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).

[Selkie]

Here's what I ride when the weather is really snotty.

Watch out for those escalators, 7!!

[redrhodie]

Here's Princess Ice Boogie, aka Molasses. I've had her about a week now. I've ridden her in snow twice, the first time was at night, and I found $20 in the street, under the slush. Good thing about headlights! That ride was nice and easy, freshly falling snow. It was too slippery to drive or walk (I slid into a curb earlier in the day in my car) but the bike was the way to go.

Yesterday I rode her in just about the worst road conditions we ever get. We had blizzard the day before, about a foot of snow, and there were still 30-40 mph winds gusting when I rode. The streets were really sloppy with ruts and grooves, since everyone was shoveling their sidewalks, and all that extra snow ended up in huge mounds in the street. I forgot to lower my tire pressure, so it was dicey. It was a bit much for me at this point, but I know I'll do it again once I'm more comfortable in snow. I want to try it with around 40 psi and see how it feels. I was at about 80 psi, so my tires were pretty hard.

I ended up getting Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires, which seem pretty great, but I have nothing to compare them to. I made my shop guy ride her, and he liked them so much he's going to get them for his bike. I love the disc brakes. I love the Sram hoods and levers. All this is new to me, and I'm happy with my choices.

I have had so much fun on her so far. She's opening a whole new world of eccentricity! Once her crazy panniers are installed, she'll be very colorful.

[Atlas]

What a beauty!

So far I'm still riding my Cross Check because we haven't had time to build up my winter bike. Nick has a no-name frame single-speed spray painted hot pink, with studded tires and fenders. That bike can go anywhere. He also has a Pugsley, but it's for winter ultramarathons, not commuting.

[Catrin]

...Yesterday I rode her in just about the worst road conditions we ever get. We had blizzard the day before, about a foot of snow, and there were still 30-40 mph winds gusting when I rode. The streets were really sloppy with ruts and grooves, since everyone was shoveling their sidewalks, and all that extra snow ended up in huge mounds in the street. I forgot to lower my tire pressure, so it was dicey. It was a bit much for me at this point, but I know I'll do it again once I'm more comfortable in snow. I want to try it with around 40 psi and see how it feels. I was at about 80 psi, so my tires were pretty hard...

Red - you are hardcore and just plain rock! You rode your bike the day after a blizzard AND in 30-40 mph gusting winds You are a much stronger woman than I, and it sounds like you had fun! Beautiful ride you have there, and please remember to post a picture once you install her panniers!

[redrhodie]

If I knew any better I wouldn't have ridden yesterday. I only went to the store, less than a mile each way, just to test her out in real snow. I saw one other cyclist, and he was walking his bike. I ended up walking many of the corners because they were too rutted and slippery. I know once I have the technique figured out, it will be less scary. The bike was all over the place. I was sure I was going to fall, but I didn't, probably because I was quick to dismount and walk through the scary parts.

I've done more research today, and read about bringing my weight back, keeping a slow and even pace, and taking wide turns. My tire pressure was too high. It was a learning experience.

Ice has been fun. I love the studded tires. I even love the sound they make. I sound like a truck. People turn to see what's coming, and it's me! It's pretty funny to see their reaction.

[out_spokin']

Sweet! That's a great looking bike & build, and amazing tales of being out there already. I'm still learning NOT to put so much pressure in all my tires, 'perfect roads roadie mode' is hard to overcome for other kinds of riding.

Way to go!