show me your winter bike!

[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?

[Melalvai]

If snow is a problem maybe you need a bike snow plow.

[lph]

Love it

"It is like walking while pushing a baby stroller although in deep, wet snow it is like pushing a baby stroller carrying a 100 pound baby who is dragging his feet."

No tips on studded tires, I'm afraid, I only "know" mtb tires.

[DebW]

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?

Check out Peter White. He has a good supply and good info. I have the Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 which is great for plowed roads with occassional ice.

[Eden]

I would say it depends on the terrain you live in and how/if they plow the streets.

When I lived in Rochester, NY - a very snowy place I bike commuted to college winter quarter once. Rochester was very cold and very snowy and very flat. The plowed the roads, but not actually to the pavement... (saves the plow blades to not have them scraping on the ground) As such all but the busiest roads had a somewhat permanent several inch thick coat of very hard packed snow/ice on them at all times. It was actually as easy to ride on as pavement. I changed out my tires for knobby cross tires (I had a Trek 420 at the time) and that was just fine. I don't recall having any problems riding - the only fright I had, had nothing to do with the snow... It was when the golf course deer jumped out in front of me...

I don't recall if Rochester used salt. I'm thinking they did not - they wanted that layer of snow to stay on the roads, and I don't remember having to clean my bike a lot.

[redrhodie]

Check out Peter White. He has a good supply and good info. I have the Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 which is great for plowed roads with occassional ice.

Thanks! Those are now at the top of the list. Looks like each tire has pros and cons, and is great for specific conditions. I'm guessing I'd best get a good all a rounder.

I would say it depends on the terrain you live in and how/if they plow the streets.

When I lived in Rochester, NY - a very snowy place I bike commuted to college winter quarter once. Rochester was very cold and very snowy and very flat. The plowed the roads, but not actually to the pavement... (saves the plow blades to not have them scraping on the ground) As such all but the busiest roads had a somewhat permanent several inch thick coat of very hard packed snow/ice on them at all times. It was actually as easy to ride on as pavement. I changed out my tires for knobby cross tires (I had a Trek 420 at the time) and that was just fine. I don't recall having any problems riding - the only fright I had, had nothing to do with the snow... It was when the golf course deer jumped out in front of me...

I don't recall if Rochester used salt. I'm thinking they did not - they wanted that layer of snow to stay on the roads, and I don't remember having to clean my bike a lot.

I think they plow the same here, leaving that layer. It's not as cold here as Rochester, but we get a lot of melting/refreezing, lots of ice and ruts especially on the corners. Lots of slushy days, too.

One thing New England is famous for is changeable weather, so I know anything is possible. Of course, now that I'm doing this, I should expect the warmest winter on record. That would be typical (but awesome, too).