Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Zip Tie-Snow Tire Chains!

diy winter biking tie wraps photo

Since I ride predominately in Florida, and definitely not in snow, I have never thought too much about the implications of riding on snow and ice. I saw this post on Dutch Bike and had to share it. One of the cyclists at Dutch Bike Co was caught without studded tires when it started snowing in Seattle, but no matter, that's nothing that a box of zip ties can't fix! This MacGyver trick isn't new, but now that winter is here, it's worth bringing up once more.
diy winter biking tie wraps photo

Fritz Rice, the DIYer on these photos, says that while the ties look "completely ludicrous", they work "beautifully":
I can accelerate, brake, and corner with aplomb, even on the vile snowpack/sheet ice mix the plows leave in the bike lanes. The zip ties dig nicely into the hardest packed surfaces, but they're thin enough not to bounce the bike around at low speed or on short pavement sections.
diy winter biking tie wraps photo


diy winter biking tie wraps photo

As you can see on this last photo, the tie heads as position so that they give extra grip when you are cornering, but they stay out of the way when going in a straight line. Just make sure you have enough clearance on all sides.

Via DutchBikeCo

9 comments:

  1. interesting blog. It would be great if you can provide more details about it. Thanks you


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  3. Thanks for reading and following. Help spread the good word and ride on!

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  4. Love it! I always enjoy reading about your trips;)



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  5. this is a cool concept...
    I wonder how long it would take...

    there could be a point where if it took too much time
    it would just be worth buying the store bought snow tire

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    it's my pleasure to sharing my design to you ;)
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