Corrections from first attempt:- Shortening the chains to five links puts the loops for the zipties at the edge of the tread.
- Keeping the end loops parallel with the sidewall allows the zipties to keep the loops from digging into the sidewalls.
- And not cinching the zipties so tight they deflected the sidewalls.
I have over 20 miles on these with hardly any marks on the tires. I had about 40 miles on the first attempt. I also went from 16 to 8 chains on each tire (start one spoke away from valve stem, then after every fourth spoke). Though occassional slippage, increased traction is still sufficient so far.
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More thoughts:
I lost one chain on the back. Looking at the others for wear, some of the links are worn half through. These chains have around 80 miles and I've been ridding them on bare cement at least 20 miles.
Will test the next heavier chain for wear duration, ride quality, and tire marking.
The last time I ran about 30 psi rear and 25 front b/c my valve stems showed tire rotation on the rim from sub 20 psi pressure. I don't use the locknut on presta valves.
The current setup:
I found black 14" skinny (75 lb rated) zipties from Menards, $10/100. Figure 4" per 14# blackjack chain at $0.43/foot from Home Depot. So about $2 for 8 chains/tire.
It appeared the chains once again worked well for you at Manawa today. I am still very impressed with your ability to ride a fixie in those conditions. As I was riding I kept trying to imagine having to pedal all the time, over logs and rocks and don't think I could do it. Good job!
Before riding singletrack and ttfs on a fixy, I wasn't sure I could do it either. But I think anyone who rides a coasty can ride a fixy just like any gearie can ride a ss. The first time is the most difficult and disconcerting. I find that true with most things though.
I feel more confident on that first log pile before the armored climb at Manawa on the fixy. Regardless of pedal position, I elevate the front wheel part way up the pile and keep pedaling. Since I don't need to speed up for enough momentum to coast over, I'm going over slower and under more control.
Things can go wrong too. I didn't elevate the tire for the first log into "no 2nd chance" and wheel glanced up and off to the side, my pedal stroke exagerating the mistake, but I kept pedaling and pulled it out. If I was coasting in that situation, I would of at least dabbed and probably stopped.
I'm finding out that the bicycle is better at getting over ttfs than I thought, especially when staying on the power instead of relying on coasting momentum to carry me through.
I'm really liking the fixy experience so far.
still waiting for you to switch to a unicycle.
I think I'm going to skip the unicycle in my biking devolution and ride a penny farthing offroad instead!
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