Leather toe strap restoration
11-05-13, 11:59 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 151
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Leather toe strap restoration
Being new to cycling, I thought it was a good idea to buy vintage toe straps instead of new christophe ones so I bought a pair of vintage christophe/binda straps. They are a bit stiff and dirty and the colour of the straps are off-white. Now, I kind of regret buying them and wish I just went with new straps...What do you think? Any chance at returning these straps to their glory days or are they long gone?
Not too sure if pics will help...
Not too sure if pics will help...
Last edited by PapaGanoosh; 11-06-13 at 07:22 PM.
11-06-13, 04:53 AM
#2
Senior Member
They look very nice to me. Remember that the darkened areas are on the inside where the strap threads through the pedal cage. Nobody will see that. The outside looks great. Even if you found a way to restore them, they would be back to this state pretty quickly.
11-06-13, 05:45 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
Huh? Are those straps marked both Christophe and Binda? Is that one pair of straps????
You could try cleaning them with saddle soap and warm water, but I doubt it would do much.
You could try cleaning them with saddle soap and warm water, but I doubt it would do much.
11-06-13, 05:58 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Posts: 3,903
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
22 Posts
Saddle soap, and they'll be just fine.
11-06-13, 07:21 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 151
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Linked the wrong picture in the OP. Fixed now. Thanks for the help guys. Is there a specific tool to apply saddle soap with?
11-06-13, 08:15 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sponge, Bob, a sponge.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
Last edited by RoadTire; 11-06-13 at 08:27 PM.
11-07-13, 05:49 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
I would use something short and stiff, like a tooth brush or something similar. Not much water, just enough to develop a lather on top of the soap cake. I really sont think this is going to help these much though. In fact, it might even make them look worse. IMO.
11-07-13, 06:53 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: York, PA
Posts: 551
Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX-10; '74 Raleigh International; '87 Specialized RockHopper; '88 Specialized StumpJumper; '02 Cannondale Scalpel
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times
in
5 Posts
White shoe polish would help a little- more than one coating.
11-07-13, 08:26 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,828 Times
in
1,995 Posts
Not those. Those or at least one pair are Binda Extras, they only came in that color. They are THE racing strap. Stiffer leather, laminated, a Binda Patent at the time. They did not stretch so your foot stayed IN the pedal when you Sprinted to Victory.
My favorite since 1975.
Later Binda made the Super with nylon reinforcement in bright white.
I think the original poster probably got a great deal on them and just does not know it until now.
Toe straps get aluminum oxide, they get smudged, they get splashed, give them some saddle soap and no oil and be Thrilled you have them.
My favorite since 1975.
Later Binda made the Super with nylon reinforcement in bright white.
I think the original poster probably got a great deal on them and just does not know it until now.
Toe straps get aluminum oxide, they get smudged, they get splashed, give them some saddle soap and no oil and be Thrilled you have them.
11-07-13, 08:27 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,828 Times
in
1,995 Posts
11-07-13, 08:36 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,748
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times
in
78 Posts
Yes. Just clean em up the best you can and use them. Binda Extras are difficult to find these days and command exorbitant prices when you do see them. Even the non-laminated version tend to make ebay sellers price them at $100 plus. Not worth it by any stretch, in my view, but when you can knock down a set for about 50 bucks, they're good to have.
