Winter tyres?

[raghu]

Hej allihopa!

I have been cycling for the last 3-4 months and was starting to wonder how I should prepare for the winter months? Do i need winter tyres? How much does it cost? And what kind of clothing should I have for it? I have been in Sweden (Stockholm) for a year and I have winter clothing but was thinking if I should buy waterproof and more sporty things for cycling. I cycle Monday to Friday from Aspudden to Sveavägen and I absolutely love it! Also does it get really super windy for cycling during winter? I have cycled in the rain and in the wind in Stockholm but it hasn't been really extreme yet, I think.

I love reading this forum, its interesting and helps practice my Swedish!
Thanks! <3
Raghu

 

[BJS]

Some spike tyres will do it. Less numbers of spikes on a commuter, more spikes on mtb.

Use long fenders - that saves wear on the drivetrain and keeps you feets dryer.

Use winter shoes and layer on layer for the rest of the body so you can adjust the thermal protection depending on the temperature. Use one or two buffs to keep the neck warm. Use glovs with a soft cloth for the nose...

Have fun and keep the chain lubed. The salt is bad for a dry chain...


Edit.

Btw - get good clear glasses with thermal isolation. You need eye protection and normal summer glasses is not working well in the cold. Googles is fine, but looks geeky for commuting.

 

[hellstream]

Hi Raghu!

I suppose the autumn and winter in Sthlm is fairer than in Gothenburg so hopefully you can focus on battling subzero temps and dry snow rather than endless zero degree rainstorms or dirty, slippery slush (snöslask).

Either way a hardwearing set of gore-tex as outer layer is recommended. And be sure to get some hi-viz bands or a reflective vest if the outfit otherwise is too dark.

Btw, what kind of bike do you commute on? Can you fit 1,5" studded tires including fenders or would that be too wide on you frame? Winterworthy tires are made by 45NRTH, Schwalbe or Suomi Tyres, and comes with a minimum or an abundance of studs.

 

[BOFH]

Cycling in the winter is all about base layers. Don't worry too much about waterproofing, just stay warm. I use (merino) wool socks and a wool undershirt. That being said, it is nice to keep fingers and toes dry so invest in good pair of shoes and gloves.

I would never commute in winter conditions without studded tires, but as previous posters pointed out what type you need depends on what kind of bike you have. Schwalbe Marathon Winter is a good tire. The rule of thumb is generally more studs = more grip = better quads. :)

You will also, and this is very important, need to make sure you are visible. Get a good set of lights. Read reviews and so on. And make sure you keep the blink mode switched off.

 

[JockeS]

I can just refer to my own experiences for the past 4 years of commuting.

This is my setup for the winter from +2 to -20 degrees


Tyres: http://www.cyclecomponents.com/schwalbe-marathon-winter-dubbdack-35-622.html
Fenders: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se/en/sks-chromoplastic-mudguards/rp-prod25793
Lights: http://www.dx.com/sv/p/magicshine-m...ht-black-silver-4-x-18650-168077#.VfrTO9_tlBc

Clothing
Layer 1: https://www.intersport.se/produkter/craft-warm-crewneck-m-undertroja-p140270 and https://www.intersport.se/produkter/craft-warm-underpants-understallsbyxa-p140574
Layer 2 (when degrees under -3): https://www.intersport.se/produkter/mckinley-vilgot-fleecetroja-p160102?farg=160103
Layer 3: https://www.xxl.se/diadora-pro-ii-cykelregnset/p/1088098_1_style
Gloves: https://www.xxl.se/diadora-glove-lobster-glove-warm-windproof-cykelvante/p/1110557_1_style
On head: https://www.xxl.se/craft-bike-tech-hat-black-bright-red/p/1097873_1_style
Neck: I use a BUFF, works good for the neck and I can pull it up on my face.

this setup has worked fine for me in all types of weather.. Sure I get cold sometimes but its just about HTFU :)

 

[dabac]

There are plenty of different opinions. And since most people seem to be around the next winter to continue the debate, there isn't one clear-cut answer for all.

First off, studs/spikes only provide an advantage when there's ice and/or hardpack.
If the snow is soft enough for your tires to leave an imprint, a regular treaded tire will do.
Not all treads are created equal though.
If you're willing to park the bike, or ride with a great deal of care during days of ice and hardpack, you can get by OK w/o studs.
There is also at least one studless "friction" type winter tire which has gotten decent reviews.

IMO, the low stud count(around 100) tires buys you some margins when crossing a known icy patch if you adapt your riding. Brake/turn with care. They won't save you if you get careless.
Don't affect rolling resistance too badly.

I was quite happy with low-count tires at first. Then came a winter which created a lot of deeply rutted ice. This had the bike dancing every which way in a scary manner. So I went looking for more grip.

I've never seen the point of the mid-count tires (abt 160). Too many to roll well, too few to grip much better.

The high-count tires (240 and above) allows a fairly casual attitude to icy patches. Even rutted ice is manageable.

Ideally, I'd like multiple wheelsets with different tires available for changing winter conditions. One set with high-count Schwalbe marathon winter for bare ground, ice and hardpack. One set with "MTB" studded winter tires for soft snow(ice and hardpack). And one set of low counts for mostly bare ground.

Clothes is VERY personal.
I like proper winter cycling shoes. Shoe covers are fiddly, and it doesn't take much walking to wear them out at the heel/toe.
Gloves are tricky. Too wind/waterproof, and I soak them in sweat. And being wind/waterproof, they dry at a snail's pace.
Too ventilated, and they get cold at speed. Dries fast though.
Some swear by bar mitts.
My current favourite method is to use surgical gloves inside the warm gloves. Keeps them from getting soaked and cold.

It has to be really sucky weather before I consider full-on wind/waterproof.
But I rather like the stuff that's proof at the front and ventilated on the back.
Ear warmers and a either a taped helmet(forward vents) or a helmet cover to keep my head warm.

 

[raghu]

thank you so much for the replies! Difficult to say exactly what type of a bike i have. Think it would be between a mountain bike and a city bike. Its got gears as well and is a good ride with fattish tyres. I see what you mean by depends on how icy it gets. I think I'll have to go a shop a pick out some tyres. I had no idea about the number of studs being so important so thank you for that! I think I have enough winter clothing then, I'll have to bike and see how I feel with different kinds of clothing. Thank you so much for the replies! It has added a lot of clarity! Looking forward to cycling in the winter now

 

[BJS]

Winter riding is good for your mind.

And you know...

Rule #9//

If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are abadass. Period.

Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face. This is a rider who loves the work.

 

[dabac]

Apart from stud count, there's also stud quality.
As a city rider, You need to stay away from the Biltema - and possibly other - suspisciously cheap tires. These have studs made of regular construction steel which is rather soft and wear out QUICKLY on bare ground.
Better and more expensive tires have studs with a carbide core, which - for a cyclist - lasts forever.

If you want to get into details, studs can also have different tip profiles. Race-oriented ones can have pointed tips, while commuter oriented tires tend to have simple, cylindrical tops.

 

[raghu]

yeah I'll go to a cycle shop and check them out. I dont want to shop online because I dont know the size of my tyre and stuff.. maybe if I find out from the physical cycle shop, I could compare prices and then buy online. thanks a lot! looking forward to it, also I do feel like a badass sometimes haha.