Cycling in snow
Discussion
markcp said:
Is that a cassette on the front wheel axle?!? wtf for, because they couldn't get a 135mm axle with wide flanges?Edit Wait a minute, it could work like a flip flop, ultra high narrow ratios on one wheel and ultra low narrow on the other, nah still crap!
Edited by OneDs on Friday 3rd December 10:31
They're designed so that the front and rear wheels are interchangeable. Means you have a backup in case of damage, though how useful that would be in reality, I don't know.
Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r79Auazbplo
Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r79Auazbplo
Edited by Uriel on Friday 3rd December 10:42
I bike 30 miles a day on my commute and after the first lot of snow I gingerly got home on my slicks. I promptly ordered some http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1217-schwalbe-tires-m... they're incredible. I live out in the sticks and my commute covers it all from the coast roads up steep country back roads and busy main roads into town and these tires inspire a confidence that's second to none.
Climbing up one hill going past an X5 that couldn't manage the snow and ice was a surprise to us both! The kudos that goes with being the mapped who still bikes in is good fun aswell. The great thing is once the ice and snow goes you can still use them through the colder months..
Climbing up one hill going past an X5 that couldn't manage the snow and ice was a surprise to us both! The kudos that goes with being the mapped who still bikes in is good fun aswell. The great thing is once the ice and snow goes you can still use them through the colder months..
I thought about it the first few days it snowed and decided against it. There is so much snow here (Edinburgh) that pavements are unridable. Riding on a slippy road that's wide enough for one car scares me. There's not much I shy away from on a bike but that just isn't a worthwhile risk while I have other options.
It's like the pedestrians walking in the road, of course the drivers are trying not to hit them but they are also trying not to get stuck. No one wants to stop to get past someone and block a whole street. A car trying to squeeze past or slipping on the snow/ice just seems like too much risk to be out on the bike at the moment for me.
It's like the pedestrians walking in the road, of course the drivers are trying not to hit them but they are also trying not to get stuck. No one wants to stop to get past someone and block a whole street. A car trying to squeeze past or slipping on the snow/ice just seems like too much risk to be out on the bike at the moment for me.
tried riding in last winter and came off twice on ice/frosted road - couldn't see it at all and couldn't stay on no matter what. slid for a long time too, both times out into the road. had there been anything coming behind, would have been curtains. Not worth the risk. If it was powder snow, then that would be better than ice on an mtb would be doable, but if there is a chance of ice you are far better off walking.
Been out and about on my SS, compacted ice was just horrible, even walking on it was a hard task!
Snow/Compacted snow but not ice was slippery by fine.
Black ice was... interesting... massive front end wash-out/understeer (or whatever the bikey term is) round a corner, just about caught it and managed to keep it upright. Was at about 15-20mph, could have been nasty! Made me think twice about riding on roads in such conditions.
Snow/Compacted snow but not ice was slippery by fine.
Black ice was... interesting... massive front end wash-out/understeer (or whatever the bikey term is) round a corner, just about caught it and managed to keep it upright. Was at about 15-20mph, could have been nasty! Made me think twice about riding on roads in such conditions.
- note to self, wear a helmet next time*
BliarOut said:
Sixteen miles in minus 10 this morning. Ya bunch of Gillians 
I'm with you! Try the studded tyres you wont be disappointed. I simply can't get over the grip they offer it's a shock. Only thing that causes me any issue is when cars have rutted the snow then it freezes hard. That takes a bit of concentration but black ice/sheet ice no problem it really takes some getting your head round your mind is screaming "slow down your going to die fool" yet the bike doesn't take off from under you. I've seen -12 so far and my eyelashes started to freeze together. Bit strange..
doodles19 said:
Been out and about on my SS, compacted ice was just horrible, even walking on it was a hard task!
Snow/Compacted snow but not ice was slippery by fine.
Black ice was... interesting... massive front end wash-out/understeer (or whatever the bikey term is) round a corner, just about caught it and managed to keep it upright. Was at about 15-20mph, could have been nasty! Made me think twice about riding on roads in such conditions.
Sounds like you were lucky, what if you hit another bit of ice in mid-wobble? Not just the impact from falling off you need to think about, its the potential car behind locking up on the same ice when it sees you fall off and then going straight over you - no helmet is going to save you then. Unless your commute is off road or on very quiet roads, I wouldn't risk it when there is ice about (unless you have nice deep snow which is quite grippy with the right tyres on), even on gritted roads it is a massive lottery whether it has all been gritted or with some of the temps experienced lately if it will do its job.Snow/Compacted snow but not ice was slippery by fine.
Black ice was... interesting... massive front end wash-out/understeer (or whatever the bikey term is) round a corner, just about caught it and managed to keep it upright. Was at about 15-20mph, could have been nasty! Made me think twice about riding on roads in such conditions.
- note to self, wear a helmet next time*
zebedee said:
doodles19 said:
Been out and about on my SS, compacted ice was just horrible, even walking on it was a hard task!
Snow/Compacted snow but not ice was slippery by fine.
Black ice was... interesting... massive front end wash-out/understeer (or whatever the bikey term is) round a corner, just about caught it and managed to keep it upright. Was at about 15-20mph, could have been nasty! Made me think twice about riding on roads in such conditions.
Sounds like you were lucky, what if you hit another bit of ice in mid-wobble? Not just the impact from falling off you need to think about, its the potential car behind locking up on the same ice when it sees you fall off and then going straight over you - no helmet is going to save you then. Unless your commute is off road or on very quiet roads, I wouldn't risk it when there is ice about (unless you have nice deep snow which is quite grippy with the right tyres on), even on gritted roads it is a massive lottery whether it has all been gritted or with some of the temps experienced lately if it will do its job.Snow/Compacted snow but not ice was slippery by fine.
Black ice was... interesting... massive front end wash-out/understeer (or whatever the bikey term is) round a corner, just about caught it and managed to keep it upright. Was at about 15-20mph, could have been nasty! Made me think twice about riding on roads in such conditions.
- note to self, wear a helmet next time*
Might be beneficial to leave the bike at home next time, leave earlier and walk!
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