Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Snow Riding

Hey all. The weather just took a huge dump on Toronto and all this wet white stuff is everywhere. I was just wondering if anyone out there has suggestions for a winter/snow, setup that has worked for them. If so, please share? I'm talking tires, fenders, gear ratio, clothes etc.

Full fenders are a must-have. Just a world of difference. I've had the best luck with Planet Bike hardcores.

How do fenders help when you are slipping and sliding all over the place. My fixed gear sits out the snow and ice. Knobby mtn bike tires work fine in snow. Studs are great on ice--- safer than walking. I have crashed too many times with slick road tires on black ice, refreeze, etc. Unless you have clearance for studs, it probably isn't worth it.

Toronto fluctuates between snow, rain, slush, etc. so studs are a pain unless you're willing to swap tires often. I run 23cc slicks on my winter fixed with no problem in Toronto. They cut through the snow nicely, don't clog up, and the only thing that works on ice are studs as per filtersweep. Geared 42/16 although I could probably go lower. Full fenders are pretty much a must in TO, way too sloppy. Boots are currently under discussion in the Toronto fixed thread in Rides and Races.

How do fenders help when you are slipping and sliding all over the place.

Um, they help immensely in keeping the road slush off the rider, esp. your feet. They obviously don't help prevent slipping, but why wouldn't you want them?

If you're interested in studding your own tires (much cheaper, but time-intensive), there's a how-to here (http://www.silentsports.net/stud_your_own_bike_tires.html).

+1 ^^^

full fenders'd get packed with snow. get a clip on and one to clip to the downtube.

and skid any time you see a clear block or two....sooooo fun...

my winter setup pretty much....will prolly throw on my old no name rims...
fwiw ive ridden mtb and the bike below in winter...i actually prefer riding my fixed one over mtb for toronto winters.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2055648576_068d197381.jpg?v=0

We got a light dusting of snow last night. What was unfortunate for me was the fact that the road surface temperatures were still high enough to melt the snow upon contact. I rode through plenty of puddles early in the evening. On the way home, everything had frozen. I took a spill when I leaned into a turn a little too much. This morning I brought out the beater SS and put on the Hakke studs. Pretty soon, they're gonna salt the hell out of these roads because of the ice.

^^ obviously a pre-ride pic. :p

In Toronto, the full fender stuffed with snow is rare. We can get a lot of snow, but it tends to be more a slushy winter than a sticky-pack-your-fender/treads kind of thing. They also salt the bejeesus out of roads so road moosh tends to be the norm. I find full fenders make for a dryer ride than clip on partials, but any fender is better than no fender.

I wouldn't want them because they gunk up with snow. I use neopreme shoe covers to keep my feet dry.


Um, they help immensely in keeping the road slush off the rider, esp. your feet. They obviously don't help prevent slipping, but why wouldn't you want them?

If you're interested in studding your own tires (much cheaper, but time-intensive), there's a how-to here (http://www.silentsports.net/stud_your_own_bike_tires.html).

I swap wheels--- not tires. I don't like riding studs unless necessary. Some people ride them all winter around here-- makes no sense to me.


Toronto fluctuates between snow, rain, slush, etc. so studs are a pain unless you're willing to swap tires often. I run 23cc slicks on my winter fixed with no problem in Toronto. They cut through the snow nicely, don't clog up, and the only thing that works on ice are studs as per filtersweep. Geared 42/16 although I could probably go lower. Full fenders are pretty much a must in TO, way too sloppy. Boots are currently under discussion in the Toronto fixed thread in Rides and Races.

^^ obviously a pre-ride pic. :p


hahahaha or post ride...theres no way my wife is lettin it sit in the hall dripping wet ;)

^^ obviously a pre-ride pic. :p

In Toronto, the full fender stuffed with snow is rare. We can get a lot of snow, but it tends to be more a slushy winter than a sticky-pack-your-fender/treads kind of thing. They also salt the bejeesus out of roads so road moosh tends to be the norm. I find full fenders make for a dryer ride than clip on partials, but any fender is better than no fender.

I road all last winter except for -30 week. During that time, I remember TWO days of riding in deep actual snow. Other than that, it's slush of various depths.

fixed gears are awesome in da snow with all their traction and feedback

And EVERYONE has white deep v's in the winter. Posers, leaving the snow on like that.

Are there any nice, simple fenders out there for a frame without eyelets? The ones in that other thread are pretty clunky, plus the frame I'm looking into this for has little clearance.

I wouldn't want them because they gunk up with snow. I use neopreme shoe covers to keep my feet dry.

Where do i get said neopreme shoe covers?

And EVERYONE has white deep v's in the winter. Posers, leaving the snow on like that.

huh?

**** winter im staying inside until spring

Studded tires are a must if you ride on unplowed or lightly traveled roads.

best winter set up:

-full fenders spaced a little out to cut down on build up
-32X700c cross tires.... of the muddy knob type
-sharp bear cage MTB platforms (watch the cut down on pedal clearance)
-regular water proof boots
-5 gear inch less than the summer
-front + rear brake
-clear ski goggles
-best gloves you can afford

that will get you through anything.

**** winter im staying inside until spring

:rolleyes:you are in the wrong forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=220)


wait...


better yet (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=41)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3006/sidev2ku3.jpg
44x16 or 44x18 depending

I have finally built my winter bike:
38/18 fixed, mtb frame with cross/touring Nashabr carbon fork made for 28" wheels, disc brake in front, full fenders, 28" tufo elite 30 cross tubbies made for low temperatures on ambrosio rims laced to blodline disc hubs taking 20mm axle (same hubs front and rear, rear axle custom made)

Love this bike despite the fork being too short for its rake when used on the MTB frame - the steering is twitchy and the HT and ST are steeper than my track frame :rolleyes:

Last night on the black ice/refreeze people leaving the office with me made fun of me riding the bike when they had difficulty walking. To my surprise the tubbies held extremely well - I had better control then some cars.
Two winters ago I used that:
http://www.pbase.com/wojtek_burkot/image/52872945/medium.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/wojtek_burkot/image/52872956/medium.jpg
and last winter this:
http://www.pbase.com/wojtek_burkot/image/71657557/medium.jpg

a huge dump on Toronto and all this wet white stuff is everywhere

You just moved from the tropics?

I ride a Karate Monkey in winter with full fenders, cantilever brakes in front and rear, and Nokian 294 Extreme studded tires.

Two years ago I fell while riding on non-studded tires and the fall broke four ribs, punctured and collapsed a lung, and cost me a month's work, many bills, and a lot of pain.

As soon as I detect even a hint of frost, snow or slipperiness, I switch to my ice bike for the winter.

Oh, and I ride 33tX17t with 54cm tires, for 54 gear inches.

With this I can cruise at 15mph and still get through snow when necessary.

I haven't had to break trail through deep snow, yet, and 54 gear inches might prove too much in that case.

Acquaintances who ride in Alaska tell me I'd need a lower gear to plow through fresh snow on a regular basis.

I ride a Karate Monkey in winter with full fenders, cantilever brakes in front and rear, and Nokian 294 Extreme studded tires.

Two years ago I fell while riding on non-studded tires and the fall broke four ribs, punctured and collapsed a lung, and cost me a month's work, many bills, and a lot of pain.

As soon as I detect even a hint of frost, snow or slipperiness, I switch to my ice bike for the winter.

Oh, and I ride 33tX17t with 54cm tires, for 54 gear inches.

With this I can cruise at 15mph and still get through snow when necessary.

I haven't had to break trail through deep snow, yet, and 54 gear inches might prove too much in that case.

Acquaintances who ride in Alaska tell me I'd need a lower gear to plow through fresh snow on a regular basis.

i swear you are so hardcore in a well thought out prepared kind of way

hipsters take note

ow ow ow ... damn how did you fall? After all my years messing in Montreal's snow I do the same thing..snow comin' MTB time!!!

when in doubt... zip tie up those road slicks! works best if you're not running a brake so they don't rub the pads. that's a portland messenger staple in the winter... it's especially ideal in a place like portland where we're only going to have snow a few days in the year at best, if we're lucky.

:rolleyes:you are in the wrong forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=220)


wait...


better yet (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=41)

50 plus haha

ow ow ow ... damn how did you fall?

I had ridden the same route earlier that morning and experienced dry pavement.

However, in the intervening time before I returned, a micro-storm had deposited freezing rain and a slick 1/4" layer of perfectly clear, smooth ice.

As I crested the hill on my return ride, I transitioned instantly from dry pavement to clear ice.

Recognizing my predicament, I attempted to back pedal, and my rear wheel spinned backwards as if on...well...ice.

Subconsciously, without intending to do so, I tapped, lightly, my front and only brake.

I hit the ground instantly with amazing force, still clipped in to the pedals and both hands on the handlebars.

I heard and felt the ribs break, but I didn't have any clues about the punctured, collapsed lung, yet.

My helmet saved my head, but took quite a beating itself.

I received no roadrash because of the thickness and utter smoothness of the ice on the pavement.

I got up, picked up my bike and carried it down to the end of the ice.

I pedaled an additional five miles to work and the Emergency Department.

After the crew change and other morning duties, I went to the Emergency Room because the pain steadily increased and it became more difficult to breathe.

An X-ray revealed the ribs and the collapsed lung.

That morning they punched the first of three tubes into my chest in an attempt to reinflate the lung.

The lung took 30 days to reinflate, even with almost constant therapy and medical attention.

The docs left me conscious for one of the chest tubes, thinking I might find the process interesting.
Let me tell you, if anyone asks you if you'd like to remain conscious for a chest tube, politely decline the offer.

how about trackstanding in slippery snow? ha, i just took a couple spills, all fun. the back tyre really slides out when you recompensate hard. this is my first night back in grand rapids, and it happened to be their first real snow.

I've heard a lot about zipping tires. Is this really effective? Would it be better to throw some wider cross tires on my fixed gear?

This is my first year riding a fixed/road bike in the snow, last year it was all about the mtb (this is my first road bike).

Also, should I put my clipless away for the season? I feel like itd be a lot more effective if I could easily put a fut down and just use boots/cages/straps.