Chain Case Question
 

Reading all of the threads on chain lubrication, including the current one regarding factory chain lubrication effectiveness, brings up a question.

How many members would buy a bike with a well engineered and light full chain case that still allowed reasonably easy rear wheel removal. It seems to me like it should not be that hard to engineer such an item and it could be light if made from carbon fiber or other light weight and strong material.

After all virtually all European city/commuter bikes still have, and all British roadsters for 80+ years had, full chain cases. Some even had designs which had an oil reservoir in the chain case keeping the chain thoroughly lubed. as well as clean.

Easier to do with a single chain line as foundon SS/FG and gear hub bikess but I would think that cases could be devised for derailleur gear trains too if the manufacturers felt that there was a demand.

Certainly IMO all so called commuter bikes as well as loaded touring bikes should have decent chain protection.

Weight is not my concern.
Fitting a case around both a front and rear derailer is.
Not ready to switch to hub gearing.

But if someone made a big heavy ugly thing that managed to encase both derailers and the wide range of paths the chain makes when changing gears; I'd but it.

Problem is that this needs to be custom fit to each frame and derailer combo, so there's no market for it as an add-on.



I'm almost thinking lately (since i recently swapped out my chain and it was horribly worn out and filthy) that perhaps I could just take a chainguard and flip it upside down. Wouldn't encase the chain by any means, but perhaps just shielding the bottom side of it from the road would help? I haven't studied the details of how exactly dirt gets into the chain, but what how much do you suppose something like that would help?

yea, ive seen OLD old single speeds with encased chains that have been neglected and ridden hard.....chains are in pretty good shape.

eitherway, i think even highend chains are just too cheap for anyone to really spend too much time/money fixing this 'problem'. its not really that big of a pain to remove your chain/cassette to clean it.

plus i think alot of people are a little to hyped on this beltdrive bs and ill probably be so for a a while to really pay attention to anything else single speed

I recently rode a bike with an 8-speed Shimano IG hub and shaft drive. It was heavy and felt a bit sluggish but it has to be the last word in minimal maintenance.

I'd like a setup like the old Sunbeams, where the chain was enclosed and ran through an oil bath. Perfect for a utility bike that gets hard use, especially in a gritty environment.

Making it fit a variety of bikes would be a challenge. Maybe the chainring and rear cog could have enclosed metal stampings, and the chain span between could be enclosed by pipe/tubing, which would be cut to size for fitting?

I believe that I have seen photos of some European chaincases that were designed the way that you describe.

In my original post I was thinking more of major bike manufacturers offering models with chain cases rather than an aftermarket company trying to design a one item fits all arrangement. It would seem to me to be a natural for commuter, city bikes and loaded touring bikes. I expect that these are the categories most likely to benefit most.

I cannot picture anything which adds weight being of interest to the lightweight road bike buyer or to most mountain bikers even though the MTB chain might benefit most.

Is suspect most dirt is thrown up below on the chain from the front tire.

For commuting where protecting the pants is more critical than performance, I'd say the fully encased chainguard gets the thumbs up.

Just had a thought on dealing with derailer drivechain's and how they conflict with chain casing...

Recumbents often use lengths of teflon tube to protect clothing from the long chain runs.

Perhaps something slightly flexy like that tube can be used to accomodate the changing path of the chain through a derailer drivetrain? you'd just need some kind of accompanying flexible guard around the places where the chain meets sprockets...

wouldn't be airtight by any means, but might help out a lot with stuff flung up from the road if used along the bottom run of chain...

Think it might work?

Hesling and De Woerd already make excellent easily-removable chaincases in a number of versions. It is just up to bike manufacturers to use them.

My 2005 Trek L200 has a Hesling and it makes the bike basically maintenance free (occasionally inflate tires).

I would definetly buy one if it would work with derailleurs. I went to the local bike coop this weekend looking for an internal hubbed bike with a chain guard or chaincase. I want to be able to commute this coming season on a bike that allows me to wear normal street clothes, including jeans, and I prefer not to use a cuff. Unfortunately, the only ones there were too small for me. A single speed or fixie wouldn't be appropriate as I ride a hilly bath to and from work.

Now I'm looking to rework a Schwinn Super LeTour to commute. The Velo Orange fenders look good, but the chain guards come with the disclaimer that they don't work well with FDs. I spent the past couple of days Googling for chain guards and chaincases that play well with derailleurs only to find it is a problem still needing a solution.

Even a partial chain case has to work fairly well. Just putting fenders on my bike made a huge difference in my chain staying clean when cycling exclusively on dry paved roads. It used to be that my chain got really gunked up in about 100 miles, now it goes 400 miles before exhibiting the same amount of grunge.

The chainguards you're looking for are made by Hebie, SKS, and Herrmanns

problem with the sks, hebie and hermans is that they're ugly. What's wrong with a nice metal chaincase, my fixed gear is begging for one?

Based on your recommendation, I've spent some time searching for these and haven't been able to find a source for them online. Could you recommend a supplier?

The tubes protect clothing and help keep direct the chain but the downside is there are significant drivetrain frictional losses.

Fixed gear? If you are riding a fixed gear, or a bike without a front derailleur, then "velo-orange.com" sells the old French style chain cases made from aluminum sheet. If you can live with just pants protection, but not a full chaincase with a front derailleur, then Rivendell sells a pastic chain cover that will work.

I've been fighting the urge for the VO Porter case, since it does cost an awful lot. I may have to, as alternatives are hard to find, for me at least, there seem to be an awful lot of possibilities

http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2008...=1227290220000

If only I had access to even half of those.

Those are beautiful. Unfortunately it seems they do not make a full case for derailleur equipped bikes - just chain guards that cover the chainring and front of the chain.

I have my next bike build swimming around in my imaginantion (probably with a Shimano IGH), though, and i think i might look into one of those.

Thanks!