Christmas / Hanukkah / Festivus Presents?

[imploded]

Who got what? Santa brought me some new Sock Guy socks, Spinervals DVD's, and "permission" to get a HRM or a light set.

But, as they say, giving begins at home, so I gave myself a set of custom Madcow Racing studded tires. They are like Gravy custom wheels, only cheaper and done by a total redneck.

http://imploded.smugmug.com/photos/49618342-M.jpg
1/2" studs in the front, 7/16" in the rear.

http://imploded.smugmug.com/photos/49618366-M.jpg
4 x 2 pattern, on a pair of shot D2 Roll-X's

Gonna go rip up Blackstone Heritage and see how they ride. Great way to spend a day!

What did NEMBA land get?

Cheers,

-Andrew

[Longshanks]

Those are downright Gothic! Let us know how they work.

I got gift certs - so I get to choose. Hmmmm.......

[MissJean]

Whoa! You will want to be extraordinarily careful that no part of your body (or anyone elses)makes contact with those tires while they are moving. :o I did that a few times with my home made ones, they hurt!! :'(

I got a nifty CO2 tire inflator and winter gloves, and a bunch of books, which because of the rain, I am able to enjoy right now.

[imploded]

They are pretty gothic AND they hurt when you slide off your bike, unclip and end up with a calf in the front wheel.

On ice, these tires were amazing - very, very fast, good traction without being too grippy. Also good over the "permafrost" style mud, and over rocks. However, they stink on pavement (I put a nice tear into my rear tube riding on pavement today :( )

Hopefully all this water and melt freezes in the near future and we have a nice "skating rink" from Uxbridge to Northbridge.

BadDNA and I ran into two kayakers who had just run the Blackstone. Some hikers told us we (BadDNA and I) were crazy; and there I was telling that guy he was crazy. He did give me tips on where to buy gear ;D

Still a bit numb, but a great day to go for a ride!

Cheers,

-Andrew

[Jisch]

They are pretty gothic AND they hurt when you slide off your bike, unclip and end up with a calf in the front wheel.

On ice, these tires were amazing - very, very fast, good traction without being too grippy. Also good over the "permafrost" style mud, and over rocks. However, they stink on pavement (I put a nice tear into my rear tube riding on pavement today :( )


You don't need the screws to stick out that far unless you are only riding ice (even then!). I think you'll find that in the woods they will pick up massive amounts of leaves. I used a pair of bolt cutters and cut them off as close as I could to the knobs. Still plenty of traction on the ice and a lot less danger of wrecking your tires.

John

[wannabee]

I second Jisch's comment.
Took the old bolt cutter or diagonal wire cutters to my home spun spikes. Cut them about 1/16 or 1/8 long, front and rear. Still grip pretty good. Rideable on the road but feel abit greasey. Still rip up the legs when you run into them in the night.
Remember to put a second liner between the 'spike' heads and the tube, or you'll trash the tube, no matter how long the spikes are.

[BadDNA]

Who got what? Santa brought me some new Sock Guy socks, Spinervals DVD's, and "permission" to get a HRM or a light set.

But, as they say, giving begins at home, so I gave myself a set of custom Madcow Racing studded tires. They are like Gravy custom wheels, only cheaper and done by a total redneck.

<snip>


Hey now, I'd watch who you're name calling and remember who wrenches your bike for you. Not that I'll deny it but still...

I got a couple of nice MTB related gifts, a set of Pearl Izumi Toe-ster booties, a gift certificate for a 2.5 day trip to Back Country Excursions in Maine, and a gift cheque to be converted into some knee/shin and elbow/forearm pads, winter gloves and some platform pedals for winter riding.

-Eammon

[bikapelli]

I got a Garmin handheld gps with a color screen, and a handlebar mount for it! Now I just need to learn how to use it, I understand the basics and went geocaching Christmas day.

[fisherking]

I made out with some winter gear - gloves, socks, and base layer tops and bottoms... of course it is what I ordered and handed over to be wrapped... The right size too :-)

The GPS is great for biking. Have to let me know how the mount works out. Seems I end up ditching a lot so I was worried about shattering it on a rock so I usually have it clipped (and tied) onto the camelbak. Although a few times I doubt that was a much safer place anyway.

Tough news was with travelling and all I haven't ridden in a week so can't wait to get out tomorrow morning..

Happy trails

[stich]

Screws? They look more like Phillips bit heads.
I agree, way too long.

[BadDNA]

Here are some shots of the studded tires I made for myself. The rear tire I made for Imploded has the same size studs.

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs0.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs1.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs2.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs3.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs4.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs5.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs6.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs7.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs8.jpg

http://www.madcow-racing.com/bike/studded_tires/studs9.jpg