chain tube

[soren]

Hi All

I have build the Maruder 1, just missing paint and finish.
I was test driving last night and I thought about using some chain tube under the seat, but I don´t know any thing about that.
So I am asking:

Is chain tube something special, or can any type of tube be used?
What do you use?


Thanks
Soren

[badcheese]

I use half inch LDPE (low density polyethylene) irrigation tube, which is very cheap, low friction, and available at any place that sells garden supplies. It comes in a coil, so you will need to straighten it with heat. Use hot water, a heat gun, a sunny location on a hot day, etc. Then flare the ends of the tube so the chain doesn't drag. You can do that by dipping the end of the tube in boiling water and then pushing some tapered object into the end before it cools.

[Radical Brad]

Garden hose and "heater hose" from the hardware store is my choice.

Brad

[soren]

Thanks a lot I will try that.

Soren

[Danner]

This is a little late for Soren, but could be useful for anyone else interested in chain tubes. Check out this page in two places, about mid-way and closer to the bottom. http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=2807&page=7

[likebikes]

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p142/courtnek100/bicycle/14Oct2009002.jpg

This is the type of tube BC is referring to and it is a real good choice. It seems to wear like iron, it's rigid enough to need almost no support. I am using it on my old LWB to keep the chain from sawing the chain stay and I'm going to add it to the run up front now that I aquired a roll. Cheap too. I'll be using it on the drive and return run on my high roller with only one clamp in the middle of the tube, each of which will be around 4 feet long.

[Danner]

Here's a photo of irrigation tube like badcheese mentioned, it's what I used too. I flared the ends a bit, though it's hard to tell in this photo. Then I fabbed a wire hanger to loop around the pulley bolt, so the tube floats freely and moves back and forth with the pulley as the chain changes rear sprockets.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/4183005920_29b3570ea5.jpg

[likebikes]

That's some nice looking work Danner, I like the sliding idler too!

[davec8656]

hey Danner, DaveC here. I like the idea of a sliding chain pulley. How much travel do you allow for on your set-up? I'm building a Marauder 2 and plan to use two 3.5 inch pulleys on my chain. Nice looking set-up. DaveC:sunny:

[Danner]

Hey DaveC, I allowed for about 1-1/2 inches of travel, and the pulley was about 1" thick and the chain line was about an inch out from the frame where the bolt enters the nut. So it tool about 3-1/2 or 4" long bolt to get the pulley in the right range to align with the chainline. You can see more details at the New Quadster thread (http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=2807&page=7).
Danner