How to Pedal With Straps From an Old Skate Belt

Baby boomers and children of earlier generations had roller skates that attached to their shoes by means of a leather strap and a key to adjust metal clamps. Long distance bicyclers and racing cyclists evenly distribute the work pedaling by attaching straps or toe clips to bicycle pedals. This causes one leg to pull up while the other leg pushes down, giving each leg an equal workout. Combine these two disparate pastimes with a frugal nature and you'll have straps from an old skate ankle belt transformed into pedal straps for more efficient bicycling.

Things You'll Need

  • Old roller skates
  • Saddle soap
  • Soft cloth
  • Bicycle
  • Shoes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the straps from the roller skates. Clean and condition the leather by rubbing it with saddle soap, allowing it to absorb into the leather and wiping off the excess.

    • 2

      Place your normal bicycling shoe on top of the pedal in a natural position. Put the toe of the shoe where it would be if you were actually wearing it while riding.

    • 3

      Thread the strap through the outer edge of the pedal and then through the inner edge. Buckle the strap using the outermost buckle hole. You now have a doubled strap buckled onto the top of your pedal. Slip the toe of your riding shoe underneath the straps. If the fit is loose, tighten the strap one notch and try again until you find a snug fit that allows you to remove the shoe easily.

    • 4

      Wrap and buckle the other strap to the other pedal. Remove the shoes until you are ready to ride but leave the straps in place.