RE: cycle recycle? (Could have been RE:tire retirement)

[myoglobinologist]

I just replaced tires and an inner tube on my commuter bike. It seems a shame to throw them out.

I have read a couple of web stories about cutting inner tubes into rings and re-using them as industrial-strength rubber bands, friction generators, chain stay protectors, etc.

I’m not sure that I need this much industrial-strength rubber bandiness in my life…are there any other uses around ARL that people have for them? Am I revealing too much of my cheapskate nature?

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Topic

[Arlingtonrider]

I’ve used lengths of tube to tie a pushbroom onto my top tube when I’ve gone out to sweep leaves or gravel from the trails. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3623[/ATTACH]

I think DismalScientist has used some to tie a small flashlight to his helmet.

And then there’s this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24384228@N04/4471198297/

[hozn]

As a child, I used bike innertubes for slingshots. They are also helpful, I learned (as a child), for repairing broken water pipes. Now I throw them in the trash (and tires), though I am sure there is something more responsible I could be doing.

[CaseyKane50]

You can recycle the tubes at Spokes.

[DismalScientist]

In addition to helmet mounts, old tubes make excellent substitutes for bungie cords. Since I could not mount a rack on my hatch, I travel with three bikes tied to a standard roof rack Joad-style (i.e. The Grapes of Wrath style). I just lay the bikes flat and tie them down with inner tubes. I don’t recommend this for valuable bicycles.:rolleyes: I just did this with my fixie, wife’s old hybrid, and generic kid’s mountain bike with no damage. I removed pedals and either removed the front wheels or turned the stem so the bars were horizontal with the bike frames.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Arlingtonrider 62826 wrote:

And then there’s this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24384228@N04/4471198297/

[KelOnWheels]

http://coolmaterial.com/home/bicycle-valve-key-rack/

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3616[/ATTACH]

[dasgeh]

I’m pretty sure Phoenix bikes will take any and all bike parts — completely unusable ones will be turned into art projects for people like me (who is dying to find cool bike-art for our home) to buy.

[vvill]

What do you guys do with old chains and cassettes? I have a few sitting around.

[KelOnWheels]

@vvill 62866 wrote:

What do you guys do with old chains and cassettes? I have a few sitting around.

http://hiconsumption.com/2012/10/connect-series-recycled-bicycle-chain-chandeliers/

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3617[/ATTACH]

[dasgeh]

@vvill 62866 wrote:

What do you guys do with old chains and cassettes? I have a few sitting around.

I’m pretty sure Phoenix bikes will take any and all bike parts — completely unusable ones will be turned into art projects for people like me (who is dying to find cool bike-art for our home) to buy.

[jrenaut]

I made Christmas ornaments out of some cassette parts last year, plus I mounted a few more interesting pieces in a shadow box.

[consularrider]

@vvill 62866 wrote:

What do you guys do with old chains and cassettes? I have a few sitting around.

They’re metal so they go in my Arlington blue recycling cart.

[PotomacCyclist]

A makeshift string (tube) bass? Like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68N43K5Y0Ek

[Author]

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