Would you set up a fixed gear cruiser for winter?
10-21-19, 10:06 AM
#1
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Would you set up a fixed gear cruiser for winter?
I've been trying to figure out how to keep riding in the winter and none of the bike I have seem to be ideal and I want to try to set one up better.
The one I enjoy riding the most and that is technically "mine" is a Schwinn DelMar that is just a cheap cruiser. My rides are only 2 miles and the purpose is just for relaxation and exercise. But I would like for the weather to not deter me. There are many winters we don't get a lot of snow and roads typically might have snow on them a few days after a storm and then it typically goes away. They use so much salt everywhere around here and the snows have been intermittent. Now sometimes we do have winters with lots of snow and there is more snow on the roads that doesn't always go away but that is not usually the norm.
I think I'm settled on getting some knobbies for whatever bike I ride but my main concern is the gear inches. My bike is at about 63-64 gear inches right now and even in the nice weather it seems like I could be happier with lower gearing. I pretty much stick to the flatter roads cuz of the gearing. So I'm thinking I might want to get a different rear rim with a bigger sprocket or try one of those coaster braked multi gear deals.
Anyone ever do this?
I'm not sure if I can post a vid but if I can you can see me trying to do a bunny hop on that bike. After that I watched youtbue vids and realize my technique leaves a lot to be desired. LOL. I'm a total novice for tricks.
Alright, it's not letting me upload vids. And the picture doesn't show my back tire off the ground but I promise you I got a few inches of air. LOL It's a start. I need a good BMX bike.
Anyways..... that's my bike I'm thinking of setting up for winter riding.
The one I enjoy riding the most and that is technically "mine" is a Schwinn DelMar that is just a cheap cruiser. My rides are only 2 miles and the purpose is just for relaxation and exercise. But I would like for the weather to not deter me. There are many winters we don't get a lot of snow and roads typically might have snow on them a few days after a storm and then it typically goes away. They use so much salt everywhere around here and the snows have been intermittent. Now sometimes we do have winters with lots of snow and there is more snow on the roads that doesn't always go away but that is not usually the norm.
I think I'm settled on getting some knobbies for whatever bike I ride but my main concern is the gear inches. My bike is at about 63-64 gear inches right now and even in the nice weather it seems like I could be happier with lower gearing. I pretty much stick to the flatter roads cuz of the gearing. So I'm thinking I might want to get a different rear rim with a bigger sprocket or try one of those coaster braked multi gear deals.
Anyone ever do this?
I'm not sure if I can post a vid but if I can you can see me trying to do a bunny hop on that bike. After that I watched youtbue vids and realize my technique leaves a lot to be desired. LOL. I'm a total novice for tricks.
Alright, it's not letting me upload vids. And the picture doesn't show my back tire off the ground but I promise you I got a few inches of air. LOL It's a start. I need a good BMX bike.
Anyways..... that's my bike I'm thinking of setting up for winter riding.
10-21-19, 02:11 PM
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I can think of worse choices! Nokian/Suomi makes really good snow tires in 26" size. They're expensive upfront, but last through many seasons of riding.
I haven't tried to upload a video directly to BF, but if you host it on imgur or some other service, you can embed that here.
I haven't tried to upload a video directly to BF, but if you host it on imgur or some other service, you can embed that here.
10-23-19, 04:16 PM
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That's not a fixed gear bike, it's a coaster brake bike. And they're both good choices for winter riding.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-24-19, 10:56 AM
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Ah, thank you for the correction. I'm a newb and I'm not sure why I got that mixed up. I'll have to google what a fixed gear bike is.
I have a feeling my bike is just fine the way it is. I'm not even sure the tires are all that bad for most winter conditions other than the snowiest.....
Only problem is the cruiser tires I have on my cruiser are over 5 years old and I'm thinking new ones MIGHT be more grippy. I forget when my wife bought that bike. Also... I would prefer a bit lower gearing. In the wind mine gets kind of..... difficult. It's at 63 gear inches and I think I'd like it closer to 55 or so. Not sure what the cheapest way to do that is. Other than find a rear rim with a bigger gear and possibly change my tires out. That might make it better for winter......
I have a feeling my bike is just fine the way it is. I'm not even sure the tires are all that bad for most winter conditions other than the snowiest.....
Only problem is the cruiser tires I have on my cruiser are over 5 years old and I'm thinking new ones MIGHT be more grippy. I forget when my wife bought that bike. Also... I would prefer a bit lower gearing. In the wind mine gets kind of..... difficult. It's at 63 gear inches and I think I'd like it closer to 55 or so. Not sure what the cheapest way to do that is. Other than find a rear rim with a bigger gear and possibly change my tires out. That might make it better for winter......
