Winter is Over, On Go the Slicks!
 

I maybe tempting fate here, however I think winter is over and I have put on the slicks :D

Some streets are still a slushy Ice mess that is ice in the morning, and slush in the afternoon, however most of my commuting road way is pretty clear now. After tomorrow, I'll put the SPD pedals back on.

Looking forward to my ride tomorrow!

Maybe I'll stop by the car wash on the way home and wash the bike as well :D

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6...eslickstj2.jpg


Wish me Luck :)

Inspecting my Continental Spike claws after a season of winter riding, the studs are still sharp, and there is only one missing stud. It's not actually missing, other than the carbide section pulled away from the aluminum housing.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/180/spikeclawlj3.jpg

These tires performed fantastically!

I was going to dig out a lighter jacket this weekend ... it was so warm and lovely on Saturday. Then winter came back today. You might be tempting fate!!

You could be right, all +C temperatures forecasted for next week, however Monday is suppose to be -12C and chance of Flurries :D

Plan B will be the bus until the mid week :lol:

^^^ :lol: I like it, Bailey Approved!

I put the light on just for you :)

OK 2many, I think I'll take you up on the black case, please send it ASAP :D

we just got "over 25-30 cm of snow" last friday in Montreal... (i personally think we got less than that). its melting at the moment, but i'll keep the studs for at least one more week... i just cant wait to switch to my non-winter bike... but, ok, i cannot really complain since i used it in january this year because of the anormal warm weather...

ViperZ, were those pictures taken at your place? it looks like a bike shop! :)

i was all excited by the mild temps last week so i went to a car wash on thursday. an inch or so of snow fell friday night, mostly cleared up by sunday... now it's monday morning and the flurries have started again.

i don't own studded tires, only slicks.

and the equinox isn't til wednesday, so thursday is the official first day of spring.

Hi ViperZ-

Are the studded tires OK if dry pavement is encountered during clear days in the winter, or do the carbide tips tend to slide? I don't have any experience with studded tires and would like to give them a try next winter. I have an unsuspended mountainbike that I'm going to convert to a commuter with lights and fenders. Similar to you, I'm going to ditch the current knobbies and put slicks on this bike for warm weather.

~ Blue Jays ~

Well, the ride in was great! There were some sections of ice, but I rode over them carefully, but for the most part it was clear albeit strewn with gravel. The ice sections you really have to look for as they are water clear, and almost invisibile. I liked how fast I was rolling, even though the slicks were onlu pumped up to 55 lbs.

Now hopefully the snow flurries they forcasted don't amount to anything today. Current temperature is -17C.



I'm with you, I'm so ready for spring :D

:lol: It's in my basement workshop, where most of my bikes are stored :)

I hope to stop at the car wash today after work :)

Hey Blue Jays, The suds don't seem to terribly slippery on concrete or pavement. I encounded lots of those sections during my commute this winter, with out any problems. I think provided the tire pressures are lower (~ 30 lbs) the studs tend to push back into the tire, allowing the rubber knobs to maintain enough contact to not be slippery. I say go for it next winter!

I guess if it's literally meltwater sitting atop a smooth sheet of glass...two wheels will always be a challenge regardless of what kind of tire is utilized. Do they suggest those carbide tips for general offroad use as well...simply for increased "bite" onto whatever surface one is riding? From a conceptual standpoint, it seems like they would be great on snow, ice, hardpack dirt, and mud.

In concept I suppose the bite is better, however they are a heavier tire, which probably negates any traction advantage, especially while climbing.

Ahhh, I guess that's why they offer the tire in two different stud-counts. Some riders may feel the increased amount of carbide makes it too heavy for day-to-day use.

Flat hard ice with a little water on it is very easy with the right studded tires. There is great traction. The flater and harder the ice the more traction, colder ice is better. Slaming on the brakes, banking, wheelies etc. not a problem on glare ice like glass. The hard flat surface lets the studs hit the ice more evenly and holds the studs from slipping around on the ice. Softer ice is not as good with studs. Very bumpy frozen footsteps are no problem if you keep the bike upright and the tire pressure is low enough. It's hard to believe on the first ride.

I can tell the difference in some 112 stud tires compared to the 296 stud tires. The traction is a lot better on bumpy or angled surfaces. It's well worth the extra studs. There are studs up on the sides of the tread where the tire contacts the ice when banking or angled ice. And more in the middle too.

Studded tires are the same as knobbies in snow. Much, much, better on hardpack dirt. Not as good on pavement, but not a problem either. Lousy when climbing over rocks.

the city of toronto uses lots of salt on the roads, so it was nice to get the "crust" off, even if it's not shiney and clean anymore (not that i expected that to last long).

:roflmao:

Bailey's expression and use of his photo is hilarious here :D

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3...xedwithoh2.jpg


Boy can I ever relate.... There is stuff I need to get off, just to feel better :D

Could you recommend a few good bike shops to check out in Toronto? I'll be staying in the Delta Chelsea downtown. Thanks!



One thing I certainly forgot about is how much fun this bike is to ride with slicks! She rolls fast, and handles like a dream. I'm certainly going to ride it with my road club if it's raining outside already :)

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/482...rzsnowtbw7.jpg

well i can try! is there something in particular that you are looking for? are you going to be doing any riding while you're here?

closer to your hotel:
duke's (625 Queen Street West, just east of Bathurst) is more "high-end".
urbane (180 John Street, just north of Queen) caters to commuters and couriers.
cavern (179 Queen Street East, just east of Jarvis) is owned and operated by a fellow BF member. just a small shop, but a really nice guy and neat track/fixed/SS type stuff.
cycle solutions (444 Parliament Street) is a fairly typical LBS. if you like coffee with your adrenaline, Jet Fuel (519 Parliament Street) is just up the street.

farther from you hotel:
sweet pete's (1204 Bloor Street West) also a "LBS".
ziggy's (2055 Dufferin Street) is a fairly new shop to the city, and he's already started a whole bunch of race events.
and i'll also add racer sportif (2214 Bloor Street West) to the list. also high-end and farther away from downtown... i've never been to the shop, only bought stuff from there at the annual bike show.

you're welcome! torontonians aren't unfriendly... we just look that way :p

:roflmao: Bailey is way cool!

Well I made it home with out incident, and it hasn't snowed yet. Man I can't get over what a blast this bike is to ride like this. I use to ride it like this in the late 80's :D

I tested the slicks out on a section of ice by riding on it, braking and turning with my feet down, they are waaay slippery :D

Hey Zippered, Awesome, Thanks! :beer:

Some of those are the same shops Rajman recommended too!

I will not be bringing a bike. We will be there for a Raptors vs Miami Heat game. I tried to get Leaf Tickets but could not get 3 seats together. We'll be there for 5 days, and plan to rent a car on Thursday & Friday. That may give me a chance to get the further out shops.

I'm not looking for anything in particular, I just like looking up bike shops in other cities. Armed with those recommendations, I'm pumped!

I use to buy and get catalogs from a store in the 80's called "Bloor's Cycle" What ever happened to that place? They use to have nice color catalogs (in the day) .

glad to help. i'd also like to mention that the harbourfront, the kensington market neighbourhood and st. lawrence market are nice places to visit. if you decide to rent a bike while you're here, watch out for cabs and streetcar tracks. if you're in a cab, well, tell him to watch out for me!!

Excellent! Thanks for all the help! :beer:

I think those markets sound nice... I'm be sure to tell the cabs to watch out for you ;)