How are double chain giraffe unicycles superior to single chain?

Ketatlas · 2012-04-26, 09:59 AM

^

Ereksonj · 2012-04-26, 10:07 AM

I've always assumed that it is a safety measure. If one falls off, the other continues to drive the wheel and you don't fall. I could be wrong, though.

onewheeldave · 2012-04-26, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ereksonj

I've always assumed that it is a safety measure. If one falls off, the other continues to drive the wheel and you don't fall. I could be wrong, though.

I always assumed that too, but, recently was talking to a (double chain) giraffe rider, and he reckons that if a chain goes on a double, you're coming off anyway.

One suggested benefit to the double chain is symetry i.e. less likely to scew the hub- don't know how true that is.

aracer · 2012-04-26, 12:54 PM

I think it's all about bending forces through the frame.

saskatchewanian · 2012-04-26, 01:48 PM

two chains won't twist the frame like one chain will.

4umfreak · 2012-04-26, 01:59 PM

I think it's less about a "chain falling off" and more about a chain *breaking*. Chain failure on a giraffe would be seriously dangerous.

Between that, less frame flex (always pulling to one side) and the likelihood of less chain lash when changing directions, two chains would be better.

onewheeldave · 2012-04-26, 06:04 PM

Just had a thought- if it is true that a chain breaking on a double chain giraffe is as dangerous as the chain breaking on a single chainer- then, arguably, wouldn't a double chainer actually be less safe than a single?

Because, having 2 chains, there's double the chance of a breakage.

saskatchewanian · 2012-04-26, 06:40 PM

... but half the stress per chain, dramatically reducing chance of failure.

johnfoss · 2012-04-26, 10:52 PM

They look cooler
Less torque on the frame (the frame will still get torqued front-to-back, but not to the side)
50% reduction of stress on each chain virtually eliminates worries of chain breakage

If one chain were to break or come off, I don't see that it would effect the other one. Also, on 5-6' giraffes, chain coming off is seldom a problem unless the chain is visibly very loose.

2012-04-26, 09:59 AM	#1
Ketatlas Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 2	How are double chain giraffe unicycles superior to single chain? ^

2012-04-26, 10:07 AM	#2
Ereksonj Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ogden, Utah Age: 19 Posts: 256	I've always assumed that it is a safety measure. If one falls off, the other continues to drive the wheel and you don't fall. I could be wrong, though. __________________ "Cobra on my left, leopard on my right!" -Jim Morrison

2012-04-26, 01:48 PM	#5
saskatchewanian ERIC P Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada Age: 27 Posts: 5,256	two chains won't twist the frame like one chain will. __________________ My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. - Jack Layton

2012-04-26, 01:59 PM	#6
4umfreak Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 644	I think it's less about a "chain falling off" and more about a chain breaking. Chain failure on a giraffe would be seriously dangerous. Between that, less frame flex (always pulling to one side) and the likelihood of less chain lash when changing directions, two chains would be better. __________________ - 4umfreak █ 4u2c.it █ a simple, fun and free Url shortener with publishing to Facebook and Twitter. █ Geagle Search Engine █ a unicyclist.com inspired search engine. (kh longneak vs shortbeak)

2012-04-26, 06:04 PM	#7
onewheeldave Semi Skilled Unicyclist Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 1,189	Just had a thought- if it is true that a chain breaking on a double chain giraffe is as dangerous as the chain breaking on a single chainer- then, arguably, wouldn't a double chainer actually be less safe than a single? Because, having 2 chains, there's double the chance of a breakage. __________________ "You can't outrun Death forever. But you can make the Bastard work for it." --MAJOR KORGO KORGAR, "Last of The Lancers" AFC 32 Last edited by onewheeldave; 2012-04-26 at 06:05 PM.

2012-04-26, 12:54 PM	#4
aracer Registered Unicyclist Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Malvern, UK Age: 43 Posts: 1,092	I think it's all about bending forces through the frame.

2012-04-26, 06:40 PM	#8
saskatchewanian ERIC P Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada Age: 27 Posts: 5,256	... but half the stress per chain, dramatically reducing chance of failure. __________________ My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. - Jack Layton

2012-04-26, 10:52 PM	#9
johnfoss North Shore ridin' Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 14,966	They look cooler Less torque on the frame (the frame will still get torqued front-to-back, but not to the side) 50% reduction of stress on each chain virtually eliminates worries of chain breakage If one chain were to break or come off, I don't see that it would effect the other one. Also, on 5-6' giraffes, chain coming off is seldom a problem unless the chain is visibly very loose. __________________ John Foss "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" www.unicycling.com "Unicycling is a way of looking at the world, making a choice to slow down, finish what you start, doing things not because they're easy, but because they're a challenge." -- Nurse Ben

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