Cycling Thread

[Bigtime]

Have to say I really didn't enjoy that ride today at all. Cold is no problem, but being constantly bumped around on those mounds of ice and hard packed snow was no fun at all. Upon arriving at work I found that one of my rear lights was missing the bottom bumper that covers the USB charger. No doubt it came off from the non-stop bumpiness.

I think I'll ride home this afternoon and then wait for the path/road conditions to improve by next week.

[worth]

Seems like a good excuse to buy a fat bike with 5" tires Bigtime.

[Fuzz]

If anyone is wondering what temperature the seals on 1997 Marizouchi Bomber Z2 forks give out at, it is -26.

[Northendzone]

Yes, get yourself a fattie

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If anyone is wondering what temperature the seals on 1997 Marizouchi Bomber Z2 forks give out at, it is -26.

It is supposed to be 9 on Sunday, so it will be warm when you are wrenching

[Fuzz]

My wife, reminding me why I bike in. She's been waiting for a bus for over a half hour downtown, they keep going by full and not stopping. Don't miss that #### show one bit.

[worth]

If I had cycled today, I would have got home in half the time it took. It is a #### show out there.

[wwkayaker]

I ordered new brakes for my mountain bike. Nothing truly special but definitely an upgrade over the Hayes Sole I've been using for 10 years. It always felt like a roll of the dice when I pulled the brake levers heading down a hill.

[Bigtime]

Damn CP parked a train across the Fox Hollow crossing. Had to take the detour up to 32nd and back down again, lovely headwind riding south too. Fuuuuuuu

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If anyone is wondering what temperature the seals on 1997 Marizouchi Bomber Z2 forks give out at, it is -26.

I winter commute on an old mountain bike, and I got so tired of things breaking /jamming I dumbed it right down.

-Rigid fork, with disc mounts
-Avid BB7 mechanical disc up front (touched the adjustment knobs once in 4 years)
-Got rid of all derailleurs, single speed with a tensioner (I'm lucky enough to have minimal hill content)
-Stuck with v-brakes on the rear because it's an old bike, so just buy a new brake every year
-A nicer bike for nicer days

Now I feel fine about neglecting my winter bike. I buy a new chain every year too, and just hit it with WD-40 in the winter when it rusts to the point it holds its shape. I've tried wet lubes, dry lubes and everything in between and it just gets gummed up anyway.

The other great part of 2 bikes is no changing studded tires twice a year. I never looked forward to that. The last couple winters I used my summer bike for 80% of winter anyway.

[Fuzz]

Ya, I may have to go to a rigid fork. I've only done the seals on these once, maybe 8 years ago? Disc would be nice, but I'd have to buy a new front wheel. Probably worth it. I need all sorts of gears, as I have a few steep hills. One day a new commuter with a 1x12 will be on order. For now I use dry lube, which is fine in the really cold for a week, but in the wet I need to put to put it on every day. I also wax dip every few months when it is warm enough to take my chain off and work on the bike. I like the dry lube becuase I can just rinse the chain in really hot water and soap and it cleans right up.

This year I scrounged separate rims for my studded tires. Had to buy a rear, but had a front already. Worth it.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

If anyone wants a free set of Schwalbe Winter Marathon tires in a 26" wheel let me know. Used 1 season, lots of life left on the studs. I have sworn off studs as I am not a fan.

I think these are them.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/c...d/rp-prod80796


The catch - they come mounted on a set of Sun 26" wheels. The cassette is seized up on it and attempts to remove them have mangled the cassette.

The front wheel works fine, comes with a disc rotor used on a BB7. XT hubs.

Great if you're trying to do a 26" winter warrior.

PM if interested. For pickup in the Kensington area.

[Bill Bumface]

^What are you running instead of studs? How do they compare?

I've noticed in warm icy conditions the studs are near useless. I've been curious how they handle the really hard packed snow that is close to ice vs a winter compound only.

[Bigtime]

Things softening up out there today? Was debating riding in tomorrow, but hoping that the pathways have softened up enough so as to not be a bump fest. Riverwalk and points east were terrible for that yesterday.

[Fuzz]

Will let you know when I get home. It wasn't to bad this morning.

[worth]

I rode down the 5th st cycle track this afternoon and it is wet. Cycle track conditions are probably a bit different from the pathways, but it is definitely softening up. Maybe it's moreso from the salt they put down.

Anyway, tomorrow is winter bike to work day, so regardless, we must all bike to work!!

http://winterbiketoworkday.org/home2017/

[Bigtime]

Well, looks like I'm riding. Peer pressure for the win!

[Bill Bumface]

Just remember to enjoy this thread before it, like the pathways, is flooded by clueless fair weather seasonal cyclists/posters.

[Fuzz]

The side streets are treacherous. Slippery soft snow on top of hard packed, rutted uneven terrain. The brief pathway was ok, but still a bit bumpy.

I think the best we can hope for is a melt to get back to where we were last week. Anything less than that is going to be dicey.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

^What are you running instead of studs? How do they compare?

I've noticed in warm icy conditions the studs are near useless. I've been curious how they handle the really hard packed snow that is close to ice vs a winter compound only.

Honestly, about the same. Ice ruts still "gutter ball" you around. The benefits of studs don't come close to outweighing the drag on bare pavement.

I'm running these 2.1" Schwalbes at a low PSI to get as close to a ghetto fat bike as I can with what I have.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5041-4...1%22-Wire-Tire

8/10 would bang again.

I can't wait for the north side Louise Bridge underpass to reopen.... unfortunately it looks like the City has given up on it till spring.