[quote=jamey]oh hai winter:
[/quote]
haha I used to live a block away from you. That’s 14th and Downing, right?
Oh, and this weather sucks it’s cold as balls.
haha, exactly where it is. i don’t mind the weather too much because it’s not usually like this.
love california <3
the fuck out: get.
Cold as balls it is, but I’m embracin’ it. Was weird only seeing one other guy riding on the way to work this morning.
preferred tire for midwestern snow/slush/salt hell streets?
That’s the part that freaks me out. This winter is going to be nuts.
It’s not winter here yet but the chilly rains are here and bringing up all the oil and goo to the surface of the roads. So, I had my first winter-ish bail this week. It was a classic low-sider. I was heading into a roundabout too hot, touched the rear brake and went down. The interesting thing about this one was the fact that as I was sliding across the pavement, a coin that was in my pocket somehow engraved a little circle in my hip.
Moral: “If you use your brakes, you don’t win”—Cipollini
I enjoyed riding an old three-speed in the winter last year.
It’s 33* in Chicago this morning.
It was the same here yesterday morning and at night. What’s worse is the random rain.
If it’s going to be cold, fine, but at least be snowing. Being wet and cold is the worst.
looking for some 26" slicks. suggestions?
I dig the 1.5" Bontrager Hardcases on the Misfit. Never flatted, roll a lot easier than the knobbies that were on it.
Slicks for winter?
Hey all, came across this thread and felt compelled to de-lurk to ask some advice.
I got by with a crappy MTB last winter but was forced to walk more times than I’d like. So this summer I went on CL, found a beater road bike and rebuilt it for bad weather commuting purposes:
It was a simultaneous experiment in building a winter/rain bike and rebuilding a bike with a focus on minimal cost. I definitely need to replace the wheels with a fixed-gear set (the current ones were scavenged as a temporary measure for the summer), but beyond that I’d like to minimize upgrading/replacing things unless they’d make a big difference in safety. Comfort and/or speed are pretty secondary as my commute is 2 miles each way, and I rarely need to go farther than 5 miles for other things I need.
So without further ado, my questions:
[list]
[] I know a lot of folks don’t go with drops on winter bikes; are there any major benefits of flat bars over drops in winter conditions? I know the typical pros/cons of flat v. drops, I’m just curious if winter weather changes the game enough to warrant the time/cost of swapping them out.
[] Has anyone put mud guards on SKB fenders? They’re not set up for them, but I was thinking of rigging something up with a combination of zip ties, old inner tubes and a drill.
[*] I also want to put some straps on the pedals. RJ, can I ask what shop you’re at? I’ve got a good guess but wanted to make sure. 
I’d like to swing by and check out those Hold Fasts as they look pretty nice.
[/list]
Thanks,
Just threw on the clip-on fender (Ted Shred brake-pad). The tail end of that big typhoon is supposed to arrive tomorrow and get us allllll wet.
[quote=smash]Hey all, came across this thread and felt compelled to de-lurk to ask some advice.
I got by with a crappy MTB last winter but was forced to walk more times than I’d like. So this summer I went on CL, found a beater road bike and rebuilt it for bad weather commuting purposes:
It was a simultaneous experiment in building a winter/rain bike and rebuilding a bike with a focus on minimal cost. I definitely need to replace the wheels with a fixed-gear set (the current ones were scavenged as a temporary measure for the summer), but beyond that I’d like to minimize upgrading/replacing things unless they’d make a big difference in safety. Comfort and/or speed are pretty secondary as my commute is 2 miles each way, and I rarely need to go farther than 5 miles for other things I need.
So without further ado, my questions:
[list]
[] I know a lot of folks don’t go with drops on winter bikes; are there any major benefits of flat bars over drops in winter conditions? I know the typical pros/cons of flat v. drops, I’m just curious if winter weather changes the game enough to warrant the time/cost of swapping them out.
[] Has anyone put mud guards on SKB fenders? They’re not set up for them, but I was thinking of rigging something up with a combination of zip ties, old inner tubes and a drill.
[*] I also want to put some straps on the pedals. RJ, can I ask what shop you’re at? I’ve got a good guess but wanted to make sure. I’d like to swing by and check out those Hold Fasts as they look pretty nice.
[/list]
Thanks,[/quote]
sexy fenders, are those p35 or p45?
i ordered the p35 and they should be here in a day
so i got another question, should i use my charge spoon or use the old vetta that came with my miyata?
Whichever one feels better on your ass. I’m confused as to why you needed that question answered.
[quote=smash]
So without further ado, my questions:
[list]
[*] I know a lot of folks don’t go with drops on winter bikes; are there any major benefits of flat bars over drops in winter conditions? I know the typical pros/cons of flat v. drops, I’m just curious if winter weather changes the game enough to warrant the time/cost of swapping them out.
With risers you are usually more upright, thus a feeling of more stability. Also more of your weight is distributed over the rear wheel, which you could view as being a good or a bad thing. ATMO, I dig it. Risers can suck too though. If you get stuck in some of our gnarly winter winds you’ll be forced to act as a sail and take the brunt of it.
[*] Has anyone put mud guards on SKB fenders? They’re not set up for them, but I was thinking of rigging something up with a combination of zip ties, old inner tubes and a drill.
I plan to try the same thing, though I’ll probably see if I can find some old mountain bike tires to chop up and bolt on them. Let me know what your results are like
[*] I also want to put some straps on the pedals. RJ, can I ask what shop you’re at? I’ve got a good guess but wanted to make sure. I’d like to swing by and check out those Hold Fasts as they look pretty nice.
I work at Ben’s/Milwaukee. Though only on the weekends. If you want to check out the Hold Fasts they aren’t in yet but I can holler at you when they arrive. Should be pretty soon, IIRC. We do have a few different kinds of Power Straps in though.
[/list]
Thanks,[/quote]
Also, Have we met or would I know you from anywhere? What do you ride?
Edit - I think that Panasonic looks great, by the way, though I’m curious as to why you didn’t use the already existing cable stops for your rear brake?. Stop in the shop some time. We have a few cheap, already built wheel sets from 100-150.
i’m using drops and hoods this winter so i have a more aero position to get into when the wind gets real heavy. i’ve used risers for the last two winters but i don’t think i really gained much than a sense of security since i was always looking up.
seeing as you have two brakes, a suicide fix option is totally fine, as long as you rotofix the hell out of the cog and put a lockring on there. i have one on my super beater and it’s lasted a few seated skids, though i’m almost always on the brakes. the only thing real benefit to new wheels are sealed bearings and more tire selection/clearance if you’re running 27" wheels.
as far as mudflaps, fenders that come with them stock are pretty much the same as fenders without them, only they have a bit of material riveted to them and they’re cleaner looking.
i was worried the weather might be ideal for the saddle, and i don’t want to ruin my nice one over the winter