Commuting in snow.
01-22-05 | 07:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Commuting in snow.
What do I need to commute in snow? Assuming on streets with 2 feet of snow and not plowed. I just found out that my Ritchey Speed Max (fine treads in the center but knobies on the side) does not give me any traction. I do have my stock Specialized Enduro tires. They are about 2.3 inches wide and close to 2lb each. Would clipless pedals be a problem such as the cleats cloated with snow and ice can can't clip in? I seriously don't want to spend a lot of money on my commuter.
01-22-05 | 07:23 PM
#3
Commuter Nut
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Bikes: 05 Kona Jake
Snow riding is all about technique. I ride in up to 6 inches of the white crap on a CX bike with no problems. You ARE going to go a lot slower in the snow. Don't hurry it, or you'll die. Here's knowledge I've grabbed from a few months of the icebike mailing list.
1. Use a lower gear. More work, but less spinouts.
2. Steer the bike under you rather than lean into turns.
3. Make sure you're using a winter grease. Shimano grease freezes easily. Snowmobile grease works well.
4. Clips, not clipless. Even platforms may work. Nashbar sells straps called powergrips that work well with boots.
5. Try an internally geared hub rather than single speeding it or a regular setup.
6. Keep clean. Very clean. You may need to wipe off and relube after every ride.
7. Keep your rims clean, check your brake pads often. Winter grime eats them away.
I replied to the other post, but theres some more things I guess I could elaborate on. Your bike is fine for winter riding. You're just not going to get much of anywhere in two feet of fresh snow. Your tires may even be really good for this weather -- if the snow isn't packed totally, all knobbies just turn into snow slicks after they pick some up off the ground.
Winter riding is a mix of technique and maintenance. I wouldn't go out and buy 3" tires and studded nokians yet, this isn't ice we're on, it's snow and that stuff doesn't do you a whole lot of good.
Just take it slow, and ride a whole lot. It's going to take a lot of practice. I ride a cross bike in this crap, and I do just fine. Just a lot slower than usual.
1. Use a lower gear. More work, but less spinouts.
2. Steer the bike under you rather than lean into turns.
3. Make sure you're using a winter grease. Shimano grease freezes easily. Snowmobile grease works well.
4. Clips, not clipless. Even platforms may work. Nashbar sells straps called powergrips that work well with boots.
5. Try an internally geared hub rather than single speeding it or a regular setup.
6. Keep clean. Very clean. You may need to wipe off and relube after every ride.
7. Keep your rims clean, check your brake pads often. Winter grime eats them away.
I replied to the other post, but theres some more things I guess I could elaborate on. Your bike is fine for winter riding. You're just not going to get much of anywhere in two feet of fresh snow. Your tires may even be really good for this weather -- if the snow isn't packed totally, all knobbies just turn into snow slicks after they pick some up off the ground.
Winter riding is a mix of technique and maintenance. I wouldn't go out and buy 3" tires and studded nokians yet, this isn't ice we're on, it's snow and that stuff doesn't do you a whole lot of good.
Just take it slow, and ride a whole lot. It's going to take a lot of practice. I ride a cross bike in this crap, and I do just fine. Just a lot slower than usual.
01-22-05 | 07:59 PM
#4
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
Likes: 5
From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Commuting in NYC in anything over 6 inches of snow on a bike is suicidal. I wouldn't recommend it unless you like skimming along at 5mph.
