Which Bike For Tomorrow's Snow Commute?
02-06-14 | 09:35 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Portland OR
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Which Bike For Tomorrow's Snow Commute?
It is snowing in Portland. Tomorrow I can ride one of these bikes. Which should I take?
- My usual commute bike. '80s steel racer (Peugeot PSV) with 700C 25mm Paselas. Fenders, lights. I ride it daily in all weather and have ridden it in light snow before. Tall skinny ride, dropbars, clipless.
- My former commute bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-0) with 26" Armadillos (not knobbies). Fenders, lights. I used to ride it is all weather but have not ridden it in snow yet. Wider tires and plenty of standover. Suspension fork, clipless.
- My cargo bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-5) with Xtracycle extension and Northroad bars, 26" city tires. Fenders, lights. Usually reserved for grocery shopping. I was thinking the long wheelbase might be more forgiving, also lots of standover. Toe clips.
- Spare mountain bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Specialized Rockhopper, rebadged as LL Bean) with 26" knobbies. No fenders, lights. Lots of standover. Toe clips.
Which would you take?
- My usual commute bike. '80s steel racer (Peugeot PSV) with 700C 25mm Paselas. Fenders, lights. I ride it daily in all weather and have ridden it in light snow before. Tall skinny ride, dropbars, clipless.
- My former commute bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-0) with 26" Armadillos (not knobbies). Fenders, lights. I used to ride it is all weather but have not ridden it in snow yet. Wider tires and plenty of standover. Suspension fork, clipless.
- My cargo bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-5) with Xtracycle extension and Northroad bars, 26" city tires. Fenders, lights. Usually reserved for grocery shopping. I was thinking the long wheelbase might be more forgiving, also lots of standover. Toe clips.
- Spare mountain bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Specialized Rockhopper, rebadged as LL Bean) with 26" knobbies. No fenders, lights. Lots of standover. Toe clips.
Which would you take?
02-06-14 | 09:47 PM
#2
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,345
Likes: 6,645
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
If it's going to be wet snow, then high pressure tires might be good. If powdery skiing type of snow, then low pressure. Brakes that work in the rain might also be good in the snow.
you may prefer a bike with no foot retention so you can put your foot down quickly.
also, figure which bike has the lowest center of gravity. That could help.
no bike is ideal in the snow, because no bike can make it easy.
Have fun! And let us know how it goes.
you may prefer a bike with no foot retention so you can put your foot down quickly.
also, figure which bike has the lowest center of gravity. That could help.
no bike is ideal in the snow, because no bike can make it easy.
Have fun! And let us know how it goes.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-06-14 | 11:36 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 2
It is snowing in Portland. Tomorrow I can ride one of these bikes. Which should I take?
- My usual commute bike. '80s steel racer (Peugeot PSV) with 700C 25mm Paselas. Fenders, lights. I ride it daily in all weather and have ridden it in light snow before. Tall skinny ride, dropbars, clipless.
- My former commute bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-0) with 26" Armadillos (not knobbies). Fenders, lights. I used to ride it is all weather but have not ridden it in snow yet. Wider tires and plenty of standover. Suspension fork, clipless.
- My cargo bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-5) with Xtracycle extension and Northroad bars, 26" city tires. Fenders, lights. Usually reserved for grocery shopping. I was thinking the long wheelbase might be more forgiving, also lots of standover. Toe clips.
- Spare mountain bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Specialized Rockhopper, rebadged as LL Bean) with 26" knobbies. No fenders, lights. Lots of standover. Toe clips.
Which would you take?
- My usual commute bike. '80s steel racer (Peugeot PSV) with 700C 25mm Paselas. Fenders, lights. I ride it daily in all weather and have ridden it in light snow before. Tall skinny ride, dropbars, clipless.
- My former commute bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-0) with 26" Armadillos (not knobbies). Fenders, lights. I used to ride it is all weather but have not ridden it in snow yet. Wider tires and plenty of standover. Suspension fork, clipless.
- My cargo bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Bridgestone MB-5) with Xtracycle extension and Northroad bars, 26" city tires. Fenders, lights. Usually reserved for grocery shopping. I was thinking the long wheelbase might be more forgiving, also lots of standover. Toe clips.
- Spare mountain bike. '90s steel mountain bike (Specialized Rockhopper, rebadged as LL Bean) with 26" knobbies. No fenders, lights. Lots of standover. Toe clips.
Which would you take?
02-07-14 | 12:26 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 780
Likes: 7
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR600, 1965 Schwinn Super Sport, 1973 Schwinn World Voyaguer, 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1985 Specialized Rockhopper, 1988 Schwinn Traveler
My opinion is to rock the Rockhopper. I'd Run the tire pressure lower than normal, for me I find that if I run the rear tire at about 35psi (maybe even lower) and the front about 20-25psi it makes a HUGE difference for traction and safety in the snow and ice compared to the normal 45-65psi for mountain tires (your pressure may vary depending on you and your bikes weight). Also maybe take those toe clips off before leaving.
02-07-14 | 08:08 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Spokane
My opinion is to rock the Rockhopper. I'd Run the tire pressure lower than normal, for me I find that if I run the rear tire at about 35psi (maybe even lower) and the front about 20-25psi it makes a HUGE difference for traction and safety in the snow and ice compared to the normal 45-65psi for mountain tires (your pressure may vary depending on you and your bikes weight). Also maybe take those toe clips off before leaving.
02-07-14 | 11:03 AM
#6
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
My old Stumpie is ready to ride took it out of the basement.
Nokian studded tires, All weather sports [AK] Snow-Cat Rims, on Drum brake hubs..
sort of a normal pre compact drivetrain type Mountain bike drivetrain
Moving in-to town more .. considering a simpler 3 speed IGH/Drum rear hub ..
but just getting it out and riding it is a simple task ..
none of the 4 bikes now in the Mudroom have anything but platform pedals
Nokian studded tires, All weather sports [AK] Snow-Cat Rims, on Drum brake hubs..
sort of a normal pre compact drivetrain type Mountain bike drivetrain
Moving in-to town more .. considering a simpler 3 speed IGH/Drum rear hub ..
but just getting it out and riding it is a simple task ..
none of the 4 bikes now in the Mudroom have anything but platform pedals
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