Living Car Free - Zip tie bike snow tires!

http://gizmodo.com/5719594/zip-tie-snow-tires-the-cheapest-way-to-blizzard+proof-your-bike

looks like it might actually work.

It took me a while, but I realized that the bike has disk brakes. I'd hate to try it with rim brakes.

I'm really not sure how much that would help. I'd choose black zip ties though :)

For my winter bikes' paint job, I'd use silver, blue and black zip ties.

It took me a while, but I realized that the bike has disk brakes. I'd hate to try it with rim brakes.

I don't think it would work too well with rim brakes ;)

But coaster and roller brakes :thumb:

Aaron :)

Great idea till you get a puncture.

Great idea till you get a puncture.

:roflmao2::D:D

Great idea till you get a puncture.
You'd definitely want to take a cutter with you, and I bet you could remove those zip ties in about 60 seconds. I can see them for somebody who lives in an area that rarely gets ice.

Great idea till you get a puncture.

That is what Kevlar tires are for, besides the zip ties will help hold the tire on the rim. ;)

Aaron :)

This thread has made it to at least 2 other forums. One poster on the Commuting forum mentioned that the zip ties started to break after a brief ride.

cant use it with rim brakes
cant effectively fix a flat
no lateral traction

it was a nice thought, but i doubt it is worth your time.

Some zip ties are made with such cheap plastic that they snap in cold weather. I've returned two different brands for refunds due to this problem. I'm glad I have a studded tire on the front wheel.

My rear studded tire bead failed and expanded. The whole bead came off the rim. It is a Schwalbe Marathon Winter and I'm trying to get them to replace it due to this defect. They haven't decided what to do with it yet. I've been shuttled to a different department. Studded tires are worth the expense.

Nothing like disposable consumer products!

My brother used fencing wire wrapped around the wheels, much like the zip ties were....he said it worked great!
You would have the same trouble with fixing flats, having no lateral traction, and rim brakes, though.
He used a bare steel rim on the front for lateral traction :P

This was for riding on snow only, the bare rim wouldn't work on pavement...

cant use it with rim brakes
cant effectively fix a flat
no lateral traction

it was a nice thought, but i doubt it is worth your time.

Read the original article, it was a stop gap measure due to unanticipated snow fall. You do have lateral traction the locks on the zip ties are on the sides of the tires where they bite in when you corner, coincidentally that is where most studs are mounted on the manufactured studded tires.

Aaron :)

Read the original article, it was a stop gap measure due to unanticipated snow fall. You do have lateral traction the locks on the zip ties are on the sides of the tires where they bite in when you corner, coincidentally that is where most studs are mounted on the manufactured studded tires.

Aaron :)

it has been posted on other forums where people have first hand experience. it was reported that there was very little lateral traction compared to a studded tire. "ideally" for the most traction, you would use two ties together so you had a "stud" on each side, not every other time.

like i said, it was a great thought and a great experiment (unanticipated snowfall) but i doubt it is a viable alternative to studded tires. if you live in an area where snowfall is not normal, and you are feeling adventurous, i say go for it. i am all about fun, i just wouldnt want to make daily commutes in this manner.

So, do they make anything similar to tire chains for bikes? I have never heard of this, but it would be a wonderful thing to have.

So, do they make anything similar to tire chains for bikes? I have never heard of this, but it would be a wonderful thing to have.

I have seen something in the past but don't recall where. Probably a niche market product that died out due to lack of volume.

Aaron :)

I have tried this and it works okay, won't replace real snow tires though. I didn't have any problem with snapping, I've been riding about ten miles on the same ones. I'm using ones I got from costco, they are very thick ones and are very resistant to becoming brittle when cold.

If the knobby tires on my Schwinn can't hack it I don't go.

Of course I'm not a daily driver in the winter but my philosophy was about the same with my old Plymouth Duster...works either way.

This was about all i could find for commercially made tire chains it says they will work with canti's and V's though i wish they had pictures of themhttp://www.webmountainbike.com/chainformoun.html