fenester

Hi folks,
This could have gone under commuting or winter, and I did searches there, but I hope to get a NYC specific response. I've been a fair weather winter commuter the past two years but I want to tough it out a bit more this year.

1) Studded tires=overkill? I'll be riding a 26" beater when it's icy/snowy and a road bike when it's dry or just wet so I could have studs on the beater.

2) Any other city specific things that you've learned from past winters? I think I've got the clothes thing down, but any tricks for that or gear would be appreciated.

cheers,
fenester

timmhaan

i believe studs are overkill. the roads are plowed pretty quickly and unless you find yourself riding during a massive snow storm you won't need them.

Jay H

In the city, it would seem that studs would be overkill. Every time I've been in the city, the roads are all slush. However, since I don't live there nor bike/commute there, I defer to the folks that do.

It's warmer in the city in the winter due to just being a city, and also coastal, but it can get windy for sure.

Jay

jyossarian

I rode slicks all last winter. Never felt the need for studs.

Clothing wise - silk longjohns, wool socks, and a ski jacket w/ pit zips.

fenester

Thanks for the replies!

bykerouac

Fat slicks work great. Tires with knobbies fare well too, but snow and ice tends to pack up between the threads. Whatever tire you use, be sure to air down a bit so that your wheels will have a larger contact patch and make you float a bit on the icy stuff.

Hambone

Are the bike paths cleared?

What about the Brooklyn Bridge?

My route is ok through Brooklyn but I go over the Brooklyn Bridge then across Chambers to the West Side path and take that up to 125th St.

I'm kind of figuring the Greenway is going to be pretty slick come the snow. (This will be my first winter commuting.) Any advice form been-there done-that folks appreciated.

timmhaan

it's plowed often. i ride all winter on a road bike with skinny tires and there are only a few days out of the year (when it's just snowed or still snowing) that i can't ride.

Hambone

really?

I was just kind of figuring I'd break out my old mtb for the winter months put some fenders on her and let the road bike rest from carrying all this pork...

timmhaan

yeah, i think you'll be surprised at how quick they plow around here. if you're determined to ride everyday, then have the mtn bike as backup...but i think you'd be fine on the roadie as well. the biggest problem for me was how dirty my bike and clothes gets from winter riding. fenders are a great idea.