Winter biking?
 

I don't bike much in the winter. But I'd like to get into it. I just don't know what will help push me into getting it to work for me. Right now I'm having problems with traction mostly. The cold is also a problem.

I have a 27" road bike which is terrible in the snow. I'm divided between getting a mountain bike, a fat tire bike or a trike. Mountain bikes can be picked up for cheap (I'm pretty cheap). But I don't know if that will be enough traction. A lot of winter bicyclers here get those fat tire bikes so they don't sink so bad into the snow. On the other hand a trike may be more stable?? I've slid under cars on several occasions, although I've never actually gotten hurt. I suppose that's what really makes me not want to ride in the winter. Do they make winter tires for bicycles? Tire chains?

Also, how do you wear a helmet and a hat at the same time safely? Also I seem to get too hot sometimes and sweat and then I'm freezing cold. I'm not sure what the best strategy would be. Any suggestions?

I winter bike. The skinny-tire bikes are TERRIBLE. Forget them.

Mountain bikes are so much better. It's like the difference between slicks and snow tires for cars. I haven't tried the new fatties but then if your streets are generally plowed well enough- so YOU aren't plowing through- I find regular mtn tires sufficient.

Get a cheap, preferably free beater (garage sales, alleys, craigslist, etc.). Here in the Rust Belt the road salt will make derailleurs and such look like they've been on the bottom of a lake for 100 years in one season. Cover it all with lube and don't sweat it if you have to repair or replace it more often than you are used to.

Easily openable layers. And big pockets. You start out cold but it's amazing how hot and sweaty you can get when it's below zero. First I'm unzipping my jacket's shell partially, then completely, then unzipping the liner, then stuffing the hat and gloves in the pockets, until I finally arrive at my destination completely nude. :eek:

For off road snow a fat bike is by far the best. But they are expensive, heavy, and slow on the road. To commute on slushy roads in the winter, a 26x2.0 tire will work pretty well and if you are serious you can buy winter tires.
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while I do not ride a bicycle anymore, I did when I was a young man, & they are correct, about wide tires, however I had a different style, & built myself, I used wide 24" with coaster brakes in rear, & I tried 3. 10, & 12 speeds on it, but I got sick of brake cables stretching, so went to a coaster brake, for the front, I preferred a custom made fork, like a chopper, but probably 4" longer than original, with a wide 20" front tire. for a seat, I had a custom made banana with the rear support rails with springs to have a form of shock. for handlebars 16" ape hanger style. & a coaster brake n front wheel, behind fork, instead of in front, so I could have engine on front fork

however I used several of the different assist engines from the 60's & 70's on it. if interested I will discuss. but it got awesome mileage from100-200 mpg depending on engine I used.

no idea how many miles I rode my custom bike, but I put over 100k mile on a true moped during same time period, from age 12-18

for clothing I use layers, & I ride motorcycles all winter.

photo off the net
http://motos.autos-markt.com/img/Bik...64929283/0.jpg

I have one of these; got it in the 70's. It's really for a different thread as I imagine the friction drive to be nearly useless in ice and snow.

lol, an O&R engine also known as "chicken power" they were ok, they had a knurled metal wheel which wasn't bad actually, or you could make a custom wheel & for "spikes" use a MIG welder & just do spiral rows of spot welds, the spot welds will grab great on the tire.

the aquabug? I think is correct name, used a plastic roller, like old walk behind front wheel power propelled mowers, they wore bad in middle, had to replace roller & slipped on hills on dry pavement.

I still have 1 of each of those, plus a few others, not for sale!

There's electric mountain bikes.
https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/e...n-bikes-348254

I bought 3.0 inch studded tires for my electric bike so I could keep riding through the winter and keep it at work for lunch rides and my fat bike at home for the weekends.
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Sounds like a superb way to die of hypothermia in a ditchance after being hit by a car.
My suggestion is don't.

Ya. This town has bike lanes. But they all disappear when the streets are all snow packed, which is from now until March.

Funny how things change when you grow up. As a kid i was always thrilled when snow&ice came, instantly took my bike and went sliding around streets :D
Nowadays, "meh, it's cold. I could slip and brake my bones"

^^
- What did you get for your birthday?
- Old!

I personally think winter cycling is OK but you have to know your route well and certainly pick it well.

I'd love to ride a bike to work, but work needs to be within biking distance.
My company does have one office nearby, but not a department that supports my line of work there. I can use it if I want to, but with none of the people I communicate with about I could as well work at home then.

But who knows. Things are in flux and we might end up there. Then I do have the following commute options:
- Car (obviously)
- Bike
- Tram (plus 2 x 600 m walking)
- Canoe (err... Not keen as a sailor and windsurfer, but it would be possible!)
- Inline skates (haven't touched them for 18 years after hurting my ***... but there's a dedicated pedestrian route for most of the way, with some interesting detours as well).

As for my current commute: no dice. One of my colleagues has a pedelec (electric support up to 45 km/h) and frequently uses it for his 18 km commute. But my commute is double that and my physical condition is half his ;)

I've always wanted to build an enclosed quadracycle with some sort of heating/cooling.

Anyhow, back to Earth.

The plan is:

1. Get a mountain bike.
2. Attach fenders if not already on it.
3. Put on lots of lights. I might splurge and get a SON dynamo like on my Wife's bike.
4. Do they make heated handle bars for bicycles?
5. Maybe add real snow tires.

I have little problem biking in the winter, other than avoiding the rain. I rode 60 miles today. Of course, I live in Florida.

So it's not -5°F right now there?

It's a little cooler today, about 61 degrees F at 7:46 pm.

I just went through a terrible ground blizzard last night and had to get a hotel. The highways closed around me in both directions. Good thing I use my car for long distance trips. :)

Like sendler I like to ride year round. Tires, fenders, lights on a mountain bike are common here. I use a full face Bell motorcycle helmet with a flip up visor. I have tried various wind screens and now I make my own from 4 mm Coroplast. I cut a sheet 24 in. X 44 in. I make cuts in a radial pattern from a point just below the center then overlap the segments. I poke holes through the overlapped material 3/4 in apart and secure the segments with zip ties. Most adhesive do not work well on this plastic. I mount the shell to the base of the head tube. I cut slits to an opening for the head tube and front brake cable. If I need to stabilize the shell more I make a hoop from white PVC tubing or tie two cords between the the upper part of the shell and the center of the handlebars. The fact that the shell mounts to the frame rather than the steering greatly reduces instability from cross winds. Other materials could be used.

I cycle all year round. Normal road bike in anything except snow, which is when the ni tries rigid MTB comes out to play.

You can wear a cycling skull cap or cycling cap under a helmet, no problem.

This thread has brought my joy of winter biking back :thumbup: In a few days i have driven around 50km of local roads and paths in the woods with my new to me-mountain bike.