Geared Riders: Do you change gearing for winter?

I've got 52/39 and 12-25 on my geared bike (ultegra drive train), but I've been thinking about going to 14-25 to deal with winter. I find myself staying out of the lower (easier) gears, but I like having more consecutive cogs in the back.

Does anyone here change for winter? What do you ride normally?

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Permalink Reply by Ammo on September 25, 2008 at 9:14am
I have never done a winter yet (this will be my first). I am going to try my best to stay fixed, I believe I am 42/16.
Permalink Reply by justJason on September 25, 2008 at 9:22am
Rode geared for the last 2 winters and just cleaned the drivetrain pretty thoroughly..and OFTEN. Last year my 2 main rides were 52/42 and 12-24 (or thereabouts) and they went through the mean tundra just fine.

The only casualty was a rear hub flange that eroded away thanks to the wet, salty conditions.
Permalink Reply by vxla on September 25, 2008 at 9:24am
I'm mostly thinking of gearing down a bit to deal with wind a bit better.
Permalink Reply by Ammo on September 25, 2008 at 9:26am
Wind is my main concern, I remember standing at a busstop and being blown down the street. I'll make it home in 5 minutes with freezedried snotcicles!!

vxla said:
I'm mostly thinking of gearing down a bit to deal with wind a bit better.
Permalink Reply by vxla on September 25, 2008 at 9:28am
Yeah, it sucks. This will be my 4th winter of riding (besides riding in winters as a kid). I've found that most of my snowboarding accessories (gloves, hats, etc) do me best as they're very wind-resistant already.
Permalink Reply by justJason on September 25, 2008 at 9:28am
You know, I don't find that it's all that much more windy in the winter; but obviously the chilling effects are a helluva lot more pronounced!

Then again, I'm known to talk outta my ass a lot. Maybe when riding during winter, I'm in a state of total reality denial.
Permalink Reply by vxla on September 25, 2008 at 11:01am
M.A.R.K. said:
Do we have to talk about winter already when fall has only just arrived?

It makes me chilly just thinking about it.

"Be prepared"
Permalink Reply by David Travis on September 25, 2008 at 11:42am
Take it from an active racing sailor who studies the wind on Lake Michigan, it is windier in the winter, significantly. The wind tends not to change direction unless there is a front coming through. Winds along the lakefront had a significant easterly component all last winter, which is typical. This makes the wind stronger as the fetch of lake is as much as 100 miles sometimes and that keeps the wind stiff. Happily the bike path is cleared sooner than my street. I have lower gears for winter as tires (studded) are bigger and heavier and the wind slows everything down. I average 4 days out of 7 for commuting and some weekend pleasure rides in the winter.

M.A.R.K. said:
Your gunna eat those words soon enough my friend.. It's really not that much more windy as far as the whole season from what I notice. But what we do seem to get are alot of those days tornado speed winds wipping icy snow throught he air more then enough. Along the lines of what Ammo said, when you hit htose tailwinds when its like that you dont even need to pedal, the wind just carries you away..

justJason said:
You know, I don't find that it's all that much more windy in the winter; but obviously the chilling effects are a helluva lot more pronounced!

Then again, I'm known to talk outta my ass a lot. Maybe when riding during winter, I'm in a state of total reality denial.
Permalink Reply by Tommie on September 26, 2008 at 8:39am
Bah! Wind! From now on let's call it TORPEDO!

Anyways. 50x12-23/25 is fine.
42x12-25 is fine.

Go see what Cyclocross riders are doing and copy them. They don't have to deal with that much TORPEDO but they do deal with ice, snow, mud, bad beer and not enough cowbell.

If you're lazy, I'll give you a hint: 46-48 in front.
Permalink Reply by B on September 26, 2008 at 8:53am
I just stay mostly out of the big ring, content to focus on cadence.

But yeah I'd think about popping the 52t off and going for a 49t first -- it's likely a cheaper solution than a different cassette.

I'm in the midst of searching for a 49t 130 BCD for my imminent cross bike...anyone know a shop in town that would likely carry them?
Permalink Reply by Tommie on September 26, 2008 at 9:26am
ALBERTO'S!!!!

130BCD is pretty common and they have a decent selection of cross gear. I dunno about a 49 though. Just do 48 or grow a pair and do a 50

ask for Joey Lama.

Incidentally, I walked in there unannounced today. Asked the mechanic (he's new and has no idea that I used to work for Alberto's) to face my headset and bottom bracket, install headset, and drop on the crown race. He said, "Can't do it today." I said, "Yeah, that's cool." Then he proceeded to do it anyways. Pretty rad service.
Permalink Reply by B on October 1, 2008 at 7:23am
Tommie said:
ALBERTO'S!!!!

130BCD is pretty common and they have a decent selection of cross gear. I dunno about a 49 though. Just do 48 or grow a pair and do a 50

oooh that stings.

thanks I'll probaby pop in there ... havent' been for a while.

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