Tips for riding in snow?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Tips for riding in snow?
It will be snowing tomorrow in NY but I have to bike commute (don't want to take subway). My bike is a hybrid with 700x35c. Any tips about safe riding in snow on city streets (during snowfall and with accumulation on the streets, though accumulation shouldn't be too bad until when I've finished my trip)? Thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 210
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Take it slow and steady. No fast turns or movements, have lights and reflective gear and have a back up plan if you have to bail. I did the walk of shame when I felt it was too dangerous for me to continue the other day and am glad in retrospect that I did.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#4
ex-everything.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charlestown, MA
Posts: 606
Bikes: venerable surly crosscheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chunder, that beat-up floury kind of snow on the road, is annoying as heck.
Be zen and trust in your balance. Pilot with your momentum, and don't panic when your bike seems to be moving forward but not quite in the line of your front wheel. Be light on the controls and let it float a little.
Stay as dry as you can. Especially if you're riding in non-winter kit. Cotton kills.
Be zen and trust in your balance. Pilot with your momentum, and don't panic when your bike seems to be moving forward but not quite in the line of your front wheel. Be light on the controls and let it float a little.
Stay as dry as you can. Especially if you're riding in non-winter kit. Cotton kills.
#6
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
Chunder, that beat-up floury kind of snow on the road, is annoying as heck.
Be zen and trust in your balance. Pilot with your momentum, and don't panic when your bike seems to be moving forward but not quite in the line of your front wheel. Be light on the controls and let it float a little.
Stay as dry as you can. Especially if you're riding in non-winter kit. Cotton kills.
Be zen and trust in your balance. Pilot with your momentum, and don't panic when your bike seems to be moving forward but not quite in the line of your front wheel. Be light on the controls and let it float a little.
Stay as dry as you can. Especially if you're riding in non-winter kit. Cotton kills.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Perhaps it's easier/safer to ride in thick accumulation of snow than when the street is just covered by a thin film of snow?
#8
Urban Gearhead
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 84
Bikes: '98 Ibis Spanky, '73 Bottecchia, Bruce Gordon (of NM) TT, '98 GT Avalanch
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Urban Gearhead
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 84
Bikes: '98 Ibis Spanky, '73 Bottecchia, Bruce Gordon (of NM) TT, '98 GT Avalanch
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chunder, that beat-up floury kind of snow on the road, is annoying as heck.
Be zen and trust in your balance. Pilot with your momentum, and don't panic when your bike seems to be moving forward but not quite in the line of your front wheel. Be light on the controls and let it float a little.
Stay as dry as you can. Especially if you're riding in non-winter kit. Cotton kills.
Be zen and trust in your balance. Pilot with your momentum, and don't panic when your bike seems to be moving forward but not quite in the line of your front wheel. Be light on the controls and let it float a little.
Stay as dry as you can. Especially if you're riding in non-winter kit. Cotton kills.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Waterloo, ON
Posts: 431
Bikes: Surly Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You may also be too tall on your bike. I brought my seat down about 1.5 inches, and I had less pedaling power, but 100% more confidence.
Also, go on an empty side street or an open field where you can tear it up for awhile. Turn hard and even wipe out a few times. Learn your limits. Riding in the snow is a different skill, and there's no substitute for lots of practice.
Also, go on an empty side street or an open field where you can tear it up for awhile. Turn hard and even wipe out a few times. Learn your limits. Riding in the snow is a different skill, and there's no substitute for lots of practice.
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 129
Bikes: 2018 Specialized Epic Comp Carbon, 1989 Cannondale ST-400, forthcoming SaltAir Cycles Gravel Bike :D
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Stay in a low gear and pedal at a fairly high cadence. Make sure it's a gear that you like because you might end up stuck in it if the derailleur ices over.
#12
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
Yes, and keep the stroke smooth and power output stable; sudden jabs of power can break wheel loose and cause untimely front end lightening. Which reminds me: keep the front end weighted. Stay loose and let it ride, but shift some weight forward if possible and let that front wheel dig down, bite in, and hold the line.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,249
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 637 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
609 Posts
"Chunder" on top of hard packed snow and ice is what we have here right now, I can't afford a fall so I wimped out and stayed off the bike.
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You may want to have a back up route in mind that goes where the plow and salt. Try to avoid sidewalks and bicycle paths because they are untreated and sometimes can be very rough especially if it freezes.
Case in point, last week it snowed, melted a little and then froze. My regular route includes to small bike paths. They froze hard and I slid and took a bad fall. It hurt a lot. Avoid this if you can!
During the work day I found another route that I could take that did not include the bike paths. It was much safer.
Case in point, last week it snowed, melted a little and then froze. My regular route includes to small bike paths. They froze hard and I slid and took a bad fall. It hurt a lot. Avoid this if you can!
During the work day I found another route that I could take that did not include the bike paths. It was much safer.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes. Yesterday when I rode on the streets there was hard frozen snow/ice on the side making the streets/avenues narrower, so I had to ride where cars usually go. I just hope all the drivers understand why we are riding in their lanes and be aware that if they are too close to us cyclists we'll have no way to go except falling on ice and be run over by the cars.
#16
Senior Member
Studded tires are great for the freeze/thaw icy stuff.
#17
tougher than a boiled owl
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Rocky Coast of Maine
Posts: 1,125
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
A light dry snow is manageable up to an inch or so. Any more than that if tracked down by cars etc. gets very treacherous. You can be going along and your front wheel darts all over and floats then sinks and slides, and you keep falling over. Its just plain aggravating and very dangerous when in traffic. I always wait for the plows to clean things up, (my commute is way too long), and the salt to start melting or slushing things up some. It is much easier when it gets real slushy so your tires can bust through to the pavement easily. Also when it freezes up solid it gets easier because you can stay on top of the frozen stuff. As long as you have studs. Best of luck and don't be afraid to walk those sections that give you this type of trouble.
#18
ex-everything.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charlestown, MA
Posts: 606
Bikes: venerable surly crosscheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And just to support the "best to be safe" voices, btw, I also chose to take the T rather than ride through 1"+/hr here in Boston this evening. There's HTFU and then there's "I gotta be able to go to work tomorrow".
#19
Dirt Bomb
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,865
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5464 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
239 Posts
Is it just me but I cannot plow through snow, studs or not.
I ride in the snow, but only where it's been plowed or packed down by cars. My 26" mtb wears Nokia Mount and Ground tires.
Do you guys really ride in snow over an inch or two deep?
I ride in the snow, but only where it's been plowed or packed down by cars. My 26" mtb wears Nokia Mount and Ground tires.
Do you guys really ride in snow over an inch or two deep?
__________________
#20
Newbie
#21
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
Oh, and distance is crucial, because conditions you may be able to struggle through for 3-4 miles might be hellish at 13 miles.
Last edited by chaadster; 12-19-13 at 06:39 AM.
#22
ex-everything.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charlestown, MA
Posts: 606
Bikes: venerable surly crosscheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
It depends on the type of snow. 2" of powder, freshly fallen on clear roads, is one of the most fun snows to ride on, but 2" of heavy, wet, slushy snow over crunchy, two day old snow is a pain.
Oh, and distance is crucial, because conditions you may be able to struggle through for 3-4 miles might be hellish at 13 miles.
Oh, and distance is crucial, because conditions you may be able to struggle through for 3-4 miles might be hellish at 13 miles.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: not here very long...
Posts: 94
Bikes: trek 820, schwinn highlander,hardtail 29er, Currie I-Zip 26" Electric bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Does anyone suggest the zip tie trick around your wheels for added traction??
I wimped out on my ride to work, 3.3 miles due to the hard pack snow/ice combo with the knobbys on my 29" hardtail.
I have plenty of panduit zip ties but wanted to hear from someone who's done this??
Thanks!
I wimped out on my ride to work, 3.3 miles due to the hard pack snow/ice combo with the knobbys on my 29" hardtail.
I have plenty of panduit zip ties but wanted to hear from someone who's done this??
Thanks!
#25
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,359
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6218 Post(s)
Liked 4,215 Times
in
2,362 Posts
Sorry but this is wrong. Riding snow is like riding sand. A front wheel that digs down will become hard to control and keep moving forward because you lose momentum and the bike holds the line too much because the wheel is trapped. The front tire should float as much as possible.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!