Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Why don't we all just use chainguards...

...instead of rolling up our pants like teenage girls from Orange County?


(seriously, though. i've never seen a chainguard on a fixie. is there a good reason for this?)

you have it backwards.... the teenage girls on o.c. are rolling their pants up like the rad bike peeps...not the other way around... ive been cuffing my pants since before those girls were born... sadly thats not even an exageration

My whole reason for building a fixed was to make it stripped down, simple, and pretty. chainguards just junk up the look of my bike.

There's no reason other than to conform. Conformity is everyones best friend!!

honestly, someone send me a chainguard and ill install it and use it

if i can find a chainguard that can go up 45 teeth I am all for it, but I still haven't found one so yeah.

don't most chainguards need special attachments on the frame in order to be, well, attached? I know all the old Schwinns I've restored have special brackets on the frame for the guards.

Anybody remember pants clips? They still sell them. Also the velcro straps that keep your pants away from the chain. You can get away without a chain guard. I think most people don't like the look of any extra parts added to a nice fixie, I don't.

oh man...

I think this might have to be an option to try to get brazed on to the strawberry frame I'm gonna order, muhahahahahahaha....

Works fine with (and definitely improves the looks of) a road crank with the chainring on the inside, but how many track/ss/fixie cranks have a place for a chainguard? I have thought about this myself, but right about that time Miche Primato cranks started popping up all over ebay at prices I couldn't resist.

Besides, if you wear shorts, there's no rolling up to do- the only thing you have to worry about is your laces... easy enough for someone living where the temperature rarely drops below 40 degrees or so...

The problem with pant clips is they eventually climb up your leg as you bend your knees and then the pants poof out over the clip. That poof gets in the chain and you just provided the formula for a spectacular dismount.

I wear shorts, knickers, tights and use those velcro straps with trousers, and so have no issues with chains and cuffs.

That said, I have an issue with dirty chains.
We have a lot of volcanic grit and dust here, and even though I use a dry lube my drivetrain gets very dirty and requires too much maintenance.
When I do the maintenance I go faster, easier and quieter; so I do the maintenance.
In that vein, I have often thought that a chain enclosure, like on some Harely-Davidsons, would keep my chain and gears clean.
Maybe someday they'll make an invisible chain enclosure that doesn't weigh anything and I'll put it on my bike.

what do you even attach a chain guard to? the frame?

yeah, that was my second question...

Find me a Suntour Superbe Pro chainguard and I'll use it.

I have one on this bike: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/Dave2.htm

I have to run it fixed...I haven't found a good source to get brake pads for the rod lever brakes.

Changuards (and cases) can be attached with specially brazed on hangers or you can use clamps that clamp around various frame tubes to support them.

There are designs that circulate the chain through an oil bath. I believe old Raleighs did this, providing you with an oil port on the top of the case. It's not really that useful though, because once you fully enclose the chain, it stays pretty clean all on it's own. Hit it up with a good dose of heavy, sticky wet lube when you assemble the thing and you won't have to touch it for years and years.

The Sogreni chainguard looks like it would fit just about any chainring/crank/frame.
I wonder how well it actually works, though.

http://www.sogreni.dk/Chainguard.php#

baker

^ Probably not very well, and it looks like **** IMO. I'd never put that on my bike.

yeah, two ground clamps and a peice of bent ground cable and walla! Garbage! :)

I have one on this bike: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/Dave2.htm

I have to run it fixed...I haven't found a good source to get brake pads for the rod lever brakes.


Why on Earth did they run the rear brake linkage that way? Why not along the top tube?

what do you even attach a chain guard to? the frame?

How about the Chain Disk on this page (http://www.koolstop.com/Accessories/index.html#Anchor-Extra-57)?

I have one on this bike: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/Dave2.htm

So sweet -- so very, very sweet.

You could try to retrofit a gaurd from one of these Flying Pigeons (http://www.made-in-china.com/showrooms/feigebike/3/DAwMDk1NTQ2N/mic/mic/mic/28_Single_Top_Bicycle_For_Gents_(Jg-L2007).html). It'll take up to a 48 tooth.


With some solid dremel work and paint you might be able to make it pretty on a modern fixie but it's probably as much effort as starting with nothing but tin snips.

The Sogreni chainguard looks like it would fit just about any chainring/crank/frame.
I wonder how well it actually works, though.

http://www.sogreni.dk/Chainguard.php#

baker

ha! ive been looking for this company forever.. slight derailment here.. but i walked into that shop two years ago on copenhagen.. looked around.. pretty cool.. wood bikes.. etc.. then i asked the guy where there was a computer around...i had to get an address in sweden off my email cause i was going there and didnt have the address.. the guy gives me a huff .. then with attitude and accent says "dam things are everywhere these days " or some luddite answer like that...

my thought was "really? ye olde bicycle maker hates computers? modern technology stops with the gear?" man.. i hate people like that.. in the grand history of time.. the bicycle and the computer are the same thing to me.. its all technology.. the bicycle led to the airplane.. etc.. made me hate his bicycles all of a sudden.. but oh so weird.. he has a web page..hmmm.. i remember noticing that on the card i grabbed right after he chucked me that attitude.. i should have said that "wow.. thats weird.. then whats this web address for? is this where you talk about the evils of computers? or sell your crappy bike? "

sorry.. rant over.. that chainguard is so super ugly.. youd have to be wearing a boda bag full of chianti and antique wire rimmed specs to use it... but i love the idea of a super nice chainguard.. something like and old schwinn with the bike name on it.. orange crate.. lemon peeler.. etc

edit: on second thhought.. maybe they are cool after all http://www.sogreni.dk/Images/the_mountaingoat_stor.jpg

puleezee... ha.... they shoulda called that one the burning man..omg.. they are so wacky, crazy AND original!

rofl d00d rofl.

I heard that Ladies Love Cool James, so I figure any excuse to emulate him is a good excuse.