phantomcow2
Well i think all of us in the Northeast of the US can agree, winter has come.
At what temperature do you say it is simply too cold to ride?
At what temperature do you say it is simply too cold to ride?
At what temperature is it simply too cold to ride?
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Machka
Don't know ... I haven't encountered that temperature yet.
... and I've ridden at -40C/F.
... and I've ridden at -40C/F.
rajman
While I think you are definitely way tougher than I am, Machka (my personal best ride is -21 celsius), I have found that it is remarkable what I have been able to do.
I used to think that I wouldn't want to ride below 5 celsius or so, but last year I rode through february and march in Toronto and got used to it, going down to about -5 degrees.
This year I have been pushing the envelope to where -10 doesn't seem like such a big deal. I'm not certain I'll get used to -20, even for a short ride, but you never know.
I have definitely been enjoying it, but I have one comment. Don't even try the really frigid conditions without the proper equipment - see the what I wore today thread for suggestions. I was caught a few times with inadequate gloves and/or socks for a sudden drop in temperature. Definitely a miserable experience.
I used to think that I wouldn't want to ride below 5 celsius or so, but last year I rode through february and march in Toronto and got used to it, going down to about -5 degrees.
This year I have been pushing the envelope to where -10 doesn't seem like such a big deal. I'm not certain I'll get used to -20, even for a short ride, but you never know.
I have definitely been enjoying it, but I have one comment. Don't even try the really frigid conditions without the proper equipment - see the what I wore today thread for suggestions. I was caught a few times with inadequate gloves and/or socks for a sudden drop in temperature. Definitely a miserable experience.
Roody
I wonder at what temperature would the machine itself give out -- the metal, plastic, rubber, lubes, etc.? What would be the first component or substance to go? Would uneven contraction of different materials be a factor -- like metal bolts in carbon fiber, or whatever?
I mean a standard or stock bike.
I mean a standard or stock bike.
Machka
I wonder at what temperature would the machine itself give out -- the metal, plastic, rubber, lubes, etc.? What would be the first component or substance to go? Would uneven contraction of different materials be a factor -- like metal bolts in carbon fiber, or whatever?
I mean a standard or stock bike.
Well, at about -20C/-4F things start to freeze up. Basically, I've had to pick a gear within the first half hour out there because that's the gear I'll be stuck with for the rest of the ride. And at about -30C/-20F, the brakes start to freeze up too. I've done a few rides with only one brake, and that one only working half-heartedly at best. I have developed the habit of stopping with my feet!! :D
I clean as much of the lube off my bicycle (chain and things) before it gets cold, and if I use any it is a light spritz of WD40 or chainsaw oil (rated down to -40). But lube inside the bicycle (like in bearings and so on) does get pretty stiff when it is cold. Your bicycle will move like an old tank!! :D So I guess I'd say that the lube is the first thing to go ... it'll be the first one you'll notice.
So far, I have never had anything break off, but I have talked to others I knew in Winnipeg who have told me their plastic bits have snapped at around -30C/-20F to -40C/F. One friend of mine had plastic downtube shifters on one of his bicycles, and snapped the shifter right off. So I'd have to say that plastic would be the next to go.
But then most Canadians know about plastic ... think back to Christmas time as a child. Your parents load up the car with presents and make the drive out to Grandma's house in -30 to -40 weather. When you get to Grandma's house, your parents will tell you to wait till the presents thaw a bit before opening them, because the plastic parts can snap.
Rubber gets hard, but then you'll be riding with slightly flattened tires anyway so that'll add to the flexibility.
As for metal, that part of the bicycle will be just fine. Metal isn't affected by temps like -40. You'd have to get much colder than that! After all, airplanes tolerate much colder temps. It will, however, be very cold to the touch and you shouldn't try to lick your bicycle. You're tongue will stick!! :p
I mean a standard or stock bike.
Well, at about -20C/-4F things start to freeze up. Basically, I've had to pick a gear within the first half hour out there because that's the gear I'll be stuck with for the rest of the ride. And at about -30C/-20F, the brakes start to freeze up too. I've done a few rides with only one brake, and that one only working half-heartedly at best. I have developed the habit of stopping with my feet!! :D
I clean as much of the lube off my bicycle (chain and things) before it gets cold, and if I use any it is a light spritz of WD40 or chainsaw oil (rated down to -40). But lube inside the bicycle (like in bearings and so on) does get pretty stiff when it is cold. Your bicycle will move like an old tank!! :D So I guess I'd say that the lube is the first thing to go ... it'll be the first one you'll notice.
So far, I have never had anything break off, but I have talked to others I knew in Winnipeg who have told me their plastic bits have snapped at around -30C/-20F to -40C/F. One friend of mine had plastic downtube shifters on one of his bicycles, and snapped the shifter right off. So I'd have to say that plastic would be the next to go.
But then most Canadians know about plastic ... think back to Christmas time as a child. Your parents load up the car with presents and make the drive out to Grandma's house in -30 to -40 weather. When you get to Grandma's house, your parents will tell you to wait till the presents thaw a bit before opening them, because the plastic parts can snap.
Rubber gets hard, but then you'll be riding with slightly flattened tires anyway so that'll add to the flexibility.
As for metal, that part of the bicycle will be just fine. Metal isn't affected by temps like -40. You'd have to get much colder than that! After all, airplanes tolerate much colder temps. It will, however, be very cold to the touch and you shouldn't try to lick your bicycle. You're tongue will stick!! :p
ieatrats
My rule of thumb was that colder than -25C was pushing my luck, but I've done it fairly routinely for the few weeks it's that cold daily here.
One day at about -30C with 30 or 40 km/h winds at night, one of those clear black sky nights where the normally not visible stars are pinpricks of white, I realized why I had this rule of thumb - when you can't feel your hands enough to know whether or not you're braking until the brake engages, it doesn't feel very good. And I've got a pretty short commute, maybe 8 or 9 kms.
I've only had to deal with that once though. The worst was a half an hour of throbbing and squelching pain in my hands and feet as they came back to normal inside. I couldn't remove my gloves or boots, and just stood there for about 15 minutes.
My commuters are always sluggish though, so I kind of can't tell how much cold affects the grease.
I've heard people complain of seizing freewheel pawls, but it only happened to me when it was frozen I think.
Biggest problem for me is brake cables, though I had some luck last year, running little rubber sleeves at the ends and filling them with chain lube lasted the winter.
I also have indoor bike parking at work though, so my bike is dry to start both ways.
One day at about -30C with 30 or 40 km/h winds at night, one of those clear black sky nights where the normally not visible stars are pinpricks of white, I realized why I had this rule of thumb - when you can't feel your hands enough to know whether or not you're braking until the brake engages, it doesn't feel very good. And I've got a pretty short commute, maybe 8 or 9 kms.
I've only had to deal with that once though. The worst was a half an hour of throbbing and squelching pain in my hands and feet as they came back to normal inside. I couldn't remove my gloves or boots, and just stood there for about 15 minutes.
My commuters are always sluggish though, so I kind of can't tell how much cold affects the grease.
I've heard people complain of seizing freewheel pawls, but it only happened to me when it was frozen I think.
Biggest problem for me is brake cables, though I had some luck last year, running little rubber sleeves at the ends and filling them with chain lube lasted the winter.
I also have indoor bike parking at work though, so my bike is dry to start both ways.
fruitless
Someone I work with told me that somewhere in the -50s he tried riding his bike and the tubes shattered, he is an honest man and I believe him.
Machka
I've heard people complain of seizing freewheel pawls, but it only happened to me when it was frozen I think.
I'm a little hazy on certain aspects of my bicycle mechanics, but would that basically turn the bicycle into a fixed gear (direct drive)?
If so, that has happened to me on a couple occasions on very cold days.
I'm a little hazy on certain aspects of my bicycle mechanics, but would that basically turn the bicycle into a fixed gear (direct drive)?
If so, that has happened to me on a couple occasions on very cold days.
sers
i park my bike in a bike cage that's located one of the parking garages at my work. while it's warmer than outside, i'm pretty sure that my tire pressure drops enough to make the ride home more sluggish than the ride there, since i keep my bike indoors overnight. Temps have dropped into the low 20's F as of late.
Daily Commute
Well, at about -20C/-4F things start to freeze up. Basically, I've had to pick a gear within the first half hour out there because that's the gear I'll be stuck with for the rest of the ride. And at about -30C/-20F, the brakes start to freeze up too. I've done a few rides with only one brake, and that one only working half-heartedly at best. I have developed the habit of stopping with my feet!! :D . . .
Although I'm a big fan of gears and the free wheel, a fixed wheel starts to become practical in temperatures signifcantly below 0F. The fixed wheel frees you from a lot of stuff that can freeze.
On the thread's topic, my coldest ride was -1F/0F/+1F depending on which web site I looked at. My biggest weaknesses are my fingers. I keep buying better gloves (most recently from a ski shop that assued me the gloves would be fine sub-zero F), but in <15F weather, I have to stop every 10 minutes to warm up my fingers.
Although I'm a big fan of gears and the free wheel, a fixed wheel starts to become practical in temperatures signifcantly below 0F. The fixed wheel frees you from a lot of stuff that can freeze.
On the thread's topic, my coldest ride was -1F/0F/+1F depending on which web site I looked at. My biggest weaknesses are my fingers. I keep buying better gloves (most recently from a ski shop that assued me the gloves would be fine sub-zero F), but in <15F weather, I have to stop every 10 minutes to warm up my fingers.
Albany-12303
When I take my Nishiki (with Campy Free-Hub) into the cold (less than -5 C), my rear cassette begins to move forward without any resistance, almost causing me a few face-plants. Could be a lock-ring thats affected by the cold.
My other bikes dont have this problem.
My other bikes dont have this problem.
Joe1946
I rode today with temps in the 20's with 15-30mph winds and got too hot because I should have left the vents open on my Giro Ravine snow sports helmet. Snow blew off an open field onto the road I was on and I came to a stop because there was no shoulder there and a cement truck was coming from behind and a vehicle coming the other way. While I waited for him to pass I built up so much heat that my Uvex Supersonic S goggles fogged up and after I wipped them dry they still fogged up so I rode without them on. I was also using a PolarWrap mask that works great but was like a sauna when I stopped.
I am sure I can ride at 5 below with no wind and that is as cold as I have seen it in the last ten years here in central NJ. People asked me today if it's too cold to ride a bike and I told them it's not the cold but the clueless drivers on the road that I worry about . I am sure most of you winter bike commuters know what I'am talking about. :D
Joe
I am sure I can ride at 5 below with no wind and that is as cold as I have seen it in the last ten years here in central NJ. People asked me today if it's too cold to ride a bike and I told them it's not the cold but the clueless drivers on the road that I worry about . I am sure most of you winter bike commuters know what I'am talking about. :D
Joe
chipcom
When 'little willy' gets froze to your shorts, it's too cold to ride.
Pampusik
I noticed that at about -42C/F, lubricated parts start to freeze up, tires readily go flat, and brakes become completely useless.
chuckfox
I have not found my lower limit. So far -5F actual is no problem, still able to shift, brake etc. The shifting is slower, but still ok. I've not noticed any material failure problems and my winter bike has made it throught three winters now of commuting every day. That said it's a pretty nice mountain bike, with a titanium frame and Shimano XT componentry. I've heard about frozen pawls in freewheels, my understanding of what happens is the pawls don't engage the freewheel due to the grease thickening/solidifying so the bike is in "neutral" you can turn the pedals, but they don't turn the wheel--but, I've never experienced that problem.
Below about 20F gloves don't cut it for me and I switch to lobster style mittens, then my fingers are fine. On my feet I wear boots with 800gram Thinsulate and I use those huge spikey BMX pedals. I'm actually pretty comfy even at -5F. My commute is 6 mi one way--at the slow pace I ride this time of year it takes about 30min. So far no problems with little willy freezing to my shorts!
Below about 20F gloves don't cut it for me and I switch to lobster style mittens, then my fingers are fine. On my feet I wear boots with 800gram Thinsulate and I use those huge spikey BMX pedals. I'm actually pretty comfy even at -5F. My commute is 6 mi one way--at the slow pace I ride this time of year it takes about 30min. So far no problems with little willy freezing to my shorts!
Dutchy
If it's wet then 8ºC for me. Thankfully that only happens on a Winters morning. I have ridden in -2ºC and that is too cold, my ears and face were numb.
Living down here the cold is the least of our problems, the Summers can be quite hard though, and they seem to be getting hotter. If you don't ride in 35º+ then you won't get much daytime riding done for a few months. Skin cancer is a major concern here.
And as for all those people that ride in that mysterious white stuff......FORGET IT!! Are you insane?:D
CHEERS.
Mark
Living down here the cold is the least of our problems, the Summers can be quite hard though, and they seem to be getting hotter. If you don't ride in 35º+ then you won't get much daytime riding done for a few months. Skin cancer is a major concern here.
And as for all those people that ride in that mysterious white stuff......FORGET IT!! Are you insane?:D
CHEERS.
Mark
GGDub
If it's wet then 8ºC for me. Thankfully that only happens on a Winters morning. I have ridden in -2ºC and that is too cold, my ears and face were numb.
Living down here the cold is the least of our problems, the Summers can be quite hard though, and they seem to be getting hotter. If you don't ride in 35º+ then you won't get much daytime riding done for a few months. Skin cancer is a major concern here.
And as for all those people that ride in that mysterious white stuff......FORGET IT!! Are you insane?:D
CHEERS.
Mark
That's the beauty of riding in very-sub zero temps, there's no such thing as a wet ride. -39c is my record. No freewheel locking, but the derailleur won't move and the layer of frost on the rims makes the brakes useless. BTW, your lockring has nothing to do with the freehub seizing, it just holds the cassette on there.
Living down here the cold is the least of our problems, the Summers can be quite hard though, and they seem to be getting hotter. If you don't ride in 35º+ then you won't get much daytime riding done for a few months. Skin cancer is a major concern here.
And as for all those people that ride in that mysterious white stuff......FORGET IT!! Are you insane?:D
CHEERS.
Mark
That's the beauty of riding in very-sub zero temps, there's no such thing as a wet ride. -39c is my record. No freewheel locking, but the derailleur won't move and the layer of frost on the rims makes the brakes useless. BTW, your lockring has nothing to do with the freehub seizing, it just holds the cassette on there.
sydney_b
I'm not sure. This last week it's been -18/-22 C, and it's been ok so long as I've good layering. My commute isn't that long though -- only about 6.5 miles. However, with all the snow we've had and ice, I can't go very fast, so the trip takes me 45/50 min instead of the 30/35. My bike is performing OK, although I'm not shifting much, basically set it to the desired gear as I leave the garage. Brakes are still working ok as far as I can tell.
dobber
For me it's not so much a physical limitation (I've done the commute at -20°F) but psychological. It's pretty easy to succumb and cross over to the caged side at o-dark thirty on a crispy sub zero morning.
Corsaire
Any temperature is good to ride as long as these two factors are in place:
1) Right bike for the road
2) Proper gear for that weather
It's not bad weather, but wrong gear and clothing.
Corsaire :)
1) Right bike for the road
2) Proper gear for that weather
It's not bad weather, but wrong gear and clothing.
Corsaire :)
SaskCyclist
I think it is too cold to ride when I compromise my safety. I have the gear and the brass balls to go to the coldest mother nature can dish out (here that is around -40). But if on that fatefull morning, if there are other extenuating circumstances that seem just too risky I will bus it. Last year the low was -34C. This year was -29C so far and I have made a few improvements in my gear and so I hope to make it all the way through to spring.
As time passes, the colder it gets I find the following components start to disfunction in this order.
1)Rear derailler freezes up.
2)Prawls on the free wheel are sometimes stuck engaged or disengaged depending on howwhen I need to stop.
3)no flexibility (suspension) in the tires
4)Front derailler freezes up.
5)Brakes are useless.
So I would say that cables are affected first, followed by lub, then plastic, then rubber. On the real cold days I only use what is absolutely necessary because stuff tends to break.
As time passes, the colder it gets I find the following components start to disfunction in this order.
1)Rear derailler freezes up.
2)Prawls on the free wheel are sometimes stuck engaged or disengaged depending on howwhen I need to stop.
3)no flexibility (suspension) in the tires
4)Front derailler freezes up.
5)Brakes are useless.
So I would say that cables are affected first, followed by lub, then plastic, then rubber. On the real cold days I only use what is absolutely necessary because stuff tends to break.
librarian
As time passes, the colder it gets I find the following components start to disfunction in this order.
2)Prawls on the free wheel are sometimes stuck engaged or disengaged depending on howwhen I need to stop.
So what can we do about pawls being stuck? I finally realized what was happening when I was pedaling and nothing engaged. It happened a couple of times yesterday (20 degrees) but they always clicked in again. It made me real skittish about standing when I was climbing the bridge on the way home.
2)Prawls on the free wheel are sometimes stuck engaged or disengaged depending on howwhen I need to stop.
So what can we do about pawls being stuck? I finally realized what was happening when I was pedaling and nothing engaged. It happened a couple of times yesterday (20 degrees) but they always clicked in again. It made me real skittish about standing when I was climbing the bridge on the way home.
thenathanator
But lube inside the bicycle (like in bearings and so on) does get pretty stiff when it is cold. Your bicycle will move like an old tank!!
ooh... that explains it. This is my first winter to be out and riding. It was below freezing today, I went out about 3 miles and on the way back my bike felt like it was slowing down. It didn't even occur to me that my bike could be freezing. :p
ooh... that explains it. This is my first winter to be out and riding. It was below freezing today, I went out about 3 miles and on the way back my bike felt like it was slowing down. It didn't even occur to me that my bike could be freezing. :p
alanbikehouston
When I was around 14, and living in the "Great White North", I used a Schwinn Typhoon to deliver papers at 5 a.m. when the temperature was ten below zero. A simple one speed bike with coaster brakes worked well at that temperature, as long as the road had been plowed.
But, living in Houston, my blood has gotten thin. This afternoon, the "Real Feel" temperature outside is about 25 degrees with winds of 15 mph to 25 mph. Somehow, I'm thinking I won't be riding today.
Saturday, a "heat wave" should bring temperatures back above fifty degrees...that I can handle.
But, living in Houston, my blood has gotten thin. This afternoon, the "Real Feel" temperature outside is about 25 degrees with winds of 15 mph to 25 mph. Somehow, I'm thinking I won't be riding today.
Saturday, a "heat wave" should bring temperatures back above fifty degrees...that I can handle.
2manybikes
So what can we do about pawls being stuck? I finally realized what was happening when I was pedaling and nothing engaged. It happened a couple of times yesterday (20 degrees) but they always clicked in again. It made me real skittish about standing when I was climbing the bridge on the way home.
1) clean most of the grease out of the freewheel or free hub, clean it until the pawls are quite clean. This means taking the freewheel or free hub apart.
2) Ride a fixed gear bike.
1) clean most of the grease out of the freewheel or free hub, clean it until the pawls are quite clean. This means taking the freewheel or free hub apart.
2) Ride a fixed gear bike.
As You Like It
My RD froze today. It was 7F according to the radio. I seriously hope my freehub doesn't freeze. That would completely blow.
To date 7F is the coldest I have ridden. We'll see how I hold up. I was okay today. Knobbies made my life a lot better today.
I still don't get people who *like* winter riding. I can do it, and I am doing it, and I aim to keep on keeping on, but I have a suspicion that I'll never *love* it, simply tolerate and manage.
To date 7F is the coldest I have ridden. We'll see how I hold up. I was okay today. Knobbies made my life a lot better today.
I still don't get people who *like* winter riding. I can do it, and I am doing it, and I aim to keep on keeping on, but I have a suspicion that I'll never *love* it, simply tolerate and manage.
slvoid
I used to condense oxygen out of the air with soda cans full of liquid nitrogen. So somewhere around that temperature where you can no longer extract gaseous oxygen out of the air, I'd recommend y'all, especially machka, to just give it up.
Machka
My RD froze today. It was 7F according to the radio. I seriously hope my freehub doesn't freeze. That would completely blow.
To date 7F is the coldest I have ridden. We'll see how I hold up. I was okay today. Knobbies made my life a lot better today.
I still don't get people who *like* winter riding. I can do it, and I am doing it, and I aim to keep on keeping on, but I have a suspicion that I'll never *love* it, simply tolerate and manage.
The chances of your freehub freezing at 7F is quite slim!!
As for liking riding in the cold ... it's the CHALLENGE!! And the look on people's faces. :D
Where I used to work, I parked my bicycle right outside my window. The day I rode to work at -40C/F, someone came into my office and started up with the, "I bet you didn't ride today" speal ... then stopped and looked out my window and around my office. There was my bicycle outside, and there was all my cold weather gear scattered around my office!! :D :D
To date 7F is the coldest I have ridden. We'll see how I hold up. I was okay today. Knobbies made my life a lot better today.
I still don't get people who *like* winter riding. I can do it, and I am doing it, and I aim to keep on keeping on, but I have a suspicion that I'll never *love* it, simply tolerate and manage.
The chances of your freehub freezing at 7F is quite slim!!
As for liking riding in the cold ... it's the CHALLENGE!! And the look on people's faces. :D
Where I used to work, I parked my bicycle right outside my window. The day I rode to work at -40C/F, someone came into my office and started up with the, "I bet you didn't ride today" speal ... then stopped and looked out my window and around my office. There was my bicycle outside, and there was all my cold weather gear scattered around my office!! :D :D
jeff williams
I'd recommend y'all, especially machka, to just give it up.
She's twice the man with no loose ball bearings to freeze!
She's twice the man with no loose ball bearings to freeze!
Machka
I used to condense oxygen out of the air with soda cans full of liquid nitrogen. So somewhere around that temperature where you can no longer extract gaseous oxygen out of the air, I'd recommend y'all, especially machka, to just give it up.
And what temperature is that?
Really though, after about -30C, there's no real difference in how it feels ... there are just more ice crystals in the air. I've experienced temps down into the -50C range when I lived up north, although I wasn't cycling back then.
And what temperature is that?
Really though, after about -30C, there's no real difference in how it feels ... there are just more ice crystals in the air. I've experienced temps down into the -50C range when I lived up north, although I wasn't cycling back then.
slvoid
Liquid nitrogen is -200C/-320F. LOx is -180C/-300F, at which point if you haven't frozen to death yet, you'd be drowning... So I guess yes, even you will have a limit to how cold it can be before you stop riding in and just take the submarine to work.
Sure made for fun fireworks when you held a soda can full of liquid nitrogen over a grill and watched it flare up as it dripped.
Sure made for fun fireworks when you held a soda can full of liquid nitrogen over a grill and watched it flare up as it dripped.
2manybikes
Liquid nitrogen is -200C/-320F. LOx is -180C/-300F, at which point if you haven't frozen to death yet, you'd be drowning... So I guess yes, even you will have a limit to how cold it can be before you stop riding in and just take the submarine to work.
Sure made for fun fireworks when you held a soda can full of liquid nitrogen over a grill and watched it flare up as it dripped.
Machka can probably ride a century below absolute zero. :)
Sure made for fun fireworks when you held a soda can full of liquid nitrogen over a grill and watched it flare up as it dripped.
Machka can probably ride a century below absolute zero. :)
slvoid
A certain episode of the X-Files told me that she could also travel back in time too. Only she has to stay in a tub of water to avoid spontaneously combusting.
Machka
A certain episode of the X-Files told me that she could also travel back in time too. Only she has to stay in a tub of water to avoid spontaneously combusting.
Uh oh!! My secret is out!! :roflmao:
I WISH!! Could you imagine ... I would have started cycling so much earlier than I did!!
Uh oh!! My secret is out!! :roflmao:
I WISH!! Could you imagine ... I would have started cycling so much earlier than I did!!
2manybikes
Uh oh!! My secret is out!! :roflmao:
I WISH!! Could you imagine ... I would have started cycling so much earlier than I did!!
Should one wear padded bike shorts under the space/time travel suit?
If I had a time machine I could beat slvoid on a century ride.
I WISH!! Could you imagine ... I would have started cycling so much earlier than I did!!
Should one wear padded bike shorts under the space/time travel suit?
If I had a time machine I could beat slvoid on a century ride.
slvoid
How about you just ride faster. :p
2manybikes
How about you just ride faster. :p
:lol:
I'm just finishing my first century !
It was a recovery day!
My back brake was rubing!
I had a flat !
I took a wrong turn !
There was a flood !
:lol:
I'm just finishing my first century !
It was a recovery day!
My back brake was rubing!
I had a flat !
I took a wrong turn !
There was a flood !
Machka
Should one wear padded bike shorts under the space/time travel suit?
If I had a time machine I could beat slvoid on a century ride.
Yes, of course!! The padded bike shorts are just a given!
There are many times during the long rides I do where I wish I had some sort of time machine or time control. :rolleyes:
If I had a time machine I could beat slvoid on a century ride.
Yes, of course!! The padded bike shorts are just a given!
There are many times during the long rides I do where I wish I had some sort of time machine or time control. :rolleyes:
2manybikes
Yes, of course!! The padded bike shorts are just a given!
There are many times during the long rides I do where I wish I had some sort of time machine or time control. :rolleyes:
I would go back to when I was more fit, but I would bring the bike that I could not afford then. Boy would I be happy. Then slvoid would not have a chance. :D
There are many times during the long rides I do where I wish I had some sort of time machine or time control. :rolleyes:
I would go back to when I was more fit, but I would bring the bike that I could not afford then. Boy would I be happy. Then slvoid would not have a chance. :D
melianis
My current winter driving limit is -5 - 5F, depending on how windy it is...
HereNT
I've heard people complain of seizing freewheel pawls, but it only happened to me when it was frozen I think.
I'm a little hazy on certain aspects of my bicycle mechanics, but would that basically turn the bicycle into a fixed gear (direct drive)?
If so, that has happened to me on a couple occasions on very cold days.
OK, after hitting the reply button, I read a couple of other posts to this thread saying that when their pawls froze, they had no engagement. That changes my reply entirely. I was GOING to say how that would help someone that was used to riding a fix have a much better ride, except for the fact that they'd probably blow up their deraileurs when trying to backpedal instead of using frozen brakes....
As far as the original question - I still haven't found that point. I'm also not completely sure what my coldest ride has been real temp wise. I have had grease freeze up on me and make everything slugish. I worry a lot more about the precip and the wind than I do about the temp. You can dress for the temp. I'm going to try to keep better track this year....
I'm a little hazy on certain aspects of my bicycle mechanics, but would that basically turn the bicycle into a fixed gear (direct drive)?
If so, that has happened to me on a couple occasions on very cold days.
OK, after hitting the reply button, I read a couple of other posts to this thread saying that when their pawls froze, they had no engagement. That changes my reply entirely. I was GOING to say how that would help someone that was used to riding a fix have a much better ride, except for the fact that they'd probably blow up their deraileurs when trying to backpedal instead of using frozen brakes....
As far as the original question - I still haven't found that point. I'm also not completely sure what my coldest ride has been real temp wise. I have had grease freeze up on me and make everything slugish. I worry a lot more about the precip and the wind than I do about the temp. You can dress for the temp. I'm going to try to keep better track this year....
CBBaron
I wonder at what temperature would the machine itself give out -- the metal, plastic, rubber, lubes, etc.? What would be the first component or substance to go? Would uneven contraction of different materials be a factor -- like metal bolts in carbon fiber, or whatever?
I mean a standard or stock bike.
A report of a central Alaskan ride that I read said that the tubes started falling apart below -40F to the point where below -50F they gave up replacing them. I guess the rubber became so inflexible that inflating the tires caused ruptures in the tubes. It was suggested that motorcycle tubes might solve this problem as those tubes would not have to expand to fill the tire.
My coldest ride has only been near 0F, but then Cleveland doesn't get too many days below 0. The same lake that dumps all the snow on us keeps the temps somewhat moderate.
Craig
I mean a standard or stock bike.
A report of a central Alaskan ride that I read said that the tubes started falling apart below -40F to the point where below -50F they gave up replacing them. I guess the rubber became so inflexible that inflating the tires caused ruptures in the tubes. It was suggested that motorcycle tubes might solve this problem as those tubes would not have to expand to fill the tire.
My coldest ride has only been near 0F, but then Cleveland doesn't get too many days below 0. The same lake that dumps all the snow on us keeps the temps somewhat moderate.
Craig
swwhite
When 'little willy' gets froze to your shorts, it's too cold to ride.
My Brother The Biker reports that he has had success in this situation with stuffing a sheet of bubble wrap down his pants, as a windbreak. I myself have gone out only as low as zero degress F.
My Brother The Biker reports that he has had success in this situation with stuffing a sheet of bubble wrap down his pants, as a windbreak. I myself have gone out only as low as zero degress F.
mattface
Much below -10º F (-23º C) I start to loose enthusiasm for cycling. I don't care about the bike parts, MY parts start freezing up. The legs don't want to climb the hils, and the face burns bad on the downhills. Anywhere between 20º F and -10º F though is pretty good, better than right around the freezing point where everything is wet and messy.
silk
To cold to ride....
Absolute 0, I just cant seem to keep the air in my tires when its this cold....
Absolute 0, I just cant seem to keep the air in my tires when its this cold....
naisme
I don't mind the below zero stuff if there is sunlight, or day light, but I've tried to do a 25 mile commute in -32F night ride home, and it was miserable, my fixed gear gave up the ghost. Actually what happened was the rear hub sort of froze up and the cone nuts tightened and it all caved in. I did do that ride in -5F. The lowest temp in day light was -15 F. I had to stop a couple times to stamp my feet and get the blood to the toes. It was a great commute.
I was really surprised by my ability to ride in the sub zero stuff. One thing I do watch is making sure I have my mouth covered, that I'm not sucking in that cold air. It's a great way to go Hypothermic, where the core body temp starts dropping because the air you're sucking in cools it.
It's all about layering.
I was really surprised by my ability to ride in the sub zero stuff. One thing I do watch is making sure I have my mouth covered, that I'm not sucking in that cold air. It's a great way to go Hypothermic, where the core body temp starts dropping because the air you're sucking in cools it.
It's all about layering.
Ken Cox
Most helicopters have cold temperature limitations of -45 F for flight and -40 F for starting.
My bike starts misbehaving at about 0 F.
The shifter cables develop so much resistance I worry about breaking something.
Since we have had consistent 0 F weather recently, and since I commute 26 miles round trip, I have looked into better cable housings.
I intend to have Avid Flak Jacket cables installed tomorrow.
My bike starts misbehaving at about 0 F.
The shifter cables develop so much resistance I worry about breaking something.
Since we have had consistent 0 F weather recently, and since I commute 26 miles round trip, I have looked into better cable housings.
I intend to have Avid Flak Jacket cables installed tomorrow.
garysol1
For me in this area (West TN) it is more the wind than the temp. I don't mind a nice sunny calm 25degree day but I won't ride when it is 35 and windy. The winter wind around here is merciless.
silversmith
I've worked outside for most of my adult life as a farmer and railroad switchman (hail to chuckfox! I lived in Ames for 10 years).
Until recently I was cocky about my experience and ability to cope with cold weather. I had confidence in being able to sprint home (at 11:00 pm) in fairly light clothing relying on my legs to heat me up.
Then I had to head home into a nasty headwind and about 10 F. temperatures. I was ok until I had to stop just a mile into my ride and make a repair.
I was thouroughly chilled in the 10 minutes it took to get going again. I didn't realize I was in trouble until about a mile from my house. I started having difficulty keeping the bike straight (on a rural gravel road, no less) and finally had to get off the bike and walk the last quarter mile or so.
I'm 46. I'm very athletic and in good health and yet my muscles just plain gave out on me and I barely made it home.
10 degrees just didn't worry me.
I was a fool for not stashing enough clothes and a cell phone for an emergency. I won't make that mistake again.
Until recently I was cocky about my experience and ability to cope with cold weather. I had confidence in being able to sprint home (at 11:00 pm) in fairly light clothing relying on my legs to heat me up.
Then I had to head home into a nasty headwind and about 10 F. temperatures. I was ok until I had to stop just a mile into my ride and make a repair.
I was thouroughly chilled in the 10 minutes it took to get going again. I didn't realize I was in trouble until about a mile from my house. I started having difficulty keeping the bike straight (on a rural gravel road, no less) and finally had to get off the bike and walk the last quarter mile or so.
I'm 46. I'm very athletic and in good health and yet my muscles just plain gave out on me and I barely made it home.
10 degrees just didn't worry me.
I was a fool for not stashing enough clothes and a cell phone for an emergency. I won't make that mistake again.
david.l.k
It's never too cold to ride :D :D :D
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Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.
Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.