Winter Riding Tips, Recommendations, Suggestions

[MMcG]

I'm hoping to get in as many rides as I can this fall and into the winter - barring tons of snow.

I'd love to hear some tips, recommendations, suggestions for getting the most out of riding in the winter, being as prepared as possible and having as much fun as possible.

Do you run different tires? lower tire pressures?

Any input is welcome and appreciated!

[splat]

Wear Warmer clothes , and pedal Like hell! :)

[gungywump]

Get some Nokian Studded Tires. They are pricey but worth it. At about $75 a piece it takes a few winters for them to pay for themselves.

[EVIL BOTA]

You could also put some screws in an old set of tires.works well also.

[T Grimble]

I think fall is the best time of year for riding and winter can be real nice also. You do need to manage the cold in both seasons. Everybody is different but in general you should dress in layers. This time of year I will wear leggings or gortex pants. This helps keep my feet warm. The way I see it, you are better off if you can keep the blood warm before it gets to your toes. On top I just wear a long sleeve shirt under my jersey and then a shell. In real cold weather I might ad a vest or a heavier shell. Long finger gloves are a no-brainer but shoes are always more difficult. Sidi and Lake both make a good winter shoe but this is an expensive purchase. I have had some luck with wearing heavier socks and using those chemical toe warmer pads. A lot of people don't like the toe warmers because they sit right under the ball of your foot and can add bulk.

As far as the trails go, they get a lot better when the ground is frozen but be careful to avoid the trails when they start to thaw. If you can find a trail that has packed snow from a snowmobile those are the best in the winter. Studded tires are key and I also recommend the Nokians (although I seem to remember them costing even more than $75). Some people make there own studs. I am still using rim brakes and the only time I have a problem with them is in the winter. If your tire punches through the Ice and gets the rim wet it can freeze. This can make downhill fun.

Don't forget to check air pressure in shocks especially the high volume low pressure shocks like Marzochi. Air constricts when cold so if you check your pressure in a warm house and then go out in 20 degree weather you will have a lot less pressure.

Most importantly, sometime in late February or early March, when you are a little tired of snow and ice, go to the cape where there is less snow and you can get a ride in on good frozen sand.

[AA]

Check out the article right here on the NEMBA site about winter riding

http://www.nemba.org/digitalnemba/stht_winterriding.html

[gungywump]

Studded tires are key and I also recommend the Nokians (although I seem to remember them costing even more than $75).




I believe they are about $75-$90 for wire bead and $120-$140 for Kevlar.

[Big Game]

I'm pretty sure those Nokians go for around $90 for the steel bead and like $110 for the kevlar. You can make you own, but be prepared to spend some time doing it. At least two hours. Probably much more. And getting the right screws is not cheap. I think you'll spend about $15 bucks for a box of aluminum screws. And you might need two boxes. And then you'll need a set a tires too. So when you add it up, even at $90 a pop, those Nokians aren't such a bad deal, especially if you plan on riding a lot. But if you do get them, remember there is a breaking in period with them. You need to ride them on pavement for 15 minutes or so before you take them on the ice and snow.

Disc brakes definately are a big help during winter. Either Mechanical or Hydraulics.

And winter time is when single speeds make the most sense. If you've ever ridden through running water when it is below freezing, you'll know what I'm talking about. Ice will freeze on your cassette and you chain will be skipping. So much in fact, that you'll barely be able to get any power to the wheel. So when you go riding and it is below freezing, be careful not to let any water get on your cassette or drivetrain.

[charlieb]

the icebiking web site is the very best place to get winter biking info... also there is a listserv for icebiking that you can subscribe to from this site....

http://www.enteract.com/~icebike/

I've been icebiking for 5 years now.. have not missed a snowstorm yet.

also.. here are some pics of my latest icebike:

http://home.attbi.com/~mtbikes1/f3000sl/f3000sl.htm

and here is my icebiking web page:

http://pages.prodigy.com/CharlieB/icebiking.htm



If you have any specific questions... just ask.

charlie


http://home.attbi.com/~mtbikes/icebike/icebike3x.jpg

[SloMoJo]

Now that's the balls Charlie. Great info.

I spent a hour last night reading thru the articles on that first icebike link. Years of experience there.

Looks an investment to get setup right, but looks like fun.
I'm just imagining a frozen lake ride with good studded tires.

[knucklebuste]

I was thinking about a set of studded tires. do these actually work in the snow, or are they better suited for ice. I cant see sinking 6 inches in the snow and having studded tires help. Any thoughts on this? Knucklestiffler

[charlieb]

>>Now that's the balls Charlie. Great info.

I spent a hour last night reading thru the articles on that first icebike link. Years of experience there.<<

I think I had something to do with that first article
(http://www.nemba.org/digitalnemba/stht_winterriding.html)..anyway, that is my Picture coming out of the pine tree :-)

To keep expenses down and find out if icebiking is for you... make a homemade set of studded tires with screws. Then if you like it, you can buy some snowcats with nokians.

charlie

[charlieb]

I was thinking about a set of studded tires. do these actually work in the snow, or are they better suited for ice. I cant see sinking 6 inches in the snow and having studded tires help. Any thoughts on this? Knucklestiffler

The studs are useful only in icy conditions .. not much good in fresh snow... but on trails that get any use at all, the snow ( in connecticut/massachusettes area) quickly turns icy.

Pretty hard to navigate in more than 6 inches of snow.. even 4 inches is tough. With the Nokians and extra wide rims ( snowcats), we can drop the pressure to 5-10 pounds to give a bigger contact patch. Not unusual to do this two or three times on a given ride because of the variable conditions.

[Mt.A TODD]

I love ridding in the snow, we are hardcore snow riders up here in Maine. I think we have only missed four rides in the past 3 years due to too much snow. We are lucky up here at Aggie being so close to the ocean, we tend to get more rain when inland gets more snow, Icy trails packed by a snowmobiles are sweet! We also have have 5 large ponds which when frozen are loads of fun ride. As far as bike set up, most of us put the full suspension rigs away and grab the hardtail and single speeds. Disc Brakes, Gore-Tex cables, fenders, derailleur covers. I am constantly changing my tires depending on the snow and ice conditions. Nokian Extremes 296 are a very heavy reliable tire, you can easily squeeze 5 to 6 seasons out of them, but the weight of them drives me crazy, I have a set of Nokian Hakka wcXC300, a very light studded tire which works great and same weight as a normal tire, but is not very rugged, aluminum cups which hold steel studs pop out, and sidewalls are very thin. And yes, have one more set of studded tires. IRC mudmax 1.95, these are great for really icy hard conditions or muddy icy. In the beginning of the season when its icy, but not snowy, put a studded tire only on the front, this saves weight and will save you from nasty spills. One more option for tires in the snow, Tubeless! Tires with 10 psi - 20 psi work great in deep fresh snow.

[xtrxtlx]

I use "Dryline" clothing; thermofleece vest for extremes, seamsealed shell when wet; tape up helmet openings, I put a newspaper baggy between 2 layers of socks, a belaclava, winter bike gloves under winter hunting gloves; new set of IRS Mythos XC Rustwalls.

[MMcG]

the icebiking web site is the very best place to get winter biking info... also there is a listserv for icebiking that you can subscribe to from this site....

http://www.enteract.com/~icebike/

I've been icebiking for 5 years now.. have not missed a snowstorm yet.

also.. here are some pics of my latest icebike:

http://home.attbi.com/~mtbikes1/f3000sl/f3000sl.htm

and here is my icebiking web page:

http://pages.prodigy.com/CharlieB/icebiking.htm



If you have any specific questions... just ask.

charlie


http://home.attbi.com/~mtbikes/icebike/icebike3x.jpg



I do have one question, how the heck do you steer with thos big a$$ mittens on your hands!? ;D

Thanks for all the links!

[charlieb]

I do have one question, how the heck do you steer with thos big a$$ mittens on your hands!? ;D

Thanks for all the links!


Those "mittens" are called "Pogies" .. and they attach to the handlebars and you put your hands inside of them. They do not restrict movement and all I need is light pair of gloves on my hands. No problems shifting or making "unplanned dismounts" <G>

the Icebikers in Alaska use them. I got my pair from All Weather Sports in Fairbanks, custom made to match the bike I was riding at that time.

http://www.allweathersports.com/

I use them when the temperature drops below 15 degrees F.

[MMcG]

Sweet!! Pogies eh! Great idea now that I got the explanation from you.

BTW, where do you ride in the Winter?

Is it difficult to ride a geared rig in the winter? Do you have to worry about chain slip, freezing cassettes etc. etc?

[charlieb]

Sweet!! Pogies eh! Great idea now that I got the explanation from you.

BTW, where do you ride in the Winter?

Is it difficult to ride a geared rig in the winter? Do you have to worry about chain slip, freezing cassettes etc. etc?

I live in west hartford ct ... and usually ride at the local "res" because I can ride my bike to get to the trails.

I have always used my regular mountain bike.. with modifications like snowcats and nokians.. Full suspension is best, especially when the trails get icy and rutted.

It is not unusual for the derailleurs to freeze .. a good kick sometimes fixes it.. sometimes I end up with a fixed gear bike for part of the ride.

charlie

[MMcG]

Charlie,

I live in Mansfield, but would love to ride the resevoir sometime. My wife works in Farmington and she's gone on casual rides in the Res a few times.

Please keep me in mind if you are ever headed out for a weekend ride, especially a late morning/early afternoon ride.

here's my email address: mmcgrath@foundation.uconn.edu

[Mt.A TODD]

On occasion we've had some rear hubs freeze up, nothing like a little campfire to heat up really frozen parts. Pretty funny watching a bunch of guys stick there bike in fire like a giant marshmallow. A Zippo works and is more environmental friendly. I can't remember the other trick of filling a extra water bottle with, ammonia, maybe? Some sort of liquid that doesn't freeze and will dissolve ice when you squirt it on parts.

And as far as your camel back tube freezing, DON'T BLOW, PINCH! raise mouth piece over your head, pinch open, and let gravity do the rest!

[fatire]

like someone hinted above, at temperatures below freezing, standing water is the enemy!
even with discs when you go sloshing through a puddle and get water in-on either of your derailleurs you will be out of the shifting business.
one of my buddies carries one of those little super hot torch like cigar lighters just for thawing out frozen parts and i've seen it come in handy many times.

also if you have a frame that has any exposed shifter cables led down the down tube, those are prime for freezing up.
lacing them with a teflon lube will reduce freezing occurance but if it becomes problematic replace the enclosed-exposed-enclosed cable with a single piece of enclosed cable from shifter to derailleur and just ty-wrap the mother in place.

on the shoe front if you don't want to make the jump to full winter shoes like lakes (which i use and are the balls!) try getting a pair of Seal Skinz by dupont .
these are seamless gortex socks and they have a version with thinsulate insulation for around $35 or so. then wear a wicking liner sock underneath or a pair of smartwool socks on wicked bitter days. don't expect your summer shoes to fit though, you'll need to buy some close-out shoes one size or so larger then your summer ones.

and oh yeah, come ride mt. aggie with todd, me and the rest of our crew, we promise an awsome experience!

(i don't need no friggin spell checker!)

[charlieb]

Todd@Mt.A
I just got a set of the Haaka WC300's with aluminum casings around the tungsten carbide tips.. Haven't installed them yet as we usually don't get any snow until after thanksgiving ( famous last words). They will replace the nokian extremes that i've had for quite a few years.

I have many cuts on the sidewalls of the extremes due to low pressure .. after your comments about the Hakka's, I'm concerned that I'll cut those to pieces very quickly... are they really that "delicate"?

thanks
charlie

[Mt.A TODD]

Charlie,
Well first off, I was impatience with the "seating" part, I did not ride around on asphalt for... what is 10miles? That might account for me loosing studs on the new tires. And we do have allot of rocks popping though the snow. I lost about 5 studs last season, compared to the extremes which have not lost any in the past three seasons. The side walls of the tires are very thin like a Hutchinson. I'm ripping side walls like crazy with the Hutchinson's. I have not had any rock encounters with the Haakas....YET! The sidewalls are thin, watch your pressure. Use your old tires for fall and spring if you can, bust out the new ones for good snow! I do love the Nok XCs, it's the lightness of the tire and so what if I loose 5 studs, I still have 295!

[johnbryanpeters]

Over three years or so, my Extremes have spit out a few, five, maybe, studs. They still work. No sidewall cuts.

J

[charlieb]

I'm missing about 10 studs on each tire... the studs don't really pull out... the tread splits/tears by torquing too much on the rocks and the stud then just falls out.

Since there are so many studs, this is not really a problem.

charlie

[radair]

I've used sheet metal screw studs, riveted tires, and no studs, but nothing matches the Nokian Freddie's Revenz.

As fast as you want to go on smooth black ice, no problem. Heavy? They're training wheels, my friends.

[Z]

I have to say I'm a bit scared to ask the following question with a connoisseur like Todd around, who has three different sets of studded tires just for ice biking! :) Please keep in mind I don't do a lot of winter riding...

I just bought some studded tires at MEC when I was in Canada last week. I was so excited to be able to get studded tires for only CAN$90 (US$60) each that I just pulled the trigger. Did I make a mistake?

They are the top of the line Schwalbe called the Ice Spiker (I had never heard of them before, but I figure Canadians must know something about riding in the winter!) It has 304 studs and it's made for offroad riding. They are not carbide-tipped as far as I know - is this critical?

Has anyone heard of these things? Do you think I'll be ok with them...?

[Mt.A TODD]

Cool! I've never seen those! Checked out schwalbe.com , ICE SPIKERs look like a great deal! Thanks for enlightening me Z! Give us a review later.

[fatire]

chuck a. has a pair of deez.
day are german i tink.

ps i VILL catch you todd!

[Z]

Note dat zee Ice Spikers aren't listed on zee MEC website (zee one zey list is zee road version wid 100 studs) but you can order zem anyway if you call zem up: http://www.mec.ca

I vill give you a review as soon as I try zem, but I was a cheap bastard and had zem shipped zee slowest freight method. So let's hope I get zem before spring!

[pk]

Thought that this should be bumped....

[SloMoJo]

Sheesh...
This thread brings back some memories. :)

I dropped some dough getting setup for winter last year.
Nokians, Lake shoes, lobster mitts, and such.
Glad to be set this time around.
-Slo

[knucklebuste]

Sheesh...
This thread brings back some memories. :)

I dropped some dough getting setup for winter last year.
Nokians, Lake shoes, lobster mitts, and such.
Glad to be set this time around.
-Slo


Why, you gonna ride ya bike?
Knuck

[SloMoJo]

No...not until it gets below freezing...ya smartass! ;D

How about Sunday at Milbury Knuck?
Let me see that trail tricycle you built up. ;)

[knucklebuste]

What time fruitcake? My new bike is busted, fork clicks, but I'll still ride it. Frign Marzocchi. I knew I should have put a shiver SC on it, but nnnnnnooooooooooooooooooo had to go with something different. Marathon S Coil with air assist. Damn thing. $530 buck. Well I'll use it till it breaks or the clicking drives me nuts, then I'll smash it with a sledgehammer and buy something else. Knuck