Installing double/laminated straps - advice sort
#1
Thread Starter
asleep at the wheel
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 976
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From: Chicago
Bikes: Custom Richie Ditta Track Bike, Eddie Merckx Corsa, Marioni Custom Pista, Dolan Cyclocross
Anyone got any advice on this. Got some Errebi double sprint straps and they are really difficult to install in my pedals.
The holes for straps are pretty small, the lamination means the straps really don't flex much and consequently they're a real pain to get on. Took about 30mins of wrestling to get the right side on and it looks reet shabby now.
So, before I mess up the left side, anyone got any tips?
I used some leather conditioner to try and soften the edges a bit and to give 'em some slide. Worked a little better but still not great.
Would prefer not to file the strap holes bigger in these pedals, as they're my all time favourite pedals.
The holes for straps are pretty small, the lamination means the straps really don't flex much and consequently they're a real pain to get on. Took about 30mins of wrestling to get the right side on and it looks reet shabby now.
So, before I mess up the left side, anyone got any tips?
I used some leather conditioner to try and soften the edges a bit and to give 'em some slide. Worked a little better but still not great.
Would prefer not to file the strap holes bigger in these pedals, as they're my all time favourite pedals.
Last edited by fixedpip; 01-31-06 at 08:48 AM.
#3
Thread Starter
asleep at the wheel
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 976
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From: Chicago
Bikes: Custom Richie Ditta Track Bike, Eddie Merckx Corsa, Marioni Custom Pista, Dolan Cyclocross
Suntour superbes.
Always found inserting straps in these things to be a big pain. But the Erebis took it to a new level.
Always found inserting straps in these things to be a big pain. But the Erebis took it to a new level.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 134
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: 2001 KHS, custom lugged
Here's something NOT to do; don't heat up the straps in order to get them to soften up. I put the straps over the tea kettle hoping that they would flex more... They did flex and went through, but ended up splitting. But I hear that Errebi straps end up splitting after a month or so anyway. I would go with a file next time.... maybe soak them in water?.....
#5
Yay!11! I has!!!1
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Eastcoast
Bikes: Cocaine the white stallion, Custom Witcomb pista, (Being restored) 80's Pogliaghi Track, (destroyed) RAP Round Breeze NJS, Cannondale Jekyll 900, 84/5 Pinarello Montello (all italian)
Oh pip, joined the club finally did you? All I can say is needlenose pliers and do it in a room where you're far enough from your neighbors children so that they don't learn any new words they shouldn't. Those straps are a complete fricking ***** and a half to install.
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Bloodstains, speed kills, fast bikes, cheap thrills, French girls, fine wine...
Bloodstains, speed kills, fast bikes, cheap thrills, French girls, fine wine...
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 134
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: 2001 KHS, custom lugged
Werd, I pretty sure I started sweating and cussed up a storm
while trying to pull the straps through with vice grips. I love
how the straps feel on my feet, but they were just such a pain
to install.
while trying to pull the straps through with vice grips. I love
how the straps feel on my feet, but they were just such a pain
to install.
Originally Posted by ImOnCrank
Oh pip, joined the club finally did you? All I can say is needlenose pliers and do it in a room where you're far enough from your neighbors children so that they don't learn any new words they shouldn't. Those straps are a complete fricking ***** and a half to install.
#7
Thread Starter
asleep at the wheel
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Chicago
Bikes: Custom Richie Ditta Track Bike, Eddie Merckx Corsa, Marioni Custom Pista, Dolan Cyclocross
Originally Posted by Quarters Mostly
But I hear that Errebi straps end up splitting after a month or so anyway
Was a little disappointed with them: single bolt clasps, the leather is pretty thin in the unreinforced sections and the effort of installing them has 'peeled' the edges in places so I'm sure mine will split too now.
And that sea-foam green colour is a little off-putting (though now its rather scuffed and greased up) in person.
Oh well still a decent upgrade from my knackered Binda straps that were on their last legs.
#8
get a pair of plyers and squish the sides of the straps a little to give them a U shape. Should make them go in a bit easier, though you may have to do this the whole length of the straps if your pedals are tough. use needle nose plyers to help you.
fwiw it took me about an hour to get both on mine.
and im so happy i found white (well, sorta cream colored) ones for a reasonable price at my lbs.
fwiw it took me about an hour to get both on mine.
and im so happy i found white (well, sorta cream colored) ones for a reasonable price at my lbs.
#9
i too split my errebi double straps while installing them. they'd been sitting unused for a couple of years, so that may have dried them out a bit, but they sure split easily.
once i reglued them, i ended up shaving off a tiny bit off the edges which made them easier to insert. anyway, i'd definitely recommend higher quality straps.
once i reglued them, i ended up shaving off a tiny bit off the edges which made them easier to insert. anyway, i'd definitely recommend higher quality straps.
#10
hullo.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,458
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From: san francisco
Bikes: 74 paramount track, 80s maruishi track, 70s chesini track.
pliers worked for me, and lots of elbow grease (which is just laughable, since i have little to no strength whatsoever.) it's probably one of the worst and most frustrating things to play with on the bike. seems like it should be easy and you just get all huffy and puffy doing it. what i messed up on after putting a set on my pedals was i didnt twist them when i threaded them through the bottom part of the pedals, you know, so i had to remove them (almost worse than putting them on) and then re-insert them. brand new ones, at least, are easier to work with. playing with a set that has been on and off more than once? forget it! i sent a pair of pedals with the straps still on and told the buyer "if you can get these off you are a saint!" he was a saint, and stronger than me, he sent them back with a bunch of other cool stuff. now i just tacked them to my wall because i sure aint putting them back on...






