I am in a predicament
#1
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I am in a predicament
I recently purchased a set of Continental Contact Spike studded tires for riding on road in winter. I got them to put on my Salsa Cutthroat. But I was thinking, jeeeeez, ya know, it would be a shame to cover such a nice bike in road salt.
NOW, I do have an old mid-80s steel Raleigh that I use on my trainer. Perfectly road worthy. Trouble is, it is the least coolest bike I own. You must understand, I have a reputation in this town, and I can't sully my good name by being seen outside on this thing. There is a small saving grace here and that is, during the winter in Eastern Canada, all skin is covered, including your face.
SO, would anyone know that it is really me?
BUT, can I take that chance?
What if someone found out that it WAS me?
Well, I'd have to move, change my name, cosmetic surgery, etc.
My predicament is, what is more important: riding my CutThroat and covering it in road salt, OR riding that old beater with the chance of having to leave the country if found out.
I don't know what to do.........you folks are smart; thoughts?
NOW, I do have an old mid-80s steel Raleigh that I use on my trainer. Perfectly road worthy. Trouble is, it is the least coolest bike I own. You must understand, I have a reputation in this town, and I can't sully my good name by being seen outside on this thing. There is a small saving grace here and that is, during the winter in Eastern Canada, all skin is covered, including your face.
SO, would anyone know that it is really me?
BUT, can I take that chance?
What if someone found out that it WAS me?
Well, I'd have to move, change my name, cosmetic surgery, etc.
My predicament is, what is more important: riding my CutThroat and covering it in road salt, OR riding that old beater with the chance of having to leave the country if found out.
I don't know what to do.........you folks are smart; thoughts?
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I'm wondering or not there was a sincere predicament buried beneath all that.
Some of the coolest cyclists I know ride the least cool bikes. At times.
If you live so far north and established said "reputation", what did you ride in previous winters?
Some of the coolest cyclists I know ride the least cool bikes. At times.
If you live so far north and established said "reputation", what did you ride in previous winters?
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I found that riding the worst weather on a winter worthy rig got me respect. I went back to my alma mater for a year a decade after graduation. Bumped into one of my former profs. He saw my helmet and started telling me of a long haired student of his who rode all winter - with obvious respect. He had no idea he was describing me.
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Dude, riding that old bike in the winter when most people wouldn’t ride outweighs any cons of riding a whooptie.
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#13
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I think I’m going to get a new bike for on-road winter. Something like $1000-1500 and aluminum will do, no need for the higher level carbon.
Something that is not a real keeper bike but one that doesn’t make me look Freddy, like I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that before.
Something that is not a real keeper bike but one that doesn’t make me look Freddy, like I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that before.
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it's not what you have, it's what you do with it
I trust that's not too esoteric. but so what if it is
I trust that's not too esoteric. but so what if it is
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#17
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I'm pretty sure the OPs concerns about cool are tongue-in-cheek, but as I've posted about before, I am also trying to decide whether to put the studs on my Warbird or the steel Masi. At the moment, I'm leaning towards the Masi. By the time you add the weight of the bike, the studded tires, and the all the clothes I'm wearing under those conditions, it's raher like riding a truck. But it's a good workout. A couple of winters ago I did a winter century with it.
So personally, the choice is probably going to go to the old steel bike b/c it's going to be a better workout.
Also, recently I've been using the Masi as my commuter, and if I continue to commute in the snow, the studded tires will do double duty.
So personally, the choice is probably going to go to the old steel bike b/c it's going to be a better workout.
Also, recently I've been using the Masi as my commuter, and if I continue to commute in the snow, the studded tires will do double duty.
#18
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Too many people spend time worrying about what the people, who never think about them, think about them. — J. S. Felts
Dan
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#21
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I'm pretty sure the OPs concerns about cool are tongue-in-cheek, but as I've posted about before, I am also trying to decide whether to put the studs on my Warbird or the steel Masi. At the moment, I'm leaning towards the Masi. By the time you add the weight of the bike, the studded tires, and the all the clothes I'm wearing under those conditions, it's raher like riding a truck. But it's a good workout. A couple of winters ago I did a winter century with it.
So personally, the choice is probably going to go to the old steel bike b/c it's going to be a better workout.
Also, recently I've been using the Masi as my commuter, and if I continue to commute in the snow, the studded tires will do double duty.
So personally, the choice is probably going to go to the old steel bike b/c it's going to be a better workout.
Also, recently I've been using the Masi as my commuter, and if I continue to commute in the snow, the studded tires will do double duty.
That old Raleigh has dual pivot brake calipers, stopping power isn't the greatest, but I'll keep my average speed down to 30 kph for the winter.
A winter century is impressive!
#22
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I mounted the rear tire and there is 2mm of gap between the chainstay and the tire sidewall (42mm tire). Too close for me.
Back to the Cutthroat I guess.
Back to the Cutthroat I guess.
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also what width are yours? I see they come in 3 sizes 32mm, 37mm & 42mm
https://www.wheelworks.com/product/c...c-394173-1.htm
Last edited by rumrunn6; 11-26-21 at 07:35 AM.
#25
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at what pressure? I had big tires on a bike, & I found running them at a lower pressure, gave me more clearance all around
also what width are yours? I see they come in 3 sizes 32mm, 37mm & 42mm
https://www.wheelworks.com/product/c...c-394173-1.htm
also what width are yours? I see they come in 3 sizes 32mm, 37mm & 42mm
https://www.wheelworks.com/product/c...c-394173-1.htm
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