riding the winter chop

01-21-2007, 09:34 AM

Anyone want to nominate the most winter resistant bikes?

Best chains? Cables?

Would a fixed gear be more durable? Less gizmos to get clogged and corroded?

01-21-2007, 11:35 AM

recycled-one wrote:
> Anyone want to nominate the most winter resistant bikes?
>
> Best chains? Cables?
>
> Would a fixed gear be more durable? Less gizmos to get clogged and corroded?

If ya like fixed, ride fixed. Get stainless cables, a nickel plated
chain, and some fenders, and you're good to go regardless of drivetrain.

01-21-2007, 12:34 PM

recycled-one wrote:
> Anyone want to nominate the most winter resistant bikes?
>
> Best chains? Cables?
>
> Would a fixed gear be more durable? Less gizmos to get clogged and corroded?

Fixed does have less stuff to break/wear-out and mine seems to cope
with half-corroded chains just fine. There is no freewheel to get
gummed up by cold-weather either. I don't have direct experience with
one, but I imagine an internal geared hub like Nexus would offer more
or less the same advantages, aside from the possibly corroding cable.

I like fixed, but I think a freewheel would make those occasional ice
patches a little less dicey. YMMV.

Joseph

01-22-2007, 04:52 AM

recycled-one wrote:
> Anyone want to nominate the most winter resistant bikes?
>
> Best chains? Cables?
>
> Would a fixed gear be more durable? Less gizmos to get clogged and corroded?

If you aren't up to the challenge of fixed or single-speed then there
are some things you can do for a derailleur equipped bike. SS cables
are a must if salt is used on the roads. If you can track one down, the
Cane Creek grunge guard for the rear derailleur is very effective in
keeping the salt out of that part. Thay also make one for the FD but
they are simple enough and out of the way from the worst spray that it
shouldn't be necessary. Before getting one, I destroyed an almost new
RD in one season of winter riding. The pivots were so corroded that it
would stick on the highest gear position (low normal) with the cable
completely slackened and no chain.

01-22-2007, 05:00 AM

recycled-one wrote:
> Anyone want to nominate the most winter resistant bikes?
>
> Best chains? Cables?
>
> Would a fixed gear be more durable? Less gizmos to get clogged and corroded?

What I ride during these months. Less time to get a 'workout whe it's
cold', no ders or cogsets to get clogged, no need to really even clean
it. Get one with clearance for fatter tires, fenders and 'bob's yer
uncle'.

01-22-2007, 05:03 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
> recycled-one wrote:
> > Anyone want to nominate the most winter resistant bikes?
> >
> > Best chains? Cables?
> >
> > Would a fixed gear be more durable? Less gizmos to get clogged and corroded?
>
> Fixed does have less stuff to break/wear-out and mine seems to cope
> with half-corroded chains just fine. There is no freewheel to get
> gummed up by cold-weather either. I don't have direct experience with
> one, but I imagine an internal geared hub like Nexus would offer more
> or less the same advantages, aside from the possibly corroding cable.
>
> I like fixed, but I think a freewheel would make those occasional ice
> patches a little less dicey. YMMV.
>
> Joseph

Agree. When it's snowy and I gotta 'go there', turning the rear wheel
around for my 17t 'single speed', vs 16t fixie, does make it easier.

01-22-2007, 07:04 AM

On Mon, 22 Jan 2007 06:03:12 -0800, qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

>> I like fixed, but I think a freewheel would make those occasional ice
>> patches a little less dicey. YMMV.
>>
>> Joseph
>
> Agree. When it's snowy and I gotta 'go there', turning the rear wheel
> around for my 17t 'single speed', vs 16t fixie, does make it easier.

On the other hand, brakes can also become useless in snow/ice. Being able
to stop with your legs may be your only way to stop.

--

David L. Johnson

Enron's slogan: Respect, Communication, Integrity, and Excellence.