http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Winter Cycling - another bike needed? en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:57:42 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205441 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:56:07 +0000 sallyhinch 205441@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>re front and back - if you only have one, I think you generally put it on the front as you're most likely to go down steering rashly on a patch of black ice, but it won't help you on an icy climb. It's very disconcerting to be pedalling upwards and feeling your back wheel slipping backwards as you go... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205429 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 15:07:29 +0000 Chug 205429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just to throw another option into the mix - I've currently had a set of <a href="http://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/tyres/city-trekking-tyres/top-contact-winter2-premium">Conti Top Contact Winter</a> fitted to my commuter for the last couple of weeks. They are non-studded winter tyres, using the same technology as winter tyres for motorised transport. They seem to roll reasonably well (compared to M+) and seem pretty grippy. Appreciate the real test in Jan/Feb is yet to come...</p> <p>Could be an option for those, like me, who are not wanting to change wheels/bike depending on the weather. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205428 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 14:45:45 +0000 Beano 205428@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@panyagua - it is 28's I have on the bike and even then they are a tight fit so 32's no good. Thank you for the offer though.</p> <p>still not convinced on the winter tyre. IF you had one winter tyre would you put it on the front or the rear? If you stick it on the front it might be an option to buy a cheap front wheel and fit the studded tyre to that. I *could* manage swapping out a front tyre before a morning commute as that would be simple to do...couldn't be bothered faffing with a rear though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205268 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:15:24 +0000 wingpig 205268@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I only removed my rear studs in February when one worked through to puncture the tube (but only because the normal tyre was handy) and only stopped using studs on the front when I stopped using the sparebike in March, when it became a spare again rather than an only-working. I bought some tyre-lining tape in a sale somewhere which shall be implanted wherever the studs go, as they'll fit on this winter's proper bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205266 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:49:15 +0000 dougal 205266@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had studs on all last winter after a couple of spectacular falls. Weather cleared up fine after that and to the best of my knowledge all I really achieved was a pleasant rumbling noise as I moved from point to point. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205263 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 07:51:56 +0000 gembo 205263@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Studs good if route not gritted. I have a spare front wheel I swap if icy enough. Was hardly on last winter or winter before. Given cutbacks the gritting of bike paths may stop? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205257 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 01:48:30 +0000 acsimpson 205257@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd agree with the 3% rule being about right. I actually think long trousers are a greater time penalty than the studs. I converted to studs after one day attempting to cycle along the high bit of the A90 path on a frosty morning. It was very slippery and I met several experienced riders who had fallen.</p> <p>My studs haven't yet caused a puncture and look fine for another season but I only rode about 2 days a week through the winter.</p> <p>P.S. Congratulations on joining the second child club. A club I have just joined myself |-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205206 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:01:28 +0000 paddyirish 205206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Beano- great effort this year. Back to teh n+1 rule.</p> <p>Was talking about this to @hankchief this morning - I am setting up 2 bikes for the winter - a "cold" bike for use when there is ice and a "mild" bike for when there isn't. I'm not going to make any predictions about which one will be used most...</p> <p>Studded tyres cost me about 5% extra time (3 mins in the hour) on a similar commute to yours last year (I start in Dalgety Bay), but because I didn't have anything else the studded tyres only lasted the one season before they started puncturing my tubes from the inside. Hopefully they will last longer with the new set-up. The deal I got from Planet X meant that they cost the equivalent of a week's train ticket and IMO was well worth it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205201 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:29:52 +0000 Beano 205201@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@dave - yes i think a studded tyre might be too much. hadn't thought of the 'speed' factor. much slower and it wouldn't be as attractive for me to cycle (an hour give or take 10 mins each way is enough for me!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205200 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:28:15 +0000 Beano 205200@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@panyagua - thanks for the offer. I actually can't remember whether i have 28's or 32's on lol; i will check tonight when i go home. It might be that i have 28's and they only *just* fit under my SKS narrow mudguards so a 32 may be too wide. will let you know.</p> <p>@chdot...still enjoying it and only last Friday hit 3500 miles for 2015. Given that this year saw the birth of my second son and month-long paternity AND countless sleepless nights...that ain't too shabby :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205191 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:34:26 +0000 Dave 205191@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I used to commute Newington to Dunfermline and when it was bad weather we just took the car. (Going the other way around I'd be more keen on the train, since the traffic is mental). </p> <p>The rest of the time the bike is a bit more enjoyable to ride, as studded tyres are pretty slow. Also the studs have a limited lifespan running on dry tarmac, so for that kind of mileage you might find you wear them out before you've got your money's worth on the occasional wintery day.</p> <p>Personally I'd say studs come into their own where you really want to be able to ride all days, e.g. if there's no alternative transport option or you're just hopping around town. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205190 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:33:57 +0000 chdot 205190@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just a reminder that Beano started this thread with a post that included -</p> <p>"having not cycled in 15 years, i'm fair enjoying it" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205186 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:23:18 +0000 panyagua 205186@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Beano</p> <p>This doesn't answer the question you asked, but I'm willing to offer you a spare 32mm Marathon Plus with plenty of life left in it, for nothing as long as you are willing to collect from Dalgety Bay. I actually have two, if you decide to change both tyres. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205184 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:20:22 +0000 Beano 205184@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>oh and I did discover the n+1 rule. I now have 2 bikes and counting... :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-205183 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:19:37 +0000 Beano 205183@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Marathon Plus tyre that I had on the rear might* be at the end of its life as there are some significant rusty bits on the bead and it doesn't look so good. Maybe i'll take it into my local bike shop and get them to look at it and give me their advice on how many miles it has left.</p> <p>anyway...assuming it is needing replaced would i be better:</p> <p>a) buying another new Marathon Plus<br /> b) buying two new tyres of yet-to-be-chosen brand; suggestions welcomed (see below)<br /> c) putting one of those winter studded tyres on the (front?) and putting the good Marathon Plus on the rear<br /> d) something else</p> <p>I've always thought my commute from Dunf to Edin wouldn't lend itself to a studded tyre; the distance and varying surfaces/temperatures/conditions would shred a studded tyre would it not? I don't fancy swapping wheels either. If it was proper snowy/icy then i'd get the train.</p> <p>I'd much rather a no-nonsense, p******e-proof(ish) tyre that gave me confidence for 90% of the commute; the 10% that might be icy in patches of my commute, i would adapt my cycling speed to try and minimise falls.</p> <p>* I am certainly no mechanic </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-173919 Fri, 28 Nov 2014 18:22:59 +0000 Bhachgen 173919@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strike>Winter</strike> Cycling - another bike needed.</p> <p>You are clearly still to discover the n+1 rule. Though it looks like you will imminently be signing up to it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-173860 Fri, 28 Nov 2014 13:02:35 +0000 Instography 173860@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'll check when I get home. They're not huge. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-173851 Fri, 28 Nov 2014 12:13:29 +0000 paddyirish 173851@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Mandopicker101</p> <p>Thanks for the heads up on the Winter Schwalbes at Planet X - found a discount for another 20% off them, so hoping to fit them in the near future. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-173671 Thu, 27 Nov 2014 11:15:32 +0000 Mandopicker101 173671@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Instography - OK, what tyres do you have and what sizes? </p> <p>I'm running an old pair of 33mm CX tyres and they're handling leaf jam nicely (and some offroad fun too) but doubt they'd cut it on ice. </p> <p>My rims are 13mm internal width, so I'm only supposed to be at 25mm, but LBS simply smiled knowingly and said 'Aye, you're fine with 33mm'. Anything higher though I'd have to wonder... No worries with clearances though - I'm riding a crosser. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887&page=2#post-173573 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:56:58 +0000 sallyhinch 173573@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My spiky tyres started to go rusty last year in all the rain :-( - the year before they were brilliant though. I did try just putting the front spikes on but it's not much good for going uphill on icy roads. Like trying to cycle up a down escalator. I probably wouldn't bother if I was mainly cycling in town though - it's the black ice, not the snow, that I worry about. </p> <p>I'd say it has taken me about 5 years to assemble the 'right' kit for year-round whatever-the-weather cycling. You learn by experience what you need and what works for you </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173571 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:53:39 +0000 Darkerside 173571@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ahem. What would you be after for aforementioned studlies? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173569 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:49:14 +0000 Instography 173569@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you decide to go studded (ooh err) give me a shout and I'll do you a good deal on two unused 700c Schwalbe winter things that are gathering dust in my garage. Bought them and then realised that if it was snowy enough for winter tyres it was snowy enough to have a day working from home. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173560 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:16:58 +0000 SRD 173560@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Beano - that sounds like a good solution, and i totally agree that an new fun bike is a much better idea :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173557 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:08:00 +0000 Beano 173557@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suppose I should comment on what I did in the end having started the thread :-)</p> <p>Decided not to buy a winter bike when Mrs beano nearly hit the roof. Given 6 months persuasion I think I could get a summer racer that i'd enjoy rather than a winter bike that I wont.</p> <p>Fitted two new Marathon Plus' that I got for £20 (gumtree) at the weekend and they seem great (so far). Will ride them until winter really kicks in then decide on the studded tyre or Scotrail option for my commute. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173555 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:06:00 +0000 condor2378 173555@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have just bought for the princely sum of £25 an AXN DX single speed beater bike for the winter. Seems very robust and has mountain bike tyres so hopefully will adapt to any bad weather we get. And if not, then it's a good workout anyway. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173552 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:54:04 +0000 Greenroofer 173552@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To build on Roibeard's point: if you just want to avoid a fall, then you could perhaps just put studs on the front. However, if you want to make progress on the ice then you'll also need one on the back.</p> <p>To keep riding all year round you'll need a pair. That's what I have, and I think they're great. I normally fit them on 1 December each year, but this year so far that doesn't seem necessary. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173549 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:47:35 +0000 Roibeard 173549@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Ed1 - a single winter tyre would be fitted on the front. The reasoning is that a front wheel skid will result in a fall, whereas a rear wheel skid is (usually/often) recoverable.</p> <p>The front wheel provides control, the rear one provides forward motion, which is nice too, but if you can't gain traction to move, some may argue that you are unwise to cycle...</p> <p>I'd go for a pair myself, if I did enough slippy cycling to merit it, but I can also see that changing just the front tyre is easier.</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173546 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:35:20 +0000 Ed1 173546@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So the winter tyre goes on the front not the back? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173544 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:23:17 +0000 SRD 173544@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We've only ever had one, but the paths we normally use are usually gritted. One exception being the canal path, which we avoid if it's really bad. Suppose it depends on your route and how much flexibility you have. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13887#post-173541 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:11:40 +0000 Mandopicker101 173541@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I note that Planet X have reductions on studded winter tyres (Schwalbes). With a handy discount code, these suddenly become quite affordable. </p> <p>Maybe a daft question, but is it worth having a pair of studded tyres, or just one on the front? </p>