gosmsgo

These only work for disc brakes.

Here is the plan.

Take #200 "twist chain" nickel plated with a 12# working load limit and some #21 "S Hooks."

Connect a S hook to the chain by crimping one end to the chain and wrap the chain around your deflated tire and wheel. Figure out how many links you need so that you can attach the chain with your tire deflated and it will be very snug when the tire in inflated. I needed 12 links of chain.

I test rode this and it worked very well and held together over the few miles I rode. I have no idea how it will work on ice or snow yet but Im confident it will be much, much better than the bare tire would have and its faster and cheaper than studded tires.

I can deflate the tires, put the chains on and inflate the tires much, much faster than I could change a pair of tires and I can keep these chains with me all the time and put on in a surprise snow or those days where it snows while I'm at work.

Here are the picture's.

BikeManDan

Pretty clever idea

Are the chains not going to want to migrate into the spokes though? Wouldn't be a problem but I just think they might not stay in the middle position you've placed them in.

Chain will likely marr the rims too but thats pretty much cosmetic

Boudicca

Duplicate post. Original, and more detail here:

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/353170-bike-tire-chains.html

gosmsgo

I just wanted the commuters to see them since its so easy you hardly have to be a mechanic to do it.

They are very tight so I dont think they will move much. I also dont think they will scratch the rims at all and if they do I dont care too much.

Im worried that they might be too tight and snap off but when I rode a couple miles earlier they held up great.

ax0n

I'd be worried what happens if one comes off but gets wrapped around a spoke. It might slide down the spoke and get tangled in the axle or brake disc. It might fling around and hit the fork or snag on something, or it might get slung at a high rate of speed with the possibility of hitting the rider.

One plan I saw involved doing zip ties around the wheel just like you're doing with the chains. Probably not as much traction, but the potential for carnage is significantly lower as well.

Here's the link

https://bikeportland.org/2007/01/17/z...tter-traction/

x136 

That's just awesome, whether or not it works.

gosmsgo

Oh Jee thanks!!! Now I AM worried!!!

You sound like I guy I talked too right before taking a big ride down the shoulder of the local 4 lane highway. He said, "I would be worried about a retread coming on a big truck and killing me.

Gee Thanks. ha ha

CastIron

I don't see the value in this. Studded Nokian's serve this purpose VERY well.

ax0n

Naw, retreads come off without much fanfare, and riding along the shoulder, they'd probably be easy to avoid.

I had some tire chain cables on my beater back when I was delivering pizza for a living. I had one of them break free from one end and the loose end tore up my front fender pretty good. That's where my (possibly irrational) fear comes from.

KingTermite 

I heard another member once talk about doing something similar to O.P. with zip ties. Even quicker and easier than the chains. I've not had the opportunity to try it yet, but we'll see how the winter fares.

x136 

I know it's been mentioned, but just to reiterate: This wrapping of stuff around tires is for bikes with disc brakes, coaster brakes, or no brakes only! Caliper, cantilever, and V brake users need not apply.