Pretty much The Best Load Straps, plus they are recycled and almost free

[Ricardo Kuhn]

So I'm not exactlly into road bike cicycling but I do need to admite they have some interesting materials, in this case those 126 tread count tyres that feel better than satin bed sheets...

I made my first set about 6 months ago and still works perfectlly after carring many heavy loads, but since i was camara-less until a few days ago (Thanks Shelly) i was unable to take fotos of them.


Well as ussual the idea is very simple, bicycle tyres are expose to the elements all day long plus made incredible well (the fancy ones at least) the only thing you need to do is to cut the bead (what holds the tyre to the rim by being extremlly stuborn to elongate) and suttenlly you have a very complian material, that is also extremlly strong and reliable.


So what to do,,, well at least what did I do to make this happend..

Got some two inch fastex buckles (best in the business) and some old bicycle chainring bolts, big washers and when to town with a hole punch (you can use a knife, drill whatever you have at hand)


I confess I'm totally in love with Chainring bolt, They are flush to the surface, spread the loads really well and they are super strong, far better than a rivet (only other contender) since you can take them apart if need to, plus the aluminum ones come in diferent colors and they are super pretty.

Here is the bottom side, the washer does help to hold the tyre in place since they strech a little to much on the holes.


The Bicycle tyre strap is great for many reasons, but one of the best is because is very flexible but also adapts extremlly well to the loads (great rate of elongation) with out much adjustments.


here is a even better example, under a light load the straps stays somehow flat.


But when you really pull on it, streches by changing his shape (becomes somehow tubular) but the resistense is very progresive and is also very elastic (always returns back to the original lenght)


I also try to used a One inch strap (Cut the tyre to the rubber) but i need to confess they suck big time, since they don't have much flexibility, they still better than a nylon strap but not even close to the two inch straps.


To hold this in place I used old Shimano Cleat mounting plates for SPD pedals since they already have the tread for Two 5MM bolts and they are somehow flat (much flater than a nut for sure)


When I get of my butt one of this days, I'm going to make two more 2 inch straps to hold the loads on a longitudinal way and then I be totally set, to carry pretty much anything, plus you can connect the buckles togheter and make even longer straps if you need to.


Oviuslly the work on any shape and almost any size.


Road bike tyres are about 2.5 metters in circunference, oviuslly you can cut them down if need too, even make two straps out of one tyre, so for about $2 (for the plastic bucke) you have a strap that out performs even the ROK straps by a big margin, SeriUslly.


Oviuslly "If you are into the Bling this is not your thing", but is a honest reliable solution to a problem that real travelers encounter all the time..

How to Hold heavy big loads when we are going somewere..


I hope you guys and gals like it and take advantage of it.

[GB]

Another Ricky solution!! Thanks for posting the pics

[Ricardo Kuhn]

This is kind of strange..

I was sure with some many CheapSkates around ADVrider this will be a absolute Most have, oh well maybe next time I use some Big metal belt buckes to bring the Bling factor way high...


what else you want, it Works really well, is simple to make (kinder garden level skill require) and will last forever and ever

[DRxDR]

Thanks for the ideas of using old bicycle parts since I've got what seems to be almost a pallet worth of old crap laying about the garage which I am just unable to throw away knowing what I paid for it when it was new. Now if we can just find a use for old chain-rings, cassets and cranksets, let alone all of the discarded seat posts and saddles. wayne

[Ricardo Kuhn]

Originally Posted by DRxDR

Thanks for the ideas of using old bicycle parts since I've got what seems to be almost a pallet worth of old crap laying about the garage which I am just unable to throw away knowing what I paid for it when it was new. Now if we can just find a use for old chain-rings, cassets and cranksets, let alone all of the discarded seat posts and saddles. wayne

Good for you Wayne


that is the Spirit

[Lizrdbrth]

Damned ingenious. Already has me thinking.

The door limiting straps on Jeeps blow. These are bulletproof.

I'll send you a Christmas card for this.

[Ricardo Kuhn]

Originally Posted by Lizrdbrth

Damned ingenious. Already has me thinking.

The door limiting straps on Jeeps blow. These are bulletproof.

Exelent Thinking, I think the tyre will work perfectlly for that aplication, just make sure the attachment points have sufficient area to hold the tyre from flexing (at the bolt holes) and you will never need to worry about again..

I'll send you a Christmas card for this.

Just post a picture of your Fix that will be more than suffient payment.

[bmwktmbill]

Nice job Ricardo. Bonito.
OK, JUST A SUGGESTION.
If someone wants to make a strap fast on the road just use 3 zip ties to make the attachment for the buckle to the strap-Thread the strap through the buckle, loop the zip tie around, pull tight. You can make a custom strap on the road if you carry extra strap material and some buckles plus zip ties. When you are done cut the zip ties , wind up the strapping and save it for the next idea.
The zip ties will make a fast strong and cheap connection at any length.
And they are expendable.
Bill in Tomahawk. WI.