I'm looking to buy a road bike for winter riding, and I want to know what is the minimum recommended studded tire width for riding in Minneapolis winters. I'm looking to run full fenders so I need to make sure I find a bike that can fit the fenders + studded tires.

I'd mostly ride on city streets and separated bike paths.

I currently run a 700x40 on my front and a 700x50 on my rear. Both are close to my max tire clearance. Should I switch to slightly smaller winter tires?

Hi all! I’m new to the cities (student) and was wondering where I could get reasonably-priced studded tires. I am a bit limited by bike/public transit though, so nothing super far out in the suburbs. Also recommendations would be welcome! I have a Kent Glendale frame, but a mismatched stem/fork thingie (it’s hard to describe).

I am going to be visiting the the cities this week for a couple days in the midst of a search for a frame for a fixed gear build I'm working on. Are there any bike shops around town that carry a stock of used bike frames? If not, what shops would be the best for finding a used road bike to take apart?

Anyone tried something like Teflon-lined cables for a shifter?

My mechanical disc-brakes are OK. Just the gear shifter. I've lubed the cable in the past but just slows down or stops shifting in the cold weather.

I’m going to brave the cold in the morning on my 10mile commute. Considering wearing my snow pants while biking or should I just wear long John’s under my regular pants and then my windproof pant layer? Ive been going fine through the rain and snow, but it has not been this cold yet.

Curious on what studded tires folks like for winter commuting here..I’ve got an old 90s trek mtb with 26 in. tires and am considering either the Schwalbe Marathon plus 26 x 1.75 inches or the 45NRTH gravdals in 26 x 2. Will that .25 inch make a difference in how they ride? The gravdals will be $30 cheaper for a pair than the marathons. Thanks!

My normal bike is a Trek 2300 with drop bars, so there is not enough clearance to put studded tires on it. Looking into my options, it seems my best bet at good winter biking is just to buy an additional (mountain) bike. That would be a few hundred $, so I’m curious if I can get by without it. My commute is all on side streets/ river path. I rode home yesterday and took it easy and it was fine. But is that sustainable or am I just asking for a wipe out? Advice much appreciated.

UPDATE: Thanks for all the responses! You have sufficiently chastened me with your warnings, so I will make sure to get studded tires one way or another.

I used to enjoy posting/reading mplsbikelove forum, it was fun.

In the 2000s there was a sort of bike “scene” in Mpls/StP. I’m 45 now— is there still a bike “scene”?

I rode in the Powderhorn alley cat race this summer. I hadnt ridden in one in ages. There were some young people, but a lot more Gen Xers like me than I expected. Is biking cool to a subset of young people nowadays?

I only ride my winter bike and fat bike once the salt hits the streets. And boy howdy do we love our road salt around here don’t we?

For giving me a huge laugh. I saw you on 3rd Ave Bridge and busted out laughing seeing you kill it on a huge unicyle(full size bike tire wheel). You looked pretty badass.

I couldn’t grab a photo as I was driving to get my car inspected so my family can sell it and go car-free.

I see it’s about to start getting below freezing every night, but the 10 day forecast still predicts highs in the upper 30s. When do you guys switch to studded tires?

Two bikes stolen out of my garage on 11/7 overnight:

• 2021 Santa Cruz Chameleon (pink-red)
• 2022 Rocky Mountain Blizzard A20 LG (green)

https://preview.redd.it/j38i9uy2sh1e1.jpg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1d4d29081e5e49073cb8ff9699371ec4d77b161

https://preview.redd.it/ya0lsvxorh1e1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=856b4ed2a976e8d433b0d87f08b469f1e8c60bdb

Maybe we need a bike Batman? Looking to compile a list of known spots to keep an eye on.

Just got out of a movie at the Lagoon Theatre to find the lock was cut and my bike stolen

I'm filing a police report and checking out a Facebook group, what else should I do to try to find it?

Full info:

➊ Surly Ogre ➋ Silver Gray ➌ Last 4 of serial: 0814. Police Report Minneapolis T24019001 ➍ Stolen on 11/15/2024 between 7:30-9 PM ❺ 29 inch tires, plaid Sturdy handlebar bag. Burley adapter on rear tire. Sticker for Revolution Cycles in Madison WI.

So Bloomington, my home, is one of the most egregious examples of a lack of safe bike infrastructure in the metro, especially for its size. I made a fantasy map of what I consider to be the ideal bike network for it, compared to what it currently is. Let me know what you think and how it can be improved!

after

before

Footnote: Since the text is kinda small, red = painted/buffered bike lane, blue = protected bike lane/cycletrack, yellow/green = multi-use path (off-street and park), purple = "bike-friendly street"/traffic calmed bicycle boulevards

Hi, I am recently returned to the twin cities and will frequently be commuting the greenway before dawn/after sunset. When I was here 5 years ago, I think I remember the street lamps were on, but on my commute around 545pm yesterday nearly the whole stretch from uptown to the river was dark. Is this temporary? Any authorities I could bug about it? It was a scary ride! Thanks.

Found a bike this morning leaning against a street sign. Anyone missing a white Specialized bike? DM for further info.