Carbonated

We are do to get 6 inches of snow here tomorrow and I was thinking about getting out my old mountain bike with new stubby tires and give it a try.

Is it feasible?

thanks in advance

Update:

I did the ride - there was a layer of powdery snow on top of a hard sleet and since I just put on a new set of greenway tires, traction was great.

The 15 mile out and back took over 2 hours as I was very cautious. It was nice to see more sledders and walkers than cars - very serene.

I'm glad I hung on to that old Trek 820 as it is seldom used - last ridden during the October Carolina hurricane.

I'm glad I tried it and may not have without your feedback.

A great workout too!

Thanks!

PaulH

Not sure what "stubby tires are." Six inches of snow can be either trivial or impassible depending upon water content (density). in general, bicycles without studded tires are somewhat better in snow than rear wheel drive cars.

DaveQ24

You probably mean "knobby" tires. Yes, you should be able to ride in those conditions - with the qualifier that, as PaulH pointed out, ride conditions vary a lot with the particulars of the snow event. Dry powder is easier to ride in than heavy wet "greasy" snow, at least I find it to be.

BlazingPedals

If it's wet snow or slush, that's a lot of stuff to push aside, it may take more power than you have avaiilable. But you'll never know if you don't try.

Moe Zhoost

soft fluffy snow is a blast to ride in. Dense, wet snow is not so much fun. Once it gets packed down by cars it's iffy with non-studded tires

wphamilton

Six inches of snow is over my limit, though I guess we only get the wet kind here, and years between real accumulations. We're also due for 2-4 inches tomorrow and I'm going to out in it cutting snow-tracks

bargeon

Just remember the old Foghat song: Snow Ride, take it easy . . .

1989Pre 

Get to it after the plows come by, but before it freezes.

canklecat

We got an inch of snow this afternoon. Even with the temp in the 20s and overcast sky it melted as soon as it hit the pavement. So I rode in the nearby open fields and drainage gullies were there was some accumulation. Univega rigid fork mountain bike with Continental Speed Ride tires, cyclocross style with diamond file main tread and knobbies only on the shoulders. I reduced pressure to 40 in the front, 45 rear and gave it a go.

Good traction overall. Only time the rear wheel slipped a bit was on a steep slope with an inch of snow accumulation. First try I was in too high a gear and had to try again in a lower gear. No problems after that.

Braking was tricky at first with the cantilever brakes. At first I had no braking. Puzzling, because I have new Kool Stop Eagle 2 salmon pads on the rear (which include a plow tip to scrape the gunk off the rims), and equally good Jagwire pads on the front. I figured the rims had frosted over due to the sudden shift from room temperature to sub-freezing. After riding the brakes a bit the pads dug in and worked predictably. Several times I locked up the wheels to test conditions, and every time the tires dug in through the snow and grabbed the ground.

Overall the ride was fine. Biggest challenge wasn't the snow but dressing appropriately for the cold. I wore three thin baselayers under a thin windbreaker and was still sweaty within 5 minutes. My feet were fine in my old hiking boots with winter socks. But my fingers were stinging from cold within half an hour, despite wearing ski glove liners under the Bontrager Thermal RXLs -- but that's much colder than those gloves are intended for. I'll try the liners with my insulated gloves next ride. Might need some windproof mitten shells too.

I quit after an hour when the puddles and melted snow in the street started freezing near sundown. I wouldn't have quit so soon if I had the streets to myself, but I know how Texans drive in winter -- no clue about slick roads, unless they're from the Panhandle.

rumrunn6

of course it is. get out early before it gets too bad. then you can come back inside & watch from the warmth of your home. I'm getting my oil changed now & thinking I might do the same. should be fun riding with some snow falling

Carbonated

The storm only dumped 1/2 inch of a mix of snow and sleet.

I may venture down the street on my bike to see how it is but without studded tires I have a feeling I won't get far

VNA

A FatBike I think would be better and for sure keeping the tire pressure low--but it will be cold no matter what bike one uses!

wphamilton

Us to, just sleet and ice and not enough snow to make a snake track in Very disappointing.

OldsCOOL

I rode my 820 all winter last year. I wish we had 6" of snow, we keep getting feet of the stuff. The snow started last Tuesday and hasnt stopped. Too much clearing of snow has not given me time to ride. Since 5 days ago we are near 3ft of total storm accumulation. Pure Michigan.

MinnMan

In my experience, 6" of fresh snow of any sort is tough on a MTB with normally fat (e.g., up to 2 1/2") tires. Too many traction issues.

Packed snow can be different, depending on hardness and depth. And you don't necessarily need studs for packed snow, unless there is actually also slick ice.

OldsCOOL

Fresh snow with a MTB 1.95 or 2.1" knobby is a wrestling match no matter where you ride. You fight the steering and fight the pedals and then there is body english. It's a great workout.

oddjob2

Haapy New Year Ryp! How many total feet of snow do you have on the ground including the 3'?

All we can see here in the south is green grass, with only a dusting of the white stuff. However with mid teen temps, I am not riding till it warms up a bit. Headed to Cobo Hall for the auto show today and tomorrow.

bobwysiwyg

I'm guessing in or near the Keweenaw peninsula?? Possibly Marquette to the Sue?? I'd love to get a look-see in winter some time. My wife and I vacation on Lake Gogebic each fall and frequently drive up to Copper Harbor. On the way you pass a sign like a giant thermometer registering how deep/high the snow gets. Let's just say we're talking hundreds of inches some years. Nearby is a memorial snowplow train. Lake affect snow can be unrelenting and brutal in some areas.

rumrunn6

yeah snow rides are different for sure. slower, harder work. but new kinds of rewards. get any pics?

OldsCOOL

Happy New Year back atcha!

Total snowfall here in Boyne is probably 4-5' on the season. Harbor Springs had 27" in 3 days. But as we know, snowpack settles and with about a foot of frozen base from our intermitent thaws. I plowed front and back today and was in awe of the 5 days accumulation.

OldsCOOL

Brutal indeed. We had just shy of 3' in 5 days. Good ole lake effect. Boyne Country is a snow palace.

Carbonated

I grabbed my smartphone as I headed out the door but the battery was drained.
My first snow ride and no pics
Hopefully we will get another snow storm or two before spring.

bobwysiwyg

Wow, Boyne too eh? Stay warm.

fastcarbon

I did my snow ride today. 70 degrees/ 40 miles and 2300 feet of climbing. I am celebrating 20 feet of new snow at Mammoth Mountain. A slow ride averaging just over 14mph and trying to burn out a chest cold that is slowly going away.

OldsCOOL

This is regular winter for us though this past week was a bit more snow removal than we have had at task. Probably another 8" by tomorrow afternoon.