Winter Commuter Build
06-30-10, 07:14 AM
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Winter Commuter Build
Hey I know we are in the height of summer right now, but I have begun planning my first dedicated winter commuter fixed gear bike. Below is a rough outline of what the bike I want to build is like and I would appreciate any advice, criticism, or experiences. I live in Cleveland, OH and commute year round to work. Seeing that Cleveland was rated the most miserable city in the USA this past year, largely due to weather, I have finally decided to add a winter commuter to my fleet.
Swobo Crosby Frameset 59cm
Sram Omnium GPX 1/8" 48t crankset external bearing
Surly 19t cog
Velocity Chukkar 36h rims
Specialized Infinity Armadillo Tire 700x32c
Surly hubs
Cane Creek headset
Disc brakes front and rear (I need advice on what brands are good especially for all-weather?)
31.8 Drop handlebar with brakehoods
Thompson Elite set-back seatpost
Thompson x2 stem 110mm, 100deg
any help would be a appreciated Especially with the disc brakes!
Swobo Crosby Frameset 59cm
Sram Omnium GPX 1/8" 48t crankset external bearing
Surly 19t cog
Velocity Chukkar 36h rims
Specialized Infinity Armadillo Tire 700x32c
Surly hubs
Cane Creek headset
Disc brakes front and rear (I need advice on what brands are good especially for all-weather?)
31.8 Drop handlebar with brakehoods
Thompson Elite set-back seatpost
Thompson x2 stem 110mm, 100deg
any help would be a appreciated Especially with the disc brakes!
Last edited by Kylet5285; 06-30-10 at 07:48 AM. Reason: info on crank
06-30-10, 07:31 AM
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You absolutely want to pick up a pair or fenders. Prolly one of the most important aspects of a winter commuter.
06-30-10, 08:01 AM
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studded snow tires and fenders
06-30-10, 08:06 AM
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mud flaps for the front fender.
lizard skin seal or piece of rubber tube for the lower piece of the headset
avid BB7 is not a bad choice for disc brakes and they are available in both road and mtb lever configurations.
lizard skin seal or piece of rubber tube for the lower piece of the headset
avid BB7 is not a bad choice for disc brakes and they are available in both road and mtb lever configurations.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
06-30-10, 08:33 AM
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You talking about about wrapping a tube around the lower headset circumferentially or trying to make a seal with the rubber tube somehow? I've heard about doing this but never seen it/tried it. You have any pics?
06-30-10, 09:14 AM
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Omniums seem like overkill for a winter commuter. I'd go with the SRAM s300's. They have the same external bb design but are 130 bcd which gives you more chainring options.
06-30-10, 09:35 AM
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I commuted for 3 trouble-free Northern MN winters on a bike that cost as much as that crank.
06-30-10, 10:31 AM
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i like omniums that is what i run on my other commuter, but I will look into the 300s. Yes, you are probably right about ove- kill, but on the other hand I should have the money on hand I might invest in the beefier crankset which I could potentially switch out to one of my track bikes during the summer. Otherwise, i'll probably end up spending the extra on beer!
06-30-10, 11:55 AM
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__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
06-30-10, 01:12 PM
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i prefer risers or straight bars in low traction conditions.
06-30-10, 01:21 PM
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Or, wide, flared drop handlebars. Dirt Drops give great control, if you can get them set up right.
Also, might need different tires depending on the weather. For deep fluffy snow, thinner tires can actually work better. They cut through the drifts. For ice though, nothing can compare to studs.
Also, might need different tires depending on the weather. For deep fluffy snow, thinner tires can actually work better. They cut through the drifts. For ice though, nothing can compare to studs.
06-30-10, 01:26 PM
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Or, wide, flared drop handlebars. Dirt Drops give great control, if you can get them set up right.
Also, might need different tires depending on the weather. For deep fluffy snow, thinner tires can actually work better. They cut through the drifts. For ice though, nothing can compare to studs.
Also, might need different tires depending on the weather. For deep fluffy snow, thinner tires can actually work better. They cut through the drifts. For ice though, nothing can compare to studs.
plowed, salted and sanded roads narrow works fine.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
06-30-10, 02:27 PM
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the BB5 are way cheaper but far more problematic, they stick and have a hard time in general.
06-30-10, 10:36 PM
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On One Midge Bars (would require a 25.4 Clamp Stem) w/ESI Road Grips covered in thin bar tape, Cane Creek Drop V Levers, Avid BB7's and definitely some studded tires. Perhaps studding your own with some stainless screws for something a bit more hardcore.
This is a fantastic set-up.
PF
This is a fantastic set-up.
PF
06-30-10, 10:58 PM
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you can get midge bars in 31.8mm as well.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
07-02-10, 05:26 PM
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In my experience skinny tires are useless in anything but the lightest amount of snow. If you plan to ride over more than half an inch of the stuff, I would strongly recommend a MTB tire at least 1.75" wide with a good tread pattern on it. As for the handlebars, I guess drops would be ok but I prefer straight bars.
07-02-10, 05:36 PM
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For me, tires made a world of difference...
Wide MTB tires are good for tractoring through snow and car snot/car vomit.
Studs are good for gripping ice and other unsavory stuff that's below snow, ice, and car excrement.
This winter, I had a very successful experiment with another device that's super cheap...homemade tire chains! It's the same principle as car tire chains, but on a bike.
For my next winter build, I'm going to make a fixed gear MTB; opinions vary, but I find that fixed gear gives a lot more traction on snow and ice.
Wide MTB tires are good for tractoring through snow and car snot/car vomit.
Studs are good for gripping ice and other unsavory stuff that's below snow, ice, and car excrement.
This winter, I had a very successful experiment with another device that's super cheap...homemade tire chains! It's the same principle as car tire chains, but on a bike.
For my next winter build, I'm going to make a fixed gear MTB; opinions vary, but I find that fixed gear gives a lot more traction on snow and ice.
