question for the ice cyclists

[Ben774]

Just got into work today on 23mm tyres at 110psi. I'm lucky that most of my journey is nicely gritted A roads, but I have about a mile of back lane which is a bit sketchy and the completely un-treated driveway into work is a nightmare. I found that the gritted roads were no problem at all and the un-gritted, but well used, back roads were fine as long as I stayed in the car tracks. I would say, however, that if you use a lot of pavements that have not been gritted/salted, you will need to be very cautious.

Completely feasible to cycle in the bad/icey weather though, in my very limited experience. Just use a bit of common sense and you should be ok.

 

[upsidedown]

2.1 Panaracer Fire XCs at 40 PSI on old MTB.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

I've made a studded tyre for the front of my commuter MTB by fitting 1/2 inch stainless screws (£3 for 100 from Screwfix) to an old MTB tyre. I ran a 2mm drill through every second knobble on each side of the tyre, drove the screw from the inside to the outside and lined the inside of the tyre with an old cut down road tyre to cover the heads.

I've fitted seventy screws in total to the tyre, 35 each side of the centre tread - none down the middle.

First ride out was awful, as the screws were protruding too far out from the tread so I've trimmed them back so they're sticking out around 3mm.

It worked well on the un-gritted roads and cycle paths on the way to work this morning with no slips from the front and no misbehavior on the tarmac roads either. It is noticeably slower than my normal tyre though, this being a combination of the extra weight, running at low pressure (35psi) and it being a rubbish tyre in the first place. However, it means I can continue to ride in to work even if it takes a little longer.

 

[Twenty Inch]

I'm still on Brontrager racelight 32's. Slick as you like.
I've cut through the snow with them, over ice. They've held up pretty good. I'm certainly not going to throw money at a new set of winter tyres.
Maybe i've just been lucky.
Running at 100psi.

Oh, I didn't pay for my mudpluggers - people give me bike stuff now. You should see my cellar - SWMBO doesn't even go down there any more

 

[gbb]

Just ordinary 35mm tyres on my hybrid, normal pressures.
The truth is i rarely encounter actual ice. Fresh snow is easy. Compacted snow and frost doesnt seem to cause me any problems, the ruts and bumps do need a good deal of caution. A steady ride and plotting ahead seems to do it for me.
That said, i took the car yesterday (that's normal on shopping day)...i've gone all soft overnight and took the car again today
See what happens when you let standards slip

No way would i entertain taking the road bikes out at the moment though.

Thinking about it, i've only had one off in the last 5 years or so. That was on sheet black ice near my house. Went back to warn the missus, came back out...and prompty fell over on the same patch while walking gingerly over it
The wife told me later, she walked gingerly over it on the way to work...and fell straight over.

Had a couple of unexpected slides in ice over the last few years, but that's maybe once a year at the most.

 

[jonny jeez]

I know the ice can be fun and challanging...but if you have a fairly long commute with varied road styles/conditions...are you chancing your luck a little too much to set out in the ice?

After all if Hobbes or Mikey fall off halfway, they have a 10 mile walk home to contend with and probably little chance of a non folder being let on the train.

Even studded tyres will provide issues as the road style and conditions will change a lot in 20 odd miles of journey.

What do the rest of you find?

 

[HobbesChoice]

Am definitely interested to hear what others have found! Thanks Jonny!

I have to admit, due to the icy conditions on half of my commute I've put off venturing out as I only have slick tyres. I have looked into getting studded tyres, but they do state they're only really worthwhile actually on the ice otherwise they create too much grip. As around half of my journey would be on clear or gritty roads it seems a big risk at the other end of the spectrum (and as much as I want to cycle I can't carry 2 spare wheels or tyres with me!)

 

[Origamist]

I know the ice can be fun and challanging...but if you have a fairly long commute with varied road styles/conditions...are you chancing your luck a little too much to set out in the ice?

Yes. All you can do is mitigate the increased risks.

 

[viniga]

I use a hybrid, I switched to my Nokian studded tyres at the end of November when the first hard frost was forecast.

Before using the studded tyres I have fallen off on ice, since never. Slippy snow is still a problem but my bike handling has improved! In these conditions I ride slow, unclipped and if I am going down I can put out a foot to save myself. The real danger is other road users going out of control. Keep your distance. If you are about to go down a steep icy hill and traffic is going to follow you i'd think twice.

Good link posted by HJ in another thread with lots of winter bike handling advice.

http://www.icebike.com/Articles/commuting.htm

Good intro to studded tyres:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Hope it helps,

Viniga

 

[palinurus]

A lot of it is about knowing your route and the conditions you are likely to encounter. Really icy conditions are pretty rare on my standard winter route (although this December had been an exception), if I were to ride some of my longer summer commute routes I'd certainly encounter ice during the winter.

My regular route is mostly bus route, usually gritted, I avoid technically difficult bits where possible- steeper hills, hills with sharp bends at the bottom etc.

 

[palinurus]

After all if Hobbes or Mikey fall off halfway,

Mikey hasn't got far to fall.

 

[palinurus]

I gave up yesterday though. Combination of inappropriate tyres and vehicle-compacted snow forced a walk to the station.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Mikey hasn't got far to fall.

... and I fall regularly - so much so I'm considering taking stunt classes! Although I may be experienced enough to be the teacher now !!!!!!

 

[John the Monkey]

Brompton Greens, judicious use of my feet, and slow speed.

 

[GrasB]

I know the ice can be fun and challanging...but if you have a fairly long commute with varied road styles/conditions...are you chancing your luck a little too much to set out in the ice?

Road spec spiked tyres, they work & give you much more confidence.

After all if Hobbes or Mikey fall off halfway, they have a 10 mile walk home to contend with and probably little chance of a non folder being let on the train.

Knowing a Taxi firm that'll take a bike in a car, if they're told they have to when booking, is a useful option. My self I have a beautiful young woman with a AWD to call on

Even studded tyres will provide issues as the road style and conditions will change a lot in 20 odd miles of journey.

Yes conditions change a lot however all but the worst deep snow I've had a spiked road tyre can deal with fine.