Riding in the snow, YIPEE !!!!!
12-09-07, 10:20 PM
#26
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Hubby's from Ohio. He remembers delivering newspapers on his bike in the snow. Just the other day he talked about the squeaking sound the tires made as they rolled (?? or slid?) across the snow. Now, he's happy to see it stay on the mountains behind us.
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12-09-07, 11:35 PM
#27
Don't mince words
Rode home from work during a bit of a snowstorm yesterday.
I had forgotten how much fun it was, and I was pleasantly surprised to
see how wonderfully the Trek 820 handled the 4+ inches of blown and
drifted snow and the coating of ice that was under it. It had been many
years since I last rode in the winter and I had forgotten how stable the
bike really was. Much better than a car or truck in my estimation, colder
but safer. The studded tires were magnificently efficient. I was able to
circumvent traffic and felt much less vulnerable to getting slid into by
some hapless motorist. Anyone who hasn’t tried riding in the snow yet
should really give it a try. It’s fun and not as dangerous as you might think.
I had forgotten how much fun it was, and I was pleasantly surprised to
see how wonderfully the Trek 820 handled the 4+ inches of blown and
drifted snow and the coating of ice that was under it. It had been many
years since I last rode in the winter and I had forgotten how stable the
bike really was. Much better than a car or truck in my estimation, colder
but safer. The studded tires were magnificently efficient. I was able to
circumvent traffic and felt much less vulnerable to getting slid into by
some hapless motorist. Anyone who hasn’t tried riding in the snow yet
should really give it a try. It’s fun and not as dangerous as you might think.
Props to you for your effort and fun ride. I guess if I was faced with those elements I'd give the mtb a go.
Meanwhile, I find 45* cold. Only because I've lived in California's balmy clime for 21+ years.
Your description makes me miss snow, kind of. I hope you continue to enjoy the season's delights.
12-10-07, 09:14 AM
#28
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Old Dude...
What Studded tires are you running right now? I've been thinking of putting some on the "CLYDE" bike
and running that this winter. I like to hit some of the Greenway Train out South of Scottsville in the Winter. It's been 5 years since my last ride in the snow and I'm itching to do it.
Chris
What Studded tires are you running right now? I've been thinking of putting some on the "CLYDE" bike
and running that this winter. I like to hit some of the Greenway Train out South of Scottsville in the Winter. It's been 5 years since my last ride in the snow and I'm itching to do it.
Chris
12-10-07, 12:34 PM
#30
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Old Dude...
What Studded tires are you running right now? I've been thinking of putting some on the "CLYDE" bike
and running that this winter. I like to hit some of the Greenway Train out South of Scottsville in the Winter. It's been 5 years since my last ride in the snow and I'm itching to do it.
Chris
What Studded tires are you running right now? I've been thinking of putting some on the "CLYDE" bike
and running that this winter. I like to hit some of the Greenway Train out South of Scottsville in the Winter. It's been 5 years since my last ride in the snow and I'm itching to do it.
Chris
Front.......Continental Baja, 26 X 1.9, with a solid insert (comparable to 60psi) and sheet metal screws.
and on the rear an IRC Blizzard, 26 X 1.9, 30 - 50 psi
This set-up worked fine for all conditions except the lose granular brown salt
ladden snow we end up with on the side streete. That stuff tended to throw
the front wheel to the side a lot.
Both tires are close to 20 yrs. old, been a while since I rode snow, so I chose to switch to
some new technology front and rear....Schwalbe Marathon Winter, 26 X 1.75, 35 - 70 psi.
I just mounted them today...it'll take a while to determine if there's any difference between
old and new technology.
If nothing else, they look nice !!!!
Last edited by cranky old dude; 12-10-07 at 02:06 PM.
12-10-07, 02:55 PM
#31
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Lenny,
I like those tires! Might be fun when the River freezes over! LOL!
Chris
I like those tires! Might be fun when the River freezes over! LOL!
Chris
12-10-07, 09:35 PM
#32
Fossil
We did have a heavy dew this morning. It was 79 during my afternoon ride today with the rest of the week looking about the same. Still no rain in the forecast though. We are down to about 90 days of water in our reservoir before we have to start sucking mud. Normally there is about 300 days of water available.
12-12-07, 06:50 AM
#33
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I find I can ride in my higher gear range on bare pavement. They grab the ice
and make it seem like bare pavement. I'm still having problems with the thick
granular snow....tends to throw my front wheel off to the side a lot....probably
more my lack of good technique than anything else. Have not had the opportunity
to ride fresh snow yet but I don't expect any problems...heck, we used to take
our old Coaster Brake rigs out in the snow as kids with no problems, and our
tires were bald!
So far, I think these were worth the money.
EDIT
12/13/2007 Dashing thru the snow, slip. Oops, these aren't quite as stable
in the snow as my old tires were, but that's the only drawback. I'll settle for
the increased speed on dry surfaces and the better grip on the ice and
hardpack. If it gets too snowy, I can always put my Blizzard back on the
rear. I still feel the investment in the new tires was worth it.
Last edited by cranky old dude; 12-13-07 at 05:04 PM.
12-12-07, 12:28 PM
#34
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COD--Brown sugar snow does that to almost every wheeled vehicle. It's not limited just to bikes, although the consequences are greater for us.
As for technique, I had less trouble with it last year on my hybrid than I do this year with the Portland. (Using the very same set of tires on both bikes.) It seems sensitive to the front/rear weight distribution. I have more problems with the road bike in brown sugar snow because more weight is on the front. If I shift back, it's better. Full panniers and it's better still.
Hang a few bricks off your rack and see if that helps.
Oh, reduced tire pressure helps too. I've run my 700x35 Nokian W106 down as low as 25psi in the front.
As for technique, I had less trouble with it last year on my hybrid than I do this year with the Portland. (Using the very same set of tires on both bikes.) It seems sensitive to the front/rear weight distribution. I have more problems with the road bike in brown sugar snow because more weight is on the front. If I shift back, it's better. Full panniers and it's better still.
Hang a few bricks off your rack and see if that helps.
Oh, reduced tire pressure helps too. I've run my 700x35 Nokian W106 down as low as 25psi in the front.
12-12-07, 01:27 PM
#35
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COD--Brown sugar snow does that to almost every wheeled vehicle. It's not limited just to bikes, although the consequences are greater for us.
As for technique, I had less trouble with it last year on my hybrid than I do this year with the Portland. (Using the very same set of tires on both bikes.) It seems sensitive to the front/rear weight distribution. I have more problems with the road bike in brown sugar snow because more weight is on the front. If I shift back, it's better. Full panniers and it's better still.
Hang a few bricks off your rack and see if that helps.
Oh, reduced tire pressure helps too. I've run my 700x35 Nokian W106 down as low as 25psi in the front.
As for technique, I had less trouble with it last year on my hybrid than I do this year with the Portland. (Using the very same set of tires on both bikes.) It seems sensitive to the front/rear weight distribution. I have more problems with the road bike in brown sugar snow because more weight is on the front. If I shift back, it's better. Full panniers and it's better still.
Hang a few bricks off your rack and see if that helps.
Oh, reduced tire pressure helps too. I've run my 700x35 Nokian W106 down as low as 25psi in the front.
YOU THE MAN !!!!!
You,ve just given me the perfect reason to keep my eyes peeled for a
used Recumbent!!!
Singing....Happy days are here again...
12-12-07, 03:43 PM
#36
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12-12-07, 03:55 PM
#37
Time for a change.
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I would liken riding in snow the to riding in mud. That is unless you hit ice underneath it. For mud riding I use a 1.8 Mud specific tyre. It is a Panaracer Mud Pro and it has several qualities I like. First of all it does not skate across the top- it bites through the Mud/snow and gets grip on the firm ground below. Secondly- it does not pick up the snow/mud and sheds it pretty quick-hence not building up around the forks and stays to act as a brake. and thirdly the tread pattern grips. I have used these in 6" of snow on a very cold morning with Ice underneath the snow and in ruts and they work.
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