Momentum USA Nov/Dec 2011
TO STUD OR NOT TO STUD JEREMY TOWSEY FRENCH As fall weather shifts to bitter cold wet streets can quickly turn from Jekyll to Hyde throwing sheets of black ice under cyclists without warning For a safe commute hitting the road with the right tires is essential Todays top tire manufacturers from Schwalbe and Nokian to Continental and Kenda offer solid options for ripping over black ice without laying down your bike While experienced ice bikers might elect for a single studded tire up front front and rear studs are the best bet for a troublefree ride If you live on the arctic tundra chances are your local shop has a solid selection of studded tires If your local search comes up short check out biketiresdirect com and search for studded tires Studs are typically priced from 40 to 100 per tire and can more than double the weight of your typical slicks Fortunately with this weight comes added durability as most modern studded tires now feature carbide studs for increased longevity Even full time winter commuters can expect more than two seasons of full time riding However the increased pavement exposure will reduce the overall effectiveness of the tire over time As such studded tires should be used sparingly I would suggest keeping them on an extra set of wheels If youre more likely to encounter rain than snow stick with slicks which will ensure low rolling resistance and solid contact with the road Unlike automotive tires which push water through their rectangular tread patch at high speeds a bicycle tires oval shaped contact patch will push water to the sides leaving the your bike stuck to the pavement Bikes wont hydroplane like automobiles so tread doesnt matter in a downpour This being said if you commonly encounter sand and dirt on the road select a tire with shallow grooves for added traction Jeremy Towsey French writes about self suffi ciency as well as practical and recreational cycling splitting his time between his home in the scenic Columbia River Gorge and the bustling streets of Portland OR @ TowseyFrench change of clothes invest in a set of waterproof panniers such as the Ortlieb Back Roller classics A waterproof backpack like the Ivan Rolltop from Chrome can also make a good ride partner e rain and slush will take their toll on your bike After every ride wipe away excess moisture from the drivetrain Grit sticks to moisture and can wear down moving parts which may cause mechanical problems if neglected Wipe down your braking surfaces with rubbing alcohol to extend the life of your brake pads and ensure continued stopping power Winter riding in the Paci c Northwest isnt always pictureperfect but if approached with preparedness and con dence you might nd yourself missing it when its gone Benjamin van Loon is a freelance writer editor and cyclist from Chicago IL @ BenVanLoon benvanloon com ITS WINTER SO LOVE YOUR BIKE Basic tips for care and maintenance YVONNE BLOMER The more often you clean your bike the easier and quicker the job will be Every week or two clean the chain gears cranks and wheel rims to remove built up grease and grime After riding in extreme weather conditions clean salt or sand off your fenders and wipe down the frame Keep up your weekly maintenance and you wont need to do an overhaul If you dont get around to cleaning a professional tuneup runs from 40 150 EQUIPMENT Rags and a toothbrush Q tips for hard to reach areas Chain scrubber a cleaning tool that you fi ll with cleaning solution and slip over the chain available at most bike shops and some hardware stores for 10 25 Spare chain clean and soak the resting chain in oil Solvent such as Simple Green water and soap or isopropyl alcohol An all weather lubricant such as Purple Extreme Synthetic Lubricant purpleextreme com CARING FOR YOUR WINTER RIDE Always clean your chain before greasing it Scrub a solvent over your chain with a cleaning tool or toothbrush or soak the whole chain in solvent Use Q tips to remove stubborn clumps of grease and to get dirt and grime out of corners and holes Drop lubricant onto each link of your chain or run a line by spinning the chain as you pour out the oil Use a toothbrush or cleaning tool to get the lubricant into each link and rub into areas showing signs of rust Wipe away excess oil with a rag while spinning the chain After each ride out in snowy salty conditions wipe down your bike making sure to get slush and snow off your rims spokes chainrings cogset chain brake cables cranks and frame to prevent rusting You wouldnt put dirty pots back in the cupboard You wouldnt put grimy cycling shorts back in your drawer Store your bike clean SPECIAL THANKS TO JUSTIN BAILEY OF PERFORMANCE BIKES IN VICTORIA BC Yvonne Blomer lives in Victoria BC where she works as a poet memoirist writing teacher event organizer and mom She wrote a weekly cycling column Spoke n Word for the Victoria Times Colonist CHECK YOUTUBE FOR LOTS OF DIY VIDEOS ON CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 29 MOMENTUMPLANET COM NOV DEC 11
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