Tom's Toe Clip Straps

Some of you may not understand why it takes so long to get new products made. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I do. But here is a little conversation with a toe clip strap manufacturer to give you some idea of how even the simplest products can be very complicated.

I saw a very nice range of toe clip straps from a small manufacturer I had not previously heard of. Tom, who works with me on developing and sourcing new products, and I decided to have a chat with them. C is me, T is Tom, M is the manufacturer. Of course this is all condensed from memory and just meant to illustrate the complications involved.

C: We'd like to get a quote on some of the straps you manufacture. We're most interested in the thicker ones with stainless steel buckles. Can you do colors other than brown and black.

M: These are our best straps. We can probably make them in other colors for a large order.

T: These buckles are stainless?

M: Yes, of course.

T: Is the rivet stainless?

M: Yes.

T: Chris, what do you think about the way this rivet is set? Maybe the washer could be larger.

C: Hmmm.

T: Is this spring stainless.

M: The spring can be stainless or not as you wish.

C: Wouldn't a non-stainless spring retain it's "spring" longer?

M: I don't know, but I'll find out.

T: Is the buckle roller stainless on this model, and how about on this other model?

M: One roller is a stainless spring type roller, the other is chrome plated brass.

T: The brass one has a nicer shape. Could we have it in this buckle?

M: Yes

C: Americans have huge feet, can we adjust the strap length.

M: Yes, we can make them any length.

T: I don't like this attachment method. The one on this model looks much stronger. Can we have this metal reinforcement on the other model?

M: Yes; we can do that.

T: Would it be stainless?

M: I have to check with the shop, but I think so.

C: What about leather? I see two types.

M: This is split hide and this is full grain. The full grain is more expensive.

C: Is this one artificial?

M: No this is another type of split grain hide.

C: Is there any problem with getting an embossed logo?

M: No problem.

T: OK. Please send us samples and pricing for the model we've outlined. I'm sure we'll think of a lot more questions later.

C: Now lets talk about the track style straps...

Imagine a conversation about a new crankset.

VO Toe Clip Straps and Pedals

Do you remember this post about toe clip straps? Well they have just arrived, along with several other new VO components.

The VO straps are available in black and in brown. They are a full 445mm long for large American feet, or about 35mm longer than most European straps. The buckles are stainless steel. They include buckle pads to prevent scratches on your shoes. Figs not included.

We also have some new track pedals. These are made for us by Wellgo, the large Taiwanese pedal manufacturer. There are some versions of this pedal already available and we really liked the look and quality of it, especially of the Japanese market version. So we asked Wellgo to try to make a version that was as nice as the top-of-the-line Campy and MKS pedals. The VO/Wellgo pedal has high quality sealed bearings, is hand polished, and has lovely satin finished cages.

I'll be writing about the newly arrived VO seat posts, VO stems, VO stem adapter and VO universal cartridge bearing jockey wheels soon.

And we have Grenluille brakes again, but now they include cartridge-style brake shoes.

Toe Strap Buttons are Cufflinks for Your Bike

by Igor

A well-adjusted and fitted toe clip and strap system can have just as much pulling power as a clipless pedal and shoe combo. In fact, many powerful track riders still use toe straps for additional foot retention to prevent their cleat from popping out of their pedal during sprint efforts. These nifty Toe Strap Buttons are not only handsome and have just enough flair for the nerdiest of cyclists, but they are useful to grab and pull when starting off the line. In addition, they prevent the strap from going back through the buckle should your legs be "strong like ox".

A tidy, laser etched Grand Cru logo adorns the top and a set screw underneath keeps the button secure.

These work with our Grand Cru Toe Straps, other standard-width straps, and weigh 3 grams each.

I have a good feeling clips and straps will be making a comeback.

Still More New Stuff, Including Black Elkhide

We're adding more new stuff to the Velo Orange store today and later in the week:

• MKS touring pedals which are great for city bikes, for touring bikes, and for us folks with big wide feet. Given the $23 price the quality is amazing.

• Black elk hide handlebar covers. $28

• Elkhide toe clip covers and chainstay protectors in white, gold, and black are now available. You can't have leather that doesn't match!

• TA Cyclotouriste cranks and chainrings, most sizes will be available.

• Very very nice ALE Italian leather toe clip straps in red and in blue.

• MKS toe clips in XL size.
  

• New old stock IDEALE 92 honey saddles for only, cough cough, $350 . These are the real "made in France" deal. Supply is very very limited, perhaps non-existant ;<). Reserve now if you want one.

• IDEALE 2004 saddles in black and honey.

• Blue and light gray cloth bar tape.
  

Half Clips

We received our new VO half clips a few days ago. Making our own half clips was not an easy decision. The tooling was expensive and they were not as easy to design as you might imagine. There are already two companies making metal half clips, MKS and ALE. So why did we make the effort and  the  investment?

The main reason is that I really like half clips and I think they will become much more popular as  as more cyclists try them and spread the word. Of all the new products I've tried since starting Velo Orange, half clips and wide-range double cranks are probably the two that were the biggest revelations, the two that I'd overlooked in a lifetime of cycling.

Half clips provide most of the advantages of full toe clips and straps, but are very easy to get in and out of. That's a big plus in city traffic. When riding without clips I find that I can't pedal at a high cadence; I "spin-off" the pedal. I also feel that I don't have the power to accelerate as quickly as on a bike with toe clips. But with full clips and straps there were the inevitable, though rare, occasions when I'd miss the clip with my toe and struggle to get into it in the middle of a busy intersection. Half clips solved all these problems.

Another reason that we made our own half clips is to have a more economical model. With the value of the Japanese Yen rising and rising, MKS clips will get ever more expensive. ALE clips are also more expensive, hard to find, and their shape is not quite ideal. At $12 the VO clips hit a sweet price point.

I also wanted a perfectly shaped half clip. The old style low half clips, which are shaped like the front of a racing style toe clip, are too low to accommodate bulky street shoes. Half clips need to be deeper. The MKS deep clips are good, but I wanted to refine the shape further. So I spent a fair bit of effort getting the shape just right to fit the widest range of shoes while making them easy to get in and out of.

Do you use half clips? Like them?

Longer And Better Straps

Track racers use laminated leather toe clip straps because they are stronger, stretch less, and last a long time. Being wider, they are also more comfortable.

We now stock MKS Fit-A straps. They are NJS approved for professional Kerin racers. The buckle is stainless steel so it won't rust and it's held in place with two rivets so it won't pull off; I can't think of any other single strap that uses two rivets. There is a pad under the buckle to protect your feet and the finish is a soft suede so as not to mar the gloss on you classic leather shoes.

But best of all, they are about 450 mm long overall. ALE Christophe, and most other straps are only around 400mm long. They are not cheap, but longevity, performance, quality, and comfort make them worth the cost.

More New Products

As Velo Orange grows we'll continue to expand our offerings. Here are the latest items we're stocking:

Many customers have asked us to carry cloth tape. So now we stock Tressostar tape in red, brown, orange, yellow, green, and white. It's $3 a roll in the Velo Orange store. It looks great under shellac.

I also wanted to stock some inexpensive but well made chrome water bottle cages. We stock the latest version of the classic TA Specialites cage ($9.50). These have been produced for decades with the chrome body and plastic retainer, but the styling changes every dozen years or so.

We also have the Italian chrome ALE cage ($7.50). They won't mark up your bottles like alloy cages and have a simple style that looks great on any bike.

Another item that's getting hard to find is nice alloy toe clips. We stock the gorgeous ALE toe clips in size large and the classic Italian Galli clips in medium. Availability of these might be spotty, but we have them now. $15 for either.

We also have Christophe leather toe clip straps in black and nice Italian straps in gold, which is as close to tan as we could find ($8).

Of course we also have Velox bar plugs. So no more lost plugs; no more ugly plastic plugs; and no more bruised knees ($4 per pair).

Miscellaneous Announcements, UPDATE

My VO rando frame is painted; I'll pick it up on Friday. This is a little like having a baby.

We have the European baskets now. They are nice, not superb, but nicer than those I've see in local bike stores. At $26 they are a bargain. Tho only letdown is that the straps are woven, not leather, but that's what old toe clip straps are for.

We'll soon have a selection of 650b rims and tires. Perhaps even a few that are unavailable elsewhere.

Some NOS 700c rims are also on the way, as are the soon to be legendary 30mm green label 700c Grand Bois Cypres tires.

Also on the way are alloy MKS toe clips with leather shoe guards pre-installed.

Finally, the now mythical VO front racks are finally in production and will arrive in late January.

A couple of folks asked who is doing the fillet brazed city bikes. It's Ahren Rogers. Ahren was a frame builder for "Seven cycles" for five years and with that experience under his belt he's just opened his own shop. As you may know, a complete Seven racing bike easily can run over $12,000; that gives you some idea of the skill he brings to VO frames. And Ahren can built titanium frames. A Velo Orange Ti pass hunter anyone?

UPDATE- We expect the Grand Boise tires in early to mid January. I will hold a pair for you if you e-mail to reserve them. The price is $49.50 each, or $180 for four.

The Elk Are Back

Espresso-color elkhide bar cover

We use elkhide for our handlebar covers, city grips, and toe clip covers. Unfortunately we sometimes run out of them, particularly in the espresso color. Elkhides are often in short supply, especially the highest grade, which is what we use. Our elkhide comes from from a small California tannery that buys most of its stock from recreational hunters. They tan and dye the hides and ship them to us. The covers are actually cut right here in Annapolis. It's a tough job since the usable part of the hide is not that large. A lot of thinking goes into deciding how best to utilize them. We need to work around the bullet holes, scars, and rough areas while trying to waste as little of the expensive leather as possible. Since each hide has a slightly different color shade, thickness, pliability, and elasticity, we carefully match the pairs of covers. But these are wild animals, not farm raised cattle, so there will always be some inconsistency. Such is the nature of the beast.

We've thought about switching to cowhide, but the soft feel of elk hide and it's ability to conform to the bends of a handlebar convince me not to. Cow hide is also not as "spongy" and shock absorbent. If we can't get the larger supply of hides we need as we continue to grow then we'll switch. We've already had a run of cowhide covers made as an experiment. They were OK, but not as good. There is another artisinal tannery that we work with, they tan the leather for our mud flaps, and we'll see if they can come up with a custom tanned cow leather that's closer to elk.

City bar grips

To my eye there are two types of handlebar bar treatment that really stand out, elkhide covers and shellaced cloth tape. Leather bar tape is my third choice. Both the covers and shellaced tape are a bit of work. Put aside a couple of hours to do a really nice job on bar covers. It's pretty simple, but repetitive work (I do my covers while watching a movie). Full directions can be found here. Matching bar covers, saddle, fender flaps, toe-clip leathers and straps really bring a bike together. Vegans may not agree.

We just got a shipment of elkhide and have a small quantity of covers in all colors in stock. We'll be making more over the next week.

Leather covers on my old VO rando bike

Holiday Stocking Stuffers

Got stockings to stuff? We've got what you need. We've taken about 20 percent off nine great holiday gifts.

• Grand Cru Leather Saddle Bag - $ 95

• Planet Bike Front/Rear Light Combo - $ 55

• VO Socks - $ 9

• Grand Cru Laminated Toe Clip Straps - $ 19

• VO Comfy Cotton Handlebar Tape - $ 8

• VO Deep Half Clips - $ 11

• VO Steel Toe Clips - $ 9

• VO Temple Bell (Mirrored/Brass) - $ 7

• VO Bungee Cargo Net - $ 5

Order soon so we can get it to you in time...

Miscellany

Random things:

I see so many bikes with incorrectly installed toe clip straps. Here is how they should look. Note that straps should be a tight fit through the holes in the pedal body. This is so they don't shift while pedaling. In addition, it's wise to add a twist in the strap to further prevent shifting.

I've also seen a few bikes with fender eyelet bolts incorrectly assembled. Usually the problem is that the cup-washer is reversed and the stay rattles in the eyelet bolt. Below is the proper assembly sequence. Note that the cup-washer faces up so it tightens on the stay. The fender goes between the flat washer and cup washer.

I think white Pasela tires look really cool, especially if you ride in a Panama hat. We have them in 700 x 28mm size.

We've decided to introduce VO needle bearing headsets. They are already in production and will be priced between the VO and Grand Cru headset. Stack height will be 37mm and they will be available in ISO size only. Needle bearings have more surface area than ball bearings so they usually last longer. The added surface area also prevents indexing, the clicking that results from little pits formed by worn ball bearing races. Needle bearing headsets are also said to reduce fork shimmy.  We should have them in late August.

Interbike Wrapup

Here are a few final Interbike notes

We also placed an order for a new line of inexpensive, but beautiful, MKS toe clip straps in brown, black, and white.

Dutch bikes are so cool that I'm tempted to stock the Batavus delivery bike shown on the right. They are orange after all. Would anyone buy one?

The photo on the left is of one of two new Suntour Superbe cranks. They are actually less than superbe in finish quality. But I'm requesting samples and pricing info.

Back to the new VO production bikes. Here are some details on the city bike:

• The city bike is a Tig welded version of our Gentleman and Madame models. We couldn't find a factory to fillet braze them and there are simply no lugs made that will work for this design.
• 650B
  
• The bike is set up for internally geared hubs or single speed only. The tubing is very high quality and all the usual VO braze-ons are included. It will be black powder coated.
• A metal chain guard will available.
• I'm still not certain about the brakes. Either VO cantis or Tektro R556, or the new VO long reach calipers (that probably won't be ready in time). Opinions?
• I would like the frame and fork to sell for around $450-$500.
  
• We are aiming for quality that's better then any frame made in Taiwan. Production will be overseen by one of the most respected Japanese framebuilders who will visit the factory regularly. There will also be an outside QC expert and project manager on the ground in Taiwan. She works for a major Japanese component manufacturer and is used to expecting the best.

It was gratifying to see Velo Orange fenders on some very fine custom bikes, such as the Sycip on the left. By the way, you'll see various upgrades in VO fender hardware and finish over the next few months. We're aiming for Honjo quality! We will start to wholesale the VO fenders to other bike shops next week, so please tell your local shop owner.

We will order some Lepper saddles tomorrow.

Is it time to join the 1990s and start stocking stems for threadless forks? Would having some manufactured that look like the models in the photo above (those are out of production) be worthwhile?

Interbike Report, Day 1

I just got to Interbike and I've already found a few products that might be worth stocking.

Parsons saddles are made from water buffalo hide (I'm not kidding) in India. The quality seems OK and the price is right. They might make a nice budget saddle.

Brooks has some new panniers, messenger bags, toe clip straps, and a few other new products. I was underwhelmed. And the prices are totally nuts. More info here.

I think we may carry Strida folding bikes. I really love the design.

The Suntour Superbe crank is back. I'll wait for a sample before deciding, but they do look nice in the display case. If the price is right it might be a nice alternative to the Sugino cranks we stock.

Dia Compe had some interesting brakes and levers that are worth a second look. I also like their Gran Compe crank and seatpost.

I'm meeting with several Japanese and Taiwanese manufacturers tomorrow. We'll try to clear up the last few details of the VO production rando frame and order a sample city bike frame. We'll also have several smaller projects to discuss. Maybe we'll soon have have a replacement for the TA pedal, but made in Japan using NJS quality sealed bearings and spindles. And we'll chat about possible VO brand tires to compete with Gran Bois.

I forgot the my camera cable so these are press release photos; sorry.

Gunner's Mooney

I've posted photos of Gunner's bikes in the past. He's one of our oldest customers and bike stylist extraordinaire. Here are a few shots of his latest build, a recently repainted Mooney. Note all the VO parts, racks, bar covers, rims, toe clip straps, decaleur, extra long Honjo fenders, mud flap, etc.

The last is a shot of his latest acquisition, a stunning silver McLean. Gunner's eclectic blog can be found here.

The Elegant Bicycle

“Fashion changes, but style endures.” 

― Coco Chanel

I've been thinking about bikes that I find stylish and elegant. There are a few things that, for me, make a bike look special. These are all subjective, and you'll probably disagree with some. There are those who will say that function trumps style and we shouldn't be distracted by appearances. I'd disagree; having a pretty bike makes me feel better. I'll find myself glancing back and smiling when it's put away for the night. It's a little thing, but it makes life more enjoyable. So onward to my list. You can take me to task, or make your own additions, in the comment section.

Patina

I like bikes that look like they've covered some miles. There is nothing wrong with a new bike, but I find a bike grows more attractive with use. It's interesting that in the classic car world there has recently been a strong movement toward showing cars that have never been restored. Preservation over restoration is simply more authentic. The Japanese idea of wabi-sabi shows us the beauty in worn and imperfect objects; it applies to bikes.

Proportions

An elegant bike must look and be set-up with proper proportions. It should fit the rider. That means a fistful of seat post showing, or maybe a bit more on a race bike. The handlebars should be somewhere near saddle height. The saddle should not be pushed all the way back or all the way forward. The stem should be of medium length, not unusually short or long. Of course there may be good reason for someone, with a bad back for example, to have the bars up high, but it still detracts from the look of the bike.

Simplicity

My taste is for well made simple frames. It goes without saying that I prefer steel. Lugs, TIG welding and fillet brazing are all equally good if well done. But I'm not a fan of overly ornate lugs or cutesy braze-ons. Single color paint jobs seem more elegant to me, though restrained two color paint can be okay on certain frames. Lug lining or box lining can also be cool if not overdone. Likewise logos are an accepted part of bike aesthetics, thought they should also be restrained.

Level Racks

Racks should be level, not tilted forward or aft. This shows care in installation, and just plain looks right. The one exception might be porteur racks. Some feel that porteur racks are best tilted back a bit to keep things from slipping forward on braking; so I'll let that slide.

Even Fender Lines

The gap between the tire and fender should be consistent along it's entire length. And it should be the same on the front and back wheels. Nice even fender lines are one sign that a bike was designed, built, and assembled with care. A well designed frame will have the distance between the brake bridge and the tire be equal to the distance between the fork crown and the tire. The frame ideally will have fender-mounting bosses under the fork crown and seat stay bridge, though a good fender line can often be achieved without them. Use spacers such as leather washers to even out the fender line.

Properly Wrapped Handlebars

Again, seeing that care was taken when building up the frame always makes a bike more elegant. If using tape the wrap should be very even with no gaps. Shellaced cotton tape is always worth extra style points. Sewn on leather is very cool and shows real devotion. But whatever is used should be installed with care. It's also nice to see bar wrap finished without electrical tape or twine. A bit of invisible glue is my preference.

Matching Colors

Saddle and bar tape and toe clip straps don't necessarily need to match exactly, though it is nice if they do. What bugs me is completely incongruous colors and textures, like red, white, and blue splash bar tape on a classic randonneur.

No Contraptions

Bikes have been refined for over 150 years and most of the really weird components have been tried and rejected. I like to see bikes built up with appropriate and reliable components using tested technology. Index shifting, disc brakes, suspension forks, and even these newfangled crazy handlebars, have their place. But I can't see suspension forks on city bikes, for example. Nor do adjustable stems, bizarre saddle designs, or multiple mirrors belong on elegant bikes.

So there you have it, a few things that I think make the elegant bicycle. The comments are open.

BTW, the top drawing is by Ben Lively and can be found here should you want a copy.

The Bike in Style Challenge

Like many, I don't understand the fashion industry, which is not to say that I care nothing about fashion. It is a sort of visual art and a form of communication that can't be ignored. But the industry built around it seems so profoundly absurd as to be a parody of itself.

A fashion blog in the New York Times declares that one reason people don't bike to work is for lack of stylish biking clothes.

A perhaps more superficial, though still important, consideration is figuring out something to wear....

“We have to make bicycling fun and elegant, which it is not yet in New York,” said Renaud Dutreil, the chairman of the North American arm of the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH

Clearly what we need is LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.A. offering us Louis Vuitton handlebar bags and Gucci saddles and Tag Heuer cyclo-computers and Givenchy toe clip straps. Yes; those brands and dozens of others are all part of the LVMH luxury conglomerate.

But I digress; the piece is actually about the “Bike in Style Challenge.” This is apparently a fashion show sponsored by LVMH and others that's geared toward bike wear. There is an audio slide show of the results here.

I suppose it's good to see urban cycling receiving this sort of attention. On the other hand, it's also somehow disturbing to see the ludicrous branding and empty labels of the fashion industry slapped onto bike wear.

Psst, Hey Kid, Need Some Toe Clips?

by Igor

As we near the April 14th and 15th Eroica California event, we wanted to remind you all that if you're looking to outfit your vintage or vintage-inspired bike for the ride, we have the goods.

There are a few requirements for bikes that want to participate in the vintage ride. Namely, toe clips, straps, non-aero brake levers, low profile box section rims, and shift levers. What happens if you violate these rules? Expect old school punishment.

Road pedals, toe clips, and straps are one of the most iconic and ubiquitous components on any vintage racing and touring bike. They're effective at comfortably retaining your foot without the need for special shoes. In my experience, low profile soccer shoes like the Adidas Samba are the best, affordable fit for this classic pedal and clip combo. Side note, the Samba has actually been around since the 1950s, affording soccer players grip and support on icy turf.

Don't forget those toe strap buttons! They make it a simple grab to cinch up your strap when starting off.

Non-aero brake levers are still popular for tourists and randonneurs for their ease of maintenance and quick, on-the-fly adjustment. My personal preference is the Gran Compe Drilled Levers. Not only do they look classy, but the drilling actually provides additional grip when slowing down through long descents. They also include nifty barrel adjustors.

Our PBP Rims have been crowd favorites for those looking to refit their vintage road bikes with new clincher rims. They're lightweight, sturdy, beautiful, and available in both 32 and 36 holes drilling. An added bonus is that we also offer a 27" version in 36 hole.

Unless you're looking for a specific NOS Campagnolo, Simplex, or Suntour shifter set, Dia-Compe's offerings are exceptionally good. Both the downtube and bar-end variants feature micro-ratchets for easy shifting and smooth operation whether you're going up the gear cluster for an impending climb, or dumping multiple gears while descending.

Lastly, you'll need something to carry your repair gear, extra layer, and film, if you're so inclined. The Day Tripper Saddle Bag is the perfect size for an all day ride, is compatible with any road bike, and would look splendid on a vintage racer.

Ready to roll up some Ilford Pan F 50

See you at Eroica California!