nlerner

It hasn’t really snowed yet in the Boston area this season, nor has it been cold/wet enough for salting the roads, but that time is coming soon, so I’m thinking about commuter bikes. I will likely swap 42mm Soma Cazadero tires on my Gugified Raleigh Int’l and use that to some degree:



The heavy use of road salts is quite the killer of drivetrains, however, so I try to use less precious rigs. Seems like every winter for the past few years, I acquired or built up a variety of bikes to subject to harsh conditions:






This year, I’m thinking more modern: a cheap alu frame, disc brakes, 1x drivetrain, drop bars.

What will you be riding?

cyccommute 

1999 Dean. Snow to dry.



If ice is involved, this 1998 Moots YBBeat keeps studs on it.



Denver has milder winters than most people realize so this 1998 Nashbar Flashback does mild winter duty.

Classtime 

…but is was almost freezing this morning! I’ve been wearing knee warmers for a month already! The thermometer read 52 but it felt like 48!

gugie 

Commute?

What is this commute you talk about?

nlerner

I was thinking of broadening this topic to "winter riding," but the lack of response so far has me questioning just how many of those in this forum actually ride their bikes.

merziac

Guilty, lately.

Not even cold, 20-30 mph wind on the clear days.

Been working on getting ready for Christmas including overhaul of my son's SS so hopefully he rides some more next summer.

Gonna have to bite the bullet and start riding the rain bike just for "fun", fortunately or not its ready to go.

bboy314

SurferRosa

I told you those rubber nipples would come in handy!

John E

I need to start wearing my leg warmers more often in cold morning weather -- probably better for one's knees.

merziac

Crappy pic with the Fuji rain bike, apparently I was thrilled that day.

That was a testing of the new EB rain jacket that did work and fit very well.

Skinny tires to accommodate fenders is a bit sketchy but I commuted on it in the winter for 5+ years.

Need to build a proper C+V version to help get me out in it more.

lonesomesteve

I'm working from home, so these days my commute involves walking from the bedroom to the kitchen for coffee, and then proceeding to the couch. Back when I was going into an office, I rode this:


It's a 1990 Trek 420, heavily Frek-ified with 650b wheels, brazed-on centerpull brakes, custom front rack, etc. It's still my main bike for running errands around town, and for camping and touring.

I'll admit that showing it in the snow is a bit disingenuous since here in western Washington, winter commuting mostly means riding in the dark and in the rain.

Andy_K 

It's kind funny. I originally got hooked on vintage bike because I fell in love with a LeMond that I bought to ride to work and not worry about it getting beat up. Now, the tables have turned. Winter here means constant rain, and the only bike I'm willing to subject to that is my most modern bike.

rccardr 

Neal, I find your continued use of upright bars and modern shifting gadgetry quite troubling.
Perhaps the cold temps and irritating precipitation are influencing your actions.
A prescription for a week in LA and San Diego is hereby issued so that you may be relieved of these demon thoughts.

bboy314

Couple more. Now I’m getting excited for the winter!

pastorbobnlnh 

I am not missing anything about this time of year in NH and riding. No commuting for retired me--- but I ride plenty of times each week.

One of many different winter riders.

thinktubes 

Last week, a chap on a crabon fibre delight passed me and uttered “nice winter trainer”…

Romany275

Aluminum frame, smoke/dart combo, and a Jandd mountain wedge pack. The minimalist fenders are enough to keep most of the slop off in the PNW rain.

theblackbullet

We have been in a drought here in Atlanta. No need for fenders as of yet.

DorkDisk

kansascity 

This 1990 Schwinn Voyageur is receiving most of my commutes this Fall. Bar Mitts have been installed, but so far the weather has been both warm and dry for our area.

nlerner

On today’s ride, with temps around 50F, I saw some one riding with bar mitts while wearing shorts. I guess cold hands are a thing!

merziac

I ride shorts almost no matter what down to about 35F, so long as its dry.

randyjawa 

I ride my early eighties Bianchi almost every day all winter...


Mind you, I winter in Jamaica each year...

madpogue 

Winter's been a wicked tease here this year. 50s one day, 10s the next night. A lot of cold rain right on the edge of being snow, just cold/wet enough to be miserable, especially combined with the low ceiling, short days, and WIND. I'll take steady 20s with some snow cover, radiant sun and a day that lasts past quitting time, but that's probably a month or so away.

My work commute is the same as lonesomesteve 's, so my "daily driver" is a pair of Crocs. If shopping and errands count as commuting, it'll generally be one of these two Specialized MTBs:

Fair(-ish) weather - 1993 RockHopper Comp:

Semi-knobby tires (the kids these days would call them "gravel grinders" I reckon) will handle light snow. Various spoke lights for night-time visibility

Ice/snow slayer - 1993 HardRock Sport:

Running a pair of Nokian "Hock-up-a-loogie" 4-row studded tires (not shown here), and the obligatory Kool-Stop salmons. And more spoke lights.

In service:

Oh, and a few of those reflectorized slotted "tubes" that snap over the spokes. Can't for the life of me remember what they're called.


Not-yet-plowed central artery bike path. It was still coming down pretty hard; the City usually waits 'til a snowfall ends (or close to it) before they plow and sand. That's a little planted prairie in the background off the left side of the path.

3alarmer

.
...we only get rain here. No real winter to speak of.