um, zip ties on tires ... is this a thing?
i know, i know ... i keep saying it. i'm new to riding - but i've never even seen anything like this. i will go outside right now and outfit my bike if you all tell me it's safe.
or even mostly safe. or even safe adjacent.
if you tell me it's not safe at all or not a thing or doesn't work ... how necessary is it to get snow tires? can i get snow tires on 20" wheels (i think that's they're size ... it's a foldie)? i'm not going to be riding in severely inclement weather - yesterday the roads were mostly fine. but two feet of alley up to my door had me slipping and sliding and almost falling.
i would like to prevent falling, as a general rule.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on
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I believe that would only work if you're running fixed without a brake on that wheel or with disc brakes. Having the zip ties like that would certainly interfere with braking on the rim.
Another hack that i've heard of is to use bolts to add extra traction here: http://www.ehow.com/way_5317395_diy-studded-bike-tires.html
I'm sure that either way is effective but would really interfere with rolling resistance and wouldn't be necessary for 90% of your riding.
As for the ice in alleys, I just walk my bike past that part and then I'm ready to go. I wouldn't say that it is necessary unless you're in an area that doesn't get plowed at all.
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Permalink Reply by Ironika Leigh on
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aha, thanks. i am walking my bike in the alley from now on (i wanted to see how bad it would be) ... it's all of 10 feet at most.
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Permalink Reply by Robot Gabe on
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changing a tire on a day like today, with that set up, would be tons of fun!
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you mean finding someone to change a tire on a day like this ...
i've already decided to take a basic bike maintenance class though!
Robot Gabe said:changing a tire on a day like today, with that set up, would be tons of fun!
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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on
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That's the first thing I thought too.
And if those are meant to be like snow chains, here's an easier and more practical idea: Get a different set of tires for winter.
Robot Gabe said:changing a tire on a day like today, with that set up, would be tons of fun!
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Permalink Reply by Davo on
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I did something like that a few years ago and this is what happened: They stayed on for maybe a day, then broke off. I aslo recall popping a few tubes before I stopped doing it. So if you feel like putting the zip ties on every couple of days and feel like taking the risk of popping tubes, go ahead.
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i think i'll just stick to riding when it's not icy. it's safer and more practical for me. i thought this might be colorful and kind of fun - but sounds like an unidea.
as for changing tires - i have severe rheumatoid arthritis ... using a pen, most days; changing tires, not likely.
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Where did you find a hill?
Serge Lubomudrov said:What I've learned today (fortunately, not in very hard way): don't ride downhill on ice if your tires are not studded :)
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i ride a cherry red dahon foldie (eco?). i can ride sitting up straight and it's compact; perfect for someone on the smaller side (5'4", 103lbs). i have a VERY short torso and pretty long legs - so no leaning over to reach the bars ... they're right there! i look comically prissy.
my first bike (a shwinn from working bikes) was torture. fortunately, i found dahons early and love them; the prices are also crazy reasonable. i have a host of health/joint problems and hate being held completely hostage to them. so comfort and fit are super crucial. if anyone has other tips for folks like me, bring it.
the other benefit of having started riding the last few months is i'm almost more mobile sometimes, compared with walking. i don't ride far and i don't ride fast and have stretches when i can't ride at all - but i still love it.
so winter can suck it - me and EFRON are going to keep at it.
M.A.R.K. said:What type of bike are you riding where your RA is not affected? Just curious..
Ironika Leigh said:i think i'll just stick to riding when it's not icy. it's safer and more practical for me. i thought this might be colorful and kind of fun - but sounds like an unidea.
as for changing tires - i have severe rheumatoid arthritis ... using a pen, most days; changing tires, not likely.
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Permalink Reply by mike w. on
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Good to see that you're able to ride at all!
Hope you can keep at it what with the colder wet weather and all that we have around here.
i remember what a doctor told me once, "Pain can't hit a moving target."
Ironika Leigh said:i ride a cherry red dahon foldie (eco?). i can ride sitting up straight and it's compact; perfect for someone on the smaller side (5'4", 103lbs). i have a VERY short torso and pretty long legs - so no leaning over to reach the bars ... they're right there! i look comically prissy.
my first bike (a shwinn from working bikes) was torture. fortunately, i found dahons early and love them; the prices are also crazy reasonable. i have a host of health/joint problems and hate being held completely hostage to them. so comfort and fit are super crucial. if anyone has other tips for folks like me, bring it.
the other benefit of having started riding the last few months is i'm almost more mobile sometimes, compared with walking. i don't ride far and i don't ride fast and have stretches when i can't ride at all - but i still love it.
so winter can suck it - me and EFRON are going to keep at it.
M.A.R.K. said:What type of bike are you riding where your RA is not affected? Just curious..
Ironika Leigh said:i think i'll just stick to riding when it's not icy. it's safer and more practical for me. i thought this might be colorful and kind of fun - but sounds like an unidea.
as for changing tires - i have severe rheumatoid arthritis ... using a pen, most days; changing tires, not likely.
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thanks! i feel like i'm not getting much better, but i still like to run little errands.
i don't worry about the cold that much, more the wet. although i'm sore as hell from riding, like, nothing yesterday. to the bike shop, then the craft, shop, then home. i tried to push to radio shack, but gave up.
right now i'm SOOOO sore - and not in a medical way (mostly); in an i'm-old-and-out-of-shape way. i also think i need a new saddle. does cold weather have some bearing on how goddamned hard my saddle must be to make my butt hurt like this?
mike w. said:Good to see that you're able to ride at all!
Hope you can keep at it what with the colder wet weather and all that we have around here.
i remember what a doctor told me once, "Pain can't hit a moving target."
Ironika Leigh said:i ride a cherry red dahon foldie (eco?). i can ride sitting up straight and it's compact; perfect for someone on the smaller side (5'4", 103lbs). i have a VERY short torso and pretty long legs - so no leaning over to reach the bars ... they're right there! i look comically prissy.
my first bike (a shwinn from working bikes) was torture. fortunately, i found dahons early and love them; the prices are also crazy reasonable. i have a host of health/joint problems and hate being held completely hostage to them. so comfort and fit are super crucial. if anyone has other tips for folks like me, bring it.
the other benefit of having started riding the last few months is i'm almost more mobile sometimes, compared with walking. i don't ride far and i don't ride fast and have stretches when i can't ride at all - but i still love it.
so winter can suck it - me and EFRON are going to keep at it.
M.A.R.K. said:What type of bike are you riding where your RA is not affected? Just curious..
Ironika Leigh said:i think i'll just stick to riding when it's not icy. it's safer and more practical for me. i thought this might be colorful and kind of fun - but sounds like an unidea.
as for changing tires - i have severe rheumatoid arthritis ... using a pen, most days; changing tires, not likely.
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Permalink Reply by Allen Wrench on
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Schwalbe Winter studded tires come in a 20 inch size that fits Dahons. I'm not sure if any others do. They're about $65-75 and lots of bike shops in town can order them, or you can get them from PeterWhiteCycles (web site full of info and attitude) or other places by mail. Save the zip ties for attaching generator cables.
Don't know about the seat but maybe a sprung one would be a good idea if your seating position is as prissy as you say. I have a comfortable Selle Royal on one upright bike that's probably cheaper than a Brooks with springs and more waterproof.
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