Riding Brakeless In Ice and Snow
12-18-04 | 10:22 PM
#26
Rebel Thousandaire
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Hartford, CT
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
Originally Posted by FixinInTraffic
I feel you on the different roads, but how often do you air up your tires? it's pretty hard to pinch flat 23c tires at 120psi. I only get pinch flats when I get lazy and the tires are maybe down to 80 or 90 or so.
12-19-04 | 03:37 PM
#27
Track Rat
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: To many
i've always used a 1 &1/4 front knobby for control, and just a normal road tire in the rear,
i've never had trouble with traction that could have been fixed with a different tire selection.
as for brakes, watch out with a front brake, you start skidding the front wheel, its almost impossible to bring it out. you'll have a nasty fold up. i'd rather lose the back end traction and be able to steer anyday,
most of my winter riding is extremely hilly, the oakland area of pittsburgh, steep hills, alot of the the roads are brick and belgium block, lots of slush and salt, my tire selection works fine for me there,
what do you guys ride in your respective terrains?
i've never had trouble with traction that could have been fixed with a different tire selection.
as for brakes, watch out with a front brake, you start skidding the front wheel, its almost impossible to bring it out. you'll have a nasty fold up. i'd rather lose the back end traction and be able to steer anyday,
most of my winter riding is extremely hilly, the oakland area of pittsburgh, steep hills, alot of the the roads are brick and belgium block, lots of slush and salt, my tire selection works fine for me there,
what do you guys ride in your respective terrains?
12-19-04 | 05:31 PM
#28
Good Afternoon!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 0
From: Rural Eastern Ontario
Bikes: Various by application
I go with 23s all winter and a front brake. Only fell victim once last year and that was in fresh deep snowfall that completely hid all reference to where the streetcar tracks were. That they were also iced over (unused streetcar tracks on Richmond W) helped quite a lot as it happened in slow moving gridlock and i was able to slide along while gaining my footing at the same time thereby keeping the car behind me behind me til I could step off to the right with my bike. braking had nothing to do with that one, nothing could prevent a lil spill. cold-snapped my fender though, it was too brittle from the chill when it slapped the ground.
If your line is true and you aren't yanking on them front brakes work just fine on ice. Momentum will save your ass.
If your line is true and you aren't yanking on them front brakes work just fine on ice. Momentum will save your ass.
12-21-04 | 07:27 AM
#30
I just bought a pair of the cheap Nashbar studded tires (700x35) for my Steamroller. This purchase will absolutely guarantee an iceless/snowless winter for DC. I'm forecasting high thirties and rain for the duration. Lovely weather, indeed.
12-21-04 | 09:55 AM
#31
Wher'd u Get That Jacket?
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in the Tubes
Bikes: Calfee Dragonfly, Lemond Poprad, Airborne Manhatten Project, Calfee Luna Fixie
Well, we already have a little ice on the ground, coming in from the Virginia Burbs this morning. I never messed with a front brake on the fixie in ice/snow. Always just ran regular tires. Think I only wiped out once on a grate coming out of a turn. Still have the scar from those suntour sprint track pedals.
If you're trying to ride on actual snow (not just in tracks of other bikes/cars) you need cross tires. If you're trying to do more than ride straight on ice you need studs. I remember once I rode a whole block without falling (10th to 9th on G) when it was covered with ice without falling. Once you're on the ice you just have to flow with it. Basically it is like mud only once you lose it, forget it all is lost. The fun thing with narrow tires is picking up speed and carving through banks of snow.
If you're trying to ride on actual snow (not just in tracks of other bikes/cars) you need cross tires. If you're trying to do more than ride straight on ice you need studs. I remember once I rode a whole block without falling (10th to 9th on G) when it was covered with ice without falling. Once you're on the ice you just have to flow with it. Basically it is like mud only once you lose it, forget it all is lost. The fun thing with narrow tires is picking up speed and carving through banks of snow.
12-21-04 | 09:59 AM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Bikes: Bianchi Brava (fixed), Nishiki Prestige (fixed), Plum Vainqueur (track), Fuji Boulevard (Single-speed)
When I get some cash, I plan to just have a spare front wheel ready with a studded tire on it to switch out on days when it's icy. I don't want to ride with the studded tire all the time.
12-21-04 | 10:04 AM
#33
Thread Starter
the way we get by
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 0
From: Wherever the f**k I feel it
Bikes: Cinelli Supercorsa / Surly Karate Monkey
Originally Posted by gilby
When I get some cash, I plan to just have a spare front wheel ready with a studded tire on it to switch out on days when it's icy. I don't want to ride with the studded tire all the time.
What a good idea. A very good idea.
12-21-04 | 10:42 AM
#34
Originally Posted by flythebike
Well, we already have a little ice on the ground, coming in from the Virginia Burbs this morning. I never messed with a front brake on the fixie in ice/snow. Always just ran regular tires. Think I only wiped out once on a grate coming out of a turn. Still have the scar from those suntour sprint track pedals.
If you're trying to ride on actual snow (not just in tracks of other bikes/cars) you need cross tires. If you're trying to do more than ride straight on ice you need studs. I remember once I rode a whole block without falling (10th to 9th on G) when it was covered with ice without falling. Once you're on the ice you just have to flow with it. Basically it is like mud only once you lose it, forget it all is lost. The fun thing with narrow tires is picking up speed and carving through banks of snow.
If you're trying to ride on actual snow (not just in tracks of other bikes/cars) you need cross tires. If you're trying to do more than ride straight on ice you need studs. I remember once I rode a whole block without falling (10th to 9th on G) when it was covered with ice without falling. Once you're on the ice you just have to flow with it. Basically it is like mud only once you lose it, forget it all is lost. The fun thing with narrow tires is picking up speed and carving through banks of snow.
