cross tires in snow?

In article ,
Frank Krygowski wrote:

James wrote:

I regularly wear a woollen long sleeved cycling jersey my brother won as
Blackburn club champion, circa mid 1980's.

A sad tale: I had a dear cycling friend who died in about 1980. About
20 years later, his widow gave me his favorite classic wool cycling
jersey. Very retro, and (to my eyes) very cool.

But eventually, by mistake, it landed in the regular wash and dry cycle
around here. It came out sized to fit a 10-year-old.

Fortunately, with today's Smartwool, that's not so much of a concern.

Have the jersey framed, and hang it on the wall. If it's shrunk enough,
it won't even be that expensive.

On 11/1/2011 2:21 PM, Clive George wrote:
On 30/10/2011 02:33, Jay Beattie wrote:

I've ridden 23mm ProRace's in fresh snow -- really fresh, and only an
inch or two, and its kind of a hoot -- but I wouldn't do it near real
traffic. When we get serious snow down here -- which is fairly rare
-- I switch to cross tires and then to studs when it turns to frozen
crap.

Which bike wears the studs? I'm looking for a 700x30-ish set of tyres,
wondering if anybody makes them.

A bunch of info:

http://peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

On 11/1/2011 6:28 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
DougC wrote:
On 10/29/2011 9:55 PM, Dan O wrote:


Wool, wool, and wool.


I've never tried anything made of wool that didn't itch.

This seems to vary a lot with the person, and perhaps with the wool.
I've always found wool to be the most comfortable fabric, and never once
felt itching. My wife says she's fine with softer varieties like Merino
wool, at least.

Synthetics insulate just as well and they lack the itching problem.

They have some advantages, although I still prefer wool. I hate the fact
that most synthetics build up stink.

-Plus, you can sometimes find synthetic clothing very cheap from
non-bicycling sources (not good outerwear usually; mostly middle- and
inner-layers, but still). You won't find cheap wool anywhere.

It's a lot harder to find inexpensive wool, but it's not impossible. The
wool sweater I wore riding home from today's class came from an outdoor
market in England, in 2001. IIRC, it cost the equivalent of $20, and is
still one of my favorites.

Then there are used clothing stores, if you're into that. I know people
who love that treasure hunt, although I personally don't. But if I were
suiting up for a tweed ride, that's where I'd search first.


I've owned lots of wool garments over the years, and wool does have its
strengths, but I think it has been pretty well eclipsed by modern
synthetics.

Synthetic stretch fleece has really changed the game. It conforms to the
body, eliminating drafts, is extremely comfortable and long wearing, and
is lighter and has better wet/damp performance than wool. Modern fabrics
are frequently treated with (embedded) anti-microbial compounds (silver
based) so that odor is rarely a problem. Modern fleeces can be made with
integral smooth faces for abrasion or water resistance and/or internal
wind blocking membranes.

Synthetic fleece outerwear (jackets/pullovers/pants) has similar
advantages. There is an aesthetic problem with synthetics if you want to
stay in the clothes rather than changing at your destination. It might
be solvable, but very few manufacturers seem to have addressed the
market for riding wear that could double as "business casual". Of course
there are few wool slacks, for instance, that I'd want to both ride to
work in the cold and then wear all day in the office.

Wool generally has poorer abrasion resistance. I love my wool socks, but
they tend to go thin rather quickly, particularly in the spots where I
wish they wouldn't. For many weaves of wool, shape distortion when worn
wet is a big problem. Washing wool in general is tricky, particularly
the weather resistant wools which rely on retained lanolin, I've found
no way to re-treat them the way you can other fabrics with spray-on or
wash-in compounds. Finally, there's the added complexity of storing your
woolens during the summer moth season.

I've never had to solve the problem of riding to work, much less in the
winter. I think I'd just accept having to change clothes. I do
frequently ride for errands (e.g. doctor, dentist, etc.) in the winter.
The best I've come up with for tolerable appearance at the destination
is black stretch fleece pants, which don't look as nice as dress slacks
for sure, but somewhat better than sweat pants. I feel OK in stores or
medical offices, but I don't think I'd take a job interview or business
meeting in them. Cycling footwear presents similar problems.

I think that clothing and appearance present some of the biggest
obstacles to utility cycling for most people. Society has loosened up a
bit in the last few decades, but it's still an issue, particularly
during the seasons of climactic extremes.

In article ,
DougC wrote:

On 10/29/2011 9:55 PM, Dan O wrote:
On Oct 29, 1:38 pm, Nate wrote:
Anyone tried it?

not sure if I really want to give up riding because of inclement weather
this year...

Now you're talking! Way to go, buddy :-)

..., and I can't really think of anything that I need to buy for
my bikes so might as well blow a little on some cold weather gear...

Wool, wool, and wool.


I've never tried anything made of wool that didn't itch.

Cashmere.

--
Michael Press

Peter Cole wrote:

I've owned lots of wool garments over the years, and wool does have its
strengths, but I think it has been pretty well eclipsed by modern
synthetics.

Synthetic stretch fleece has really changed the game. It conforms to the
body, eliminating drafts, is extremely comfortable and long wearing, and
is lighter and has better wet/damp performance than wool. Modern fabrics
are frequently treated with (embedded) anti-microbial compounds (silver
based) so that odor is rarely a problem. Modern fleeces can be made with
integral smooth faces for abrasion or water resistance and/or internal
wind blocking membranes.

You're probably right about the conforming to the body part, although
that's not a concern for me unless I'm trying to be fast. And I've yet
to try any garments with embedded anti-microbe tricks, so that may solve
the odor problem for me. But it'll have to be after my wool stuff wears
out.

Synthetic fleece outerwear (jackets/pullovers/pants) has similar
advantages. There is an aesthetic problem with synthetics if you want to
stay in the clothes rather than changing at your destination.

Most often, I do want to stay in the same clothes. That's because most
of my rides are transportation. Admittedly, those tend to be much
shorter than my recreation rides. If I'm doing 30 to 50 miles for fun,
it will end at my own home or that of a relative, so changing clothes is
easy enough.

It might
be solvable, but very few manufacturers seem to have addressed the
market for riding wear that could double as "business casual". Of course
there are few wool slacks, for instance, that I'd want to both ride to
work in the cold and then wear all day in the office.
...

I think that clothing and appearance present some of the biggest
obstacles to utility cycling for most people. Society has loosened up a
bit in the last few decades, but it's still an issue, particularly
during the seasons of climactic extremes.

It is an issue. Most people are very sensitive to the way they look to
others. I once had a fashionista (owner of a clothing store) make a
snide comment about my outfit when I dropped off some paperwork on my
way home from work. Dress slacks safety pinned at the cuffs & a
windbreaker over my dress shirt seemed fine to me. But I guess she
expected me to look sportier.

I never had trouble, above the freezing point anyway, riding seven miles
to work in business casual clothes. A thick sweater and windbreaker
plus hat & gloves were always adequate, no matter what slacks I wore.
My pace would keep me warm - probably warmer than these folks:
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/01...openhagen.html

But there are people who seldom ride a bike without special clothes. Too
bad.


--
- Frank Krygowski

Phil W Lee wrote:
:
:But there are people who seldom ride a bike without special clothes. Too
:bad.

:Specialist cycling atti

:http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...rc e=shopping

:Or http://preview.tinyurl.com/6jemr6y

:Fine for most local commutes or shopping trips.

http://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Ban.../dp/B000KG6JB8

are my commuting specialized gear most of the time.

--
sig 39

In article ,
Peter Cole wrote:

I think that clothing and appearance present some of the biggest
obstacles to utility cycling for most people. Society has loosened up a
bit in the last few decades, but it's still an issue, particularly
during the seasons of climactic extremes.

Really? Climactic?

--
Michael Press

In article ,
Frank Krygowski wrote:

My pace would keep me warm - probably warmer than these folks:
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/01...openhagen.html

Six expressions visible. Four dour, one pleased and happy, one chilled.

--
Michael Press

climatic ?

I WUZ INTO Seattle Fabrics for Monodog pack material, cost $55/ 4
bags.The weenies at SF called the Sheriff caws said weenies were
insulting me over the phone.???
Chose flourescent yellow bag cordova with hot pink flourescent
tops....
I'll send photos of the method.

On Nov 6, 6:38*am, kolldata wrote:
climatic ?

I WUZ INTO Seattle Fabrics for Monodog pack material, *cost $55/ 4
bags.The weenies at SF called the Sheriff caws said weenies were
insulting me over the phone.???
Chose flourescent yellow bag cordova with hot pink flourescent
tops....
I'll send photos of the method.

As long as she's pumping tyres with a short "track-pump".