Winter Cycling - Holy Rolling Resistance!

This is my first winter of cycling and so far I am absolutely LOVING every second of it. I have enough gear to keep warm (besides my feets but we're working on that) and my bike is a monster, but I just noticed something-

Last night I put on my new 45mm studded tires which replaced some big old 29/2.2in Exiwolfs (MTB tire). I expected the smaller tire and more street oriented tread to make things easier but man was I wrong, even with the low stud count these things are hard to get going! Have you guys noticed that once they get seated and broken in things get easier or do I just have a bit of adaptation ahead of me? I'm always down for a challenge (learning to ride fixed gear being the most recent) so the heavy resistance won't deter me but good lord I was surprised at the difference!

Hehe, I had the same thread title in mind when I rode to work this morning and didn't even check the other threads before posting: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/785233-First-Commute-on-Kenda-Klondikes-holy-rolling-resistance-Batman!

Great minds... :thumb:

- Scott

Have you guys noticed that once they get seated and broken in things get easier or do I just have a bit of adaptation ahead of me?

Ummm no, and yes. The rolling weight of the tires and the resistance are constant. I'm sorry to say that it never goes away. It is a challenge to change your mindset to accept the fact that lack of speed and additional effort is a non negotiable part of the daily equation until spring. You do get used to it and you might even learn to like it. Although you have to re-learn that every year.

On the other hand the risk of mishaps is greatly diminished and that is a huge bonus. Finding yourself suddenly soaking wet laying in a half frozen puddle with your knee, elbow, and head throbbing in a cracked helmet at 7am on your way to work is a piss poor way to start the day. I've tried that. Im going with the studs and trying again these days to find the love of the work.

Yeah listen to your body, not your surroundings. Meaning, don't judge effort by how fast your surroundings are moving.

It doesn't get easier until spring when you take them off. My 10-mile each-way commute from Minnetonka to Minneapolis is all on flat-trail. I do it in 30-35 minutes on my "summer" bike. 38-43 minutes on the winter beater with slicks. 50 minutes-god-only-knows with the Nokians.......

Then again, come spring you can FLY!!!!!

Yeah listen to your body, not your surroundings. Meaning, don't judge effort by how fast your surroundings are moving.

Seems like sound advice to me, it's funny making that adjustment though; I got passed by some kid with slicks today and gave chase but to no avail, he had me smoked. Usually I try to keep up with other cyclists as a way of pushing myself but that won't be the case as long as the studs are on and the roads are icy.

It doesn't get easier until spring when you take them off. My 10-mile each-way commute from Minnetonka to Minneapolis is all on flat-trail. I do it in 30-35 minutes on my "summer" bike. 38-43 minutes on the winter beater with slicks. 50 minutes-god-only-knows with the Nokians.......

Then again, come spring you can FLY!!!!!

Ah you must take the greenway thru SLP then? I love that trail, it's really incredible what they've done with it especially towards uptown.

Ah you must take the greenway thru SLP then? I love that trail, it's really incredible what they've done with it especially towards uptown.

I live on the trail out by Shady Oak Lake and work at Abbott in Minneapolis, so I am literally on the trail from my backyard all the way to work. It's a pretty sweet commute in the spring, summer and fall, but a little long in the winter.

I just resign myself to going slow with studs, and I don't get into trying to keep up with anyone else. I have a single-speed mountain bike and I like to avoid overheating too much and sweating a ton in the winter.