Winter Cycling (Snow)

HivemindXX

Ok, so hopefully we won't have any snow for a while but I'll have forgotten about this link by then...

Winter Biking in Minneapolis (found via http://www.cyclelicio.us/)

Some good tips on how to handle the snow and also some interesting things that make me pretty jealous. A special number (311) to call if you notice problems with the cycling infrastructure? All Metro busses and trains have bike racks? Policy to clear all bike tracks of snow within 24 hours?

Note that Minneapolis does not even appear in the Copenhagenize list of top cycling cities.

Jawgap

"Ride in bare patches of pavement when possible.":eek:

Nice article - I like the concluding para

"Embrace winter. Our identity is shaped by our weather. Snow and cold temperatures add diversity and beauty to Minneapolis. Riding a bicycle in the winter can be exhilarating and practical. It keeps you in good health, it’s good for the environment, it’s cheap, and at times, it’s even the fastest mode of travel."

Mickb

Get some of these:



I've a set new at home, just waiting for the right time to use them!!

MiCk B. :-)

Stollaire

Cable ties.

http://www.dutchbikeco.com/_blog/Dutch_Bike_Co_Weblog/post/Seattle_Snowpocalypse/

Pigeon Reaper

Studded tyres are great for Norway but not so good for the winter here. We don't get enough snow/ice to really justify the price and rolling resistance. I used them in Zurich they're not much use there as the roads get salted like here. However the swizz allow bikes on Buses and trams/trains which makes a difference as if it's really bad you just get a train home.
Last winter I commuted on a MTB with decent mud/snow tyres without problems, even on the frozen ice. You just need to keep an eye open for other traffic skidding. Does anyone know how to stop the drink in your bottle from freezing?

Lusk Doyle

What about one of these?

doozerie

Pigeon Reaper wrote:

Studded tyres are great for Norway but not so good for the winter here. We don't get enough snow/ice to really justify the price and rolling resistance.

In general I agree that studded tyres are not so good for use in Ireland but I was glad of mine last winter as they allowed me to (commute) cycle on several days where other tyres would not have worked. Certain types of mushy snow got the better of them but they were excellent on packed ice (like on the hill up into my housing estate). I left mine on the bike until about March, partly 'cos of the prospect of icy mornings, partly 'cos the extra exercise of riding with these tyres on made me feel a little less bad about missing out on weekend spins on my road bike ...and partly 'cos I liked the noise they make on tarmac (sad but true).

If weather forecast/guesses are to be believed I expect to be putting them back on my MTB again some time within the next few months, unfortunately. Still, there is that noise to look forward to...

Pigeon Reaper

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

Does anyone know how to stop the drink in your bottle from freezing?

Add Vodka :pac:

MarcinG

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

Studded tyres are great for Norway but not so good for the winter here. We don't get enough snow/ice to really justify the price and rolling resistance.Does anyone know how to stop the drink in your bottle from freezing?

Hi. Keeping your drink in camel back under top layer of your clothes should do. Ps. you are right studded tyres may be good for ice, but are unnecessary for snow take look at this:
https://picasaweb.google.com/marcingooralski/KilkaStarychZdjatekZCzasowJakJeszczeMialemCzasNaRowerWsiasc#5140408974470988098
and following couple of pictures. Non of us had any extra tyres. bigger problem is cold air in your nose/mouth/over your face + constantly fogging glasses and lack of brakes if you don't have disc ones (rims got warm - melt snow which turns to ice after few sec and voila no brakes) + standard spd shoes aren't designed for low temperatures (i use to have huge PVC adidas overshoes and around 3 to 4 pairs of thick socks under them to keep me going for few h in temp. below -10/15 degrees).
Generally in Ireland i would bother only to get knobby tyres, warm overshoes/gloves and some rain gear except few frosty days (talking MTB of course).

Zorba

Stollaire wrote: »

Cable ties.

http://www.dutchbikeco.com/_blog/Dutch_Bike_Co_Weblog/post/Seattle_Snowpocalypse/

Looks good but has anyone actually tried this ?

MarcinG

Zorba wrote: »

Looks good but has anyone actually tried this ?

I saw it on few road (edit: they proper name is rather cyclo cross? not sure but they sort of offroad hybrid of road bike) bikes in Poland but imagine replacing tube in winter conditions + in real winter temperatures I'm afraid most of those ties will crack due to stiffness.

Lumen

Studded tyres are perhaps overkill/unnecessary for a MTB where you can drop the pressures to almost nothing.

On a cross bike or hybrid running 35mm clinchers with inner tubes, studs make a big difference as you can't drop below 30-40psi for fear of pinch flats.

As for the climate, there are no crystal balls but IMO the last couple of winters justify keeping some studs in the shed.

Zorba

MarcinG wrote: »

I saw it on few road bikes in Poland but imagine replacing tube in winter conditions + in real winter temperatures I'm afraid most of those ties will crack due to stiffness.

Never actually thought about what to do if u get a puncture with those ties on

Lumen wrote: »

Studded tyres are perhaps overkill/unnecessary for a MTB where you can drop the pressures to almost nothing.

On a cross bike or hybrid running 35mm clinchers with inner tubes, studs make a big difference as you can't drop below 30-40psi for fear of pinch flats.

As for the climate, there are no crystal balls but IMO the last couple of winters justify keeping some studs in the shed.

Will see how bad it gets, investing in studded tires might be better that the dreaded turbo.

MarcinG

Zorba wrote: »

Never actually thought about what to do if u get a puncture with those ties on

Ps do not forget that they require disc brakes!

Zorba

MarcinG wrote: »

Ps do not forget that they require disc brakes!

Bugger, thought the brakes might get in the way alright.....

Turbo trainer it is then

seamus

Lumen wrote: »

Studded tyres are perhaps overkill/unnecessary for a MTB where you can drop the pressures to almost nothing.

This is fairly true. I ran 2.2" tyres at 30psi last year, and while it was a complete slog to ride it, there was little or no slipping on the ice, accelerating and braking was reliable and stable.
That said, I didn't risk taking any serious corners, but where I needed to turn it went without issue.

Still be inclined to go for studs though, for the added security.

Ziboo

Last winter I retired the bike for the worst of the icy weather, this year I bought studded tyres, but I am now wondering is about the pedals to use.

For many years I had used pedals with toe straps which I found easy to get in or out of, but I have recently switched to SPD pedals.
I'm just wondering if I would be better taking them off and going with the original pedals so I can get my feet to the ground easier when it is icy?

Pigeon Reaper

Ziboo wrote: »

I'm just wondering if I would be better taking them off and going with the original pedals so I can get my feet to the ground easier when it is icy?

Will the toe straps allow crampons? You will of course need to store the ice-axes along the top tube.

Last winter I used SPD without a problem.

MarcinG

Ziboo wrote: »

I'm just wondering if I would be better taking them off and going with the original pedals so I can get my feet to the ground easier when it is icy?

I would recommend to stick to SPD. Bad thing is cheap models of shimano have tendency to get blocked by muck and snow (never had problems with time atac). I spend good couple of strong polish winters on my mtb and had no accidents involving spd, but had quite couple without them (feet slipping of pedals while jumping over stairs/kerbs).

Tonyandthewhale

Used home-made studded tyres on my mountain bike last winter and was able to get around pretty much as normal, no falls or anything. What I'm wondering is do many people stay on road bikes all winter and does anyone have any experience of smaller ice-tyres (28mm-32mm)? I'm asking because my house-mate was asking would I help him make some home-made tyres for him this winter if things got bad but he's running 700c wheels on an old road bike. What do you reckon? Is this possible, more importantly is it safe?

manwithaplan

I ploughed on regardless last year on a hybrid with 35mm tyres on. I managed to stay upright and quite enjoyed the whole experience but the salt etc made ****e of the chain and cassette. I took them off and gave them the WD 40 treatment before cleaning and lubing. It did the trick but was a bit of a pain in the arse.

I'm buggered this year with my singlespeed and its 23mm rims.

cdaly_

I reckon I'm gonna have to nick my wife's bike with the 35mm tyres. That'll take the studs, my road bike won't fit them...

opinion guy

Stollaire wrote: »

Cable ties.

http://www.dutchbikeco.com/_blog/Dutch_Bike_Co_Weblog/post/Seattle_Snowpocalypse/

lol

It is at this point that I must admit that I didn't dream up this amazing technique. It pains me to admit this not because my ego suffers, but because the zip-tie-DIY-bicycle-snow-chains idea appears to have originated with my favorite bicycle industry whipping boy: fixed gear hipster culture. Several years ago, I'm sure, some bright child with extremely tight pants and an asymmetrical haircut had a genius-caliber idea, and I hate that it wasn't me. So here it is: Fixed gear street bike hipster guys, I'm sorry for the things I've said over the years. It's not true that the only drink you like is 4Loko. It's also not true that you're not allowed to wear shoes that don't match your bikes. You can wear whatever you want. And finally, you have come up with a good idea besides brightly colored deep-section rims.

Hipsters...:rolleyes:

cdaly_

cdaly_ wrote: »

I reckon I'm gonna have to nick my wife's bike with the 35mm tyres. That'll take the studs, my road bike won't fit them...

I did that last year with my gf's bike. So this year I got a bike that'll fit them

JMJR

Tonyandthewhale wrote: »

Used home-made studded tyres on my mountain bike last winter

did you go something like this:http://www.instructables.com/id/Pop-Rivet-Ice-Tires-for-Your-Road-Bike/

kumate_champ07

I used zip tyes on a 28mm rear, worked well but I'd lose a few every km.
I then bought a schwalbe 38mm studded tyre for my rear and that worked better, just ordered a 2nd studded tyre.

Im probably gonna build some wheels specifically for the bad weather with 26mm wide 700c rims, had great fun on the empty roads the last time