Hey yall. I'm from the mid west (OH) so commuting in the winter time is pretty lax. Just cold, sometimes. I have a mountain bike with me this year. No fenders of any type and tires are on their way out, for sure not ideal for wet/snow/ice. What set up do you have on your commuting mountain bike? Are studded tires really needed for maine winters or would a good new set do the trick? What fenders do you have? Pictures would be great if you're willing to share!

Winter at biker here. Planning to venture out past more then just local area trails. Salty roads here in Minnesota. Any suggestions on protecting my bike from the awful road salt?

Sorry if I missed this elsewhere

I was looking at options for an electric bike to do my kid dropoff and pickup over the winter. We've been biking my 2 elementary age kids with my preschooler on a trail a bike. I don't feel comfortable having the older kids biking on slippery conditions, and having all of the balance be on me with 3 kids piled on my 2 wheel bike doesn't sound great either. The Lectric Trike looks pretty decent. Both rear wheels get power, disc brakes, I'd just need to find a trailer or something for 3 kids that works with a trike.

Edit: city is Sherbrooke, Qc

A few weeks ago I assisted to the municipal hearing where the elected representatives of different districts voted on the continuation of the two years pilot project to clear 9km of cycle paths in the city. We had a room full of us commuting cyclists who gave our opinions and support for the project as well as a signed letter by more than 250 people. It is important to note that no one against the project voiced their concerns that day.

Then came the time to vote. EIGHT votes against and that was the end of it. Citing budget concerns and lack of use but mainly complaints from non-cyclists from their district COMPLAINING the cycle paths were cleared before their lower priority residential streets and sidewalks. Thing is canceling the project will not help them as it was explained by one of the reprensentatives in favor; they use two different teams and sets of equipment. The decision was still held and was in fact based on misinformation.

Keep in mind we get over seven feet of snow annually.

in this news article (published before the day of the vote) mentions almost 60 000 passages in that minuscule 9km over the winter months (nov-april). We also had a mild winter which made the clearing operations HALF as costly as first budgeted. Meaning we had all the reasons to continue but the politicians decided to not look further than their own cager world.

I have some time off work at the moment so I took the initiative to hang up posters in town with the reprensentatives' public information so people of their districts can call and email their disapproval of their vote. It has gained traction and someone posted it on a local facebook group calling it the action of the "illuminated cyclists". It's so funny how they don't realize they are helping spread the message to more people

Oh and one more thing: no one opposed the 14M$ budget to clear the roads for the cars. Funny.

How does it go in your towns on this subject?

What has been the best bar mitts Pogies for flared drop bars running external cables on your brakes?

Has anyone tried these zip tie looking things?

I recently moved from the southwest to the midwest...

I am thinking about picking up a hardtail SS for commuting but also more aggressive trail riding in the summer. Would replace my full suspension which I sold, so without going totally agro I am looking for something pretty capable. I also have a SS road bike, so not really looking for a straight up commuter or gravel bike. Also probably not inclined to go with a fat bike.

I am kind of eyeing a Spot Rocker SS.. and some of "hardcore hardtail" steel frames ... maybe a Chameleon.. without going too crazy expensive.

Anyways... wondering what y'all winter cyclists think about 27+ vs 29 for winter commuting ss. Also would be curious to hear what people are rocking here if you are on a SS mountain bike for winter riding -- Thanks!

Hello,

I bought old racing bike the tires say the size - Grand Prix 4000- 25 mm- 700 x 25C (cant exactly read if its 25C or 250), they are skinny tires. Can someone please advice if the below tires would be the correct size for winter tires. Also any other advice is appreciated

Schwalbe Winter 700Cx30C Wire Kevlar Guard Reflex Studded 50TPI 50-95PSI 805g Tire, Black, 29" x 2/3

Which ones you recommend for winter commuting? I'm using ebike, is the wider model better to go through snow?

Getting ready for my first year as a winter e-bike commuter. A local told me he lowers his seat in winter so his feet are flat on the ground if off the pedal. He claims that this helps him ensure he never spills on ice. I get his point but I’m concerned about trying to pedal at such a low seat height and how it will affect my knees and legs. What is the correct seat position in winter? TIA

Good morning all,

While I am no stranger to winter cycling, this year I will have to start commuting to work on a bike. It's a situation where it would take me longer to get there using car/transit over a bike. My question is how to do the least damage to my fat bike. It's in Canada, so it will be salty roads and it will be stored at outside temperature at all times. What do you folks do to try and minimize winter damage to your bikes?

Picture from January. I think I was commuting back from work.

Received my first bike with hydraulic brakes. Always had mechanical... Is there anything I should know? Is there a type of oil more appropriate for - 25°C days? Maybe the question is irrelevant and that's why I don't find answers but I wouldn't want the oil to turn to sludge!

Hi, guys I've always kept my e-bike inside but the new place in moving to doesn't have a big space in the entrance of the house. So I'm planning to store it in there shed or chained up to their post in the backyard with a cover? For additional info I will of course be taking off the battery when I store it. I also live in Grande Prairie, Alberta where the winter can go -40c

ya this was 2 years back if i remember right

I live in Montreal and currently commuting 14km each way to attend my carpentry program which ends at the end of February.

I’d like to keep cycling to school in the winter but have never biked through the winter before and I’m nervous about it.

I had a few questions I hoped you could help me out with -

1. how much longer realistically will my commute take in the snow/wind/cold?

Currently it takes me 30-35 minutes to cycle 14 km (mostly flat)

2. I’m relatively low income and trying to work within my budget. I bought a 50$ beater bike with studded tires off marketplace - photos attached.

A)What’s the lifespan of studded tires (will old tires that came with the bike do the job or would you recommend buying new ones?) B) What kind of maintenance should I expect to budget for to keep my bike in top-shape after 140km a week in the snow/slush? C)Should I invest in disc brakes or will rim brakes be ok? D) as far as clothing goes, I will likely be buying some pogies and have goretex lobster gloves & thin cashmere finger gloves but what about layers? I don’t want to (can’t**) spend hundreds of dollars - any budget recommendations for base layers and a windproof jacket?

3. the route I take is mostly on un-protected bike paths (the lanes won’t be visible under the snow) and I have to bike on a pedestrian wooden bridge to cross the river. I also bike very early (6am).

A) What has been your experience with motorists during the winter considering that they are less likely to expect cyclists on the roads? B) I’m mostly worried about when the ice forms that several inch thick, uneven pot-hole like texture - how do you maneuver the bike through something like that? Especially when the snow falls and it’s hiding all the traps 🥶🥶

Give me all your tips! Thanks 🩶

Hey. Just joined Reddit, figured I'd say hello. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Despite what City Councillor Browaty says, you don't need to be a Hardcore Extremist to ride here in Winter. Nor do you need to "purchase a larger SUV." Been winter commuting almost a decade, never will claim I've seen it all, but I've been through more than most. Always more to learn and I am always ready for a lesson. Riding here is always fun. Sometimes type 1, the day pictured was Type 2.

Why is it that all cycling tights have such a long inseam? Am I suppose to get them hemmed?

Sorry this is my first season I am determined to ride through the winter.

Hello! I am looking for a pair of 26 x 1.75 Schwalbe Marathon studded tires.

There are quite a few on Marketplace, but I can’t tell if they are the Marathon “plus” versions…. Do the 26 x 1.75 winter PLUS just say “marathon” on the side? I understand that Marathon Plus have more studs than the next version down…For example, in this pic:

Or are all of the tires that say “marathon” winter the ones with the greater stud count? Google has suggested that “marathons “ have less studs than “marathon plus”…. But I’m not sure. Could the lower stud count one be just plain “winter” with no Marathon???
Thanks for any help!

I ride year round and mostly on a 700c, single speed. Where I live it's salted and plowed well, but the day after a dump (or a melt then a freeze) can leave frozen ruts. I'm thinking of putting spiked tired on the 26" MTB that I use for winter commuting. Good idea? Bad idea? It's already a slow bike so the decrease in speed isnt an issue - I expect it will be way slower than my normal ride.

Hi guys,

I’m in Florida potentially looking to move to Minneapolis where there’s lots of snow. I’m wondering if I’m able to just buy special tires for it and now I have a bike that I can ride in the snow?

TIA ☺️

Head/face:

• Specialized Ambush 2 (still figuring out how i’m going to keep my head warm)

Top:

Windlayer: MEC Hydrofoil Stretch

Insulation: MEC Rockwall fleece

Baselayer: Under Armour compression shirt long sleeve

Bottom:

Outer layer: Propper Kinetic tactical pants (I should really get a different wind layer)

Mid layer: Jeans or gym shorts depending on whether or not I have track practice.

Baselayer: cotton stanfield underwear

Footwear:

Boots: Salomon Quest Element

Socks: 2x merino wool socks

Hands: still figuring it out

My commute went from 2km to 22km because I moved houses. Most of the kit you see here worked pretty well for a 2km commute but seeing as how my commute got a lot longer I want to improve it. I can’t decide if I want a merino wool sort of ski mask or a thicker polar fleece one. The pants I used because they were very hard wearing and I don’t mind them getting dirty but with my longer commute I don’t think I can rely on them to keep me warm.

I have a very solid commuter bike that I have never ridden in winter, but I'm looking to turn my car free summer into a car-free year.

Globe Work 3 by Specialized. Need suggestions for winter tires, and tech gear so I don't get frozen nose, toes and fingers.

Detroit (flat, windy AF) and Ann Arbor (hilly) riding mostly.

Winter ranges between -20°F and 45°F. It's been on the warmer side the last few years and I'll probably find alternative transportation for the coldest of days but I do plan to ride when it's below freezing (32°F).

Will be riding in dark mornings and nights, too and from my commuter bus, daytime on weekends.

Thanks!

I just bought a really nice 90s Schwinn CrissCross off Craigs List with almost entirely original parts. I want to use it for commuting, potentially in the winter in my city where there is often a lot of snow or ice.

I think the general consensus is that the bike usually fits 700cx38 to 700cx40, but I was curious what the technically largest tire width it can take is?
There is a brand I like up here that makes studded tires and the max width for one of their tires is 700cx45. I'm not really interested in estimates based entirely on what the brand recommended but based off the frame itself. I know this is a pretty basic bike question but I'm essentially a neanderthal when it comes to bikes.

hey, I want to get a fixed gear because of low maintenance for winter conditions and I don't want the salt eating up a nice bike. I found a nice bike online but it has flat bars, which I don't really like, as I prefer drops. Would it be better getting drop bars or gravel bars for winter conditions?

Thanks a lot guys

I am looking for recommendations an all purpose bike that would be used primarily to commute to and from work (1 mile) in Western NY for all seasons.

The roads I will be using are salted in the winter. I would also be taking snow covered sidewalks.

What do you guys and ladies recommend for bike manufacturers, tires, tire size, motor/battery, fenders, etc?

Would it be advisable to use a removable battery for the motor for storage in the winter?

Thanks for your help!