Turtle Speed

So there are times when I want to carry a heavy-duty bike chain like the bigger Kryptonite models without smooshing everything in my backpack and using time getting it into and out of my backpack.

The trendy thing for messengers to do is wear it around their waists, but they aren't exactly known for being safety-first...

If I wear a chain, I'm worried that, should I get into an accident, it's going to potentially be more damage to my pelvis, ribs, whatever. Maybe even very serious damage like broken bones. Is that a reasonable fear? Should I resign myself to carrying a chain with only a backpack, rack bag, or otherwise off my person?

Astrozombie

I'd wrap it around the frame.

RobertHurst

Yes.

MWPdx

I'd be surprised if it significantly increased the risk of actually breaking any bones, but I'd definitely expect the soft tissue injuries to be worse (skin/muscle/etc getting squashed between the chain and whatever bone it happens to be over).

Chris516

I used to wrap mine around the frame. That was until it started rubbing the paint off the top tube. I now have a bag that velcro's to the frame of my bike. I keep my lock in that bag.

Rootman

Smallish seat bag, bar bag just for the lock?

lostarchitect 

I used to wear it like a bandoleer.

Turtle Speed

That sounds sort of promising. Any recommendations on a frame bag model?


Aren't seat bags too small? I read that the largest ones can barely hold a mini U-lock, so I don't see how a full chain will get in there.

Re: bar bags, would they really support 5-10 pounds of chain lock? I guess I feel like it'd be wanting to rip down all the time.

RobertHurst

Never knew any messengers who did that actually. The people you see with NY chains strapped around themselves are, for the most part, architects.

Did know a few messengers who used the chain. What they did was cut them in half with torches and sell the extra segment to hipsters for the price of a new chain.

americanlt2

I'd wear it tightly wrapped around my neck. It's out of the way and perfectly safe.

Chris516

Not unless you have a potential goal of being severely injured.

lostarchitect 

Heh, cute. But I did it on a motorcycle, not a bicycle, and it was in LA, not NY, and it wasn't around my waist.

Anyway, I do see people wearing the chain around their waists, but they don't look like messengers, just fixie kids. I don't see why it would be unsafe--it does look uncomfortable, though. I just carry a U-lock.

RobertHurst

You can carry a large u-lock that way too. Very stylish.

Speaking of u-locks, if the OP needs that much lock security it might be a better idea to use two u-locks. Cheaper and probably still lighter than the chain, with a bit better security.

RobertHurst

Landing on your hip is bad enough, but landing on top of the chain would be particularly bad. Same goes for the guys who carry a u-lock on their hip or in a back pocket. Less than ideal. Convenient though if you don't have anywhere else to put it or you really are a messenger and use a backpack-style messenger bag.

Turtle Speed

I do have and use U-locks, and I love them, but some places I go don't have anywhere good to use them. So I'd like a chain for some trips, so I can secure to any random old pole.

conspiratemus1

If you fall into a canal, or get caught in a flash flood, or the dam upriver breaks, with a 10-lb chain wrapped around your waist you will probably drown.

tergal

My younger brother use to just chain his bike to random poles, signs etc etc ... till someone stole the street sign he chained it to

lostarchitect 

There's a likely scenario.