Ice

[wafflycat]

I rode last all through winter on my ICE trike. Appart from loss of traction on hills and taking it steady as I could lock both front wheels by looking at the brake levers it was good fun. I used to avoid ice like the plague on two wheel though.

Mine's an Ice Trike too. Mine's an ICE T.

 

[byegad]

I've now acquired a Kettwiesel too. Now with single wheel drive and Kojaks that may be one to avoid on ice!

 

[Bodhbh]

IRC Blizzard tyres with tungsten studs are available for mountain bikes. I kid ye not. I have a pair and they are spectacular.

Had a google about after reading this and noticed the Schwalbe ones get a good write-up:

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/4630/SP/320509296270638126578/v/1

My first winter incoming since started riding and very nervous about hitting ice, particularly at night on the country lanes. Might invest in a pair, or at least the tyres with the just teh studs around the outside of the tread.

 

[swee'pea99]

I've now acquired a Kettwiesel too. Now with single wheel drive and Kojaks that may be one to avoid on ice!

Where do you get them? I want one too.

 

[palinurus]

Studded tyres: not something I'd need very often. I've got a spare front wheel, I could slap one on that for those rare occasions I might need to, would having a studded tyre on the front only be useful?

 

[PrettyboyTim]

Hmmm:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/7196/Nokian_Hakkapelitta_W106_Tyre_700c

700Cx35, £23.39 each.

Can't see myself needing them for more than a couple of days a year in London, though.

 

[Bodhbh]

Can't see myself needing them for more than a couple of days a year in London, though.

Same problem myself. Would really like to keep up a couple of 20mile fitness loops a week out in the Chiltern backroads over the mid-week winter evenings. Really got no idea about the how much a problem ice is out there as it's my first winter on the bike. I know I'm worried as hell about hitting black ice at 30mph at the bottom of some hill or sliding under a car tho - and want to enjoy belting about, not being careful. Have some spare wheels to swap out and rolling resistance no prob as want the exercise. Ho hum, worth it? *shrug*

 

[goo_mason]

I got through my first winter without any ice-related incidents, but on one morning last December I came off 5 times on the way to work as the route was covered in black ice. Luckily it was almost all on the off-road paths, so no risk of being run over by a following vehicle !

I managed quite a few icy days in the following months with no problems (probably because by then I knew where the worst ice would be, changed part of my route to use the roads and also because I learned to get off and walk down the grassy verges on downhill bends on the worst days !)

It's really all a judgement call - if you think it's going to be a bad for ice, stick to the road or decide whether to leave the bike at home.

 

[punkypossum]

Stabilisers might be an idea - at least they might stop you from falling over!

 

[threefingerjoe]

I use studded tyres. I have a pair of the Nokian Hekapolita 106, mounted on a spare pair of wheels that I can throw on in a hurry if I find that it snowed or got icy overnight. These tyres have carbide studs down the center. They are made for ploughed roads with packed snow or black ice. They make some with studs down the edges, also, which are designed for getting out of deep ruts. The 106s work fine for me. Now, you won't set any speed records with them, but you can easily climb hills with glazed ice, and they will get you to work on days when you otherwise couldn't ride. You have to remember, though, that you're still on ice, so don't try to go into hard turns at high speed.

 

[threefingerjoe]

Oh! One more thing. I wanted to reply to the person who asked about 1 studded tyre on the front. That can cause a couple of problems. From what I understand, most people who buy 1 tyre end up going back to buy another for the rear. One problem is that you won't be able to climb an icy hill. The other is that when stopping, you'll get the front wheel to stop, but the rear will slide out to the side, and try to pass you! Of course, if you're into THRILLS, going backward down an icy road might be just your thing! ;-)

 

[threefingerjoe]

Someone posted a link to the Nokian Hekapalita 106 studded tyre. The accompanying photo is NOT the 106. The photo is of the 206. The 106 only has 2 rows of studs, in the center.

 

[Randochap]

Keep your chin up

I told this story on the other icy thread.

I spent the last day of last year in Emergency, having the skin pulled back over my mandible and sewn back together.

I've ridden on ice many times, occasionally fallen, got back up and got on with it ... but this time, everything happened in a moment and -- thump! I was bouncing off my chin. Then the blood. Luckily my jaw stayed in one piece.

I knew there was the possibility of black ice that morning, so I was riding very cautiously. Not cautiously enough, it turned out.

Guess which corner it was on, or rather off. See Video here.

BTW, I should have been using these, or these.

 

[inaperfectworld]

hf2300 asks whether studs are legal; anyone know?

 

[palinurus]

I'm very nearly completely sure they're not illegal for bikes.