question for the ice cyclists

[marinyork]

I bet we do.

Why? There have been two big snow events in 2009. It's not been like this up here since 1995 after which followed a series of horrificly mild winters. There'd be use for them every year if you wanted to venture on the wild side though.

 

[Flipside]

MTB with knobbly tyres 26/1.90 for me, did read allot on hear about dealing with ice/snow. I generally keep the bike in a straight line if i can and avoid the front brake.

I also try not to think about the conditions i am riding in too much, and just crack on with the conditions at that moment, stops my brain from flapping

My speed is generally about 9-10mph, biggest danger i found was car drivers who cant drive in inclement weather,

Only been commuting for about 2-3 weeks but loving it , confidence has increased dramatically due to riding in snow and ice, i have only had a few scary back wheel skids

 

[GrasB]

Where did you get the marathon ones from?

A German company, can't remember whom, possibly Bike24.

 

[longers]

There'd be use for them every year if you wanted to venture on the wild side though.

That does appeal.

 

[Piemaster]

Humerously they're actually lighter than my existing 700x35 M+ tyres so I shouldn't see as big a performance drop as someone going from 23mm slicks might.

I've got 26" but, yup, they certainly seem lighter. Bit easier than the M+ to get on as well. I can't see that there will be much speed difference between them on tarmac. Speed difference in present conditions will be down to how much confidence I have in those teeny-tiny little studs.

 

[al78]

Ah well, it looks like what I need is a new bike.

Went to the LBS to get a quote for a custom built all weather bike:

Hub gear (8 or 9 speed)
Drop bars
Mudguards & rack
Ability to take tyres up to 700x35C
Full chaincase
Hub dynamo

Estimated cost came back at around £1,300. Guess I'll have to start saving up for next winter .

 

[MacB]

Ah well, it looks like what I need is a new bike.

Went to the LBS to get a quote for a custom built all weather bike:

Hub gear (8 or 9 speed)
Drop bars
Mudguards & rack
Ability to take tyres up to 700x35C
Full chaincase
Hub dynamo

Estimated cost came back at around £1,300. Guess I'll have to start saving up for next winter .

yep these prices are necessary because you won't be replacing as many bits as often, they need their lbs of flesh. Mine worked out about £1500 without the front dynamo hub. Frameset and rear wheel with hub gear came in at £650ish. My heart did sink a bit as I started adding on all the rest. I am including everything here though, rack, guards, lights, chargers, batteries and panniers. Probably about £1250 for the bike itself.

 

[MacB]

I think I could squeeze the 700x35s on the tourer (the guards might have to go though). I would probably only use them a handful of times a year, but I guess they would last for years. Last night I covered 6 miles in one hour because of the snow and gridlocked traffic (although it took someone on a bus 3 hours for the same journey!). They sound like a sound investment.

I have no intention of putting them on and off and I couldn't really look at a second wheelset. I was just planning on treating them as a Winter tyre(better exercise for a fat bloke), should make me feel all the faster come Spring Even if it costs me a set per year it doesn't seem a lot.

 

[4F]

Greyville are the distributors and they recommend Dotbike as the best source. I contacted Neil at Dotbike and he got the latest shipment today, however all 24 of the 26" version have gone straight back out on pre-order. Luckily for me I wanted the 700x35 version and he had 3 in stock following todays delivery so I've just ordered a pair. Humerously they're actually lighter than my existing 700x35 M+ tyres so I shouldn't see as big a performance drop as someone going from 23mm slicks might.

What I'm hoping for based on reading up on them - fit and forget from start to end of Winter, should get 2-3 Winters out of a pair. A 1-2mph drop in average speed in non icy conditions. Peace of mind that, whatever the temperature does through Winter I can still ride.

I hate the thought of being forced into not riding and can't justify the risk of keeping speed higher against the cost of a pair of tyres and a couple of mph. I'll rport back on how I find them.

hmm Having just taken delivery of a free MTB (bike no 4) I think I may invest in a pair of those for an emergency back up

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I have been lucky, Coventry hasn't been hit very hard so far. Also I started my Xmas break on Friday so no commute. But I have been out and about, Middleton Hall on Sunday, 48 miles, Ye Old Pound Cafe in Henley On Arden today, 40 miles. I have a Pearson Fixed with 700c x 28, hard case front and conti rear. Stayed mostly on main roads and kept the small lanes to a minimum. Small lanes have been a mixture of fresh and compacted snow, icy patches, sheet ice and water. Kept the speed down, 10mph or less, handled the bike gently with soft hands, and stayed away from the brakes, on the fixed I use the legs to control my speed. The other important ingredient is luck, all the good bike handling in the world is no guarantee that you will stay rubber side down, it just tilts the odds in your favour.

 

[Trevrev]

I've just been looking at some of the posts on here regarding the costs some of you pay for bikes !!! God !!!
Money to burn........LOL.
Or am i just a cheap skate?? Or jealous??
My cheapo Trek 7.1 is nearly 3 years old now. And at £260 it's a cracking bike.

 

[BentMikey]

I should imagine there are quite a few on here with bikes worth more than £4k.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've just been looking at some of the posts on here regarding the costs some of you pay for bikes !!! God !!!
Money to burn........LOL.
Or am i just a cheap skate?? Or jealous??
My cheapo Trek 7.1 is nearly 3 years old now. And at £260 it's a cracking bike.

My Pearson is the most expensive bike I have ever brought, it was a treat for me as a reward for the thousands of miles I put in riding old nails that should have been scraped not ridden.

 

[threefingerjoe]

There is no problem riding on dry tarmac with studded tyres. They slow you down, some, though...about like a normal mountain bike tyre. They're noisy, though...sounds like riding on gravel. Forget about speed on these. They just let me ride on days when I'd otherwise have to walk or drive a car, and I'm happy with that.

I would like to mention, though, that all studded tyres are not equal. Some have steel studs that I'm told wear out quickly. The better ones have carbide studs that you'll never wear out.

 

[Bman]

There is no problem riding on dry tarmac with studded tyres. They slow you down, some, though...about like a normal mountain bike tyre. They're noisy, though...sounds like riding on gravel. Forget about speed on these. They just let me ride on days when I'd otherwise have to walk or drive a car, and I'm happy with that.

I would like to mention, though, that all studded tyres are not equal. Some have steel studs that I'm told wear out quickly. The better ones have carbide studs that you'll never wear out.

You mean, this sound: ?

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b--PD9o5Xls


I love it