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Who bikes in the winter?

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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
It's as the title says...

I like to bike in most of my ski gear; my ski helmet works well because goggle clip.
Recently bought Shwalbe Ice Spiker Pro studded tires, never before have I felt such grip in snow and ice!

Jan 7 2015 1:59PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
I do but there's no snow in Vancouver winter :)
Jan 7 2015 2:25PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
will_powderI do but there's no snow in Vancouver winter :)


And I'm Manitoban; It's not winter unless there's a foot of snow and temperatures around -22 for at least a week straight in January.
So I need the beefy tires.
Jan 7 2015 2:53PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
I ride everywhere I can in the winter, including down to the river to fish. I've been doing all my riding on a commuter bike with snow tires, but a fat bike is starting to look like a pretty viable option for me.
Jan 7 2015 2:58PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
Has anyone used one of those crazy big foot bikes with the massive tires? That seems impractical but very cool
Jan 7 2015 2:59PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
timmiHas anyone used one of those crazy big foot bikes with the massive tires? That seems impractical but very cool

I haven't but I saw an older gentleman riding one around here. Apparently the super fat tires help you float through deep snow, like a powder ski.

I'd love to Buy one of those, but they're like $800-1000. My Ice Spiker tires cost me $265 for the set at MEC; that's fucking expensive.
Jan 7 2015 3:27PM
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Dobber
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 9,835
timmiHas anyone used one of those crazy big foot bikes with the massive tires? That seems impractical but very cool


Jan 7 2015 3:36PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
CincherAnd I'm Manitoban; It's not winter unless there's a foot of snow and temperatures around -22 for at least a week straight in January.
So I need the beefy tires.


I'm from edmonton I know your pain
Jan 7 2015 9:40PM
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Old-schooler.
Posts: 120 - Karma: 971
I've heard of bike conversions with treads as the back tire and a ski or two for the front
Jan 7 2015 9:46PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7514 - Karma: 51,161
Old-schooler.I've heard of bike conversions with treads as the back tire and a ski or two for the front


And it produces the worst invention ever. Biking and skiing are two great sports, but when combined their offspring is terrible.
Jan 7 2015 9:59PM
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ghosthop
Posts: 631 - Karma: 1,027
There's a good bit of stuff in the mtn bike thread here if you're curious about fat bikes

I bike commute in Bozeman, studded tires are a must. Its funny to see how many kids in a town known for playing outside in the cold stop riding their bikes the minute the mercury starts to drop.
Jan 7 2015 11:15PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
i go skiing in the winter
Jan 8 2015 3:36PM
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steezbox
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 701
Haha, yeah I do. Biking through 20cm of fresh snow is pretty damn fun, if not super sketchy as well. My problem is that I use the same road bike I do as in the summer. The thin tires kind of help slice through the snow, but I always start sliding out when I turn. Also, my brakes freeze. Still not completely sold on fixed gears, but in the winter they offer a hell of a lot more control.
Jan 8 2015 5:49PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Lel, studded tires, pussies, the Dutch just cycle on their heavy upright bikes with skinny tires in the snow.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/747397/Cycling-in-the-snow--Den-Bosch--Netherlands-

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/740803/Cycling-in-the-snow--Utrecht--Netherlands-
Jan 8 2015 5:53PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
I probably wouldn't have studded tires if I only dealt with 1" of snow, too.
Jan 9 2015 7:01PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51744 - Karma: 163,534
I used to. Would make jumps out of snowbanks. Every once in a while you wouldn't pack something down enough and would go over the bars. Oh the good life
Jan 9 2015 7:09PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,411
CincherAnd I'm Manitoban; It's not winter unless there's a foot of snow and temperatures around -22 for at least a week straight in January.
So I need the beefy tires.


Winnipeg? I'm in Brandon.

timmiHas anyone used one of those crazy big foot bikes with the massive tires? That seems impractical but very cool


Yessir, my girl:



As far as practicality goes, they're super practical. In fresh deep snow they're definitely tough to power through, you need a lot of momentum to keep going. In anything less than that they're mega fun and work really well, sometimes providing even more traction than what would be available with dirt. Once the local river that runs through town gets some good snowmobile tracks laid down I'm gonna be putting in some good KM's.

That bike is an amazing performer on dirt to. It takes a little more work to pedal and steer but the comfortable ride and rock solid traction are great tradeoffs otherwise.



There's some more fatbikes in here:

https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/784267/Official-mountain-biking-thread?page=22


This is some sick fatbike riding:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/747599/Fat-Free--nbsp-Fat-Bike-Freeriding-on-a-Blizzard


Yeah, they're just going to get crazier and crazier in the years ahead. They've really blown up in the past few years and with their popularity, more money has been funneled into them by manufacturers. Awesome bikes forsure.
Jan 9 2015 8:37PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10831 - Karma: 57,376
Fat biking is the shit. There is so much terrain to play around on in the winter, and I look like the coolest/dumbest person on the road. I love it.
Jan 9 2015 8:39PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
will_powderI'm from edmonton I know your pain


Ah yes, Edmonton; the Winnipeg of Alberta.
Jan 9 2015 9:00PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
NinetyFourWinnipeg? I'm in Brandon.

Yeah I know it NinetyFour, as you know where I'm based.

At some point I'll probably get myself a fatbike...
Jan 9 2015 9:03PM
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spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
I do when I can. ie when the roads permit. I dont have spiked snow tires, and live on a hill that usually gets icy for some time during the winter which is fucking hard to bike up when it's icy. But I love to put on ski gear and bike in the winter, snow mtb is really fun too.
Jan 9 2015 9:26PM
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