Sloppy
With our lack of winter, how easily I forget how nasty and sloppy the city streets can get when it does decide to snow. Today it looked like winter most of the day. With snowfall and high winds blowing it around. Unfortunately it only amounted to an inch or two of snow.
The city, as usual, dumped tons and tons of chemicals and sand on the streets to help remove the snow and give traction. It made a messy, sloppy soup of gritty slush. Yuck. It's component eating stuff.
On the other hand, the Surly Belt Check performed as expected. Not a single belt issue with the new Gates CenterTrack system. It got completely mucked up and never skipped a beat. I even took the long way home tonight. The best part is: no chain cleaning and lubing necessary.
posted by Doug @ 6:04 PM
3 comments
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3 Comments:
Doug - I have been following your blog for the last year or so, it's great. I live in Denver and just bought studded tires. We have mild winters here compared to MN. My questions is - Do you ride your studded tires in slushy snow and clearish pavement as was pictured in yesterday's post? Thanks. Mitch
@Mitch
Hey, thanks for reading.
I ride with the studded tires from November to mid-April...everyday. Although, the majority of the riding is in dryish conditions, there is potential for icy spots most days. During a normal winter we usually have snow on the ground 4-5 months. When there is snow, there is always freeze/thaw cycles happening. That's creates icy conditions.
I use studded tires with steel carbide tipped studs. They show very little signs of waer even after 3-4,000 miles of riding on mostly dry roads. I like to use Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires because they roll as easily as some non-studded tires. They're faster than many knobby tires.
If I lived in a place with moderate winters, I may find myself swapping them in and out more often or keep another bike ready without studded tires.
Doug -
Thanks for the input. I actually bought the Schwalbe Winter Marathon tires and mounted them on a used set of wheels so I will be swapping them out on bad days. I am hoping for a decent snow storm so that I can try them out. 58 degrees here today though (I will take it). Thanks again for you comments. Mitch
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