donrhummy

https://gizmodo.com/5719594/zip-tie-s...roof-your-bike

looks like it might actually work.

Artkansas 

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

AdamDZ

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

Roody

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

wahoonc

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

But coaster and roller brakes

Aaron

Caretaker

Great idea till you get a puncture.

AdamDZ

Roody

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.

wahoonc

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

Aaron

gerv 

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.

thirdgenbird

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.

Smallwheels

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.

crackrocksteady

Nothing like disposable consumer products!

i wish

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

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

wahoonc

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

thirdgenbird

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.

Roody

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.

wahoonc

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

DJConspicious

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.

Rollfast

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.

Fizzaly

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 themhttps://www.webmountainbike.com/chainformoun.html