The Chainlink

Perfect Winterbike? What? Where? How?

Although it is a gorgeous day outside ... I know it will end all too soon and I want to be prepared for it. So I was thinking of slowly trying to get all the important bits and pieces to build the pefect winterbike. I already have a 1980s Lotus Challenger frame, but now I want to know what else would be good to add to this bike. I will be riding about 20miles a day and I don't want to regret my decision to go completely carless (altough I am sure I will probably welcome the CTA on some days). So any suggestions on wheels, tires, etc would be much appreciated. I also often lug quite a bit of stuff, so suggestions on racks and panniers would also be welcomed. Obviously I don't want to spend a fortune, BUT it would also be great to see what everybody else's dream winterbike for Chicago would be.

This will be my first winter commuting .... so come to think of it ANY advice would be great.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 14, 2009 at 3:21pm
The last two posts by Chucko and iggi make good points:
1. An aluminum frame will withstand the snow-salt crud better than a steel frame. My winter bike is an aluminum frame
2. Regular cleaning, in particular the drivetrain is a must, but even then the parts will wear out much quicker compared to summer riding. This summer I replaced the chain, cassette and front brake on my winter bike. I only saved the rear derailleur because I spend an estimated 5 hours taking it apart, cleaning it and putting it back together.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on September 14, 2009 at 3:34pm
It's smart ass, not smart guy.

mattbikes1 said:
While I am sure you are a smart guy Dug, I think you misread. I certainly was not insinuating that there are somehow more winters in MN. I don't assume that everyone on here is from Chicago, the midwest, or anywhere that gets winter weather. I was simply saying that I have ridden in a lot of winter weather and am therefore not a novice. Does that clarify for you?

notoriousDUG said:
Minnesota has more winters then Chicago?

Interesting...

mattbikes1 said:
I am going to go against the grain on the tire issue. I respect everyones choice but a I must say that coming from Minnesota I have ridden in more winters than I car to count. I have had great success with my thin slicks, 700 x 23c. My rational is this: if you hit glare ice it doesn't matter what kind of rubber you got on, think pizza cutters in snow, and lastly I rode treaded tires my first winter and found that snow got stuck in the tread and next thing I knew, I was riding snow on ice, bad combo. I also ride fixed in the winter so I have a better idea of the traction. I have never fallen on fixed in the winter, however, fixed might not be that fun in winter on a 20 mile commute. My advice is take some advice from those you trust and the rest you will figure out. Good luck and have fun! I love riding in the winter! Makes me feel very alive!
Permalink Reply by Gecko on September 14, 2009 at 3:58pm
I don't know your personal preferences for gearing/geometry, etc. so I can only offer my experience. My year-round commuter is my '89 Schwinn Sprint. Cheap steel frame road bike. I put mtb flat handlebars on it with bmx brake levers, left the original sidepull brakes (with new pads), went singlespeed (freewheel) with the drivetrain, built a 36-spoke rear wheel for extra strength, put 31mm knobby cyclocross tires and some old steel fenders on it and it's been great. The only gripe I had was that the frame is really small (like 49cm or something) so although I had plenty of standover clearance, the wheelbase is really short so the steering is really twitchy, which took some getting used to. My gearing isn't too low or high (42X16) so the ride stays comfortable loaded/unloaded. It's not a speed demon or a lightweight, but it's not a pig either, and it's reliable as all hell. I built it nearly 3 years ago and haven't replaced anything out of necessity. Just light maintenance and cleaning as others have said.

My best advice to you is to try out different combinations of things and find out what works. Get some cheap parts for that frame and ride it a lot before winter. Then you can worry about upgrading as you find out what you like.

The Beast:

Permalink Reply by Z Bicyclist on September 14, 2009 at 7:27pm
I'm a wide tire guy in winter. There's a lot of night in winter, and it's often hard to see how serious a crack is at a glance. Since a friend broke her arm getting a road tire caught in a crack, I've become confirmed in my prejudice.
Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on September 14, 2009 at 7:48pm
The perfect winter bike for you very well may be the commuter bike that you're riding already. If it's what you're use to and you don't have issue with it taking the wear and tear that winter brings why not keep on it? I would recommend full fenders if they fit and you don't already have them. Otherwise your determination and can-do attitude will do more for you than any gear. Riding in the winter is not that big of a deal and when it is there's always the bus or train.
Permalink Reply by igz on September 15, 2009 at 12:58am
here lies an understatement for winter riding. Can-Do attitude is indispensible in a chicago winter...especially on bike. persevere!!

Bikefreeek said:
Otherwise your determination and can-do attitude will do more for you than any gear. .

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