Snow!

[Holdsworth]

Quite a bit of snow has unexpectedly fallen here this morning, traffic is at a standstill yet I decided to tackle a trip to town for an errand.

Things I have learnt today:

1. My cantis are even worse at braking in the snow
2. The Continental tyres are rubbish in slush
3. My Lidl clipless shoes let freezing water in when I put my foot down
4. Overshoes do not protect against dry feet if the mudguard at the front is too short and spray all up my leg (now remedied with a bodged extension)
5. I cannot handle my bike in the snow, full stop!

I did have my first off whilst going downhill. I was braking on the rear for some traffic light, the back slid out sideways and kept going. Ended up on my right side with slush on me and wedged in my right shifter. Not hurt as it was low speed (~5mph) and no damage to the gears or the rest of the. Up and away immediately, albeit it cautiously, waved to the driver behind saying I was OK, and continued home very slowly.
Need a MTB for these conditions.

 

[fossyant]

You need spikes !!

My old MTB is used in these conditions, and it's about as much fun as you can get on a bike. At least the spikes give you bike handling capabilities of chavs on BSO's (i.e. ever seen a chav fall off in snow/ice - nope) !

 

[upandover]

I put chains on my mtb this afternoon with cable ties, and took a ride. Worked a treat, stable beyond my hopes. The ones i'd put too tight popped off, but the rest were fine. Harder work, but good speed and control.

 

[fossyant]

I put chains on my mtb this afternoon with cable ties, and took a ride. Worked a treat, stable beyond my hopes. The ones i'd put too tight popped off, but the rest were fine. Harder work, but good speed and control.

Photo or it didn't happen

 

[ColinJ]

I put chains on my mtb this afternoon with cable ties, and took a ride. Worked a treat, stable beyond my hopes. The ones i'd put too tight popped off, but the rest were fine. Harder work, but good speed and control.

That's an interesting idea, but only viable with disk brakes and adequate tyre clearance, of course!

 

[potsy]

What happens when you puncture though?

 

[400bhp]

You need spikes !!

My old MTB is used in these conditions, and it's about as much fun as you can get on a bike. At least the spikes give you bike handling capabilities of chavs on BSO's (i.e. ever seen a chav fall off in snow/ice - nope) !

Foss (or others) - can you post up a couple of examples of said tyres?

 

[Holdsworth]

I did intend to get some ice spike tyres (Marathon Winters) for my commute before I was sacked at the end of August. I will definitely reconsider this decision depending on fundage.

 

[potsy]

Foss (or others) - can you post up a couple of examples of said tyres?

I would, but my bike is still in storage awaiting more ice..
..and a reason to go out when it does come now I've no more commutes to do this year

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Quite a bit of snow has unexpectedly fallen here this morning

I did have my first off whilst going downhill. I was braking on the rear for some traffic light, the back slid out sideways and kept going. Ended up on my right side with slush on me and wedged in my right shifter. Not hurt as it was low speed (~5mph) and no damage to the gears or the rest of the. Up and away immediately, albeit it cautiously, waved to the driver behind saying I was OK, and continued home very slowly.
Need a MTB for these conditions.

Did you try and steer into it? back of bike goes left you steer left to try and recover it, if it goes right steer right. I had a low speed scare in the snow last winter, approaching a junction at about walking pace gently leg braking my fixed wheel bike and the front suddenly went left, I was expecting the back to misbehave, having the front step out took me by surprise though I managed to recover it and stayed on.

 

[ColinJ]

I would, but my bike is still in storage awaiting more ice..
..and a reason to go out when it does come now I've no more commutes to do this year

134 miles, 15 days - you are just going to do it aren't you!

 

[jonathanw]

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s142p1942

Not spikes, but studs

I use the 700x35 of these (hard to get at the minute)on my commuter. They are very good in snow and ice. I now have two wheelsets so these can go on in a trice, if the morning turns out snowy or icy. 3 days on this week, 2 days back on schwalbe 30mm marathon racers as it saves me 10-15mins over 15mile commute

 

[palinurus]

It was snowing when I left but not settling, didn't bother getting the 'cross bike/ studs out.

Wish I'd taken my cycling cap though. It stuck to my glasses, I could see approximately fark all by the time I'd done a mile or so. Ended up pulling them down my nose and looking above them since slightly blurry was better than approximately fark all.

Didn't stick to the roads at all in the end, no trouble.

 

[Hip Priest]

Worst conditions I've faced today. Lots of ice on shared paths. Roads very slippery. I rarely get overtaken, but loads of cyclists flew past me today. I'm just not confident in such conditions.

 

[fossyant]

I can't link for some reason.

Look for Schwalbe tyres on Wiggle. Marathon Winters are road orientated, Snow Studs - ICE/Snow off road (I have these), ICE Spikers - the danglies but very expensive, and more suited to ice.

I run the Snow Studs at 30 PSI - still firm, but studs always in contact with road.