I recently rebuilt my Marin Novato after riding it through the Winter season in Upstate, NY (Syracuse). I took before and after shots. I have modified the before pictures and will post them for your viewing pleasure.











After pictures are soon to follow.

Apparently I was ambitious, the after pics as promised:

















I am not the best with my digital camera, do enjoy though!

I'm surprised it looked that good after a Syracuse winter (of course being in Buffalo is the only reason I'm allowed to say that).

I couldn't tell if the tires were studded or not, if not, are they just nobbies? How well did it ride? Oh and nice clean up job!

Hey there, thanks for the compliment!

The tires were not studded, just semi-nobs. The new tires are even smoother, though not slick. They are the Marathon XR's. I think I will be OK with that. I have definitely considered studs but I wouldn't want to run them all winter. I have considered two winter bikes (one with studs and one with out) but have not come to a decision.

The tires I ran last year did fine. I only fell once and that was when I was going down my driveway (sloped) and realized I forgot to turn on my blinky. I absentmindedly hit the brake and down I went. I really didn't have to go much slower, they went over everything just fine. The roads were petty much plowed and usually I only had a bit of snow to go through.

Hey Podolak. I too am from Syracuse. I commute from the East side to the West side. I am considering biking year round. I would love t hear your thoughts....your commute... what you wear.... basically... everything. Does this board have private messaging?

Hey Sean,

The board does have private messaging but feel free to ask anything here. I don't mind sharing the information with the community at large.

This may sound strange but I have never actually ridden in the city itself. I have participated in several *foot* races but never one on two wheels or regular riding either. My commute is from one suburb (Cicero) to another (Baldwinsville). I stay north of the city along RT31 for most of my commute.

Also, although I ride every day in the winter I do not necessarily commute every day. I need to keep the marital peace some how!

As for what I wear, it varies on temperature and precipitation. I also upgrade a piece of my equipment every year. Here is the list:

Days below 20 F:

Padded cycling shorts
Long sleeve base layer
EMS Sync Fleece
EMS Exodus Shell
AmFib tights
Insulated wind breakers
thick cycling socks
Mountain SPD shoes
Balcava
Ear Muffs
Helmet
glove liners
fingerless cycling gloves
regular winter gloves or snowmobiling gloves

If it is below 0 F with precipitation I put some bags around my feet (purchasing booties this year I think) and I wore ski goggles.

If it starts to warm up above 20 F (I ride at 6 am so it is usually coldest then and no sun) I go with a lighter shell and lose the wind breakers. I have my choice of a regular insulated wind breaker, a non-insulated cycling wind breaker or an EMS Deluge SYNC water/wind proof shell. I also have a couple different jerseys too depending on what combo I want to go with. I generally wear the thick socks all winter. I will also go with lighter gloves too depending. Same SPD shoes all winter. I rarely wear the goggles and I love when I can go with out the balcava.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask anything else.