Author Topic: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...  (Read 10439 times)

Offline thestraw

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i've always had to run a super tight chain because otherwise my cranks would sort of float about, no mas...  one of my friends started doing this when he discovered the technique from some street/park riders who were tired of worrying about their cranks moving on whips and no footers:


take your cranks off and put the cut end of a grip over the outer edge of your bottom bracket.  i used the screwdrivers cuz odi's aren't the stretchiest grips on the market.  make sure there's just enough hanging over to insure friction.  then put your cranks back on and voila:


just enough friction to hold your cranks in place.  i just went on a test spin with no prob's
« Last Edit: February 10, 2011, 09:06:46 PM by thestraw »

Offline EZChris

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2011, 09:12:32 PM »
a better way is to cut the flange off two grips and stick them inside the bb on the spindle.

does the same job, and you cant see the rubber!
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Offline Havokflat

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2011, 11:47:36 PM »
a better way is to cut the flange off two grips and stick them inside the bb on the spindle.

does the same job, and you cant see the rubber!
we had this thread a year or so ago.

i use EZ's method but after a while, sooner if you ride your bike places,
they start ghost pedaling again.  i just took out a small mess of rubber and
replaced it with fresh.
The french don't know Rock & Roll.


Offline h410G3n

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2011, 03:42:27 AM »
Another tip is to use an old tube. Cut a circle, slide it on to the spindle before you put the spacer on and trim the edges. Works like a charm!

Offline Leone4130

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2011, 07:11:11 PM »
a better way is to cut the flange off two grips and stick them inside the bb on the spindle.

does the same job, and you cant see the rubber!

I heard about this from Brandon Fenton.... cool stuff!

Offline jpoliti

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2011, 08:30:37 AM »
bike companies should integrate that idea in their design : design cranks that do not move when you do nt want them to. I'm surprised that no bike company has ever tried solving that problem ? or may be they did and i don't know.

Offline SurfonFlatland

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2011, 05:20:11 AM »
Or just make sure your freecoaster bearings are ungodly smooth so that the driver won't move.
The following is the truth.  The preceeding is a lie.

Offline B-random Fantom

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2011, 05:26:15 AM »
a better way is to cut the flange off two grips and stick them inside the bb on the spindle.

does the same job, and you cant see the rubber!

I heard about this from Brandon Fenton.... cool stuff!

A trick I thought up to make this better is to contact cement a cut pop can inside the bb first this way the breather holes in the bb don't chew up the rubber flanges on the inside and it lasts much longer.
Enough! I grow weary of your foolishness ninjas.

Offline tod miller

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2011, 01:20:47 PM »
I actually put a flange on the inside and one on the outside.  Works like a charm.  I have a local bike shop saving old grips for me to use.  Lot cheaper than replacing my crappy freecoaster.

Ride it till the wheels fall off!
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Offline datisstom

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go crankless.

Offline paulbrown692000

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2011, 04:43:38 PM »
go crankless.

Go crankless, you mean ride a scooter?
All things in life are temporary. If going well...enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong don’t worry, they can't last long either.

Offline Tchi-fay

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Re: if you want to run a looser chain and never have your cranks move...
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2011, 03:13:08 AM »
I used 2 grip flanges between the sprocket and the BB. Just needed to add 2 thin crank spacers to leave enough room for both flanges, then when the cranks are tightened, the flanges are compressed too and create friction.

After some use, the flange next to the sprocket sticks to it, and the flange next to the BB sticks to the frame (mid bb), so only the surface between the flanges are moving and creating the kinetic friction.

It has worked for me for about 4 years with the same flanges.