suggestions for foot strap 'longevity'

[cooch17]

Greetings -

Row 7-10K daily on Model C. Like my foot straps to be tight - I *hate* having to pause periodically in a piece to tighten them up. While new straps stay tight - that doesn't last. I burn through straps every 3-4 weeks. I've played with gluing velcro on parts of the straps, but have had only mixed success. I've also suggested to C2 they consider a different clasp type for the standard straps.

But, in the short run, suggestions? I do erg rowing only, so the usual debates about strap tightness and 'form' don't apply much. I'm not so much looking for 'technique' comments (implicit or otherwise), but - mechanical. Suggestions on how to improve strap life, and tricks to keep them tight for the duration of 30-60 minutes pieces?

Thanks in advance...

[johnlvs2run]

Greetings -

Row 7-10K daily on Model C. Like my foot straps to be tight - I *hate* having to pause periodically in a piece to tighten them up. While new straps stay tight - that doesn't last. I burn through straps every 3-4 weeks. I've played with gluing velcro on parts of the straps, but have had only mixed success. I've also suggested to C2 they consider a different clasp type for the standard straps.

Push the straps through, flip them around the end, and back through the other direction.
They should not ever come loose this way.
They do come loose just putting them through once.
I have rowed over 40 million meters and never worn out a pair of straps.

Double them over, and you won't have any more problems with the straps.

[Bob S.]

Greetings -

Row 7-10K daily on Model C. Like my foot straps to be tight - I *hate* having to pause periodically in a piece to tighten them up. While new straps stay tight - that doesn't last. I burn through straps every 3-4 weeks. I've played with gluing velcro on parts of the straps, but have had only mixed success. I've also suggested to C2 they consider a different clasp type for the standard straps.

But, in the short run, suggestions? I do erg rowing only, so the usual debates about strap tightness and 'form' don't apply much. I'm not so much looking for 'technique' comments (implicit or otherwise), but - mechanical. Suggestions on how to improve strap life, and tricks to keep them tight for the duration of 30-60 minutes pieces?

Thanks in advance...

Have you ever tried just leaving the straps off? Not for form, just to avoid the nuisance of using them. I have dispensed with using them for the last 2 or 3 years except when I anticipate rowing at high rates. I don't undo them, I just place my feet on top of them (wearing very thin soled footgear or, occasionally, barefoot). After getting used to rowing strapless, I found that I could go at higher and higher rates without them. Recently I started a session in which I expected to go at high rate. I had already started when I realized that I had forgotten to strap in. I didn't want to stop and start over again, so I just went on with it and managed to get the rate into the mid 30s without losing my seat.

Bob S.

[cooch17]

Have you ever tried just leaving the straps off? Not for form, just to avoid the nuisance of using them. I have dispensed with using them for the last 2 or 3 years except when I anticipate rowing at high rates. I don't undo them, I just place my feet on top of them (wearing very thin soled footgear or, occasionally, barefoot). After getting used to them, I found that I could go at higher and higher rates without them. Recently I started a session in which I expected to go at high rate. I had already started when I realized that I had forgotten to strap in. I didn't want to stop and start over again, so I just went on with it and managed to get the rate into the mid 30s without losing my seat.

Bob S.

I've tried a couple of times, but can't seem to maintain stability doing it that way (at the end of my drive, I'm more or less popping out). The bigger problem, though is on the the return. I'm using both heel and top of foot to pull the seat forward. Without the foot-straps, doesn't work so well.

I'm not saying that going without straps isn't worth a 'longer' experiment, but I'd rather start by figuring out a better way to keep the straps tight.

Note: worth mentioning that when new, the straps stay nice and tight, but once they get a bit worn, the slip. And, with my frequency of rowing (and no doubt lousy form), this happens sooner rather than later (think I went through 9 pairs of straps last year). A friend of mine who rowed nationally in Canada had a similar complaint (and I'm guessing in his case it wasn't a 'form' issue'). He ended up gluing a pair of shoes directly to the foot bed. Seems extreme, but...it worked for him.

[Citroen]

Thread the strap through the buckle in the normal way. Take the loose end fold it over the top and tuck it through the bottom of the buckle. Won't come undone that way.

Push the straps through, flip them around the end, and back through the other direction.

Hopefully this diagram makes sense (right foot)

[cooch17]

Thread the strap through the buckle in the normal way. Take the loose end fold it over the top and tuck it through the bottom of the buckle. Won't come undone that way.

Push the straps through, flip them around the end, and back through the other direction.

Hopefully this diagram makes sense (right foot)

Ta much - worth a try. Will report back on success (or lack thereof).

Cheers...

[Carl Watts]

The way I have mine is that the final part of the strap goes back over itself and locks up solid. You cannot adjust them easily but they do not move either.

I leave my shoes on the rower and slip in and out of them and do not change the straps at all. Never had to replace the straps yet. I find it doesn't pay to have them too tight or you can get cramp in one or both feet while rowing. It's not good if you having to adjust them while rowing because it's going to stuff up your times.