Here's one for you - why are chains on the right?

Here's one for you - why are chains on the right?

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Discussion

Ray Luxury-Yacht

Original Poster:

8,910 posts

217 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
I guess this possibly applies to some motorbikes too.

I was idly wondering why all bicycles have the chain and drive-gear on the right hand side.

After a Google round, I am none the wiser. There are many theories from 'keeping the component away from the kerb' and 'the threads on the pedals and bottom bracket' to 'this is just the agreed convention.'

I'm not suggesting this is a problem of course - any standardisation is generally good. However, I wonder if any of you serious bicycle anoraks had a more definitive answer than I have managed to find on Google?!

Be interested to hear ideas and opinions!



Edited by Ray Luxury-Yacht on Thursday 18th September 21:32