Lug

There was a thread last year about winter tires that I posted on. Just wanted to make an update. I have a 2015 Salsa Fargo 3 that I outfitted with Schwalbe Ice Spiker tires. Wasn't real happy with how it rode with those tires on the stock rims so I purchased a set of 29" Snowcat rims. I went with them because I have a set of 26" Snowcats with Nokian studded tires that I ran on a Specialized Rockhopper and was unstoppable for 2 winters. Anyways rode the Snowcats with the Schwalbes all last winter and still wasn't real happy. After this mornings ride I am very unhappy and sore. Two crashes from the bike sliding out from under me in one commute is two more than in the previous three years of winter commuting. It might be the tires, but I think it is more likely the geometry of the bike. The angles and lengths that make it a fun bike in the summer to bomb down dirt roads and trails make it a little twitchy on ice. So to wrap up this post. If you are looking at a Fargo (or any bike for that matter) for winter ice riding you might want to take one for a ride first to make sure you can live with the way it handles.
Justin

InTheRain

Every bike I've ever ridden on ice has been "twitchy." Even with studded tires, I found that riding on ice is still very different than riding on dirt roads, trails, mud, wet pavement. The only thing that comes anywhere close is mud. I'd rather go down in mud than on the ice. You just have to be more careful on ice... even then, sometimes there just is nothing you can do.

enigmaT120

Thanks for the warning. I've mostly been trying to avoid riding ice (especially on my motorcycles!) which isn't too hard where I live. I'll be glad when I no longer have to try to drive on it (retired).

fietsbob

I have an old MTB, and I have a set of 26" Snowcats with Nokian studded tires, I have had them 25 years .

I built my wheels around Drum brake hubs .. In Eugene, I now live in Astoria.. I get to use it every so often

This year Im getting ice traction for my shoes, fell on my butt on black ice , in the parking lot of the rest area

at the top of 26, between here and Portland.. last year.. the Van, driving on studded tires, was fine.



Anchorage AK why didn't you get a Fat Bike Like a Pugsly? A friend in USCG on Kodiak, has one, and got studded fat bike tires .




...

Lug

I actually just bought a Framed Minnesota 1.2 this fall. First snow ride was tonight. Worked well in the loose snow we just received and on the packed areas. Not sure about on ice because the tires are not studded and from what I have heard is that 4 inches of studless tire and ice is a bad combo. Was contemplating on the ride in to work tonight that I might get a set of Slip Not tire chains. They are about half the price of 4 inch studded tires.
Justin