Road salt spray

Hi all... unfortunately my current set-up does not allow for me to install a full front fender. I do have a mud guard but my rain pants were covered in a spray of salty whiteness when I arrived this morning. How do you all stay road grime free on your commutes?

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Permalink Reply by Natalie on January 28, 2009 at 9:11am
I heard that Lake had a problem with the Kevlar stitching failing, and that the company will replace your boots or pay for a cobbler to repair them. (Read it online somewhere, exactly where I can't remember, but I still have the Lake warranty info if you need it.)

I got the Lakes and so far have been very happy with them. I haven't noticed any problems with the stitching yet.

Rusty Piton said:
That light is mounted by taking the brackett that it came with apart, drilling a hole in the part that the light slides into, countersinking it a bit so that the screwhead sits level, drilling a corosponding hole in the fender and bolting it on. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Also, +1 for clipless boots. I have the ones made buy Lake, but they suck because they started falling apart two weeks after I got em.

Bullshit. Don't buy these.
Permalink Reply by E A on January 28, 2009 at 9:14am
Ah... so perhaps the spray is unavoidable even with the full fenders. Though last year I do not recall my the spray getting to my pants as much!

Yes... it's the front forks that cannot accommodate the full fenders in this case.

terryg said:
M.A.R.K., I'll go with "front forks" on an MTB as a reason that a reasonably traditional fender could be a challenge to make work.

I've got your typical SKS full fender setup, and I'm still grimy. (I promise that's not a personal hygiene thing ;) I've considered a mudflap, but never really got around to it for some reason. And yes to Natalie - a lot of my mess does come from auto spray.

Those clip-on SKS fenders look pretty cool, actually.

I guess it could be worse... it could be frozen solid.
Permalink Reply by E A on January 28, 2009 at 9:16am
Natalie, Using the knobbies just because. No good reason. I think urban slicks would probably work a bit better, but ya live and learn, right?
I made it through last winter with Schwalbe Marathons and fenders that provided barely any clearance between fender and tire -- and the snow/slush/ice would get packed in there! I decided to try another bike option this winter.


Natalie said:
Frozen solid like my wheel be frozen to my fender when I get out this evening? That's always irritating and the only reason I don't like my fenders.

Terry, did you at least have your rain pants on over your jeans?

EA, any particular reason you're using knobbies? I've never found them to give me that much better traction in slush, and any added sense of security is more than offset by how slow they are.

terryg said:
M.A.R.K., I'll go with "front forks" on an MTB as a reason that a reasonably traditional fender could be a challenge to make work.

I've got your typical SKS full fender setup, and I'm still grimy. (I promise that's not a personal hygiene thing ;) I've considered a mudflap, but never really got around to it for some reason. And yes to Natalie - a lot of my mess does come from auto spray.

Those clip-on SKS fenders look pretty cool, actually.

I guess it could be worse... it could be frozen solid.
Permalink Reply by E A on January 28, 2009 at 9:17am
I second that good cycling boots (Lake) are a worthy investment....

Natalie said:
Dude, I'm telling you, winter cycling boots. It's worth the $$$ not to have to struggle to stretch those stupid things over your shoes for little incremental benefit. Although, I have to say that the $20 Performance neoprene bootie is not bad for the price. The worst part about them is getting the zipper up, so last year I would carry a spare shoelace and thread it through the zipper pull so I could get enough leverage to get the thing closed.

Sorry, I guess I'm going off topic. As I said, I'm really not feeling the whole work thing today.

terryg said:
Nat, I sure did. There was this white stuff floating around and all over everything outside. I figured the streets would either be similar or swampy in a wintery way.

I also wore my increasingly pointless and irritating shoe covers.
Permalink Reply by Rusty Piton on January 28, 2009 at 9:19am
Natalie said:
I heard that Lake had a problem with the Kevlar stitching failing, and that the company will replace your boots or pay for a cobbler to repair them. (Read it online somewhere, exactly where I can't remember, but I still have the Lake warranty info if you need it.)

I got the Lakes and so far have been very happy with them. I haven't noticed any problems with the stitching yet.
.

I ride around and run up and down stairs alot for work and I think that the act of walking around in these things just tore the stiches right out of the plastic heel bit.
If you could hook up the warranty info, that would be awesome.
My roommate threw out the box with the warranty card in it before I could send it in or do it online or whatever
Permalink Reply by Natalie on January 28, 2009 at 9:24am
Rusty/Rudy, I have class till 9 p.m., but when I get home I will get you the Lake warranty info.

I'm not walking in my boots much. I wear them to work and then change into clogs or something I can wear all day without my feet overheating.
Permalink Reply by Rusty Piton on January 28, 2009 at 9:53am
Thanks so much!
I'm on and off the bike most of the day at work (except for days like today when there's nothing to do) so overheating isn't much of a problem unless it's over 40*.
Permalink Reply by Jim "Niterider" on January 28, 2009 at 10:04am
THE fenders. I have the sport versions that are made of MX plastic. I run these in the spring when trail condtions can be bad, front and back. The front mounts in the bottom of the headtube with a rubber spacer. The back mounts to the seat post. These are made for downhill mountain biking. They can fit a 3" tire without a problem. Also have a down tube mud guard made by these folks. This keeps me fairly dry and somewhat clean. As for the cycling footwear: Sidi winter boots. Not cheap at $340 but are worth not having cold feet. Too bad about the Lake's I had the same thing happen to me last year after riding from October to the end of November. As for waterproof pant's, I run a pair of bib's from Icon. PDX is the name of the line of their water proof gear. They make their products for motorcycles but their stuff works just as good for bicycling. Have friends that ride Ducati's and wear all of their protective gear. The bib's will set you back $115. Cheaper than Assos or anything in Cabael's. Good luck on bike riding in the winter
Permalink Reply by Norm Hansen on January 28, 2009 at 2:14pm
Rusty Piton said:
That light is mounted by taking the brackett that it came with apart, drilling a hole in the part that the light slides into, countersinking it a bit so that the screwhead sits level, drilling a corosponding hole in the fender and bolting it on. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Also, +1 for clipless boots. I have the ones made by Lake, but they suck because they started falling apart two weeks after I got em.

Bullshit. Don't buy these.


I have a pair of Lake Boots. I love them and they are 11 years old.

Lake Cycling is out of Evanston, IL, They just might take care of your problem.
The inside guy Italk to is pretty nice and so is the owner

Lake Cycling
805 Greenwood St.
Evanston, IL 60201 USA
toll free 800-804-7777
847-491-9205
Permalink Reply by Norm Hansen on January 28, 2009 at 2:17pm
I like tasting theSalt when Riding!
Permalink Reply by Natalie on January 28, 2009 at 4:41pm
Well, I don't have much more info than what Norm H said--toll free is 800.804.7777 and local 847.491.9205. Lake says it warrants MTB boots for one year from date of purchase and that you have to have a receipt documenting date of purchase. Interestingly, road shoes are guaranteed for the usable life of the shoes, whatever that is. Kind of unfair, seeing as how I can virtually guarantee you my Lake MTX whatevers will never see a trail. Anyway.

The email is lake@pht-int.com.

I'm wondering how I managed to be aware of Lake for at least the last 10 years and had no idea they were in Evanston.

If your shoes are older than a year or you lost the receipt, that looks like something any competent shoe repair guy could fix. There's a place on Broadway and Belmont, on the east side of the street next to the movie theater, that's really good.


Rusty Piton said:
Thanks so much!
I'm on and off the bike most of the day at work (except for days like today when there's nothing to do) so overheating isn't much of a problem unless it's over 40*.
Permalink Reply by cutifly on January 29, 2009 at 4:55am
Me, I get a slice of cardboard and jam it in the forks and in the rear slot by the brakes. This usually works fine for a single ride. I would go flying in a cardboard plane too if I knew it was going to be a dry day.

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