Winter Gritters

"Reenie" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

This question may well have been discussed at great length. But perhaps someone can offer some
advice. What do you folks do after a snow-fall when the gritters have been out - and left what
is a messy, slushy and gritty road? Would you recommend any particular type of tire, etc, for
the bike?

Reenie

I've been using Nokian Hakkapeliita studded tires for the last few winters, they are an excellent
winter commuter tire. The tread itself works well in packed snow, and the studs keep you upright on
the bits of ice that you encounter here and there. As for the "etc." part, I hope you're using a
good pair of full coverage fenders when you ride in that stuff. SKS are really good.
--
mark

"mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Reenie" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

This question may well have been discussed at great length.

But

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

perhaps someone can offer some advice. What do you folks do

after a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

snow-fall when the gritters have been out - and left what is a

messy,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

slushy and gritty road? Would you recommend any particular

type of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

tire, etc, for the bike?

I've been using Nokian Hakkapeliita studded tires for the last

few winters,

Quoted message said:

they are an excellent winter commuter tire. The tread itself

works well in

Quoted message said:

packed snow, and the studs keep you upright on the bits of ice

that you

Quoted message said:

encounter here and there. As for the "etc." part, I hope you're

using a good

Quoted message said:

pair of full coverage fenders when you ride in that stuff. SKS

are really

Quoted message said:

good.

Haks are good. So are Mount & Ground for 26 inch. Extremes are fun but unnecessary.

For fenders, I don't have any trouble with Mt Zefal but whatever fender I'd recommend mudflaps for a
much cleaner... ok less filthy, drivetrain and shoes. You might also want to try gaiters and water
resistant pants or booties and rain tights.

Try to watch for the strips of slush and ride close enough that passing vehicles can't blast it into
your face. A mirror helps in trying to judge whether a driver likes to pass wide or close, then I
adjust my position so they won't be on the line of slush when they pass or at least it won't hit me
above the waist.

Doug For email, a sense of wonder.

In article <[email hidden]>,

(Reenie) said:

This question may well have been discussed at great length. But perhaps someone can offer some
advice. What do you folks do after a snow-fall when the gritters have been out - and left what is
a messy, slushy and gritty road?

After riding in wet conditions, especially if some of the ride is over unpaved surfaces with lots of
tree leaves & needles lying on the ground, I'll find a crud build-up particularly around the
(cantilever) brake pads, under the fenders, and around the bottom bracket. Wet tree detritus makes a
wonderful delivery system for grit. When brought indoors, this stuff will dry out and fall on the
floor, leaving an embarrassing mess. So I just wipe it off, paying special attention to those areas
I mentioned. I also try to keep my rims as clean as possible -- at least, the braking surfaces.

Speaking of brakes & rims, it might pay to periodically inspect your brake pads if you're frequently
riding over wet, sticky sand. The easiest way is to take the wheels off while leaving the brake pads
where they're set. Then pick any gritty particles out of the pads with a darning needle or
something.

cheers, Tom

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I was planning on investing in some fenders... thanks for the reminder. Is there anything else I
should think of as I 'winterize' my bike. I am in Maine - so I expect the winter to be a long
one! Reenie

"mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Reenie" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

This question may well have been discussed at great length. But perhaps someone can offer some
advice. What do you folks do after a snow-fall when the gritters have been out - and left what
is a messy, slushy and gritty road? Would you recommend any particular type of tire, etc, for
the bike?

Reenie

I've been using Nokian Hakkapeliita studded tires for the last few winters, they are an excellent
winter commuter tire. The tread itself works well in packed snow, and the studs keep you upright
on the bits of ice that you encounter here and there. As for the "etc." part, I hope you're using
a good pair of full coverage fenders when you ride in that stuff. SKS are really good.