Road bike tires

[Eden]

I am not spinning fast at all - indeed am still going fairly slow when it starts (I've only had my bike for 2 weeks). I DO know that one leg is stronger than the other - and my podiatrist suspects that one leg is shorter than the other. I do not notice this on the spinning bike in class, but that is not the same.

It's not particularly uncommon. Even if you don't have a measurable leg length discrepancy you can have a functional one. A few shims in your shoe (if you have clipless pedals) can go a long way to fixing it - and yes it sure can make your spin smoother.

[blackhillsbiker]

Nokian makes very good studded snow tires. The ones I'm using should fit your bike. I've liked the way they handle ice. I don't want to discourage you, but as a newer rider, I'd maybe wait on the bad weather riding. When you are able to do it fairly confidently, it can be fun. If you hurt yourself, not so fun.

Deb

[Eden]

Do studs work on black ice? Thick ice has something to grab, but it seems like black ice might be too thin and too slippery?

[ridebikeme]

Yes, studded tires would work on black ice... that's why so many commuters use them. Although I would caution people that even using studded tires does NOT leave you in a position where you'll never fall, so be cautious.

Nokian and Schwalbe are two of the companies that make stidded tires, and offer stud replacement for either studs that you lose or wear out.

CAtrin, I lived in Indiana for many years, so I can apprecaite where you are coming from. I know that CIBA used to do trainer/roller rides as a group if you are interested... certainly makes the time go faster and I'm sure you can pick up lots of tips as well

[lph]

The thing about studded tires is that you are riding on metal studs, whether they have ice to grip or not. They work best on smooth flat porous ice of some thickness, but epsecially if you have a decent tire pressure up to minimize the "tractor with a flat tire" feeling, carbide studs and cold rubber will never give you the same grip that dry warm rubber will. You can give it your all when going straight ahead, but think of skating, be careful of cornering or banking, and try lower pressure first until you know your tires well. I had a most spectacular slide-out when braking with studs on a smooth granite pavement - I left stripes several meters long

[Catrin]

It's not particularly uncommon. Even if you don't have a measurable leg length discrepancy you can have a functional one. A few shims in your shoe (if you have clipless pedals) can go a long way to fixing it - and yes it sure can make your spin smoother.

I do have cycling shoes - but right now am only using them on my spinning bike - it is rather too early to start attaching myself to my bike Right now I am simply using the small platform pedals that came with my bike - and the toe cages were removed as the floppy straps kept causing me to fall. So...could part of the pedal skipping be due to my not using clips or clipless pedals? Just considering what could be going on. I really, really dislike the floppy straps and can't figure out how anyone can insert their foot in them when getting on the bike....

Thanks for all of the advice on bad winter-weather riding. As badly as I would like to get out there - it is probably too early for that. I will just wait for dry pavement - after all this IS central Indiana - most of the time we don't have snow/ice on the ground There is always NEXT winter!

[Eden]

Absolutely - the pedals are probably most of the problem... You've been using clipless on the spin bike and have become accustomed to being able to pull up. When you switch to the platforms on your road bike you're probably still trying to do that. The few times I've been on a non-clipped bike recently I've had a hard time not lifting my feet off the pedals - especially when it is taking some effort and uphills when I am used to being able to pull up.

You can put the toe clips back on and leave the straps off, but honestly I think toe clips are harder to learn to use than dual sided clipless models, especially if you been doing it on the spin bike and know what it feels like to clip in and out. Yes, there is the danger of forgetting to clip out and falling over, but with toe clips so many beginners have to look down trying to flip the things over and you can still forget to take your foot out.