[CR]Mikashima toe straps

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2005 08:57:34 +0900
From: "Dennis Young" <mail@woodworkingboy.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, <parisbrest@mchsi.com>
In-Reply-To: <MONKEYFOODeyqbb4MAd00000f74@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]Mikashima toe straps

Mikashima, or MKS, still manufactures pedals and straps, mostly for the Keirin persuasion. I'm not sure how close the current straps resemble the older versions that Chris mentions, but I think not too distant. I can't say if they are being exported to the USA, but I think I know a place in Tokyo that may have them, or at least ones similar, possibly Sylva brand, if you don't mind waiting. Unfortunately, many of the current young Japanese road riders may have never seen toe straps, except in a catalog. Keirin keeps some things from disappearing altogether here, like steel frames to a great extent. By the way, some facts in English about Keirin: http://users.htcomp.net/gladu/'drome/tracks/Keirin.html

Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
  
> Mikashima made some pretty beefy nonlaminated leather straps. They were =
> sort of a thicker version of a Binda with nice hardware and metalic gold =
> letter stamping on the strap in a number of colors. I think they came on =
> a fair number of higher end Japanese bikes in the 70's and early 80's. =
> Where to find them now is a matter of luck, or maybe Dennis Young knows =
> a source.
>
> Chris Van Scoyk
> Ankeny, IA