Spd or flats on ice ?

[cyberknight]

seriously considering cycling in but it has given out around - 5 and i know it will be icy .

So...........

Do i swap my Spd`s for flats so i can get a foot down or will it not matter as i will be on the deck before i get chance anyhoo?

 

[thomas]

I wouldn't worry. if you're going down, you're going down. I've always found with my SPDs that when I forget and I'm about to fall over they come out.

Ultimately, I'd just change your riding style. Bit slower, careful in the shade and on bends, etc. If you hit ice though I don't think flats will make a whole load of difference. If you get your feet off you'll probably just scrap your leg really badly on the pedals.

I wouldn't worry too much

 

[cyberknight]

Shade ?

I will be on the road at 6 am Its all in shade

 

[addictfreak]

If im on the roads on a housing estate (for example) that tend to be a little more icy and quite often not gritted, I tend to ride with 1 foot unclipped just incase.

But otherwise in tend to agree with Thomas

 

[marinyork]

flats + walking books work pretty well in very nasty conditions.

 

[bonj2]

if you mean in terms of whether you can save yourself if you fall over, probably not much point.
But if you're off road and there's muddy ice/icy mud around it can stick in the cleats and be a bugger to get out. Just snow doesn't though.

 

[upsidedown]

SPDs, more controlled pedalling style. When it's very slippy i apply the brakes slightly and pedal against them, i find SPDs help pedal through the full stroke, avoiding sudden movements.

 

[jonny jeez]

Flats do kinda sound more sensible

Infact, I will change mine this evening as I hadn't thought of this.

Also, my spd have the open sole (for the clip) and I had a nasty ride in before Xmas with wet and iced feet...after trudging in slush for a hundred yards with a 2 inch home in each shoe...doh!

 

[sheddy]

Walking boots

 

[davidg]

without the bike!

 

[MickL]

Walking boots

+1
Karrimore do a good waterproof walking boot for round £30 in sports direct, had mine for 3yrs now and still going strong.

 

[Brahan]

Flats for me everytime on the commute. My trainers are better on the ice than my cycling shoes when I need to put a foot down.

 

[RedBike]

I can get out of my SPDs almost as quickly as flat so in terms of staying upright it really doesn't matter either way.

However, ive recently switched to flats for my commute so that I can wear walking boots. Which are warmer and give me a better chance of staying upright on the short sections I have to push (paths / styles etc).

 

[cyberknight]

Looked out in morning - 8

took car

 

[rusky]

Looked out this morning -3 cycled in with SPDs & TBH, they were the least of my worries, getting the feeling back in my fingers took a whole 45mins & that was with thick gloves on.

I ordered a pair of Sealskinz waterproof winter cycling gloves at lunch!