First frost

[JamesW]

Experienced first frost today on my evoke without the battery fitted (sorting out a problem at the moment) and took a tumble on the way to work. Black ice on the cycle path and 12kg in my rear panniers span me out and I did a beautiful slide for 5m.

Currently have schwalbe marathon plus on 700cc wheels. At 80psi
Can anyone suggest what I should do to get more grip in the ice?

Happy to spend up to £45 on a pair of new tyres if they are puncture proof and will cover for snow ad well as ice.

Would fatter tyres at lower pressure be the way to go?

(And I'm fine before anyone asks!)

James

 

[Croxden]

I doubt any 'normal' tyre will cope with black ice, perhaps studded tyres would help but they are meant for snow and ice.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi James,

I hope no damage was done to yourself or the bike.

To follow up on what Croxden said all tyres are useless on black ice unless you go to great expense and buy studded ones.

The main problem in my neck of the woods right now is a thick carpet of leaves on the cycle routes, the council does sweep them up from time to time, but that in itself can cause a problem by leaving a thin layer of slippery slime.

The other problem with riding over a carpet of leaves is you don't know what they are covering, stones and sticks which can throw you off course or worse.

At this time of year I switch to MTB tyres and run them at around 40 psi, lots of drag, but better grip.

 

[D C]

Would fatter tyres at lower pressure be the way to go?

That would help but only slightly. As Croxden and John says studs are the only way to get grip on ice. They are usable on normal roads but not ideal as they are heavy and have a lot more rolling resistance.
I keep a set of Schwalbe ice spikers on my unpowered bike for winter and they are superb on ice and good on snow.
You can get tyres with studs just down the sides so low pressure and the studs come into play, high pressure and they aren't as prominent but I've never tried them, maybe someone on here has?
Dave.

 

[D C]

Something like this may be suitable
http://www.schwalbe.com/en/spike-reader/marathon-winter.html
Expensive but cheaper than a broken leg or worse!
Dave

 

[JamesW]

Something like this may be suitable
http://www.schwalbe.com/en/spike-reader/marathon-winter.html
Expensive but cheaper than a broken leg or worse!
Dave

- Like it, also like the justification I can put to my wife!!

Also like the MTB tyres but finding ones to take the load of 20kg bike, 15kg luggage, 95kg rider + battery is going to prove difficult as they mostly seem rated at 100kg.

 

[JamesW]

What does anyone think to buying a pair of second hand front forks with shocks on from ebay is worth it. I would like to get disc brakes on my front wheel but my current front forks won't allow it and they don't absorb any bumps! (motor is in front hub).

 

[Croxden]

Something like this may be suitable
http://www.schwalbe.com/en/spike-reader/marathon-winter.html

I note they are available only in 26" & 28" sizes. Something to consider with yours being 700cc.

There is a spray http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006MCVZN6?*Version*=1&*entries*=0 never tried it but has good reviews on Amazon.
But on a bike...?

 

[Kinninvie]

Studded tyres dont need to be expensive.
£25 delivered sounds good to me
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/7549139402070935096?biw=1600&bih=775&q=uk+studded+bicycle+tyres&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&tch=1&ech=1&psi=pwtzVIa1GImhNv70gaAL.1416825896031.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXxZIZ3mH4K4EVPh8Oq5kwcfjV7bWhUnWV0s3ICdsR-uAHjaWQFLi510znOEkRXNIBrsKbKdnprVjtxeD6cZFqSOK9_0zs1YE7gVY7IZ5iRGbolbvAxIZAFPVH72cHVuY1Nl5Ty41RKWQrRCfcO1SuQ&ei=NQxzVMTrO8n1avnqgfgJ&ved=0CKEBEKYrMAI

 

[Kinninvie]

There is a spray http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006MCVZN6?*Version*=1&*entries*=0 never tried it but has good reviews on Amazon.
But on a bike...?

Used to use this sort of spray 30 years ago (on a Reliant Supervan) and it works great but does not last long.
Used to wait till a hill then spray the rear tyres and it really did make a difference.

 

[Croxden]

See also http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/round-ups/round-up-winter-tyres

 

[Croxden]

And in 700

Studded tyres dont need to be expensive.
£25 delivered sounds good to me
https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/7549139402070935096?biw=1600&bih=775&q=uk studded bicycle tyres&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&tch=1&ech=1&psi=pwtzVIa1GImhNv70gaAL.1416825896031.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXxZIZ3mH4K4EVPh8Oq5kwcfjV7bWhUnWV0s3ICdsR-uAHjaWQFLi510znOEkRXNIBrsKbKdnprVjtxeD6cZFqSOK9_0zs1YE7gVY7IZ5iRGbolbvAxIZAFPVH72cHVuY1Nl5Ty41RKWQrRCfcO1SuQ&ei=NQxzVMTrO8n1avnqgfgJ&ved=0CKEBEKYrMAI

And in 700cc size too, nice to be found out giving miss information. Sorry.

 

[Kinninvie]

I first linked to 26 inch too but then realised and deleted that thread

 

[Nealh]

Currently running Continentals city rides on 700c, have been looking at getting a pair of winter studs or similar for the next 4/5 months as I ride daily. Kinninvie's link looks a very good source esp on price even cheaper than CRC.

 

[JamesW]

Liking all the suggestions so far guys, thanks

What does anyone think to buying a pair of second hand front forks with shocks on from ebay is worth it. I would like to get disc brakes on my front wheel but my current front forks won't allow it and they don't absorb any bumps! (motor is in front hub).

As I mentioned in the Winter tyres thread, I have read that there was a dutch guy who made his own winter tyres by just wrapping tie wraps around his normal ones, so I'm still wondering if a new set of front forks might not equally be a way to go?

Don't know if these would do the job for me for less than a pair of £25 winter tyres?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sr-Suntour-Forks-700c-Suspension-Fork-Hybrid-Dual-Track-Lock-Out-Front-Qr-/390978696308?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item5b08257474

 

[Nealh]

One pair Scwalbe winter studs ordered for £50.38 inc del. Keep psi high for normal use and low for ice and snow should be good on cornering. Recently had a couple of tumbles under breaking on wet leaves and one on on slippery concrete road junction coming off a tarmac road.

 

[Nealh]

JamesW the Suntours are ok and for £25 not to bad a buy, Rocks look and feel better however not likely to get any good ones for that price. Double check that they are disc compatiable steerer tube is long enough, dont be tempted if shorter also need to check your tube type straight 1" or 1.1/8" or tapered.

 

[JamesW]

JamesW the Suntours are ok and for £25 not to bad a buy, Rocks look and feel better however not likely to get any good ones for that price. Double check that they are disc compatiable steerer tube is long enough, dont be tempted if shorter also need to check your tube type straight 1" or 1.1/8" or tapered.

Just been informed by the guy in my LBS that my wheel/hub is not disc compatible - is this possible?


How do I check tube type? bike outside at work at the moment!

 

[Nealh]

Two ways: to be 100% undo h/bar stem and the allen key bolt/cap on top of the h/bar stem, gently tap out/slide forks and wheel measure dia of steerer tube top and bottom if its tapered it will be obvious. Or just undo top allen key bolt on stem remove cap and measure tube dia, then measure the exterior tube bearing housings at the top and bottom if straight should measure the same if tapered will be different by about 6-8mm.
You may have to change the front hub to disc brake hub generally they are about 58-60 mm overall comapared to non disc ones which are about 70 mm overall. Disc hubs are narrower to allow for disc barke and spacer.

 

[JamesW]

Yup it think I will ignore the disc brake hub for the moment then - looking too expensive and complicated.