The Chainlink

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This morning's chilly ride went well, although I'm starting to wonder how I'll keep my face comfortable in January when I'm already wearing a balaclava over my cheeks right now. Gloves kind of failed: I was testing out some Garneau wind-blockers, and my pinky fingers went numb partway through. Looks like I'll be back to the Bar Mitts-and-gloves combo soon, unless I can figure out something else without dropping too much cash.

Also: I'm not sure about anyone else who's doing this for the first time, but I'm gonna have to invest in fleece bike pants. The snow pants shell + heavy capilene tights just aren't doing it for me.

Random winter experience: using my bike like a crowd control device to move a squirrel out of the traffic lane. I think he'd been grazed by a car; no visible injuries, but not interested in moving, either. It was a very gradual procession to the sidewalk. I'm pretty sure I amused/confused more than a few motorists who passed me on Oakbrook by MLK.

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Yes, it's quite amazing how much heat your core can generate when riding. I believe the coldest morning low we've had so far is in the low 20s..and I simply had a wicking polypro base layer, mid-weight merino wool mid-layer and a windbreaker as an outer layer.

 

I, too, picked up a a balaclava. Thus far, it has eliminated a need for a fleece ear bad. I also get extra bad-ass points for tearing up the streets of Andersonville looking like a ninja.  

+1 on the internal geared hub. Weary of the maintenance from winter riding, I went SS for many years, but windy days or heavy loads (or both) drove me to build my current daily rider with a three speed hub. I love it - although inspired by Alex, I'm considering a two speed for my next project.

 

Anyway, it cost me even less than Adam notes.

Sturmey Archer hub - $90 (kit included shifter and cables)

Sun CR-18 rim - $27

36 spokes - $36

- so $153 plus a bunch of very well spent time building it.


Adam Sterling said:

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If you really want to avoid [a bunch of maintenance], but want to ride year round, I'd recommend either a single speed winter bike, or better yet, an internal hub. Chicago is basically a flood plain, so a SS will work just fine. I have an internal hub and I fucking love it. Little to no maintenance required, and no external parts to get felched by salt n other winter scum. An internal hub will set you back ~$250 (alfine 8 speed or similar). You should be able to have a rear wheel built up + shifter for $400 or less. I don't know if that's a lot of money to you or not, but for $400 you'd have a rear wheel setup you can transfer from bike to bike, that will last for quite awhile, and will destroy all 4 seasons. I'm a big dude and I've rocked it for 3+ years solid w no problems. The SS is obviously the cheaper option, but man, I can't say enough good things about my internal hub.

...

True, for the 3 speed. I was talking about a larger throw of gears. But, Chicago is pretty damn flat, you don't need much more than 2-3 gears. I really only use 2 of the 8 I have on my Nexus hub, although anytime I leave Chicago those extra gears are handy. I'd say spend some decent $ on a rim, so you can ride daily wo worrying about it for awhile. I'm 6' 235# and have my Nexus laced into a Mavic A719 touring rim. Not every Mavic rim is nice, but I have zero complaints about this one thus far.

 

I'd assume on a site like this you could find someone willing to build up a wheel for beer.99 n maybe a few bucks.


Tony Adams said:

Anyway, it cost me even less than Adam notes.


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