Who cycles on their mountain bike in winter...

[recycled sixtie]

on ice and snow? Californians need not respond. Do you have a fat bike or get studded tires on your mountain bike? Separate set of wheels with studded tires?

Need some thoughts on what to do this winter as I miss cycling in winter!?

Cheers, Guy

[LWJ]

I used to ride in Boulder, CO in the snow. It was soft and fluffy. When you crashed, it was fun.

We ride in the mud in Winter in Oregon. Snow seems a bit much. But, given your latitude, it seems reasonable for you.

I am interested in the responses you get.

[upsscott]

I have a Trek Stache semi fat bike that I ride in Utah in the snow. Good fun.

[1990C4S]

I can tell you from experience that summer tires are a death wish, especially with patchy ice. You will go down.

I would go with studs.

[Racerbvd]

[herr_oberst]

Kona Rove with 35C Kenda tubeless. Probably 40psi, and still kind of sketchy on the icy bits, but jeez, look how tall that dam thing is!

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I can tell you from experience that summer tires are a death wish, especially with patchy ice. You will go down.

I would go with studs.

As long as there's not too much ice - I don't think that studs are necessary if you have standard "MTB" tires. You do need some awareness of your route and lots of care. When you hit that smooth ice and try to do anything but coast straight - wow does the earth fling itself up at you faster than you could ever imagine.

(I am in the southern rocky mountains and we have either snow or sun, so no murky wet icy gloom - so take it for what you will)

Other than that - winter riding's great! Just go do it!

Rather than fancy ($$) winter shoes I bought some el-cheapo SPD-compatable ones a size too large and sealed up the mesh. A thick pair of heavy wool socks and I'm ready to go in the cold and the slop.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I used to make my own studded snow mtb tires with screws and bloody hands.

I had several sets, from light ice, to riding on frozen lakes.
Drawback of homemade tires- heavy and studs wear out too quickly.
Drawback of professionally made studded tires- expensive, and just like with studded car tires, you need to gauge the studs for what you are getting into. Bunch of variety in stud placement and numbers. The studded snow tires with the least amount of studs are the best all -arounders, but aren't studdy enough for real ice.


Weight is a monster on bikes with studs.

I like mjohnson's reply- stay in the snow, use aggresive regular mtb tires to start. Perhaps some lightly studded tires if temps get to the point where things are freezing over. If you are regularly riding sheet ice, go aggresive studs.

If you are getting into it, you will want a separate set of wheels. Warmer temps- regular tires, frozen solid, studded wheelset. Super cold conditions and snow gets sticky. regular tires just fine for example.

If you get bored, make your own set. It's a riot to test out your own patterns- just dont ride on regular roads, they will wear out the screws in no time.

nokian makes some good tires- these are out of stock, but give an idea. Also- check the weight. about 1200 grams. I like how the studs are doubled up on the shoulders. Right where you need them when things get squirrely.

https://www.rei.com/product/780248/nokian-extreme-294-studded-tire-29-x-21

Saw these in a google search- I like the pattern too (and the price). I would order these myself if I had to get a set today.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/schwalbe-ice-spiker-raceguard-pro-winter-tyre/rp-prod123204?gs=1&sku=sku442471&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuof2r5uT8wIVhIvICh1OEwFYEAQYBSAB EgKED_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Here's an example of a lightly studded tire- good rolling, lighter weight, but not going to hold up on solid sheet ice/lakes too well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363142465909?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1iYMACWG4SlOjSYWAPuBC1g85&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=363142465909&targetid=1262843334889&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9008337&poi=&campaignid=12874650447&mkgroupid=121788266346&rlsatarget=pla-1262843334889&abcId=9300535&merchantid=6377484&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuof2r5uT8wIVhIvICh1OEwFYEAQYAyAB EgInrvD_BwE

In the end, I think it will all boil down to your specific conditions, which can change anyway due to temp.

[herr_oberst]

Studding the front tire only is a thing, too.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Definitely shorts weather!

[Otter74]

I ride year-round and the bike that I ride in winter has Soma Cazaderos (650bx42) on it. They work pretty well for winter conditions here (Chicago.) I used to put studded Nokians on my winter bike, but while I still have the tires I haven't used them in ages. There's so little ice here that I really don't need them.

[rwest]

I used to ride year round here in MN and have a rod in my leg to prove it! Studded tires, huge patch of ice, brakes that had frozen and cleats that didn’t uncleat...

I have Snow Cat rims on a standard mountain bike- they were the original fat tires- double width rim that you glued one side of the tire on so it stretched across and could go low pressure. I put a studded tire on them and I still went down- they can easily skid.

Now with a dog at home, I can’t commute, so in winter I XC ski.

Best advice I ever took was getting ski boot heaters for my winter bike boots.

[Tobra]

I rode rain or shine as a student in Oregon. Had a few snowy days, regular nobby 2.5" wide tires. Just had to go slower

[billybek]

Have a Trek Farley on studded tires. It is like mountain biking in slow motion.
Fun though and a good workout.

[dlockhart]

Way more fun with a motor.

[ZOO]

I did about 600 miles total last year in the snow. Santa Cruz Chameleon, with studded Cake Eater tires (2.75, if I recall). I loved it so much I've given up downhill skiing.

It took forever to find the studded tires because of supply issues. Making your own is a good way to go.

I have a fatbike on order . . . but no idea of when it will arrive.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

... Californians need not respond....

I'm assuming Aussies as well.

[sc_rufctr]

Here goes anyway... Perfect for snow!

[herr_oberst]

Note to self - wear socks in advanced age.

[einreb]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

on ice and snow? Californians need not respond. Do you have a fat bike or get studded tires on your mountain bike? Separate set of wheels with studded tires?

Need some thoughts on what to do this winter as I miss cycling in winter!?

Cheers, Guy

Initially started out just riding my mountain bike on packed snow trails. Even with narrowish 2.2-6 tires its doable and fun (run crazy low pressure) if trails are packed. This essentially means letting the fatbikers out first to pack/groom the trails. There are areas nearby that literally 'groom' fatbike trails. Its a fun way to get outside in the winter.

It became clear that with much freeze/thaw that if there was substantial ice on the trails or access roads that studs were pretty much a necessity to be able to also enjoy those conditions. It makes a huge difference on ice.

At some point, I picked up a fatbike. This allows you to get out when things aren't as packed down or groomed. However, I never picked up studded tires for the fatbike and if its icy... fat tires don't really help icy situation all that much... fatbikes on ice need to be studded tires.

Eventually I came to the conclusion that if the snow conditions were decent for fatbike... they were good for xc skiing and that was a better (for me) cycling offseason activity.

ymmv,

-Bernie