ThisJauntyGent

I ride with my straps pre-adjusted in such a way that's it's easy to insert and pull out my foot while riding. Any adjusting is done while stationary, maybe even off the bike.

However, I've heard of this mystical ability... the ability to tighten one's doubles (or singles, for that matter) while riding fixed. Has anyone the zen-mastery for such a feat?

How do YOU ride your straps?

magic-conch

Around my feet.

badonis

I wear my straps tight enough that I have to kind of force my feet into the clips, so I don't have to do any post clip-in tightening. I have, however, been able to pull that off while riding on a couple occasions.

muckymucky

i tighten and loosen them when mounted every time i get on and off.

WoundedKnee

I have my straps through the buckle in a way that they cannot possibly move or slip, so I adjust stationary or off the bike like you said.

ThisJauntyGent

*EDIT* Apologies, double post. These new forums are a bit janky for me.

ThisJauntyGent

What is your technique for getting both sets of straps adjusted?

For example, do you start with your right foot in the pedal, left foot on the ground, and adjust the right straps; then, switch over to your left foot on the pedal with your right foot on the ground, and adjust left straps?

Pardon me for asking, but this just seems clunky.

Ska!

you can get it down to an art form and ride slowly, so that when your feet are perpendicular to the ground, the highest foot can be adjusted, and then switch over after a few passes.

Yo!

Yea I can make on the fly adjustments to my toshis if they are not pulled through the buckle. Gotta go slow and it takes a few cranks to get it, and even then it's not ideal, but at least I don't have to stop. Usually I have my pedal setups adjusted so that I never really have to touch them unless I'm wearing skinny shoes, etc.

1fluffhead

I adjust while riding evertime I get on. It is not hard if you don't tuck your tag ends the buckles. Most people think that the tag ends should be tucked in and point towards the ground. I run them with the ends going through the top part of the buckle and that is it. You can pull the ends while riding to tighten as much as you need. Just push the top of the buckles down and the leather is loose again.

JohnDThompson 

Do you have an end-button on your straps? That gives you something easy to grab as the pedal goes by. Better quality straps have rollers in the clamp that facilitate release as well. A quick swipe of the hand across the clamp loosens the strap so you can get your foot out in a hurry. I use these with slotted cleats all the time:

rumrunn6

I'm an outsider here - what is it about the "fixie" world that might require toe clips? are you guys more likely to use them than another kind of bike?

I use clips but I cut them down to minis w/o straps

JohnDThompson 

Foot retention is important when riding fixed because if your foot comes out at high RPM you won't get it back on the pedal until you slow WAY down. For those who ride brakeless, this can be a Darwinian selection process.

rumrunn6

haha, OK I see. you're beyond single speed - your feet are always moving! that must be painful

muckymucky

yea just like a few of others here have said:

GETTING ON: mount on bike, put feet on back of pedal, go slow, flip pedals using the flippy triangle thing on pedals, get your shoes in the cage, still riding slow (like almost trackstand speeds), pull the end of your straps up toward your body as your pedal is at the highest position closest to your arms, pull till its binds on your shoes, do this for both sides.

GETTING OFF: when coming to a stop, slow down, ride slow, using your thumb to swipe the buckle to the outside away from your bike, it'll slip off easy, youre done as soon as your feet are cleared to pull out, do this to both sides.

i think thats what they were designed for~ and ppl dont hassle over it because of the danger of emergency unstrapping or they just get on and off their bikes too much~

but i definitely do this for longer rides (more than 5 miutes)~ shorter rides (less than 2 minutes) i just leave it as enough so i can slip in and out

Zenith251

Not at all. I've only been on a fixed gear for a month and I can already tell you that it's perfectly comfortable. Allowing my legs to go "limp" and be carried around by the drivetrain is all I need to do to let off the burn of hard effort. There are plenty of upsides too. Keeps the legs limber and keeps your blood flow to your legs going.

As for straps, I keep them in a well tweaked and tight. just enough so that I have to wiggle my feet just a tad to get my shoe to rest all the way in. Of course every time I ride with different shoes it's the same adjustment game (from a stationary position) all over again.

ThisJauntyGent

How do you deal with red lights? Do you loosen/tighten at every light? Trackstand?

JohnDThompson 

Trackstand if it's likely to be a short stop, otherwise loosen one foot to get it on the ground.

muckymucky

red lights:
hold on to poles or cars next to you~ ;D
you can trackstand but i usually dont because it takes energy~

xsnakobx

^I used to do that but then I got threatened by a bus-driver and the boyfriend of some lady in a Camry for touching the vehicles.

teedoff087

While stationary, I usually loosen my left strap, put my foot in, tighten. My right strap is adjusted where I can slip my foot in and not worry about tightening.

TofuPowered

i don't. i ride clipless. so much better.