The problem with studded tires is they're frigging expensive. The ones we sell at the shop are $79.00 and that's like 25% below the MSRP. You can get those in about 35mm - 38mm though (the Nokian line w/ the carbide studs). I think we've got some Contis as well that are about $60 each. MEC sells some as well. Anyone know if those ones are any good?

I've just been sucking it up on my 25mm Duros (oh hells ya) and sticking to the main streets. I'm happy to take up a whole lane if that's what it takes to stay out of the ruts + ice.

if you've been reading the forums, no doubt you'd read the posts about the nashbar formula/hub wheelsets. add that to their 99cent shipping and you've got a good deal if you're primarily concerned about saving money. however, i'd much rather have someone knowledgeable about fg build my wheels by hand though. if this is your first fixie, i'd recommend buying something off the shelf and riding the heck out of it. after a year or so (if you still like riding fixed) then build your dream bike and bling it out. plus, you'll still have your first bike as a beater.

you guys have got me curious about studded tired now... does anyone use frame-saver?? argh.. i really should just get a winter ride.

Sigh, their wheelset is gone from the Nashbar website. + I don't have a credit card as I'm still a student.

You mean the Schwalbes? https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/153987-studded-tires-commuting.html

This thread should be a sticky by now. It's one of the better used threads. How do you go about getting that done?

Ask a mod, I guess. I kind of like it in it's natural state though. Stickying something seems almost pretentious.

Welcome back, by the way. For someone who started this thread we don't see much of you.

Man, I LOVE this thread!
just goes to tell how much cooler Toronto is
(i'm quite surprised places like NYC and Chicago don't have their own city thread)
Yea, I don't think it should be stickied, it perfect the way it is.
whooo... *high 5*

Ha, ya. I've been cought up in the Road bike forum as of late, and I don't even have a multi speed road bike yet. Don't tell anyone

Oh, BTW. I've heard that Curbside Cycle may be doing some small single speed races in the spring. Very informal, but fun races around campus and what not. Sounds like fun. If I hear anything else I'll be sure to post in here. It would be nice to meet some of you guys some time.

This thread is nice and cozy. Maybe I'll start hanging out again. Cheers

P.S. WOOT to over 1000 posts in this thread!

I just wax the beater with Turtle Wax, which is like $5 at Canadian Tire.

You could also invest the time in making some home-made studdies, which are cheap and have been working out well for me (though I chose a minimal amount of studdage, because I am fairly confident in my winter handling afer 5+ years without any form of studded tire -- fallen only twice, and those were both due to cars nearly clipping me). Icebike.org has directions, if you're interested.

On a general note, it would be wicked to meet up in Toronto -- Critical Mass seems to lure some of us out, and it's a nice informal thing each month. Perhaps some sort of clothing or symbol to ensure we all know who's who?

Hey Eugene...Please tell me you aren't riding the Sannino? Be nice to yer sweetheart!!

some of us already know each other from CM, that's how I met a bunch of the guys in here. I say just look for the small group of fixies and say "bikeforums?".

I'm still riding my 23c slicks, and without any (*knock on wood*) major troubles so far. And yeah, I'm more than willing to move as far out into the lane as I need to so that I'm not riding in snow/ice. I'm not even sure how well a studded 35 would fit on my bike... it doesn't have the most clearance I've ever seen, that's for sure.

That would be cool if curbside sponsored some events this year.. I wouldn't mind giving it a try. It's been like 10 years since I raced last (which was offroad), but I'm always willing to be humiliated. I've said it before and I'll say it again: a couple trips out to London would be cool too!


ps. For a little more Toronto-thread love: I've been too busy lately to really bother with the rest of the forum, but I still check this thread more-or-less daily. aww!

I never liked the "through the casing" method they describe on icebike. We used to thread sheet metal screws screwed obliquely into the lugs and you'd actually end up using the edge of the head of the screw for the stud. When that got worn, you'd just turn the screw a bit more and it's be ready to go again. Dirt cheap and very quick to set up.

cavernmech, yeah it's the Sannino he's riding. It's criminal...

Apart from the local relevance, I find this thread a little less uptight. . .

These don't look like a bad deal:

https://www.chucksbikes.com/store/indexwh033.htm

Have you considered building your own wheels though? It's way more fun, and even your first set will probably be way better than some machine built crap.

So what do I need to build up my first set of wheels?

Knowledge:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Not too much. First you need to go here and read this-printing it off will be helpful as you can use it as a reference as you build:

https://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Then assuming you have the spokes, rims, nipples and hubs you want to use, you need a spoke wrench. It helps to have a truing stand, but I have built lots of wheels without one, just use the brake pads and your frame or fork.

Suggestions:

Make sure you lube the nipple/rim interface, and the spoke threads with grease or oil. Makes the build way easier.

Go slowly and carefully-don't rush, and everything will work out nicely. Wheel building is not rocket science, and it really isn't all that hard, despite the way most shops try to make it sound. I started building my own b/c the quality of handbuilts I got from a number of local shops was really bad. Even my first build was way better than what I was getting from Dukes, Sporting Life etc.


I do my final tensioning with an inflated tire on the rim, the air pressure actually slackens the spokes slightly. Even, high tension=strong reliable wheel.

I find rims with steel eyelets are easier to build (less friction between the nipple and rim, but it doesn't matter all that much.

Watch out for spoke twist as you bring the tension up. You will learn to feel it, and back off the nipples to release the twist.

Have fun!

You beat me to it!

I know you said you don't have a credit card, but there are alternate methods of payment on eBay. Many sellers take Money orders/Cashiers checks too. I would buy the parts separately; like, buy the hub and rim on eBay and then have it made here in Toronto by whomever you trust. You'd be surprised how cheap some stuff goes for on ebay.

uhhhhh.............. so keith, can you hook me up with some frame-saver???!!!!! yeah yeah, i know i shouldn't be riding it but i still haven't found a replacement. i got fenders though! yeah yeah sacrilege, i know. i'll probably stop riding when the salt and slush gets unbearble though.
keith, are you closed all weekend now?? sat-sun are the only days i can make it by (still trying to pick up the onguard). i've been by at varying times on various saturdays and yer always closed.

cam, shush you!!


eugene

... do you need a credit card to set up a PayPal account?

i'm pretty sure you do. but i think they've got a set-up with your chequings/savings accounts but that might only be in the US the last time i checked. also, something on the news mentioned interac being up and running for some of the larger retailers but i'm not sure if that includes paypal/ebay.

Yes, but you don't need one to set up an eBay account. He could just set up an eBay account and whenever there is an auction that he is interested in, he can email the seller and see if they would be willing to take a money order or whatever. I've done this many times and nearly every seller said they would, many preferred it as there are fewer fees to pay. It takes longer to get the product, but you can save a lot of money.

As well, many sellers who list their product as being unavailable to Canada actually will ship to you as long as you cover the shipping/customs. All you have to do is ask.

I have a 53cm Nishiki Olympic road frame you can probably have if that fits and you're not too proud to ride a conversion. Anything to stop your Sannino, a thing of beauty that I'm starting to have serious questions regarding your right to own it, from getting eaten by salt.