Snow traction

[Deere John]

Today we got plenty of snow! Yiehaaaa! But my mid drive MTB is broken so what could I do? Ride on roads? No way! I used my trekking bike with front wheel drive and didn't think it would go so well.

But you know what? It did! Actually way better than thought. I guess it is because of two things:

1) "Skin tyres", only 40C. Digs down to grip and don't float around on top. Spike tyres also so it grips good on occasional ice under.

2) Front wheel motor makes it actually a two wheel-drive if you pedal good yourself! Have never thought of this before, but it was seriously good traction even on those uphills with snow. With a mid drive I would have had too much power on the back wheel and slip all the time. This just pulls.

I actually dig front drives more and more. My mid-drive bikes don't last long either. This was a heads-up with the 2WD-drive phenomenon. Just wanted to share the joy

 

[wheeliepete]

Yeah that's deff. some snow you have there, glad to here your trekker behaved well in it. I imagine the spikes help a good bit with grip. Never know if/when we get it here in UK, but last year was a blast.

 

[Deere John]

wow, that's an evil bike you got. And lot's of snow! Yes last year was great. Still not too late though

 

[wheeliepete]

Yeah it was alot of fun while it lasted, that was beginning of March here, so it's still early days, I live in hope

 

[Woosh]

last year snow:

Southend Pier Hill:

 

[Deere John]

Is that a Max drive woosh? On that gorgeous green one

 

[EddiePJ]

It was certainly lovely last year, and I can only hope for more of the same this year.

The Fogo is in desperate need of a front fork rebuild, and I'm desperately holding off sending them away, in the hope that we might get a little dusting of snow again this year.

 

[wheeliepete]

I'm desperately holding off sending them away,

You know what will happen if you do

 

[Deere John]

Yes, please send them away

These was shot 6th of March last year. So you can still use them two weeks or so

 

[EddiePJ]

Perhaps I should. They didn't exactly like the low temperatures last year, and collapsed when the internals froze during the night ride.

 

[wheeliepete]

They didn't exactly like the low temperatures last year, and collapsed when the internals froze during the night ride.

Get a proper fatty Eddie, you don't need suspension

 

[Deere John]

Perhaps I should. They didn't exactly like the low temperatures last year, and collapsed when the internals froze during the night ride.

try change low leg oil to something that handles low temperatures better. Could do it.

 

[georgehenry]

This was my ride to work on the 19th of March last year in sunny Surrey.

I return to work today for four evening shifts with quite a bit of snow forecast so think of me riding home tonight/early tomorrow if it dumps tonight.

 

[georgehenry]

Hi Deere John a front hub drive bike is a style of bike that I have not ridden but can see that it could provide good traction combined with pedaling.

 

[Deere John]

Today was tougher! More snow, and harder packed. It was actually quite difficult getting through. 2WD effect worked, but I had problem getting down the frozen ground.

This is the rare occasions a fatbike could have been better I think. Imagine a 5" bike with middrive AND front wheel drive. That would be a beast if you live in Antarctic Here we just have to wait a few days and then the snow starts to melt again

 

[KirstinS]

What are those bars you got there John, I like them a lot and would suit my hybrid shaft drive

 

[Deere John]

What are those bars you got there John, I like them a lot and would suit my hybrid shaft drive

Jones H-Bar. Like it very much. Many positions and great for fitting various equipment. Only drawback is that because of the back sweep it requires a looong stem to get the same reach as with a straight bar. I have a 150mm bought it at some store in the UK, SJS Cycles perhaps.

 

[KirstinS]

Gosh, that's a pricey bar at the 100 GBP mark (based on a quick Google)

Planet x released their Geoff bar a few days back, looks very similar but for 21

https://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=Geoff

 

[Nealh]

Gosh, that's a pricey bar at the 100 GBP mark (based on a quick Google)

Planet x released their Geoff bar a few days back, looks very similar but for 21

https://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=Geoff

That could be a good one when it is in stock, my Boardman bars are a bit crowded so might be ideal.

 

[KirstinS]

That could be a good one when it is in stock, my Boardman bars are a bit crowded so might be ideal.

Just checked and link is dead. They sold out within 24 hours of sending out the email to the subscriber list !. Next batch due June !!!