps. Their tensile strength is fine, but chafing does them in. Leather straps last a long time, and they don't cost much, so get the Zefal leather straps.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#18
elcraft

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 120
From: Greater Boston
+1!!! Alfredo Binda straps; a layer of web strap sandwiched between two leather straps. There is virtually no stretch.
You can treat leather straps (like Christophe) with Lexol leather treatment and they will last for years! The set of Christophes (with an alloy mechanism) were treated in the late Seventies- they are still on my '75 Raleigh Super Course and work fine.
You can treat leather straps (like Christophe) with Lexol leather treatment and they will last for years! The set of Christophes (with an alloy mechanism) were treated in the late Seventies- they are still on my '75 Raleigh Super Course and work fine.





