First white commute of the season!
#1
Thread Starter
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
First white commute of the season!
We had a little surprise snow "event" this morning on my side of town, just 1 or 2 fluffy inches. Of course it completely snarled traffic for the cagers who have forgotten how to drive in it...again.. heh heh.
I jumped on the Moonlander and smiled all the way to work. (man I love that bike!)
It was best Monday morning commute I've had in a long while. Grabbed a pic for those of you who might have put the bike away for the season. This is what you missed today. (temp 22F)
I jumped on the Moonlander and smiled all the way to work. (man I love that bike!)
It was best Monday morning commute I've had in a long while. Grabbed a pic for those of you who might have put the bike away for the season. This is what you missed today. (temp 22F)
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 871
Likes: 115
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000
I was out in it with my road bike and slick tires. Fortunately they cut through to pavement just fine. Glad I made it to work before things really got to be a mess. I'd better start seriously thinking about getting my winter bike back in commission. It's been easy to blow off the much-needed maintenance the last few months and it was left in pieces about the time the streets cleared up last spring. :-)
#4
always rides with luggage
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 20
From: KIGX
Bikes: 2007 Trek SU100, 2009 Fantom CX, 2012 Fantom Cross Uno, Bakfiets
good gravy, that looks cold.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#6
I was out in it with my road bike and slick tires. Fortunately they cut through to pavement just fine. Glad I made it to work before things really got to be a mess. I'd better start seriously thinking about getting my winter bike back in commission. It's been easy to blow off the much-needed maintenance the last few months and it was left in pieces about the time the streets cleared up last spring. :-)
I sold the Nexus 8 speed rear wheel from my winter bike last week so I could fund the remaining pieces I need to build the Alfine wheel and disc brake. Needless to say I don't have all the parts yet so my winter bike is out of commission at least until next week.
This morning was probably the slipperiest conditions I've yet ridden my road bike under. It worked OK but it was kind of odd trying to take off from a stop light and having the wheel spin like it was on a bike stand.
#7
We had a little surprise snow "event" this morning on my side of town, just 1 or 2 fluffy inches. Of course it completely snarled traffic for the cagers who have forgotten how to drive in it...again.. heh heh.
I jumped on the Moonlander and smiled all the way to work. (man I love that bike!)
It was best Monday morning commute I've had in a long while. Grabbed a pic for those of you who might have put the bike away for the season. This is what you missed today. (temp 22F)

I jumped on the Moonlander and smiled all the way to work. (man I love that bike!)
It was best Monday morning commute I've had in a long while. Grabbed a pic for those of you who might have put the bike away for the season. This is what you missed today. (temp 22F)
I've noticed a Moonlander parked outside of Moose and Sadie's a few times in the last month or so. Yours?
#8
Thread Starter
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
No, that's not mine. I am only a few blocks away but I haven't been there in a long time. The number of Fat bikes around here is really growing. They are more versatile than they seem, and simply the most fun I've had on any bike since my '71 Schwinn Sting-ray. Totally addictive.
#12
Thread Starter
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
I just got the bike this summer and Monday was the first time it's touched snow so there's not much to report yet. I can say that the 2 inches of fluff was not even noticeable in terms of handling or speed. About all it did was quiet the "ruhrring" sound of the rolling tires on the asphalt. More reports as the year progresses. I'll be out in it and I've got 2 sets of rubber to snow test, the Big Fat Larry's and the Bud and Lou. C'mon Winter!
#17
I just got the bike this summer and Monday was the first time it's touched snow so there's not much to report yet. I can say that the 2 inches of fluff was not even noticeable in terms of handling or speed. About all it did was quiet the "ruhrring" sound of the rolling tires on the asphalt. More reports as the year progresses. I'll be out in it and I've got 2 sets of rubber to snow test, the Big Fat Larry's and the Bud and Lou. C'mon Winter!
12 psi seems to be the sweet spot for me to balance traction and handling... we got a foot of snow last week.
#18
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
I just got the bike this summer and Monday was the first time it's touched snow so there's not much to report yet. I can say that the 2 inches of fluff was not even noticeable in terms of handling or speed. About all it did was quiet the "ruhrring" sound of the rolling tires on the asphalt. More reports as the year progresses. I'll be out in it and I've got 2 sets of rubber to snow test, the Big Fat Larry's and the Bud and Lou. C'mon Winter!
I have no idea when my studded tires will arrive so, I've been contemplating getting either a Nate or Bud for the front. The Bud is so much larger than a Nate the bike might look a bit odd. On mtbr I saw a Mukluk with, B & L and it looks awesome. If I went that route I'd probably have to give up on the idea of fenders.
edit: The type of snow probably affects handling a lot. So far I've only encountered fairly dry stuff. Moister snow should give extra grip.
Last edited by gecho; 11-15-12 at 02:25 PM.
#19
I went with minimal fenders (for now) as my Pug is going to see a lot of snow and trails... when it gets wet and / or icy I have my dedicated winter bike which is studded up and gets me from A to B faster on cleared roads.
If I get new tyres the old ones may get put in line to be studded for winter use.
If I get new tyres the old ones may get put in line to be studded for winter use.
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus
#21
Thread Starter
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
The Larry on my Pugsley slips out a lot unless I run very low pressure on it. On ice and polished snow it's pretty sketchy even at 4-5 psi. At that low of pressure the bike has odd cornering characteristics when I encounter a stretch of bare pavement. The tire always wants to stay flat which keeps the bike from leaning in a corner giving this weird front tire pulling feel.
I have no idea when my studded tires will arrive so, I've been contemplating getting either a Nate or Bud for the front. The Bud is so much larger than a Nate the bike might look a bit odd. On mtbr I saw a Mukluk with, B & L and it looks awesome. If I went that route I'd probably have to give up on the idea of fenders.
For fenders, I picked up a set PDW Dave's Mud Shovels. Great design, and cheap, and Dave Gray is a really nice guy who has designed a lot of fat bike products. Tire choice makes no difference with them.
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