Clips 'n Straps: How Tight?
 

How tight do those who ride with clips and straps keep their straps?

My son rides a geared bike and prefers clips and straps to clipless, and he tightens his straps down so tight he can't pull out of them.
However, he can easily tighten and loosen his straps because he can coast.

What about those who ride fixed gear bikes with straps?
How much do they tighten them?
Do they keep them loose enough so they can pull out of them, or do they tighten them down and loosen them on the fly?

I keep mine fairly tight but just loose enough that I can wiggle my foot out if I need to quickly.

I need to have them loose enough that I can bail if the situation calls for it, but tight enough that I don't slip out while skidding.

Tightening them all the way down can be pretty fun though. Until you forget about it and tip over.

If I know I won't need to pull out, i'll tighten them down real tight for extra leverage.

If i'm riding on the road, i'll keep them loose enough to pull out like Aves. In case someone hits me I don't want the bike going with me.

Tight as you can stand 'em on a normal bike,I used them for 15 years ,got used to flick 'em loose when...
but I'd keep 'em a bit looser in traffi/inetersection areas,tighten them as soon as.... Keeping them tight on a fixie 's just plain dumb.In a veladrome it would be good (that's what he'll argue) No one ever got run over by a truck in a veladrome though out of not being able to stop fast enough in an emergency. Logic should prevail under the circumstances.

up to you.

i usually ride with my straps somewhat loose . . . no one else seemed to have said that. oh well

when i rode with a brake i kept them relatively loose. but now that i'm riding brakeless i keep them a bit tighter so i feel more secure.

edited - unnecessary

until your toesies go numb.

i rode with them when i first started riding fixed and ripped the strap clear out of the bracket it fits into, then had to limp home, fortunately, i had a brake.

as tight as possible to be able to pull them out when needed. i do checks to see if i can. but the kind of shoe you have also influences this. i use shoes with barely any grip to them(have limited traction ability) i used to use Puma Klimbs (rock climbing shoes) but the sole wasn't hard enough and my feet hurt after long rides. i use Puma Ligas and they are perfect

why are you asking this question don't you have spd's

Maybe he's pondering going clips/straps so he can wear normal shoes instead of bike shoes and having to swap if he plans on standing around on them for any amount of time.

i keep mine fairly tight, i never have any problem pulling out...um..

Urban Legend...

I've been riding clips (eggbeater c) on my fixed for just over a year and love them. For the last few days have been trying a set of clips and straps (MKS sylvan track with single straps). The reason? Unashamedly for the cool points and also to wear regular shoes (usually various vans or chucks). I definitely need to get used to this and have fallen unable to get my foot out in time about three or four times now.

I learned to trackstand with eggbeaters as well as backward 360s. I can still trackstand with the clips/straps just fine although still just a little bit sketched and sure appreciate the instant out of the eggbeaters but I'm sure I'll get more comfortable with time. What I am not liking the most about the clips/straps is skipping and backwards 360s. When doing skips I feel like my feet are going to slip out and it takes way more strength to stop the wheel and find myself wanting to pull longer skids to slow down rather than short skips.

As for backwards 360s, I first tried to do some strapped in and fell like a ****. I just couldn't get my foot out the strap in time to put my foot down, even when I adjust the straps way loose.

So I am asking the same question I guess. How tight to you keep your straps for like backwards circles and stuff?

depends...keep them as tight as needed for the moment...I adjust most every time I get on the saddle

I have mine at a point where everything is both comfortable and secure, but I can still get in and out smoothly and easily. Very glove-like in fit.

i reach down and pull the straps tight.

if i need to, i can tug my foot out, but it's not easy. i'm not worried.

to loosen, i just reach down and touch the buckle - it's super easy, even on a fix.

and what's the point of clips and straps if they're not tight?

listen kids: PULL 'EM TIGHT!

i don't do backwards circles clipped in. i don't really know of anyone who does, just for fear of not being able to get out of the clips in time if the need arises

its all in the shoes

What's Leonides saying? RED SAUCE ON....?

I don't actually know anybody that busts tricks reverse 360s etc strapped in but I've seen plenty on youtube who do way more difficult things strapped .. Death Truck etc.

And yes, I'm jealous as hell

if you have them tight, you have incentive not to screw up and fall.

i do! http://youtube.com/watch?v=kRdqzb21nTc