Commuting In The Snow

[Crankarm]

I got some continental spiked claw 240 tyres. I put these on and last year they were superb. They were only on 3 days so still look new in the garage. The only problem I have is that I only have one set of wheels for the MTB, so have to change as required which can be a faff.

My tip for riding in snow is don't look at the front wheel, I spent too much time looking at it and was too nervous, just keep looking ahead, as the front wheel will drift, and if its heavy snow, cycle in a lower gear so you get a more easier time, cause if you come to a tough bit of snow in a high gear you won't be able to pedal hard enough to get thru and you fall off, as I did ! so, slow, steady, low gear and enjoy

Treat yourself or your bike to a new set of wheels. You know you want to. How about a pair of wheels on Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs with Mavic XC 719 rims?

 

[Crankarm]

Good gloves and winter boots such as Shimano MW80s with heater eater thick fleece socks with Coolmax liners.

 

[Black Country Ste]

If it snows I can walk to work in half an hour. The standard of driving around Balsall Heath is bad enough without the unlicensed idiots that live there having to deal with the sky falling down as well.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Treat yourself or your bike to a new set of wheels. You know you want to. How about a pair of wheels on Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs with Mavic XC 719 rims?

I think your right mate, may be the flooded GBW cycle track will freeze over the flooded area and I can cycle across it !!!!!

 

[biggs682]

Not so much a tip, but wen it snows I commute off road most of the way to avoid the compacted snow and ice on the road.

+1 what drago says as quite often its only non rideable due to compacted frozen snow that has become badly rutted .

i end either pushing bike where i cant ride or walk to work or get car out but that is last result

 

[ufkacbln]

If you just have snow, not proper ice, then spikes are a waste of money and time.
No slicks.
Pedal lightly and spin quickly rather than gear mashing.
Use front breaks at your own peril.
Do not lean the bike into corners.

30 minutes after the snow fall there will be compacted snow on some routes. In the morning the snow will freeze and these compacted routes will be ice sheets. Any partial thaw will result in a layer of ice for the morning commute.

I have yet to have any snow without the tyres being of benefit

Simply where there is snow, snow tyres will give you additional grip and safety .....

They are only a waste of money and time in those places where the snow magically appears and disappears without any thawing

And most importantly if you are off road and see a really big snow drift , a foot or more, aim for it and have fun.

... and hope to hell that there is nothing hidden in it like a kerb, verge, pothole, or any other hazard?

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Not looking forward to this snow.

 

[Alan Frame]

Not so much a tip, but wen it snows I commute off road most of the way to avoid the compacted snow and ice on the road.

Ooh heck, the Filth are now advocating pavement cycling.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Ooh heck, the Filth are now advocating pavement cycling.

Definitely! As I said in another thread, it's often not even down to whether the road is rideable - its more the fact that I can guarantee seeing at least two cars sliding and spinning through junctions in fresh snow, and I'd rather not be in front of them when they do this!

 

[robjh]

With snow or ice risk I switch bikes, to go from 700c x23 tyres on one to 26x1.75" (=40mm I think) on the other. The latter bike has Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres which are not exactly knobbly but have more grip and more contact area than my light road bike. It feels safer, though touch wood that has not so far really been put to the test. And I ride very slowly around all corners.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Collected my spare set of wheels today, so I now have one set up with my normal tyres (Marathon Plus 38c) and one with the ice tyres (Marathon again but 35c)

Just rode the ice tyres in - 25 miles, much harder work than normal tyres, but now I am set up to hopefully keep commuting on the bike.

 

[summerdays]

As well as using spiked tyres I also lower my saddle slightly just to make sure I can easily put a foot down on the ground.

 

[mattsr]

As well as using spiked tyres I also lower my saddle slightly just to make sure I can easily put a foot down on the ground.

Top Tip!

 

[Herzog]

As well as using spiked tyres I also lower my saddle slightly just to make sure I can easily put a foot down on the ground.

Not sure my knees would like that...

 

[summerdays]

Not sure my knees would like that...

I'm only doing it when the road is really icy/snowy and I'm going a lot slower anyway. My whole body would prefer that to hitting the road, and I'm not talking about putting it down a long way, just to make it not a tiptoe on the road surface. A compromise position.