Studs vs. Chains
As I wandered over to Slagle Hall for a meeting today, I noticed a co-worker had chains on his back tire. Upon further questioning he said he got the idea HERE. Have any of you ever tried chains? It sure looks a lot cheaper than studs. What are some of the plus/minus of chains vs studs?
Regardless of the results, I'd like to give props to Randy for riding this winter. He's been pretty steady on the commuting to work front as of late!
7 comments:
does the chain hit the brakes
PS could I get your e mail
Tony - bikingbrady AT gmail DOT com
As long as he is riding to get there. Chains almost hafta be slower than studs.
Umm, I hate to be rude, but the chain thing looks like a pile o'crap. Honestly, I see them only making the situation worse, there's going to be very little bite with the chains. Don't believe me? Put your bike on the stand w/ chains, get the tire going and put your finger on the middle of the tread, now do the same thing with studds and get ready w/ guaze and bandages. Studs are going to be way, way better for bikes, hands down.
Jeff (If he were my friend, I'd honestly advise him to switch)
ok, on a more technical, less rash of a response level, the studs are going to be better for a few reasons. 1: they're sharp, yes, rather sharp- good for gripping ice (or even pavement).
2: they're strategically placed; the chain goes over the whole tread, leaving cornering a bit hairy. 3: there's a lot more contact with the stud pattern vs. the intermittent contact of the chain. 4: the chain is smooth- ever slipped on smooth metal grating? Ever slipped on sandpaper? 5: if chains were better, you'd be able to buy them for 10 times more then it would cost to make them. 6: much easier to put on. 7: you don't have to waste time making them. 8: change the tire in 20 below temps in the middle of the dark? Yea, studs again...
Need any more reasons :)
Jeff
I ran a winter with chains-some of the previous posters are correct-on sheer ice, they aren't as effective. They were a pain to mount, slow when the road wasn't icy or snowy. What they rocked on was mud & snow encrusted limestone. There's a company called Pit Bull that makes chains.
Looking at their website, I'll still wager studs will do a better job, there's just nothing there and the chain is a very smooth surface. They work on cars because of the weight of cars and the rpm of a car tire vs a bike tire.
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