show me your winter bike!

[redrhodie]

Oooh, you'll have to post photos! Be warned that riding in snow can be quite slow, so you'll feel a bit sluggish until you get used to it. But in spring you'll feel like you grew wings

One of my shop guys warned me that riding with studded tires can feel like pulling an anchor. That sounds fun. But I'm committed now (or I should be committed, depending on who you ask.). I do kind of feel like I'm crossing the Rubicon. I can't wait for snow!

[lph]

You don't want snow. Snow sucks. You want ice

... and crackly puddles, and perfect white frost on the trees, and bone dry air, and pastel violet skies...

[tulip]

You don't want snow. Snow sucks. You want ice

... and crackly puddles, and perfect white frost on the trees, and bone dry air, and pastel violet skies...

+1. If you get alot of snow, you'll need 4" snow tires like on the Pugsley. But studded tires are made for ice, and riding on ice is fantabulous with studded tires. Makes me want to move north.

There are other crazies like us: www.icebike.org

[Cataboo]

I was fussing with one of my road bikes the other day and noticed that the top of the front derailleur had corrosion on it. I'd ridden it once after the snows this winter melted when there was still a lot of road grit/salt stuff on the roads. I had wiped it down afterwards, but apparently didn't pay enough attention to the front derailleur

[redrhodie]

Snow sucks!? Oh, no! I was hoping I could ride on the bike path when it was snow covered, because it would be so pretty. The roads are usually quickly plowed here, so I'm sure I'll be fine on those.

I was fussing with one of my road bikes the other day and noticed that the top of the front derailleur had corrosion on it. I'd ridden it once after the snows this winter melted when there was still a lot of road grit/salt stuff on the roads. I had wiped it down afterwards, but apparently didn't pay enough attention to the front derailleur

That sucks. I'm not having a front derailleur for that reason.

[lph]

sorry, didn't mean to bust your bubble Some snow is fine, honest. A thin layer of dry snowdrift is just peachy, you just cut through. When it builds up a bit it packs in your tires - depending on how wide your tires are, mine are wide, narrow ones would be better for that - and you start to skate around. Bikeable but annoying. Wet snow that packs together is a bear when it's lumpy and full of holes, but if it's packed flat and smooth it's great. So it all depends. Go out and try! Winter riding can range from awful to wonderful, since the road conditions can vary immensely.

But the most awesome part about studded tires is being able to ride right up icy hills that people can't walk up with regular shoes on

[redrhodie]

sorry, didn't mean to bust your bubble

But the most awesome part about studded tires is being able to ride right up icy hills that people can't walk up with regular shoes on

That's okay. My bubble's just fine!

Good to know about ice, because we can get A LOT of that around here that lasts for several weeks. There are many brick sidewalks in my town, and they get so slippery. I'd love to be able to ride safely to the store this winter instead doing the treacherous walk. My new bike has rack and fender mounts, and disc brakes. Everything I need to use it for errands all year.

I wonder what size tires to get? My bike has clearance for 700x38c tires with fenders. I haven't begun to look at studded tires. Any advice?