Snowbikes
Neil writes: A snowbike is one of the few perks of working for Common Wheel.
I normally ride a Proper Bike, which is good most of the time but useless in the snow, therefore every autumn I put together a bike in case it snows when I am at work.
For the Snowbike I choose a mountainbike which fits me and I like. After this I look out the Schwalbe studded tyres we were given years ago, and then see what parts we have. The tyres are the key thing. The tungsten carbide studs grip well on ice and hard packed snow. I can ride with confidence where I would push a bike with standard tyres. I haven't tried to push the limits of these tyres, I've fallen off too often for that kind of excitement.
Normally in the spring the snowbike is fitted with normal tyres and sold.
I normally ride a Proper Bike, which is good most of the time but useless in the snow, therefore every autumn I put together a bike in case it snows when I am at work.
For the Snowbike I choose a mountainbike which fits me and I like. After this I look out the Schwalbe studded tyres we were given years ago, and then see what parts we have. The tyres are the key thing. The tungsten carbide studs grip well on ice and hard packed snow. I can ride with confidence where I would push a bike with standard tyres. I haven't tried to push the limits of these tyres, I've fallen off too often for that kind of excitement.
Normally in the spring the snowbike is fitted with normal tyres and sold.