Winter bike / Snow bike thread

This sounds like a stupid question, and probablly is, but is there a way of helping to prevent drinks turning to blocks of ice inside water bottle? Will a sugary drink take longer to freeze for instance?

I dont like adding salt to my water, and those sports powders, you can add to water still freeze.

The only realistic way is to carry water, is in your jersey pockets. Get some smaller bottles designed for running for greater comfort. I've calculated the alcohol content needed to keep water liquid at -15. It was a lot.

I have some Nathan water bottles, a camelback would be better.

Yeah they are. Very pleased with them but don't have anything to compare against - my other lights are just small ones. They're very bright but the beams aren't particularly wide. I'm happy with them though, especially for the money

Cool, I've been thinking about them for ages. Don't need flood - just bright to let cars know I'm there...

I've calculated the alcohol content needed to keep water liquid at -15. It was a lot.

How much is a lot? Could be fun experimenting...

Cool, I've been thinking about them for ages. Don't need flood - just bright to let cars know I'm there...

They're great for that which is what I need them for too. Really good for cars nosing out of side roads and for cars coming the opposite direction looking to turn right across the traffic.

As there's two lights I tend to have one of them angled at the road and the other one slightly higher, about driver eye level.

Sound ideal. I've read reviews of the wire clips being a bit fragile and needing a bodge fix - any sign of that on yours?

[hides credit card]

Not fragile but a bit irritating - the cable from the powerpack can come uplugged from the switch part. Easy to get around though by velcroing the main cable to the stem with the switch (makes sense if you see it!) - this stops the cable join taking any load so it's all good.

Wacked the seat up and the tire pressures down on the feather trick bike this morning for the ride in. Behaved perfectly, even in the soft powder up in Willesden.

Not fragile but a bit irritating - the cable from the powerpack can come uplugged from the switch part. Easy to get around though by velcroing the main cable to the stem with the switch (makes sense if you see it!) - this stops the cable join taking any load so it's all good.

understood, ta... back to nice pics like the Uncle John up there...

How much is a lot? Could be fun experimenting...

30%

Not exactly a sports drink.
At around 20 % the freezing point is about -9C, and at 10% only -4C. So even at Specialbrew alcohol levels, its gonna freeze pretty quickly.

^Camel back under clothes should be fine no?

I loved ridding around at the weekend. This weather makes the bike worth it. I dropped my tyres down to about 40psi. I'm a bit worried about punctures in the city.

Also what are ppl thoughts on style of treads?

I switched a 32c in this style:

for a 38c like this:

Over all I'm thinking the extra width is a better bet, but I can't help but think the nobbles would give better grip. I think there's a set of videos about setting up your cx bike that talks about this....might go and hunt it down for reference.

My pompino in winter mode. Which merely involves adding guards and more powerful front lights

What are those brake levers? I was planning on fitting some old 105 aero levers to get rid of the cable sprouts. Hope that will be fine with the canti brakes..

^Camel back under clothes should be fine no?.

Thats what I was saying on the previous page. Water bottles in jersey pockets, job done. I carry mine in the rear pockets of my jacket and have no problem down to -15C.

Also what are ppl thoughts on style of treads?
I switched a 32c in this style:
for a 38c like this:
Over all I'm thinking the extra width is a better bet, but I can't help but think the nobbles would give better grip. I think there's a set of videos about setting up your cx bike that talks about this....might go and hunt it down for reference.

For winter roads, I'd go for option two.
Close call though, the knobs of option one dig into soft snow better, yet the extra width and lower PSI of option two, let hard snow and ice dig into them better.

Cheers. I'm not about to buy another cx tyre as I seem to have accumulated more than I want anyway.

Here's the video I was talking about:

YouTube - How to Set Up Cyclocross Bikes : How to Select Cyclocross Bike Tire Tread

Interesting point he makes at 0.45. I guess in this weather having little sticking out studs would be quite good too.

This morning

Cheers. I'm not about to buy another cx tyre as I seem to have accumulated more than I want anyway.

Interesting point he makes at 0.45. I guess in this weather having little sticking out studs would be quite good too.

Yeah I have three pairs of CX tyres now. Oops. Still my last purchase of some Kenda Smallblocks was bloody cheap, and they look great.

I particularly hate riding knobbly tyres on tarmac. So prefer an inverse tread, or continuous knobs (oh er), for mixed use. But that might be a personal taste thing.

What are those brake levers? I was planning on fitting some old 105 aero levers to get rid of the cable sprouts. Hope that will be fine with the canti brakes..

Shimano R400 - got them cheap here. Standard pull levers are fine with cantis, it's V-brakes that need different pull

piss in it.

As you can see I took your advice. Full of nutrients, and strerile too!

Took the MTB out in the snow today! Great fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVRX0vV0H60&feature=player_embedded

/attachments/34347

Little bit more snow in Birmingham yesterday.

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Surly 1x1 with a GT fork sitting pretty in the snow

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snow 1 by Cedric Blanc, on Flickr

Surly 1x1 with a GT fork sitting pretty in the snow

this looks so much fun!

This morning

Slack chain...