Snow tires?
 

I'm in the process of building up a single speed fixed gear. It'll be completed fairly soon. The problem is that I live in Colorado, at about 9,000ft., i.e. the streets are usually snow packed. I was considering putting some cyclocross tires on the bike. Does anyone have any suggestions for a tire that is particularly good in the snow? I have noticed that Nashbar sells a 700c studded snow tire. Are these worth the money, or the added weight? Finally, how do I check to make sure that my frame, and brake will accomodate a larger nobby tire?

i have heard the nashbar tired are pretty good if you are riding in the snow a lot. if you have the money I would invest in some tufo cyclocross tires. they seem to be pretty versitile

Kook,

What kind of frame do you have? A road racing frame probably won't cut it but if you have a hybred or older steel road frame you should be okay for tire clearance.

What about mixed terrain? I deal with a lot of semi-plowed bike lanes in the winter. Will the studs be slippery on cement?

The frame is an older steel frame. I do have to use a slightly longer reaching brake caliper (old shimano 600 single pivot). I also forgot to mention that I'll be putting the tires on a pair of mavic cxp 33s. Will this narrower (usually 700x23)rim accomadate a 700x35, or should I stick with the 700x30?

The 35's should work, they work on my old steel Shwinn and Peugeot. On the Peugeot I had to stay with Center pull brakes while on the Schwinn it is a dual pivot road brake. It takes some doing to get the wheel between the pads, but once it's there I have no problems with tire rubbing. It was a concern. I can run Nokians on both, with a couple wheel sets I swap them depending on my mood, and desire for different in ride, Schwinn 46x20 while Peugeot is usually 48x17

Check out Hutchison Pro Elite Gold cyclocross tire.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/

I was impressed with the stability of the Pro Elite Gold (on a 1984 Raleigh Technium with extensive modifications) during a "Nor'easter" storm in Boston last month.

The Technium was just converted to single speed (gear ratio- 36:20). So I look forward to trying these aggressively knobbed 700c tires again during my next commute through snow, ice, and slush.

However, what I learn may not be applicable to the powder (?) you ride through at 9,000 feet. Are you in Crested Butte?

I am a novice singlespeed rider. So I would welcome any advice from riders on this forum.

:roflmao:

I went ahead and got a pair of ritchey speedmax 700x30 recommended by Excel Sports. It hasn't snowed here in Silverthorne since I got the bike up and running, so the roads have beeen unusually dry. The tires seem to handle gravel and loose terrain well, but I did nearly go down on some ice yesterday. It's supposed to snow this week. When, and if it does I'll be able to truly test Excel's recommendation.

Although I'm a Texan, and don't really know what snow is/looks like.....

http://www.icebike.com has some tire reviews.

Tak for the icebiking link! Used to "commute" to Houston. Miss the excitement of spaceflight. Also miss platters of fried oysters and the surf at Galveston during September. Who needs snow? But icebiking- now that's something else!

Shall we start an Icebiking Forum?

:roflmao:

i ride a fixed gear raleigh technium, im interested in seeing a picture of yours!

1984 Raleigh Technium designed for triathlon recently converted to single speed commuting. Gear ratio: 36:20. Redline crank. Fusion Azonic magnesium pedals. Tires Hutchison Pro Gold Series. Saddle Brooks Pro. Topeak rack, Nitto Technomic tall stem, Cane Creek bar ends. Ritchey brake levers.

:roflmao: