Manchester commuters

[potsy]

Missed all last week due to the weather,anyone planning to get back on their bikes next week?
None studded tyre cyclists only need reply

I have a lunchtime commute in,but a 10pm ride home that worries me quite a lot,really don't want to miss another full week

 

[Littgull]

Missed all last week due to the weather,anyone planning to get back on their bikes next week?
None studded tyre cyclists only need reply

I have a lunchtime commute in,but a 10pm ride home that worries me quite a lot,really don't want to miss another full week

 

[Littgull]

Potsy..I have the same dilemna, My commute is from Littleborough to Bury and back. Couldn't get the bike out at all this week due to the snow.

It seems that sub zero tempertures are forecast for our region for the rest of this week so just too risky on any bike without studded tyres. Reading around this and other forums it looks the best option is a cheap but decent MTB with studded tyres. especially as the more severe winters now seem to be back as a regular feature.

Seriously considering the Rockhopper MTB at £99.99 from Decathlon plus purchase of studded tyres (if any can still be found in stock). So total outlay including bike would be approx £150. a lot to shell out but worth it to maitain the glorious bike commute and an investment for future winters.

 

[potsy]

I have a hybrid that I plan on using for the winter once the ice goes, have been trying to decide whether or not to get some studded tyres,like you say they are an investment not just a one season wonder,expensive but should last a good few winters.
Stock issues plus uncertainty about tyre clearance have stopped me getting them already.

 

[3tyretrackterry]

I am in Leicester and am commuting on a MTB on non studded tyres and havent had any major problems. Braking is done slowly and carefully and likewise turning corners. I admit that most of my commute is on busy roads but i do work shifts so traffic is light on them. I didnt commute when the snow was on the ground as the wife asked me not to so i made other arrangements but tonight was the first one and weather is predicted -2 to -4 so i will be careful going home but dont expect any major dramas.

 

[400bhp]

Damm right I'm back on the bike.

Tommmow morning 7am on the newly acquired Subway 1 with Schwalbe City Jets.

 

[400bhp]

I have a hybrid that I plan on using for the winter once the ice goes, have been trying to decide whether or not to get some studded tyres,like you say they are an investment not just a one season wonder,expensive but should last a good few winters.
Stock issues plus uncertainty about tyre clearance have stopped me getting them already.

In an ideal world we would remember and buy them just after winter when they are selling them off cheap. Never works that way

 

[potsy]

Damm right I'm back on the bike.

Tommmow morning 7am on the newly acquired Subway 1 with Schwalbe City Jets.

In an ideal world we would remember and buy them just after winter when they are selling them off cheap. Never works that way

I couldn't stand the thought of spending £60 and there being a balmy winter,I might have cried

Let us know how you get on tomorrow,might risk the hybrid with 28mm M+ but really worried about it not being up to it.

 

[fossyant]

It's starting to ice up out there now !

 

[potsy]

It's starting to ice up out there now !

Excellent

 

[MossCommuter]

freezing fog, well below zero, nasteh

had my jimjam day on Friday though so I'll have to walk in if the bike's not a goer in the morning

 

[pedallingpasty]

Similar situation here, on nights this week, so a bit concerned about the ice and have not got studs.
Maybe down to about -5 to -7, but looks as though not a lot of wind. Have been using mtb with 1.5 city jets on and now converted to 3 speed from single, with nobblies back on last week it coped really well with snow at 5am in morning on a fairly rural route. So luckily not a lot of cars to worry about. But nearly ran into a tractor who thought it funny to pull out of a juction in front of me, twat!!
Did find though that the nobblies do seem to give you more warning if you start slipping, i think semi slicks maybe too much of a risk at the moment. Will leave nobblies on for now, but they are bloody noisy and handle badly on tarmac.
I think the best idea would be just leave a bit earlier and see how it goes, just walk the worst bits. Might do a quick reccy tonight to see what it looks like.
I would miss the commute if i had to take car, but personnal safety is more important especially if riding on a busy commute route.

 

[- Baz -]

I'm on 35mm M+. Still off the bike this week - another bus pass, sadly. Looks like warming up towards the weekend according to the Beeb weather, so fingers crossed...

 

[400bhp]

In the office, roads into Manc seemed OK on City Jets.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Seriously considering the Rockhopper MTB at £99.99 from Decathlon plus purchase of studded tyres (if any can still be found in stock). So total outlay including bike would be approx £150. a lot to shell out but worth it to maitain the glorious bike commute and an investment for future winters.

That's what I did! I didn't want to risk coming off my hybrid on M+ tyres, so rather than buy another set of wheels or mess around swapping tyres, I spent £99 at Decathlon on a Rockrider 5.0, swapped the "cross" tyres it came with for some Schwalbe knobblies, and invested in some spare brackets so I could swap lights between bikes. Job done for about £140!

Had no problems last week, but had to walk the bike down to the main road today due to the side roads being highly polished ice.