Folding Bikes - folders in snow?

I have a hybrid (Trek Soho) and a folder (Xootr Swift). planning to get studded tires, just not sure which one...

Is there any reason to think a folder *wouldn't* perform well in the winter? Reading through the small-wheel propaganda I would think 406s have advantages, but i'm not sure

I much prefer riding the folder in general, but Soho's internal gears, drum brakes, and belt drive make it attractive.

I have the schwalbe MArathons WInter
all I hear are positives
make a wonderfull ride especially on ice.... you only need to watch when you put your foot down ....

thor

Run my Twenty in snow (but not ice) if anything they are easier to handle because you are closer to the ground and get a foot down quicker.

Aaron :)

I was going to say folders are better because you can use wide tires all year round and just let some pressure out when it snows, but if you're going studded then I don't know.


Run my Twenty in snow (but not ice) if anything they are easier to handle because you are closer to the ground and get a foot down quicker.


If your BB is at normal height and your seat is set for proper leg extension then how are you closer to the ground? I do believe most folders have normal height bottom brackets.

I used my cheap Sunlova during the recent snow and ice with no problems. All I had to change was the tyres which I swapped back to its original off road tyres.
http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae269/Russcoles11/sunlova.jpg
It worked really well and my only near miss was almost being hit by a child on a sledge :D

I biked to the next town. on a very cold day. I bike a section on the frozen snow covered pavement...er sidewalk. was ok.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/Picture0378.jpg

When there was more snow about. and there wasnt much in the local shops and busses and trains werent running. I biked to the next town on my silver mtb. It wasnt much different than riding the Apollo folder. heres a pic of my mtb beside carnoustie golf course. dont think Tiger was there that day.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/Picture0386.jpg

I ride my folder (http://www.montaguebikes.com/boston-folding-single-speed-bike.html) in the snow too - I don't think I have enough clearance in the back to fit studded tires, so I ride a lower pressure too. I used to have a winter beater bike, but I like my folder so much better for winter now since it is 1) aluminum (no rust) and 2) single speed (no more frozen derailleur). It's a flip-flop rear wheel too, so in the winter I ride the fixed side (with brakes) just for a little extra stopping power.

:thumb:

http://www.stridaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3027&p=5195#p5195

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MNEvbrTT5dI/TQzmVGp8EKI/AAAAAAAAAro/8nw1yXPB5vc/s512/IMAG0131.jpg

no problem here. dahon mu p8 with marathon winters. its been through ice and snow and will again for the commute home tonight.

Member noteon has posted some photos with his Swift in deep snow. A search might find these.

my heavier steel 80s road bike was easier in the snow, not because of control, but when the snow is lightly packed, the small wheels with little weight on them seem to just fall into the snow

i can remember riding in 1/2 to 1 inch of fresh snow on road with steel road bike

i can only ride with a dusting of snow or very well plowed on road with swift (and former brompton).

with regards to grip, probably the same

i've been using an old Trek 820 MTB as my winter bike. i'm seriously thinking about purchasing my first folding bike and wondered if I could use it in snow. This thread has answered that question. Thanks!

I ride my folder all through the winter and it never has any problems at all. Of course... its a full size folding mountain bike made by Montague. It's absolutely awesome in all weather though. Has disc brakes and beefy tires but still folds down. I take it on Amtrak fairly often for my commute. Check them out at http://www.montaguebikes.com/folding-mountain-bikes/