Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Originally Posted by
Steely Dan
chicago is a salt city. millions and millions of tons of road salt. no sand.
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from my experience of using an old '90s MTB as a winter commuter last year in chicago, i found that the canti's worked ok, but because winter riding here is so unmercifully sloppy, i had to be annoyingly diligent about cleaning my rims to maintain proper braking performance. my new foul weather/winter bike has hydraulic discs. i'm hopping that the discs pick up less winter road glop than the rims, so that i can be more lax in my winter cleaning regimen.
Yes, a salty soup when the roads are damp and a salty powder that covers everything when the roads are dry.
I think that frequent cleaning is required no-matter-what. I've had some local shop mechanics tell me that mechanical disc calipers don't hold up well in Chicago winters.
I want to use this bike as a four season touring, rain & winter rig, so I'm staying with a drop bar bike. Hydraulic brakes were never an option for this build.
I'm also going to limit my riding to dry-er days, when the roads have some ice in spots, but a dry track can be found. The studded tires will be more for insurance than necessity.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.