HOW TO PREVENT FOOTSTRAPS FROM TWISTING
TOOLS FOR THE JOB
Apart from studying the original mounting instructions supplied (yes, do that!) use a screw driver / bit with a perfect fit.
Most screws used are fitted with PH3 heads.
Close to zero movement between the screw head and bit should be observed. Preferably use a hand-driven screw driver.
It will take a few minutes more to mount, but guarantees zero broken screws or inserts.
Don’t use a motorized tool. Leave that to the professionals …
PREVENTION NOT CURE – BRAND NEW STRAPS
Getting it right first time is critical. Later we’ll look at tricks for older/used/broken-in boards and straps.
But this needs some patience – so if you’re rushing to unpack and strap-up a new board and use it straightaway beware!
Due to the very specific behavior of the foam pad material, you need to take time to deform and mould the foam in such away that it can take the rotating forces of a strap.
- Start with firmly turning the screws in place. But don’t overdo this!
- Give it an hour or so for the strap to sink into the EVA foam
- Turn again firmly. You will see it is easy at least to give it an extra half turn, Again don’t overdo it
- Give it another hour or more to repeat again!
- In the end the force required to properly mount the strap is firm, but not more. Fixed is fixed.
The instructions above will 100% guarantee no more twisting straps.
WELL-WORN STRAPS
What to do with loose or to too-easily-turning straps?
The basic problem is that most strap mounting constructions are simply too weak against the relatively high turning force of a strap. I.e., one screw only in combination with a relatively simple anti-twist part of only a few tiny little pins positioned into weak foam.
Read more product tuning and selection advice
Two main solutions exist to tackle the twist.
1. Replacing part or the whole of your foot pad:
Carefully cut an area a little bigger than the foot of the strap and glue on (using contact bond) the replacement. Unifiber supplies replacement footpad material.
2. Extend the contact area between strap and pad by modifying the anti-twist part itself.
In this clip the guy uses an original Cobra anti-twist part upside-down and cut for an easy and clever solution to get some ‘bite’ into the footpad and strap.
(Note that the Unifiber ‘Footstrap Comfort’ is almost identical to the DaKine primo mentioned. See fitting instructions in clip below.)
Another solution involves a little more work as it involves drilling and tapping into the anti-twist part.
Two M4 or M5 screws are mounted in the anti-twist part. These screws will hold the strap easily against twisting. Even on thin, worn footpads with only a little material left.
We have also noticed that Chinook offer an interesting footstrap retaining system while Unifiber supply Cobra footstrap flange plates.
Post by Caspar Verhaagen, Product Development
We have also noticed that Chinook offer an interesting footstrap retaining system while Unifiber supply Cobra footstrap flange plates.
Post by Caspar Verhaagen, Product Development