winter.....help
- Thread starter rugbyluke
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
I stayed off the bike during that really bad period last winter,just wasn't worth the risk IMO.
Was OK down to -2 or so but once the snow and ice came then that was me done.
Quite a few on here use the studded tyre/MTB combo which seemed to work for them.
Was OK down to -2 or so but once the snow and ice came then that was me done.
Quite a few on here use the studded tyre/MTB combo which seemed to work for them.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I've never found road bikes to have been a problem in winter if you just restrict you're leaning (cornering) and are a bit more cautious.
Edit: I forgot to say run your tyres at a lower pressure (I usually drop them to 80 or 90psi)
Edit: I forgot to say run your tyres at a lower pressure (I usually drop them to 80 or 90psi)
During the worst of it last year we had a half-inch or so of solid ice, I was cycling along using my MTB knobbly tyres and because of the camber of the road, I suddenly found myself still moving forwards but laying flat on the ground. Ouchies.
I have yet to find a tyre to effectively deal with ice short of what those rally drivers use.
I have yet to find a tyre to effectively deal with ice short of what those rally drivers use.
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
In London I tend to be able to cycle year round as my commute is on a main road which is kept relatively clear. As Ian says frost isn't a problem. I'd just advise that on dark, cold mornings you take extra care, look for the change in shine on the road (which tends to be damp anyway) that could signify ice.
Of course there are days, when there is snow lying on the ground, when even your strongest willpower will not get past SWMBO telling you that you are not going out on skinny road tyres. That's the day you commute on the MTB......
Of course there are days, when there is snow lying on the ground, when even your strongest willpower will not get past SWMBO telling you that you are not going out on skinny road tyres. That's the day you commute on the MTB......
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Fixed road bike most of the year, switched to MTB with studded tyres during the big freeze, and took a part off road route to work.
RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
I kept riding both my fixed road bike (25mm slick tyres) and my MTB.
The road bike was lethal. It slipped and slid on every bit of snow and ice, However, because I was expecting the bike to slide and looking out for the ice I never actually fell off the bike.
The MTB on the other hand had loads of grip most of the time. The trouble was whenever I did come across a patch of black ice the sudden and complete loss of grip was always unexpected and I was often travelling too quickly to have any hope of remaining upright. As a result I came off the MTB on a very regular basis. Thankfully antisipating falling off I wore 661 boby armour under my clothes so I was never hurt.
The road bike was lethal. It slipped and slid on every bit of snow and ice, However, because I was expecting the bike to slide and looking out for the ice I never actually fell off the bike.
The MTB on the other hand had loads of grip most of the time. The trouble was whenever I did come across a patch of black ice the sudden and complete loss of grip was always unexpected and I was often travelling too quickly to have any hope of remaining upright. As a result I came off the MTB on a very regular basis. Thankfully antisipating falling off I wore 661 boby armour under my clothes so I was never hurt.
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Regular iced roads was fine. Uniced can tip you off in an instant.
Me? I kept cycling through the winter - only stopping when the snow was thick on the roads, and all in very skinny bike tyres. Came off a couple of times, but all at slow speed, so OK.
Me? I kept cycling through the winter - only stopping when the snow was thick on the roads, and all in very skinny bike tyres. Came off a couple of times, but all at slow speed, so OK.
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Snow and the ice that forms from it seem to defeat anything I've used on a bike. There are studded tyres if you must go out in those conditions.
Normal ground frost doesn't usually seem to cause many problems but if it's around I slow down a lot on corners and bends. That's with 26 x 1 1/2 slicks on the mtb and 700c 32 marathons on the tourer.
Normal ground frost doesn't usually seem to cause many problems but if it's around I slow down a lot on corners and bends. That's with 26 x 1 1/2 slicks on the mtb and 700c 32 marathons on the tourer.
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Just slow down and take it easy, and you'll be fine... 
Must admit, last winter ground me down when the weather really got cold. I carried on my early morning scenic routes to the station on my road bike almost up to Christmas, but then it just got to be no fun cycling in the dark worrying about the ice etc. I did manage the odd weekend ride out though and I felt more confident in the light. Was thinking about getting a tricross for this winter, but the nearer it gets am now wondering whether to indulge in another road bike and argue that my current allez will be the winter ride
I shared the concerns with the OP, but after reading these comments and talking to a lad at work - I'm just going to drop my tyre pressure and take it easy. Wrap up warm and it wont' be that bad!
But let's face it, it's not going to get that bad for another 2 months yet!
But let's face it, it's not going to get that bad for another 2 months yet!