Bringing a gun to a knife fight
#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
Bringing a gun to a knife fight
We had about a foot of snow yesterday in Minneapolis. The commuter path that I ride was plowed once during the storm and is usually plowed before the roads, but not today. So it had a good 6"+ on it this morning. I picked the right weapon for the job.


Not many riders or tracks out there. I saw a couple brave souls on a MTN bike and a CX bike and they were really struggling. Granted, I went 7.5 mph the whole way and it was sweaty hot work despite the 12F temp but, I was smiling the whole time. The Moonlander with the Bud and Lou tire combination seems to only be limited by the power of the engine (me)
Heh heh heh...
Not many riders or tracks out there. I saw a couple brave souls on a MTN bike and a CX bike and they were really struggling. Granted, I went 7.5 mph the whole way and it was sweaty hot work despite the 12F temp but, I was smiling the whole time. The Moonlander with the Bud and Lou tire combination seems to only be limited by the power of the engine (me)
Heh heh heh...
Last edited by modernjess; 12-10-12 at 03:13 PM. Reason: fixed pix
#2
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,162
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
linky no worky
#3
"Per Ardua ad Surly"
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Bianchi Specialissima, Mongoose Hilltopper ATB, Surly Cross-Check, Norco City Glide
Just the other day a friend of mine commented on why on earth would anyone by a Moonlander after we saw one at my LBS. His question just got answered. Well done.
#5
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
#6
ouate de phoque
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: La Prairie, Qc, Canada
Bikes: Bianchi, Nakamura,Opus
I have DIY studded 26 x 1.75 and really tried them in the snow and slush this morning and I managed an average of 12.5 mph (20 km/h) but mostly on wet pavement, there's no way I could go 7.5 mph in that kind of snow
Did you ever tried those tire on dry pavement? just to see what pace you can keep?
Did you ever tried those tire on dry pavement? just to see what pace you can keep?
#7
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Displaying my ignorance of fat tire bikes here.. I gots a question.. how does it do for crossing sloppy deep mud?
#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
I have DIY studded 26 x 1.75 and really tried them in the snow and slush this morning and I managed an average of 12.5 mph (20 km/h) but mostly on wet pavement, there's no way I could go 7.5 mph in that kind of snow
Did you ever tried those tire on dry pavement? just to see what pace you can keep?
Did you ever tried those tire on dry pavement? just to see what pace you can keep?
#9
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
Hard to say as it depends on the mud, how sloppy and how deep. In general I'd say yes, at least better than most any other type of bike. I road over some creek silt mud this year and when I stopped and stepped off the bike I sunk in to my calf. So it that tells you anything, the wide rims and tires and proper pressures can get you to float over a lot.
#10
Dirt junkie.
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 6
From: Minneapolis
Bikes: Surly Ice Cream Truck, Peacock Groove road bikem, Salsa Fargo
I saw quite a few people out today and yesterday. Yesterday was certainly worse will all the slush and crap piled high. People seemed to be cruising without problems today. I got to work way early because I thought it'd be a lot tougher than it was.
#11
I would consider purchasing a pugsley if I thought I actually could use it in the snow we had Sunday. I was wondering if such snow is not firm enough to stay on top of, and I would just sink down and be immobilized as I am when I try to ride on it with a mountain bike. If you were able to get through what I see in your picture, you might have answered my question.
#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 would consider purchasing a pugsley if I thought I actually could use it in the snow we had Sunday. I was wondering if such snow is not firm enough to stay on top of, and I would just sink down and be immobilized as I am when I try to ride on it with a mountain bike. If you were able to get through what I see in your picture, you might have answered my question.
You won't.
I did.
You're welcome.
P.S.You'll love it.
#14
We had about a foot of snow yesterday in Minneapolis. The commuter path that I ride was plowed once during the storm and is usually plowed before the roads, but not today. So it had a good 6"+ on it this morning. I picked the right weapon for the job.


Not many riders or tracks out there. I saw a couple brave souls on a MTN bike and a CX bike and they were really struggling. Granted, I went 7.5 mph the whole way and it was sweaty hot work despite the 12F temp but, I was smiling the whole time. The Moonlander with the Bud and Lou tire combination seems to only be limited by the power of the engine (me)
Heh heh heh...
Not many riders or tracks out there. I saw a couple brave souls on a MTN bike and a CX bike and they were really struggling. Granted, I went 7.5 mph the whole way and it was sweaty hot work despite the 12F temp but, I was smiling the whole time. The Moonlander with the Bud and Lou tire combination seems to only be limited by the power of the engine (me)
Heh heh heh...

#15
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,447
Likes: 4,541
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I nicknamed my winterized MTB the tank and only used it once primarily because my commute was all plowed roadway. that does look like fun though
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JonnyUtah75
Road Cycling
29
01-13-13 06:33 PM
chefisaac
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
1
10-01-11 03:13 PM







