Bad weather commutes?

[Stephen wilby]

Does anyone commute all year round on a road bike. I have 2 road bikes n don't have the room for another bike. So what i want to know is is it possivle. And what changes or accesories do i need to add when the ice, snow and other nasties arrive.

 

[welshwheels]

hi i would say you mainly need mudguards and tougher tyres on the bike and plenty of layers and decent shoes /overshoes combo for yourself yes it is possible just be very carefull on any sort of ice good luck

 

[fatblokish]

Yup,
been commuting on road bokes for 12 years now.
In winter, lights, mudguards and decent brakes. Others may suggest a helmet. Also waterproofs may be needed but it all depends on what awaits you at your journeys end.
Snow has never been a problem for me (I live in Somerset). Just take it steady, and watch out for fishtailing cars...

 

[Theseus]

All year round ... yes

On a road bike ... mostly I ride a road fixed wheel bike. I have a utility bike with large tyre/frame clearance and hub brakes and gears I use in the ice & snow with (this year) snow tyres.

Most important thing to do is to dress appropriately. It is better to use multiple layers that can be adjusted to suit. Long leggings are a must and I find Sealskinz socks keep the feet nice and toasty & dry although others prefer shoe covers for this job.

 

[martint235]

Yep I do. It depends where you are. I'm based in London so I don't have to contend with snow too much. Also London's roads, or at least the ones I use, tend to be gritted fairly well. If snow does arrive I do have an MTB ready but to be honest, last year it wouldn't have done me much good. All the days I couldn't cycle to work, I couldn't get to work in any other way either.

For wind, rain etc just dress appropriately. Make sure you're wearing whatever you need to make YOU feel comfortable (what I wear may not work for you). Also if it's wet and dark or foggy, make sure you've got good lights. If in doubt about road surface etc, take it easy. It's not a race

 

[Stephen wilby]

Thats good to know. I didn't really want to get rid of one of my bikes as i like drop bars and i don't have a particularly hard commute (only 5 miles). Hiw do you combat ice and frosty roads as i don't think snow tyres are available that small.

 

[welshwheels]

I personally use a marathon + 700x25 i find the tread good in muddy lanes apart from spikes i dont think anything will grip on ice

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Last 2 winters have been on my carbon road bike. Through snow and ice, coldest was -10. Its okay as long as your careful and remember that sudden movements are going to be tricky, but as I live in cambridgshire I do not have any problems with hills, up or down, which on a road bike would present me with a different set of problems.

This year I got a MTB, along with spiked tyres for the snow. Much better that the road bike, if I could not have afforded the MTB I would have continued on the road bike. I just tend to set off much earlier in the bad weather days, and on the really treacherousness parts I got off and pushed. Commute is 17 each way

 

[Hacienda71]

I use my road bike all year round on the commute. I don't ride it if there is snow or a high risk of ice on my route, but to be honest this is only a few days. In the snow the MTB comes out. On ice I wouldn't ride although a few people on here do ride with studded snow tyres.

 

[martint235]

Thats good to know. I didn't really want to get rid of one of my bikes as i like drop bars and i don't have a particularly hard commute (only 5 miles). Hiw do you combat ice and frosty roads as i don't think snow tyres are available that small.

Try to stay in the car tracks. Other than that take it easy. Ice only really becomes a problem if you change direction or speed.

 

[Tynan]

bib longs and a base layer and perhaps a gillet on top does for me, plus a buff, gloves and perhaps a skull cap if it cold

same tyres and blocks all year round, the worst it will be is wet and that happens in summer too

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've been an all year round all weather commuter for over 30 years now. I use a fixed with mudguards, lights, and rack to commute on, I ride in ordinary clothes and steel toe capped boots. If its cold remember to wrap up warm, use several layers, if its slippery just handle the bike gently, keep it smooth no harsh or sudden movements.

 

[Stephen wilby]

Ok. Thank you very much for your positive replies. I will just stick with road bike commuting and invest in some new winter togs and stop worrying about it. What is the best way to keep feet dry using trainers?

 

[jonathanw]

I agree it can be done, but there are some caveats

Come try the highlands, my post in the thread below explains my problem.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/well-1-year-3-month-now.91502/

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Ok. Thank you very much for your positive replies. I will just stick with road bike commuting and invest in some new winter togs and stop worrying about it. What is the best way to keep feet dry using trainers?

Overshoes, talk to your LBS and see if they stock waterproof overshoes and have a pair that will fit over your trainers. A few years ago I managed to get a pair that would fit over my big boots.