coldcog

Hi guys!!!
New here.
I live in Winnipeg, Canada,(sometimes better known as "winterpeg")
I ride to work pretty well everyday,my rig is a Trek 4300
fitted with Innova full studs,DX components,Mavic rims,Promax V's.

Day 1 of winter, -23c(-39c wind chill that takes it to almost
-40f.).......am I nuts...HELL YES!!!!!
But I love it!!!
We use all kinds of variations in clothing to keep warm up here.
Luckily the winters here are for the most part very,very dry.

Anyhow I'm thrilled to be on this site!
I hope to start making new posts and new pals!
My work takes me away a fair amount but I hope to
keep in touch!
Take care and keep the cadence!
bert

paulsg

Bert,

How long have you been riding your Innovas? What do you think of them? ANy issues so far? I just got some myself and have only been on one ride so far. It was on a mix of wet pavement, ice, slush and hardpacked snow. They did fine, I thought. I notice they seem to get alot of negative "press" tho.

I'm new to this winter/snow biking thing, so I just couldn't justify the expense for Nokians...at least not now.

Appreciate your input,
Paul

supcom

You guys are tough up there! Have you started wearing long sleeve jerseys yet?

coldcog

Hi Paul!!
I love my Innovas!
This is my 2nd season on them.
Haven't had any problems with them yet.
The trick for me is to run them at 45lbs or less,I use thick walled tubes with kelvar rim liners...ice,snow,pavement are no problem,
just be careful of the dreaded "brown" slush....it can throw you pretty quick!

You might think about lowering your center of gravity by lowering your seat and
keep your butt on the seat at all times to increase traction.

By the way,my mechanic at the local bike shop tells me you can restud those tires or you
make your own studs with machine screws....if you have the stomach for it!
Hope this helps !!
We can talk clothing at some point.
Take care Paul!!
bert

coldcog

Hi Supcom!....

LOL!!!!....ok ...you asked....
and here we go!......
For those really cold days.....

WARNING!!!......Make sure you go potty BEFORE attempting this!!!

1-100% wool socks.
2-satin longjohns
3-lycra long sleeve "wicking" jersey
4-polar fleece pants w/windproof outer shell
5-polar fleece "sweater"(I have 3 of various thickness' depending on forecast)
6-windproof outer shell jacket
7-thin wool gloves
8-polar fleece windproof mitts (which have 2 detachable fleece inner liners that you can use together
or as singles....I use the thin wool gloves inside)
9- balaclava( I use a dust mask inside the balaclava, it works great for steam problems because you
can pinch the nose portion to fit and the foam pad conforms and keeps most of the steam out of your
goggles....I used a leather punch to make about 6 holes in the bottom portion of the mask to "vent"
more away from my goggles)
10-double pane ski goggles
11-helmet
12-sorel boots........
13-put all this on as quickly as you can before you overheat.

WHEW!!!! I think that's it....
Takecare bert )

Gojohnnygo.

Welcome, Cool I'm glad to see someone else rides a Trek 4300 in the sub-zero temps. I run hayes hydraulic disc brakes, Nokian studded tires extreme294 I just switched from the 106 Nokian and installed Planet bike Freddy Fenders Hardcores to keep of all that rode slop off me.(They do rub a little on the studs when hitting a bump hard) Everything else is stock, except for an upgrade to BB(Bottom Bracket) I have read some good stuff about Innovas studded tires too.

Enjoy your stay.

John

coldcog

Thanks John!!!
I'm also ressurecting a 1998 Rocky Mountain Hammer over the winter(when there's time between
my kids and life in general....like 1:00 in the morning)

Take care!
bert

clevernamehere

Hi coldcog! Nice to see another Canadian on the forums... first we take the bike forums, then the world a ha ha ha (evil laugh).
What a great idea (the dust mask)... I've had trouble with my goggles fogging up as well. It seems to work ok if I press my lips against the balaclava when I exhale... it's a bit of a lip workout though and I'm scared my lips will stay that way . I'll have to give the dust mask trick a try!

From (almost as cold as Winterpeg) Toon-town.

coldcog

Hi Clevernamehere!!

Trust me... this trick doesn't always work(what does??) but it lasts long enough to get me
to work in the morning!!(about 45-1hr)
Give it a try, I'd love to here how it works for you!!

WE LIVE COLD,WE DIE COLD....WE LOVE COLD!!!!

Take care!
bert

bluegirl

another canadian here (though now i reside in brooklyn). i have a neoprene mask that works quite well. (though the coldest we've gone down to was -5F with windchill). it has holes cut out in the mouth area. but i sometimes still get steam problems.

iceratt

I think that the lack of sunlight has given you just a touch of madness.

paulsg

Hi Bert,

Thanks for your reply. I'm encouraged to hear some positive feedback on the Innovas. I'm running mine about 30 psi.

Did a pre-dawn ride this AM for about 1:20. Stayed on the walkways which were plowed, but for the most part covered with a hardpack/ice combo. Some areas of bare pavement. Temp was about 16F. They use quite a bit of salt on the roads here, so I find it's a good idea to rinse the bike down with warm water post ride.

Clothing:

Head - balaclava, thin hat and neck gaitor, cycling goggles, helmet
Trunk/arms - skin/thermax/synthetic fiber long sleeve cycling jersey + sweater/fleece-neoprene jacket/reflective vest
Legs - Performanc Triflex tights
Feet - Thorlo SKX ski socks/grabber toe warmer/Lake MXZ 300 shoe
Hands - light weight fleece lined gloves/goretex lobster claw

Probably could've gotten away without the sweater. It's supposed to be mid-50's and wash out rain here tomorrow, so everything will be gone ...typical NE winter.

Happy riding to you,
Paul

coldcog

Hi Paul!
Looks like your set!
I rode in this morning....-23c.
Just getting ready to head home......-48c with wind!!!!
Oh well...we'll see if my "dust mask/balaclava" combo stays the test!
A friend of mine is an underwater welder and I spotted an oxygen mouthpiece
of his laying around so I borrowed it from him to see if I can juryrig some sort
of way to channel steam away from my face....the things we do!!....

Anyhow, gotta go!
Take care and keep warm!
bert

coldcog

Hi Iceratt!
LOL!!!....you're right!
Living up here does tend to slow the synapses a touch during winter then your thoughts start to go
a little slowww annd dfrbcvhchjjdh fhfkjsl sln nss;kduvwermn lkwsdhjfhjhfksjldf
!??////**********?
bert...?