Once again, it’s time for Words from Tom and Tony. This week Tony tackles the great foot-retention debate. What is better for freestyle riding? Traditional toeclips, pedals and straps or the more popular foot-strap phenomena that’s sweeping the world? Read below as Tony gives us an insightful look into his thoughts:
Tom is away sniffing panties in Japan. So it’s just me.
It seems as though with this fixed gear trick stuff we are systematically improving parts component by component to suite our needs. I suppose we can check frames and forks off the list meanwhile at the top of the to-do list is foot retention. Consider me way behind the times being as I still ride clips and straps. The most widely held argument against this set up is that the clips break. If this is your gripe then get a hold of the newer compound All City plastic clips which are really durable, I have been on the same set for about 8 months along with the same Toshi’s for over a year.
Brisbane Outdoor Gear “Strap Ons” FRS Commercial from FonsecaFilms on Vimeo.
Albeit Powergrips and Feetbelts preceded Hold Fast in terms of clipless strap systems; the Brooklyn based entrepreneurs revolutionized the way trick kids thought of foot retention. A number of other spins have been put on this style of retention from companies like Jol and their Gurney Straps along with Brisbane Outdoor Strap Ons.
As part of the promotion of the Brisbane straps, they asked Chris Fonseca of No Cassettes fame to channel the spirit Billy Mays and put together a promotional film. Despite the shameless bit of self promotion, we are able to gather that these new strap systems do wonders in accommodating a wide array of shit kickers. There is a bit of mystery as to how they are adjusted, but I’ll take it good faith. The material they are made out of them is also tried and tested on some highly constrained design problems such as boats (which uses no steel that clips are made out of).
I am curious to see how long a set of these hold up considering they are being tested skidding down hills by stopping with one leg. It looks steezy and it may increase the product testing by accelerating the testing of one strap, but I feel as though safety may be a concern. At least, if you almost run into a car at bottom you will know that your feet are in the straps.
This post is BBB certified! Apparently the new Hold Fast straps are BBB certified according to John “Hippo” Prolly, too.
Previously:
Words from Tom and Tony 1
