Our new floating chaintube holder allows you to use short sections of chaintube which will have the ability to move up and down, left and right with the chain, while staying in place fore and aft to protect your frame from chain rub. Traditional methods of fixing chaintubes to recumbents usually result in the tube fighting the chain, causing friction and noise since the chaintubes are fixed in place or minimally movable.
This new system follows the same philosophy as our floating idlers- it's best to allow movement as you change gears and let the chain go where it needs to go. Catrike has been using an OEM version of this mount on the Musashi, and it's proving to be the solution for many bikes/trikes that need some frame protection without adding additional idlers.
We are offering the mount in 2 versions. The first is a "Universal" version that attaches to the frame with Zip Ties. It's possible to put this version almost anyplace. The second version attaches with a 5mm bolt to your frame (if you happen to have a 5mm boss handy) or to a Cateye clamp (which have 5mm bolts). The Cateye version looks a bit cleaner, but there probably aren't as many places on the frame where it will work. It tends to work best on chainstays, seat frame tubes, and head tubes. You'll of course need to measure the place where you want to clamp it.
Chaintubes have a reputation for being noisy, draggy, and prone to filling with chain crud. While this can be true, it doesn't have to be. We think that it's possible to have chain tube that is very quiet, almost friction free, and unlikely to get gunked up. Here's how to do it:
1. Let the chaintube float with the chain. You want the chaintube to cover the chain, not tell it where to go.
2. Use the right chaintube material. We use a special low noise, extra slippery plastic.
3. Keep the chaintube as short as possible. The longer the tube, the more it will gunk up and the more the chain can vibrate inside. Shorter is better, down to about 3" (75mm).
4. Flare the ends. The entry end is most important, of course, but the exit end makes a big difference too. We flare both ends with a special process that thickens the ends as well as shaping them for smooth chain flow.
If you do not have chaintube already we can supply lengths of 4" or 10" flared on both ends. With these we supply 2 small zipties for attachment to the mount.
Trikes like the Catrike may require 2 floating chaintube holders.
If any questions on this great little solution, email us for more details.
Questions? Call 847-692-4240 or email us.
Cart:
Ethercycle