lol @ all the people from california, texas, new mexico giving advice on snow/ice riding.

I'm from Chicago. And besides, it snows here plenty. We're at the same elevation here as Denver. Are you going to lol @ them too, smart guy?

Just go slow and have a brake for emergencies. I choose to run both brakes but only really use the rear. I can control a rear slide but front slide usually ends up in eating ice and missing teeth. Its not that hard actually. Just requires a little more concentration than usual.

Also, where I live, we get an average 435.6 inches of snow every year.

That's not really how the weather works.


It dropped below zero today so the single speed freewheel fendered and studded tire winter thrasher is coming back out. Bummer

You're right, that's not how weather works. That's just the example we provide every time we talk to some idiot who thinks it doesn't snow here. That said, if you care to bust out your mad weather skills, be my guest.

I just ordered a single speed MTB conversion kit for my girlfriend to wrap up and put under the tree for me. And I have the scratched cranks off my Windsor that were replaced with new ones from Eighth Inch. So worst case, I'll ride my Cannondale in the snow, instead of my Windsor. In the past, I just rode a 24" BMX, which is the perfect snow bike if you're just goofing off and know you'll be crashing.

SS MTB with V brakes. I love riding in the snow. I've forgotten how many winters riding this'll be. I used to run big fat knobbies and surfed the deep snow but my FG buddies all swear the skinny tires drop to the road surface so this year I got 26inch CX tires (1.3inch) to give it a try. I've VERY VERY rarely had issues with the brakes freezing up, and can modulate the braking just fine not need to skid everytime you apply them, just watch out for the front. Though, riding out a front wheel skid in snowy conditions can be hella fun too, just do it where you can crash and not get run over. Enjoy yourself, repeat.

Having ridden both in equally ****ty conditions, and off road, it is true you get that "feedback" from both, but I find I can react to the loss of traction sooner on my fixed gear, and thus stay up right in the long run.

It's probably placebo, or maybe because i coast more in situations where my traction may be compromised.

of course it snows in new mexico. it snows in alot of places one would not expect.

but you know quite well there is a major difference between winter commuting in, say, toronto or chicago or upstate NY vs. where you live. the severity and duration of ice and snow, for example, is quite different.

Since nothing in this forum works anymore i'll hijack this thread.How many GI do you guys run on your snow/ice bikes/

It hasn't snowed in Tokyo for 4 years

On my ice bike I ride 58 gear inches.

I know it sounds silly low, but in really bad weather sometimes it seems too high.

Yes, I do know quite well difference. As I said, I am from Chicago, and lived there for 27 of my 33 years.

This?

The connection to the surface is NOT the same. With fixed gear you have more DIRECT control over the movement of the wheel. With a rim or disc brake the control is dependent upon the interaction between the pads and the rim or disc. If that is compromised by ice and snow...

rim brakes/disc brakes: reaction, pull lever with hand, pads interact with surface, braking begins.
fixed gear: reaction, apply resistance, braking begins. (more direct)

If you have some snow or ice on your rims/pads, then your brakes do not work like you are used to them working.

I've read what Sheldon had to say about riding fixed gear bicycles and agree with him. I also agree with the thousands of others who, like me, knows it first hand.

I speak from years of experience. Bottom line is opinion and preference. Why do you want us to convince you of something you have no intention of being convinced of?

Monterey California: a few months
Boston Massachusetts: My entire life prior

Should have put the skis up front.

Been riding my snow bike - old Klein with studded Nokians, gears, etc - all the last week because studded tires won't fit on the IRO and I feel the need to coast when the going gets sketchy. So far haven't had the brakes freeze but my drivetrain is getting mucked with snow and slush. Yesterday conditions were so bad on the hill going up to work that I took the sidewalk because it was better plowed. I looked over on the other side of the street and saw a bike messenger on fixed-gear going down the sidewalk on the other side. Looked like he was having a hard time of it as he was taking it slow on his way down.

I have a lot of bike choices when it comes to riding and fixed or freewheel and tire choice is the most important to me. Snow isn't the issue around here, it's ice and built-up slush that have caused my crashes. Without some kind of grip from the tires your braking choice is irrelevant, you are going to either skid or crash when you can least afford it.

I used to live in Boston and commuting year-round here in Boulder is a lot easier.

Screw winter. The drain for my furnace froze over last night, so now the furnace won't come on. When I get home, I'll have to re-route the drain pipe to the laundry room, so that I can heat the house up and thaw the pipe. Riding is the last of my concerns right now.