The FRS Strap Ons are back!
Different materials, updated design, but most importantly... 100% AUSSIE MADE!
more details below...
Okay, most of the changes to the design are inspired by a need for easier adjustment, a want for 100% Australian made, and a desire for a longer lasting product. Although our previous version was shit hot (yes we are biassed!) we knew there could be something better, which would easily address all these concerns.
This is it.
So what are the changes, and why did we do them?
WARNING: TECH GEEK OUT AHEAD
1. Materials
First thing you are going to notice with the design is the change of materials. Previously we used a highly abrasion resistant TPU material. Now we are using (like our original pre-production prototypes) 25mm webbing. Why the change?
Well TPU is highly abrasion resistant, but unfortunately isn't very cut resistant. We found in a lot of instances that people wanted to use the straps on metal pedals. Unfortunately these metal pedals created a very sharp edge which over time can cause a cutting action on the TPU material; occasionally breaking them at a critical point. Thus we needed to find a more cut resistant material.
In addition to this, most of the wear to the TPU version always seemed to happen where the strap meets the pedal.
damage occurs here...
Despite TPU being highly abrasion resistant, abrasion did occur in this spot. Why? Essentially there is a small surface area of TPU which is sandwiched between the pedal chassis (very technical term) and something abrasive such as the ground. Because this surface area was quite small, there was a point load which wore through the TPU material in no time (in layman's terms this means all the weight of your bike is put through this one point, causing more wear more quickly). And to compound on this, the cutting action was happening at the same time as the abrasion action. So despite our best efforts to source abrasion resistant material, the straps still had the potential to be abraded away.
Because of these two key elements; cut resistance and potentially no need for abrasion resistance, we decide to go back to a webbing material. Webbing is more cut resistant than TPU, but also less abrasion resistant. And as we saw from the previous example however, abrasion resistance is not as important as first thought. Also although webbing is technically not cut resistant, it is much more resistant than TPU. And so we come to our solution.
2. Easier adjustment
The second major change to the system is the adjustment. Feedback received showed how much you loved the secure feeling of the system, but absolutely hated adjusting it. It almost required a degree to adjust; yes you do get quicker adjusting over time, but it still sucks having to adjust.
This adjustment complexity meant there was a bigger surface area of velcro, which in turn increased hold and foot security. A fine balance given how much one feature was loved and the other loathed. And so we had a conundrum... how do we make it similar, yet easier to adjust, while also as secure?
And this is our solution!
The front attachment method remained the same, while the rear attachment method was changed from a dual crab claw to a single sided crab claw. We also removed the 50mm protective flap, meaning that all you have to adjust now is the 25mm webbing.
We will be doing a quick video shortly showing how to adjust, but in the meantime a verbal explanation will have to suffice:
1. Wrap the bottom crab claw piece over the top of your foot.
2. Wrap the tongue over the first piece
3. Close up the crab claw.
And thats it.
Much easier to adjust!
Yet still strap system still has the same amount of grip and security!
You will also notice that the ends of the adjustable straps have "tongues" of velcro. These can be cut off should you have a smaller foot or run a tighter strap set up.
3. 100% Australian Made
This is a big one for us. We are proud to manufacture in Australia, yet in the early days could only keep up with demand by outsourcing the manufacture of our straps. For a little bit of historical musing, check out our C-Word Post. Since this point we have continually reinvested in our machines and production capabilities. For example we now have our automated webbing cutter, as well as our bartacker. Essentially this has helped us speed up the manufacturing process, essentially meaning we can now keep up with demand while also manufacturing in Australia! big BIG woot! WOOT!
So now we have finished our geek out, so lets check it out further and from more angles...
Still stiff, still secure, but now more easier to adjust, more cut resistant and 100% AUSTRALIAN MADE!
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