BattleRabbit

... And I spent most of my ride home from school feeling like this guy:
(last 2 minutes)

I learned my lesson. Snow + 700x28 semi-slicks + corncob gearing = Powerslides!

From now on I'm taking the mountain bike when there is snow in the forecast!

coldfeet

Today I learned about a 750cc two stroke, four cylinder, 120 bhp dirt tracker....





And I used to think that the original Kawasaki 500 triple was evil.

MijnWraak

What's better - 700x23c slicks or 700x32 semi-slicks?

BattleRabbit

I have 700x28c on right now, and they're pretty rubbish in snow and slush. The only bike I ever rode in the snow with 700x23c slicks was a fixed gear with a "ziptie snow tire" rear wheel. That was much more stable.

(a zip-tie snow tire being when you run front brake only. and put a ziptie around the wheel/tire in between the spokes. Works wonders for accelerative/stopping power!)

Oil_LOL

I'm guessing you could also do that with disc brakes, but at that point, you have options in the studded tire department, and your bike is better suited for winter anyway.

DrJerry

That's why I ride my mountain bike in winter.

unterhausen

I have ridden 25mm in snow. It works a lot better in the frozen north. Once you get somewhat slushy snow, you probably want knobby tires.

MijnWraak

Rode the 32 semi-slicks on Saturday. During the snowstorm before plows, and after with a thin layer of packed ice/snow. It went fine. As long as you go slowly, and take turns upright, you don't need to buy $120 for studded tires IMO.

I feel like our consumerism is just making everyone recommend buying brand new studded tires, or buying a dedicated mountain bike. Just go slower, stay focused, and you'll be fine.

iforgotmename

Studded winter tires have their place...just sayin

TourDeHood

I had my first snow commute too and was wondering/worrying about tires as well. It was slippery and felt like I was going down at any minute, but I am not sure if I want to pay/ and change tires for the few days where snow present. Was hoping I could rig something and "get over" till the spring.

mechBgon

Good luck. I know one guy who broke a leg, and another who broke a hip, from falls on ice on their road bikes. I think both of them are still trying to recover, more than a year later. Studs are not a guarantee, but when their time comes, they can really stack the odds in your favor. Given how durable they are, and how many seasons you can get out of them, I think $120 is not a bad investment. As I put it once:

Studded tires: $120

Not breaking an elbow: $15,000?

Outaccelerating the motorists from every stoplight: Priceless

You don't need to change tires every time it snows. Install the studs and leave them on until springtime. They're very hard to wear out, being carbide-tipped. One BF member has had his same set of Nokians since the '90s.

Leebo

Love my studded tires. worth every penny, have them on three bikes. Good to stay upright, figure they will last at least 5 seasons. my 700 x 35 nokians were only $ 45 each, what do your other tires cost?
MijnWraak, where is your commute? I'm north of boston and take some of the minute man MUP on my way to brighton. They plow it, which really helps, but often there is a frozen 1/2 " glaze to contend with. For me it is easier not to worry about every turn for 18 miles, YRMV.

mjw16

I rode in on my CX bike (as usual, it's my only commuter) on 25mm slicks. The majority of the path/roads were simply wet but, the bridges were a classic case of "bridge freezes before roadway", icy and slushy-really caught me off guard. I hit the first bridge by National Airport and my front end fishtailed, I nearly went down twice. I walked the bike across the next one and was able to ride the 14th Street Bridge as only about 75% of it was icy/slushy. Should all be gone by this afternoon. I have yet to switch to CX tires and am also intrigued by the zip tie snow tire thing. I only hear about it a couple of weeks ago.

modernjess

That's precious. I love blanket statements like that! You should write a book, you could call it "Steal These Studs".

BattleRabbit

Well, the thing with the zipties is you have to forego one brake to use them on a non-fixed gear(unless you have discs), and they aren't much good at decreasing lateral motion. They are a big help when starting and(more importantly) stopping.

You'll fishtail less, but you have to be very cautious cornering on zip-ties.