biking in the winter
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glbrum posted 2 years ago.
Move to Southern California. It's rained once this "winter" and that was Jan. 1. Sorry to rub it in.
834
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1373 days
JamieM posted 2 years ago.
Ignore him. They don't know what winter is. Living in Jersey was tough on cyclists during the winter so I can't imagine what Buffalo is like.
The same maintanence strategy you should use throughout the year applies, just more frequently.
Lube the chain as often as once a week, cables as well. More in bad weather. And you can take a wet rag to the frame and other parts to help keep the salt at bay. Come spring, especially if it's been a rough winter, consider a new chain and cables if there is any wear or friction.
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1024 days
mh_ccl posted 2 years ago.
I don't personally ride in the winter, but here in Alaska my boyfriend and several friends commute by bike.
There is special lubricant you can use for extremely cold temperatures. For better traction, you should consider studded tires. They can be pretty expensive, but you can also make a pair yourself for much less. Get an extra set of tires and tubes, short screws (round or flat head is up to you) and an awl. Use the awl to poke holes in the tires from the inside, then push the screws through. My boyfriend has two rows of screws, with a screw about every 2-3 inches. When you're done, line the inside of the tire with the extra tube, then put it on. This can be a little difficult. Be careful when inflating, as your tubes have less space now.
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1372 days
iainbanks1 posted 2 years ago.
I decided to buy a winter "hack" bike for this winter and I also use it for cyclo-cross races. It saves the summer bike from getting beat up with salt/grime and as the parts get upgraded on the summer "good/race" bike the old parts trickle down to the winter bike.
[COLOR=Navy]"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve"
4953
Member
1728 days
beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
I went out last weekned for a little bit but it was just in the snow.
I shook off the big clumps of snow. I brought it inside when I was done and wiped it down pretty good and lubed it.
Nothing to it, but to do it
2960
Member
1370 days
Anton posted 2 years ago.
People from LA have never seen snow and know what Ice is because it comes in cokes.:)
I have a MTB that I ride in the winter if it's snowy or there is a lot of gack on the streets.
I use and recommend Finish Line brand Cross Country Lube, but anything labeled for "Extreme weather" will do. Make sure you wipe it down and lube it often...
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
1769
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1408 days
brittda posted 2 years ago.
I ride most of the winter. I use a thicker oil on my chain made for rainy weather. Just clean the bike off once a week. Probably not so good for the bike, but I will ride it and get another if so be it.
1769
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1408 days
brittda posted 2 years ago.
mh_ccl wrote:
I don't personally ride in the winter, but here in Alaska my boyfriend and several friends commute by bike.There is special lubricant you can use for extremely cold temperatures. For better traction, you should consider studded tires. They can be pretty expensive, but you can also make a pair yourself for much less. Get an extra set of tires and tubes, short screws (round or flat head is up to you) and an awl. Use the awl to poke holes in the tires from the inside, then push the screws through. My boyfriend has two rows of screws, with a screw about every 2-3 inches. When you're done, line the inside of the tire with the extra tube, then put it on. This can be a little difficult. Be careful when inflating, as your tubes have less space now.
Yup rode year round when I lived up there..even in Fairbanks when I was going to school :) ....now I am a cold weenie
4953
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1728 days
beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
They are missing out.
I had a grin from ear to ear when I was out Sunday.
It was like being a kid and riding your bike for fun. :D
Nothing to it, but to do it
126
Member
1288 days
rob6118 posted 2 years ago.
This past weekend i made it all the way to the park to hit a 2 hour ride. I got on the trail and after 5 mins of a 20 mph wind and 30 degree temps here in florida, I realized that I was already 3/4's of the way to the gym and the trainer was sitting right behind the elliptical machines in a nice heated gym. I wimped out *grin*. No cold weather riding for me.
835
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1381 days
glbrum posted 2 years ago.
Anton wrote:
People from LA have never seen snow
I'll be damned if I've never seen snow before. Just not in front on my own house. I'm sorry that I live in "seasonless" southern california, but I rode 60 miles today and I'm not sorry to say that. :p
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1273 days
zcowgirl3 posted 2 years ago.
I can relate to the snow issues...well, not like mh_ccl is Alaska however I'm the Lake Effect Snow belt here in Cleveland and I can't stand not ridin' outside. I can honestly say for those who have no snow around them, I'm jealous. I recently bought my first trainer and I dunno how people feel about those things but I really don't like 'em. I love bein' outside and goin' different places and enjoyin' myself. I have my bike in my basement and I set up my TV for DVD's and video's and my stereo and I try to enjoy it but I dislike bein' inside. If I had money to get the tires explained above it so would be a given for me. Seen 'em in a few magazine's and various bike shops. Anywho...I guess I'll have to bite my lip for a bit longer until I can get out there and THEN...teehee, it is on!
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1046 days
Al posted 2 years ago.
I keep a "beater bike" for the winter and blast the chain/derailleur/freewheel with WD-40 when I get back from each ride. Most rides are less than 40K 'cause my extremities start to get cold.
In May, once the snow and ice is gone, I blast the bike with a hose and then clean/repair/relube.
102
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1160 days
merlinextraligh posted 2 years ago.
buy a relatively inexpensive mountain bike. You won't be as worried about trashing it, and riding a mountian bike is not quite as cold, particularly riding off road because you're slower with less windchill.
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1037 days
jdav0520 posted 2 years ago.
thankfully the winter here in NY has been relatively mild this year, and really all I need to wait for is the rain in the next couple of days to wash the salt off the roads. I appreciate the suggestions :)
"The faster you run, the quicker you'll be done."
I was just wondering how everyone keeps their bikes in good working order while biking outside during the winter (this question is more for us northerners, since you southerners don't have to deal with snow and salty roads like we do). I want to bike outside as much as possible when we're not dealing with a blizzard or major lake effect, but the amount of salt that gets dumped on the roads here can give you high cholesterol and blood pressure just looking at it.
"The faster you run, the quicker you'll be done."