macadamia nut

I live in Chicago, last winter I made it through on my road bike.
At times I felt like a change in equipment might help get through the snow, slush, ice and salt.
I'm considering a cyclocross bike to ride along the lakefront path this year.

Do you ride a different bike or modify it in these conditions?

bdcheung

My winter ride:

botto 

this -



or this -

Barrettscv 

This Chicogoan has a rain & winter bike that is also my commuter;



The lakefront last February;



I added a Trek 400D Elance to the stable at the beginning of the year. I wanted a bike with fenders, my 2008 Soma Double Cross has a racing fork that won't accept fenders. My 1973 Schwinn Paramount has never seen rain, and that's not going to change after 37 years. I also have a Lynskey Titanium road-bike that lacks attachment points for fenders.

The bike is a 63mm sized 1987 Trek 400D Elance. It's a mid-level "sport/touring" model. It has a Reynolds 531 main triangle. The Shimano Drivetrain with a 14-28 6 speed freewheel and a 52 & 40t crankset and the 700c wheels are cheap and were replaced.

My thanks to bibliobob for sending me the CL posting.

The fit is ideal for me, the bike also has attachment points for fenders. I had a spare drivetrain sitting around after I converted my Soma from a double crankset to a triple. I ended up with an extra Ultegra 10 speed FD, RD, 11-25 cassette, a new 105 chain, along with a Sram 46 & 38t Cyclocross Crankset & BB. I also had a Mavic Open Pro W/ 36 spoke Dura Ace hub rear wheel I purchased on eBay last year.

I only needed to get a front wheel and shifters to upgrade the Trek 400D Elance to a modern 2x10 drivetrain. I found new Dura Ace 10 speed bar-end shifters from Nashbar for $50 and purchased a 32 spoke 105 hub for $15. I had the bike shop source a matching 32 spoke Open Pro rim & spokes, the new front wheel cost about $150 in total. The bike shop stripped the bike of all parts, applied Framesaver and rebuilt the bike for $225 in labor. I have about $750 in the bike at this point. Not cheap, but the result is excellent, IMO.

The bike is 22 lbs with the Brooks seat. This is a slighter lighter weight than the Soma. Mechanically, the bike gets an A+. The frame is responsive, stable and fun to ride. Much smoother riding than a modern Aluminum bike. The drivetrain is quick shifting and the gear set with 46 & 38t chainrings and a 11-25 10 speed cassette has a tight range. I can travel at any speed from 10 to 33 mph and always maintain my target cadence of 85 to 100 rpm.

It's been a fun bike and is used year around.

BigSean

I live in California so riding all year is not an issue, but I ride this bike instead of my race bike when its raining.

Urthwhyte

My summer bike, but with fenders.

v70cat

Other than a bike with fenders for rain, I see no reason not to ride the same bike.

Bikes/frames don't wear out, the cost of a tires,chain & cassette are minor why some secondary bike?

stien

Sand? Salt? I live in freakin' New England dude.

Fenders on this puppy, coming together soon.



To keep safe these two from the evil winter:

Nachoman

Not much of real winters around here so I just use my summer bike and try to clean it much more regularly.

tagaproject6

It is not a matter of reason. If you have to ask you won't get it. Maybe people think that having a different bike for differing seasons makes them cool or maybe having nice Zipp 404 wheels or whatever.

Barrettscv 

I'm sure that if a person uses a less valuable bike as a winter bike, they are not trying to be cool.

Now if a person is using a new $$$ bike in the salt & slush, I would say that they are trying a little too hard to maintain their image and not trying hard enough to maintain the bike. ...or whatever.

macadamia nut

I was thinking wider tires and cantilever brakes might be helpful.
Hmmmmm, maybe not.

v70cat

Just think that my carbon bike would do better than Alum or Steel in the salt and sand. A winter set of wheel might make be helpful.

scotch

Barrettscv 

If you plan to ride several times a week, you will need to ask yourself if you want studded tires. A commuter friend who rides 5 days a week, year around, depends on studded tires: he lives in Portage, IN.

I avoid days when the streets & paths are covered in snow & ice. But I need to watch for ice and will walk the bike when I see ice on curves & slopes during the winter months.

Michael

2ndGen

After the stress of worrying over the maintenance of my main bike during the winter last year,
I'm getting a cyclocross bike this year with fenders without a doubt and with MTB SPD's & MTB shoes.
If I can, it'll be a Redline or whatever I can pick up used locally.

Or...I might just build something up out of cheapie parts...$100. frame & $50. fork
and the "take off" parts from my CAAD9 as I replace them with Dura Ace.

Hmmm...I think I've just been inspired to have an Autumn project...thanks OP!

Barrettscv 

You could always use this, a Surley Pugsley;





But I would not try to do a 200km (with 13,600 ft of climbing) with it, unlike this cyclist (he completed).

tagaproject6

It was joke. Referring to a different thread.

LowCel 

Here are some pics of mine.

macadamia nut

"You could always use this, a Surley Pugsley;"... hahahaha!

I was thinking about 700x32 in something like a Surly Cross Check or Jamis Nova Race.
Maybe I don't need one.... but I sure want one.

Barrettscv 

I really like my Soma Double Cross, I have it set-up for solo & unsupported century rides. I like the bike so much, I consider it to be too good for winter abuse.

2ndGen

Or this...

roadiejorge 

I use the same bikes I use in the summer. When it's sloppy outside (i.e. slush/ice) I use the trainer.

colombo357

Interesting. Why are the tires all jagged? Will the manufacturer warranty such severe damage or is that "normal wear and tear"?

Also, I noticed that the bike's model name is "turner". It has an awfully high CG... can't imagine it turning very well, especially on the hairpins in Europe.

ccrrar

My summer ride on rollers.