so i have a set of mks sylvans with campy single straps. they came to me with the straps already installed, but i wanted to put the twist in the bottom to be cool/old school/whatever. so, i undid the first one and got everything set up with no problems, but i can't get the second one back through the pedal for the life of me. it's the most frustrating **** ever. anyone have some ideas? i've tried grease, water, and trying to grab the end of the strap with pliers with no luck. blah.

wiggle that ****er while you push...real hard...get enough through to grasp and pull-pull-pull

I know you said you tried it, but pliers worked for me on a really stuck strap.

and since i'm complaining, i might as well complain about other bike **** that happened to me today.

- realized that the seatpost i was going to use on my beater is too long, so i'm still searching for one to use.
- took my GT apart to try to figure out what's been going on with the drivetrain. didn't figure out the problem i was looking for, but realized that the cones on my wheel are out of whack, so i can't do the ride i was planning on tomorrow.

my bikes hate me, especially today.

hacksaw solves the first problem

don't want to hack it, in case i ever decide to sell my GT frameset. it's the stock post.

Needle nose pliers. They are your friend in this situation.

Someone explain the twist in the bottom thing.

For what it's worth, that twist-the-toe-strap bit is to keep it from sliding through the pedal (so the buckle starts migrating up on top of your foot. Well, if your straps are that tight in the pedals, the twisting thing isn't going to make them noticeably tighter. Plus, the twisting reduces the effective length of the straps quite a bit, so unless you have small feet you may start running out of toe strap (and doubles tend to be shorter than singles from most manufacturers -- don't ask me why).

The twist-the-toe-strap technique was popular back in the 50's and 60's. Nowadays, you have zipties. You can install your toe straps just like you want them, then put a smallish ziptie around the strap so it butts against the outside frame of the pedal, but on the inside of the frame. Pull it tight and trim. That way it'll keep your strap from pulling through.

Most people try to put the buckle right on the outside of the foot right above where it exits the pedal, but this isn't really the best location. Instead, move it up an inch or two so it's on top of your foot, but not running into the toe clip yet. In this position, it's easier to reach to tighten and loosen, it doesn't bear right on the bones on the outside of your foot, and it also happens not to want to pull up (because your direction of pull doesn't try to yank it through the pedal). Just a suggestion.

1. take the toe straps out and file down rough edges on the pedal..(this makes the straps last longer)
2. use some mineral oil on the straps to soften them
3. reinstall straps

The mineral oil will soften the straps and make em more managable.
Filing the rough edges will prevent the straps from being cut by the pedals.

how exactly can a seatpost be too long? is the frame TINY??? i've only encountered this problem on dual suspension mountain bikes where the rear shock is through the seat tube. whacky.

Huh. Never thought of that.

That may be true, but the twist just looks cool.

unless you have nylon straps i feel the twist is uneccessary... just pull em through with a decent pair of needlenose pliers. the pair i tried to use were too small but if you get your hands on some big ones you will get the straps through easily (if attached to bike).

+1 on the howcanaseatpostbetoolong question. That **** is confusting me.