Snow riding - Page 4 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

10-22-2004, 05:20 PM

Fritz M wrote:

> I've ridden through snow on my 25mm road slicks, but wide knobbies
> make the ride a lot easier. A front fender to keep salt away from the
> bottom bracket is advisable. Don't forget lights; the biggest part of
> winter cycling in many areas will be the short days.

I'm not certain the wider knobbies are always better in winter.

I ride studded knobbies and they work fine. However...

There is some person who gets up a bit earlier than me for his
winter commute, who rides a thin tired bike through the snow
on the bike path. I always see his tracks when I'm on my way
in to work.

I ride the knobbies or studded knobbies, and in 3 or more inches
of snow, I'm still leaving an 'S' shaped trail behind me. The
narrow tires of my predecessor go straight as can be through the
same stuff.

I know with 4WD cars/trucks, for snow tires, the recommendation
is to get a *narrow* snow tire rather than a wide one for the
most effective winter grip. Same probably applies to bikes.

Once the snow hardens, or ices over, you're better off with the
wide knobby, but in the soft stuff, I think the narrower tire
is actually better.

SMH

10-22-2004, 05:20 PM

Fritz M wrote:

> I've ridden through snow on my 25mm road slicks, but wide knobbies
> make the ride a lot easier. A front fender to keep salt away from the
> bottom bracket is advisable. Don't forget lights; the biggest part of
> winter cycling in many areas will be the short days.

I'm not certain the wider knobbies are always better in winter.

I ride studded knobbies and they work fine. However...

There is some person who gets up a bit earlier than me for his
winter commute, who rides a thin tired bike through the snow
on the bike path. I always see his tracks when I'm on my way
in to work.

I ride the knobbies or studded knobbies, and in 3 or more inches
of snow, I'm still leaving an 'S' shaped trail behind me. The
narrow tires of my predecessor go straight as can be through the
same stuff.

I know with 4WD cars/trucks, for snow tires, the recommendation
is to get a *narrow* snow tire rather than a wide one for the
most effective winter grip. Same probably applies to bikes.

Once the snow hardens, or ices over, you're better off with the
wide knobby, but in the soft stuff, I think the narrower tire
is actually better.

SMH

10-22-2004, 05:20 PM

Fritz M wrote:

> I've ridden through snow on my 25mm road slicks, but wide knobbies
> make the ride a lot easier. A front fender to keep salt away from the
> bottom bracket is advisable. Don't forget lights; the biggest part of
> winter cycling in many areas will be the short days.

I'm not certain the wider knobbies are always better in winter.

I ride studded knobbies and they work fine. However...

There is some person who gets up a bit earlier than me for his
winter commute, who rides a thin tired bike through the snow
on the bike path. I always see his tracks when I'm on my way
in to work.

I ride the knobbies or studded knobbies, and in 3 or more inches
of snow, I'm still leaving an 'S' shaped trail behind me. The
narrow tires of my predecessor go straight as can be through the
same stuff.

I know with 4WD cars/trucks, for snow tires, the recommendation
is to get a *narrow* snow tire rather than a wide one for the
most effective winter grip. Same probably applies to bikes.

Once the snow hardens, or ices over, you're better off with the
wide knobby, but in the soft stuff, I think the narrower tire
is actually better.

SMH