merkong

What are some of the best things to know and be mindful of when it comes to biking (commuting for me) on slippery surfaces. I'm riding a Bridgestone SS with drop bars and 27 inch tires. I will be putting some knobbed tires on. Many have have said "pffft" to studs. These naysayers are winter riders also including former messengers etc. i do have some that endorse studs. What should I know about mostly as a new winter commuter? Peace.

ken
St. Paul, MN

irclean

AFAIK there's no such thing as a 27" studded tire, so that argument is moot. You can read threads on this sub-forum at your leisure for a wealth of information about winter cycling.

Cyclist0383

Go slow, turn even slower, don't use your front brake as it can easily washout from under you.

As you have rim brakes clean your rims regularly or you will have no stopping power and road grime will eat through them surprisingly quickly.

Get fenders.

alan s 

Studs are really only going to make a difference on ice, so depending on your conditions, you may not need studs for winter riding. Where I ride, there often long stretches of refrozen ice, with lots of ruts from bikes and peds. I would certainly fall without studs, so my only option would be to walk the bike.

Occasionally, freezing rain makes my entire route icy and unrideable without studs, and even walking is hazardous. With studs, no problem.

Scheherezade 

I think studs are a must-have for safe commuting in MSP. Plus, you have all those hills in St. Paul. My recommendation would be to check and see if your brakes can handle 700c wheels, and invest in a nice pair of studded tires. Our winter can be up to 5 months, that's a long time to chance it.

sauze

All three points great advice and the only time I ever actually wiped out was when I touched my front brake on an ice patch. I didn't have studs , just some old 27 cross tires. I almost promise we get more snow / worse weather

electrik

Remain calm, don't over-react. Get the studs if you can afford them, messenger work on busy road where ice is less common. Besides.. you're taking personal safety tips from bicycle messengers? Jesus.

MichaelW

If you cant afford to buy studded tyres, make your own, its not difficult and costs pennies. The price of slipping onto hard pavement can be very high.

Barrettscv 

This. You should be able to fit a 700cx35 studded tire on your frame with fenders.

Is your bike a 10 or 12 speed? If not, what is it?

wolfchild

Remember to lower your tire pressure for better traction, this is especially important when riding along icy rutted surface.

merkong

Single speed... Hard to say what it was in it's past life.

merkong

Thanks, and no, I'm taking equipment advie from somone who has commuted tens of thousands of miles year-round.

Cyclist0383

Really, if you're cycling in icy conditions studs make a world of difference, and yes I have plenty of experience commuting in all sorts of conditions.

scoatw

If you do go the studded tire route. I would suggest you start looking now for them. They tend to sell out in Dec. and Jan. I just checked out this years prices on Nokians and they've gone up alot. At least $20. Search around and you'll find a good price for them.
This will be my fifth winter riding in snow that doesn't even compare with what you'll be getting and I wouldn't even consider riding on ice or snow without them.

plodderslusk

Studs is the Spam of winter cycling, Spam , Spam , Spam. When you get to be my age studs is the only way to go.

electrik

Ok... asking a messenger what is safe. That is the point.

You'll make 1st class fakenger guy sliding around like a dofus. Maybe you think it's more like Kevin Bacon?

Either way experience will put a pair of studded tires on your bicycle if you're actually out there.

You didn't even bother to ask me how many kilometers a year i commute.

merkong

Hey, I appreciate the input and assume you commute a ton... I'm supposing you're in favor of studded tires and never wanted to imply that I didn't appreciate or resect your opinion; it's justthat the guy I know (old messenger, LBS owner, hippie/stoner type isn't into them. I am at a disadvatage though, unless I switch to 700c on my SS I'll have to make my own (the bike has old school 27 inchers). From what I understand from another respected member of the forum, it's do-able to say the least. Again, thanks for the input.