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First Year Winter Cycling
I am currently restoring a vintage road bike that I have titled "The Mystery Bike" (there is no way of knowing what it is), and want to use it as a winter bike. I would love some tips on tires, brakes, and any other advice anybody has.
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Each place is different.
Doesn't Fort Collins get pretty cold in the winter? What about rain? And, are you planning on riding in the ice and snow? What is your bike? Road? MTB? Hybrid? Cross? 26", 650b, 700c, 27", 29er? Around here we mainly have wet winters. And, I can usually stay home for the few ice/snow days. I'm a (slow) Roadie at heart, generally with 23/25mm tires. My old Colnago has had plenty of wet winters, but is now being retired in favor of my Franken-Litespeed Titanium. I tried clip on fenders... never quite got them right, but it is nice to reduce some of the spray. I've generally used generic rain pants, and a good cycling rain jacket with plenty of ventilation. I got a pair of neoprene SPD shoes last year which are very nice. I'm still experimenting with tires.... there is some debate about tread, but I did like my Marathon Plus 25mm on the rear with moderate, and very thick tread. It seemed to get a bit better traction than a few other tires. I don't have any studded tires, a set might be nice for the ice/snow days if I had to go out. |
Originally Posted by CliffordK
(Post 17990611)
Each place is different.
Doesn't Fort Collins get pretty cold in the winter? What about rain? And, are you planning on riding in the ice and snow? What is your bike? Road? MTB? Hybrid? Cross? 26", 650b, 700c, 27", 29er? Around here we mainly have wet winters. And, I can usually stay home for the few ice/snow days. I'm a (slow) Roadie at heart, generally with 23/25mm tires. My old Colnago has had plenty of wet winters, but is now being retired in favor of my Franken-Litespeed Titanium. I tried clip on fenders... never quite got them right, but it is nice to reduce some of the spray. I've generally used generic rain pants, and a good cycling rain jacket with plenty of ventilation. I got a pair of neoprene SPD shoes last year which are very nice. I'm still experimenting with tires.... there is some debate about tread, but I did like my Marathon Plus 25mm on the rear with moderate, and very thick tread. It seemed to get a bit better traction than a few other tires. I don't have any studded tires, a set might be nice for the ice/snow days if I had to go out. |
Originally Posted by photokid03
(Post 17992959)
Yes, Fort Collins is quite snowy and sometimes icy, but no rain. My bike is a 26" road.
Anyway, perhaps July is a good time to hunt for studs. :thumb: 2015 Schwalbe Winter Reflex Wired MTB Hybrid Commuter Snow Ice Studded Bike Tyre | eBay Kenda Klondike K946 26x1 95 Snow Tire Steel 168 Stud | eBay You say 26" road... does it take MTB wheels too? It might not hurt to just hunt down a set of snow wheels and road wheels that you could quickly swap. Used MTB wheels are VERY CHEAP if you don't mind overhauling them. |
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