Originally Posted by
noodle soup
If you dismantle the buckle, the strap is released.. Reassemble or replace the buckle, and you're good to go.
No way would I have destroyed the shoe, Sounds like the OP panicked.
Do you have access to the Giro shoe closure system? If he replaces the buckle he's going to run into the same issue again - the ratchet section of the strap allows tightening past release point. He could replace the rivet with a screw as suggested but that's not a good fix.
He needs a replacement strap, the strap design changed at some point to decrease the length of the ratchet section by ~1/4". You can see it here comparing this set of shoes from mid 2015 production to the same style but 2016 production. I suspect they used the same ratchet section distance as the prior version of the interface - oversight during design refresh is a common issue but should have been addressed properly.
@
sooni - do you have a year printed on the sole under the insole?