Winter 2015- who's still riding?

Traffic 'round these parts dropped off pretty dramatically a few weeks ago... hard to tell from the "I rode today" thread who's still riding, as one would have to conclude that Gene is the only one out there most days by reading it....

Who's sticking it out and plans to continue to ride pretty much every day regardless of weather?

(Was winter 2013;   2014 starts on p. 36;   2015 starts on p. 61)

 

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 26, 2013 at 1:27pm
What a beautiful day today. Rode to Wilbur Wright college this morning to volunteer. This afteroon on my way back met Mrs. Duppie for lunch at he Chicago Brauhaus. Afterwards we rode home together.
Permalink Reply by pjc jr on January 26, 2013 at 2:38pm

45 miles this morning.  Seven of us!  The espresso is better in Highland Park. ;-)

Permalink Reply by Paul Michael Ignacio on January 26, 2013 at 2:59pm

Steve,

I'm glad you like your studded tires.  I just choose not to run them for a combination of reasons: cost is the most obvious one, but the primary reason I don't run studs is that their terrible rolling resistance makes them untenable for me to ride when it isn't sheets-of-smooth-ice out there.  Which is like 99% of the time. 

Again, I think it's great that you appreciate the security afforded to you by the studs, but for me riding those tires in most conditions is a bit like rolling through shallow sand. 

And for the record, if I end up taking the train home it'll be for the second time in five years since I've been at the shop.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 26, 2013 at 3:36pm

Really, Steve, I had no idea that zealotry could extend to studded tires for bikes ;-)  Please don't take this personally, but for the few days they are needed, I'll just suffer and take the CTA.  

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 26, 2013 at 5:09pm

On my commuter bike (Dahon Mu XL) I use Schwalbe "Marathon Winter" tires. These are 20" tires inflated to around 55-60 PSI, which works pretty well at my weight (~210). On dry pavement, they are somewhat noisy (think: bacon sizzling) and there is a bit more rolling resistance. For me, these are small inconveniences compared to the peace of mind I get from not having to fear a sudden fall. The studs are tungsten carbide, and do not wear appreciably as a result of running on pavement. The tires themselves wear out before the studs, largely thanks to all the salt used in Chicago. I get about 2 seasons on the rear wheel and 3 seasons on the front.

I usually put these tires on at Thanksgiving or early in December and change back to regular tires in mid-March. It would be nice to be able to throw them on only when they are really needed, but that's a lot of work. I can't get up in the morning and say "oh, look... there's ice on the street; better put on the studs". So I will necessarily be riding on the studded tires on days when they are not needed. It is a reasonable trade-off for me. I *do* have to admit that this winter has been a bit of a disappointment, and I've needed the studs only a couple times so far. Climate change? ;-)

Steve

Rich Evans said:

Hey Steve-

What brand/model tire are you using?  How are they on dry pavement?

 

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 26, 2013 at 5:26pm

Hi, Paul,

I didn't mean to come off as if I think anyone who doesn't use studded tires is a fool (and notice I never called anyone a moron! ^_^ ). Neither did I mean that people shouldn't be able to choose not to ride or to take public transportation as they see fit. I only meant to respond to the ones who bemoan their inability to ride, or their injuries from falling, by pointing out that there *is* an alternative.

Your statistic of "99% of the time not needing the studs" is pretty close to the mark this winter, but it was not always so. It's hard to predict when the conditions will justify the extra weight, noise, effort. The decision to use studded tires has to be based on a number of factors, and the equation may work out differently for different riders. I think of them as "insurance" against getting hurt; as with most insurance, you pay a price for something you hope you never need to use. I don't know how old you are, but I'm in my 60s and probably wouldn't bounce as well as some of you younger folks. ;-)

Steve

Paul Michael Ignacio said:

Steve,

I'm glad you like your studded tires.  I just choose not to run them for a combination of reasons: cost is the most obvious one, but the primary reason I don't run studs is that their terrible rolling resistance makes them untenable for me to ride when it isn't sheets-of-smooth-ice out there.  Which is like 99% of the time. 

Again, I think it's great that you appreciate the security afforded to you by the studs, but for me riding those tires in most conditions is a bit like rolling through shallow sand. 

And for the record, if I end up taking the train home it'll be for the second time in five years since I've been at the shop.

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 26, 2013 at 5:28pm

:-)

h' 1.0 said:

I think it is time to show a little compassion for Steve here.  STAD (Studded Tire Attachment Disorder) is a life-changing problem for those suffering from it and those who love them; we should do our best to withhold judgement, and find it within ourselves to seek to understand and offer support. 

At least until medication can be developed.

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 26, 2013 at 5:32pm

Hi, Lisa,

I'm more of an evangelist than a zealot... at least in my own mind. ;-)

See my other posts, and I think you'll see where I'm coming from. I don't take your remarks personally.

Steve

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

Really, Steve, I had no idea that zealotry could extend to studded tires for bikes ;-)  Please don't take this personally, but for the few days they are needed, I'll just suffer and take the CTA.  

Permalink Reply by Paul Michael Ignacio on January 26, 2013 at 6:03pm

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what your bike is rolling on as long as it rolls you home, right?

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 26, 2013 at 6:50pm

+1

:-)

Paul Michael Ignacio said:

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what your bike is rolling on as long as it rolls you home, right?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 27, 2013 at 2:26am

Well, you are certainly correct about this winter (and actually last) not being what we have been used to in Chicago, and if there were many days with snow/ice I might have a different attitude.  I do like the insurance analogy.  Same analysis for boaters with life rafts--cost a fortune and hope never to use it, but won't go out without one.  

Steve Weeks, DDS said:

Hi, Lisa,

I'm more of an evangelist than a zealot... at least in my own mind. ;-)

See my other posts, and I think you'll see where I'm coming from. I don't take your remarks personally.

Steve

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

Really, Steve, I had no idea that zealotry could extend to studded tires for bikes ;-)  Please don't take this personally, but for the few days they are needed, I'll just suffer and take the CTA.  

Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on January 27, 2013 at 3:44am

Thanks very much for the review, Steve.  I've been looking at those.  I commute on a mountan bike, but now you've got me thinking these might be great for my recumbent, to get more winter use out of it. 

Since you're on a folder, I'm wondering if maybe you could extend your tire (and component) life even further, by rinsing daily (that Dahon could go into the shower nicely), and throwing some armor-all on the sidewalls now and then. 

Maybe ultimately apply those savings to an extra set of wheels, which you COULD quite easily swap out after looking out the window?  
 
Steve Weeks, DDS said:

On my commuter bike (Dahon Mu XL) I use Schwalbe "Marathon Winter" tires. These are 20" tires inflated to around 55-60 PSI, which works pretty well at my weight (~210). On dry pavement, they are somewhat noisy (think: bacon sizzling) and there is a bit more rolling resistance. For me, these are small inconveniences compared to the peace of mind I get from not having to fear a sudden fall. The studs are tungsten carbide, and do not wear appreciably as a result of running on pavement. The tires themselves wear out before the studs, largely thanks to all the salt used in Chicago. I get about 2 seasons on the rear wheel and 3 seasons on the front.

I usually put these tires on at Thanksgiving or early in December and change back to regular tires in mid-March. It would be nice to be able to throw them on only when they are really needed, but that's a lot of work. I can't get up in the morning and say "oh, look... there's ice on the street; better put on the studs". So I will necessarily be riding on the studded tires on days when they are not needed. It is a reasonable trade-off for me. I *do* have to admit that this winter has been a bit of a disappointment, and I've needed the studs only a couple times so far. Climate change? ;-)

Steve

Rich Evans said:

Hey Steve-

What brand/model tire are you using?  How are they on dry pavement?

 

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