Concept2 Forum

My footstraps loosen up on longer pieces and I find myself stopping to tighten them. Anyone come up with a clever way to keep them tight?<br /><br />Thanks, Ernie

Hi Ernie That's a timely question as we are looking into the variables that contribute to slipping footstrap buckles. How old is the machine? We are considering a modification to the buckle to help it grip better, but we don't want to go too far in that direction lest folks start complaining they can't get them undone. Thickness of the strap is a factor (normal manufacturing differences) and we have been able to get a little better performace by repositioning the strap such that the buckle is down closer to the footplate. If the unit is older then new straps might solve it, and I know of a few individuals on this forum that will tell you that you don't need straps at all........JonW

I've found that the _older_ footstraps (like from the Model C era) are thicker and less bendable than the ones that ship with the Model D (and the replacement straps I got a year or two ago). The old straps hold tighter for much longer than the newer straps.<br /><br />Of course, over time I've gotten used to the new straps (even though they loosen up more quickly) and I'm not bothered as much by them loosening. However, when I go to the gym and use an old Model C, it's a huge difference - I have to make sure not to strap myself in as tightly as I do with the newer straps, or my feet can't move at all and I have to stop and loosen them a bit.

<!--QuoteBegin-eparizeau+Jan 19 2006, 09:35 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(eparizeau @ Jan 19 2006, 09:35 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My footstraps loosen up on longer pieces and I find myself stopping to tighten them.  Anyone come up with a clever way to keep them tight?<br /><br />Thanks, Ernie[right] </td></tr></table><br />I have the same problem with my model D.<br /><br />I use a number of wooden washing-pins to keep the ends pinned together between my feet.<br /><br />This makes they don't slip.

This used to really bother me too. Then I fell into the whole idea of rowing strapless. I now only strap in when I am going to try a single fast 500. (Fast for me may be slow for you.)<br /><br />Now I don't even notice whether the straps are tight or loose or even if I forget them altogether.

You can stop the straps from slipping, by taking the ends and bringing them back through the buckles.<br /><br />This way the strap is pulling against itself, and there is no way you are going to get it loose.

Jon - thanks for the response. I had an old C that I rowed for several years that had the problem (not sure when it developed), but bought a new D about 6 months ago. It probably has about 500k on it. I tightened the straps 3 times during a 6k piece today.<br /><br />Now, truth be told....It could be due to my lousy technique, or a genetic defect that my ancestors stuck me with. God knows I got a bunch of them that cause me grief in other aspects of my life. <br /><br />Ernie<br /><br /><br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin-c2jonw+Jan 19 2006, 02:47 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(c2jonw @ Jan 19 2006, 02:47 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi Ernie      That's a timely question as we are looking into the variables that contribute to slipping footstrap buckles. How old is the machine? We are considering a modification to the buckle to help it grip better, but we don't want to go too far in that direction lest folks start complaining they can't get them undone. Thickness of the strap is a factor (normal manufacturing differences) and we have been able to get a little better performace by repositioning the strap such that the buckle is down closer to the footplate. If the unit is older then new straps might solve it, and I know of a few individuals on this forum that will tell you that you don't need straps at all........JonW <br /> </td></tr></table><br />

<!--QuoteBegin-Godfried+Jan 19 2006, 08:48 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Godfried @ Jan 19 2006, 08:48 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-eparizeau+Jan 19 2006, 09:35 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(eparizeau @ Jan 19 2006, 09:35 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My footstraps loosen up on longer pieces and I find myself stopping to tighten them.  Anyone come up with a clever way to keep them tight?<br /><br />Thanks, Ernie[right] </td></tr></table><br />I have the same problem with my model D.<br /><br />I use a number of wooden washing-pins to keep the ends pinned together between my feet.<br /><br />This makes they don't slip. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I've seen some ergs where the straps are installed backwards. The buckle is close to the frame. (I've even seen one where the left strap was correctly installed and the right was bass-ackwards.)<br /><br />To keep them tight take the strap over and back through the buckle.<br /><br />I row lots of strapless, but when I do tighten the straps they stay tight.

I got my c2 this past august.<br /><br />The straps slip always.<br /><br />I will try the lace back though next time I am racing or going for PB

<!--QuoteBegin-John Rupp+Jan 19 2006, 01:28 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Jan 19 2006, 01:28 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You can stop the straps from slipping, by taking the ends and bringing them back through the buckles.<br /><br />This way the strap is pulling against itself, and there is no way you are going to get it loose. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />You can do this two ways. <br /><br />The buckle has 3 holes, with 1 being on the end. The quick and easy way is to thread the other strap from under through hole #2, then bring it back over and down through hole #1. I usually keep the straps this way as they are easy to adjust and don't move even with sprints.<br /><br />If you want the straps really secure, then thread the other strap from under through hole #2, out the top then down through hole #3, then bring it back over and down through hole #1.

<!--QuoteBegin-c2jonw+Jan 19 2006, 03:47 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(c2jonw @ Jan 19 2006, 03:47 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi Ernie      That's a timely question as we are looking into the variables that contribute to slipping footstrap buckles. How old is the machine? We are considering a modification to the buckle to help it grip better, but we don't want to go too far in that direction lest folks start complaining they can't get them undone. Thickness of the strap is a factor (normal manufacturing differences) and we have been able to get a little better performace by repositioning the strap such that the buckle is down closer to the footplate. If the unit is older then new straps might solve it, and I know of a few individuals on this forum that will tell you that you don't need straps at all........JonW <br /> </td></tr></table><br />

<!--QuoteBegin-Sean Seamus+Jan 24 2006, 08:42 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Sean Seamus @ Jan 24 2006, 08:42 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-c2jonw+Jan 19 2006, 03:47 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(c2jonw @ Jan 19 2006, 03:47 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi Ernie      That's a timely question as we are looking into the variables that contribute to slipping footstrap buckles. How old is the machine? We are considering a modification to the buckle to help it grip better, but we don't want to go too far in that direction lest folks start complaining they can't get them undone. Thickness of the strap is a factor (normal manufacturing differences) and we have been able to get a little better performace by repositioning the strap such that the buckle is down closer to the footplate. If the unit is older then new straps might solve it, and I know of a few individuals on this forum that will tell you that you don't need straps at all........JonW <br /> </td></tr></table> <br /> </td></tr></table><br />

<!--QuoteBegin-Sean Seamus+Jan 24 2006, 08:42 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Sean Seamus @ Jan 24 2006, 08:42 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-c2jonw+Jan 19 2006, 03:47 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(c2jonw @ Jan 19 2006, 03:47 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi Ernie      That's a timely question as we are looking into the variables that contribute to slipping footstrap buckles. How old is the machine? We are considering a modification to the buckle to help it grip better, but we don't want to go too far in that direction lest folks start complaining they can't get them undone. Thickness of the strap is a factor (normal manufacturing differences) and we have been able to get a little better performace by repositioning the strap such that the buckle is down closer to the footplate. If the unit is older then new straps might solve it, and I know of a few individuals on this forum that will tell you that you don't need straps at all........JonW <br /> </td></tr></table> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />If this gets posted all messedup . . . I'm trying . . .<br /><br />Anyway - I find the footstraps loosen as well and it is a bother<br />I do some rowing without straps as warm-ups, but use them for regular / "faster" work.<br />What I have discovered is that it is my small toes (lateral foot) that presses on the strap catch & works them loose.<br />I have a new Model D manufactured Oct 31/ 2005<br /><br />I'll try folding the strap back into the catch - my first quick try (without rowing) just now makes me think it will be annoying to take off after a hard session. (Poor baby . . .)<br /><br />~ Sean

It is easy when you're barefoot.

<!--QuoteBegin-Sean Seamus+Jan 25 2006, 12:50 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Sean Seamus @ Jan 25 2006, 12:50 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />I'll try folding the strap back into the catch - my first quick try (without rowing) just now makes me think it will be annoying to take off after a hard session. (Poor baby . . .)<br /><br />~ Sean <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Just lie on the floor with your feet strapped in - your first aider will unstrap your feet when the ambulance arrives. <br /><br />James Cracknell did that after his epic battle against Matt Pinsent at BIRC. It just a luxury being able to get your feet out.<br /><br />Niall Williams has the video clip for that on his BIRC 2005 DVD.