oldschoolktm
Member
Winter Riding
To be honest I really did not think long on how winter riding may be any different from regular seasonal single track trail shredding! I just wanted my season to be extended and truthfully never end. I worked to set up my bike with minimal budget and time. Add some studs to my tires and away we go! (add link) How difficult could this idea be? The thought of an endless riding season makes me giggle like a school girl.
The Studs!
Grip Studs? Wow they are expensive and worth it! I decided to bling out the rear tire with Grip Studs and bide time to outfit the front. Currently I am using Gold Series up front. I have yet to loose one Grip Stud and the Gold Series wear over time on rock so I swap them out as needed. I do not have dedicated rubber for winter riding so I plugged what I have into my tires. I take the studs out after the winter and reinstall next season. Stud placement is a trail riders wonder. I prefer to keep studs limited on my side wall lugs for fear of climbing out of the track groove. Choose your own adventure! There are many different stud lengths and types for various applications. Choose wisely and pair accordingly with your tires.
Tire Selection?
I use what was on the bike. Dunlop AT 81 RC out back and a Mitas C-19 Green stripe up front. I only screwed one stud per lug on both tires with my current set up maximizing what few studs I own. I may buy a larger lug tires to accommodate more studs. There are many different applications for different types of riding. (links) Currently I run tubliss in the rear with slime and an Enduro Mousse in front. Previous studded adventures labeled my front tubliss system with enough holes in my tire to make an army medic bleed with compassion. Mousse inserts do not go flat and maintain a low PSI! Low psi tire riding set up allows for maximum traction in summer and winter conditions.
Bike set up?
Time to re jet! A quick call to my local dealer to speak with the head mechanic put my ride on the safe side of detonating. I did reference my owners manual too. A must if you care about your bike! Do not take any chances. Mistakes are costly. No fun being that guy who needs a tow or escort back to the staging area. If you are funning a carb then look into it! (carb jetting link) Regardless of what trusty steed you are show boating it's best to investigate! Carbs have a tendency to freeze while riding in sub zero conditions. I know one rider who fashioned a heat catch around his carburetor using repurposed HVAV tin. Another rides with hand guard plastics flanking his carb to keep the heat in. This methodology also prevents snow from caking up around the carb. You will loose your brakes at some point. Ice can form on your components loosing your ability to stop. Riding the brakes occasionally will help prevent this unnerving occurrence. Antifreeze in coolant/fuel?
Clothing?
Layering like an onion is best, not to be mistaken for smelling like one. Quality Gore-Tex, high end polymer/synthetics, and good old fashioned (Marino) wool! Anything in your tickle trunk that breathes and wicks moisture. Which begs the question of footwear. I roll with my mx boots. My feet are frozen 4 hours into the ride and take two days to thaw! Even with wool socks my feet get cold. Waterproof socks may be your best friend on winter riding days and I may look into this option! There is nothing like paddling through a frozen over bike swallowing water hole that you thought you could ride over. To protect your hand digits from the elements you could purchase an electrical nightmare grip warming device. Or, wear Nitrile mechanics gloves under your favorite every day mx glove. Hot shot type hand warmers stay warm for hours. Your hands will look and feel like a shrivelled prune at the end of the day but they stay warm during your trail ride. Alternative to a bulky ski glove you still retain the fineness and control at the helm. To increase comfort and ward off cold hands you will need some type of wind block at the bars! I selected a modified version which found me in the kitchen stealing the household dollar store cutting boards. Zip ties and some cosmetic paint to prove worthiness. They work fine! A decent balaclava is nice to protect your exposed skin under your helmet and neck. Rain gear adds a layer and helps keep you dry.
Snow conditions?
Be very selective about when or where you winter ride! It is no fun riding on the pipe in a foot of snow or heavy elephant snot.(pic of Matt Doug and ...) (Pic of my bike in Limerick same day) It doesn't matter how much HP nor jewelry you have in your tires! Snow has many different characteristics. Hard pack to fresh powder will vary your ability to perform and more important vary your bikes response and handling. Let's not glamorize this. Trail bikes do have limits short of mounting a track system for winter. You need to consider current and past temperatures, snowpack and ride location for your day to be successful! Take this further and think about aspect to the sun and elevation. The snow conditions change from trail to trail. A change in altitude may see you riding more or less snow. Remember those face slappers in the summer? Some of those branches are now sporting white artillery that is unavoidable. Let your buddy ride out front and take some for the team!
The dismount!
Bailing off your bike while riding your favorite trail can be alarming at best. During a winter ride you need not worry about how you are landing on the ground (A big lie!). Snow cover adds a layer of padding for those falls and hides the real danger below (Oh Boy!). I find the snow to be quite inviting while riding some trails. I have many opportunities to lay the bike down and make snow angels where I never thought I would take a rest! It is fun as hell and beats couch surfing. With a bit of effort you too can ride year round in the Great white North, eh!
See you there!
Chris Moyle
The Tip: Wrapping your lunch in tin foil allows you to use your bike exhaust as a heater for a hot meal.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be any informative authority on winter riding nor riding in general. I share my experiences to help you enjoy yours! I thank those who have shared their experiences with me so I can make mine more enjoyable!
To be honest I really did not think long on how winter riding may be any different from regular seasonal single track trail shredding! I just wanted my season to be extended and truthfully never end. I worked to set up my bike with minimal budget and time. Add some studs to my tires and away we go! (add link) How difficult could this idea be? The thought of an endless riding season makes me giggle like a school girl.
The Studs!
Grip Studs? Wow they are expensive and worth it! I decided to bling out the rear tire with Grip Studs and bide time to outfit the front. Currently I am using Gold Series up front. I have yet to loose one Grip Stud and the Gold Series wear over time on rock so I swap them out as needed. I do not have dedicated rubber for winter riding so I plugged what I have into my tires. I take the studs out after the winter and reinstall next season. Stud placement is a trail riders wonder. I prefer to keep studs limited on my side wall lugs for fear of climbing out of the track groove. Choose your own adventure! There are many different stud lengths and types for various applications. Choose wisely and pair accordingly with your tires.
Tire Selection?
I use what was on the bike. Dunlop AT 81 RC out back and a Mitas C-19 Green stripe up front. I only screwed one stud per lug on both tires with my current set up maximizing what few studs I own. I may buy a larger lug tires to accommodate more studs. There are many different applications for different types of riding. (links) Currently I run tubliss in the rear with slime and an Enduro Mousse in front. Previous studded adventures labeled my front tubliss system with enough holes in my tire to make an army medic bleed with compassion. Mousse inserts do not go flat and maintain a low PSI! Low psi tire riding set up allows for maximum traction in summer and winter conditions.
Bike set up?
Time to re jet! A quick call to my local dealer to speak with the head mechanic put my ride on the safe side of detonating. I did reference my owners manual too. A must if you care about your bike! Do not take any chances. Mistakes are costly. No fun being that guy who needs a tow or escort back to the staging area. If you are funning a carb then look into it! (carb jetting link) Regardless of what trusty steed you are show boating it's best to investigate! Carbs have a tendency to freeze while riding in sub zero conditions. I know one rider who fashioned a heat catch around his carburetor using repurposed HVAV tin. Another rides with hand guard plastics flanking his carb to keep the heat in. This methodology also prevents snow from caking up around the carb. You will loose your brakes at some point. Ice can form on your components loosing your ability to stop. Riding the brakes occasionally will help prevent this unnerving occurrence. Antifreeze in coolant/fuel?
Clothing?
Layering like an onion is best, not to be mistaken for smelling like one. Quality Gore-Tex, high end polymer/synthetics, and good old fashioned (Marino) wool! Anything in your tickle trunk that breathes and wicks moisture. Which begs the question of footwear. I roll with my mx boots. My feet are frozen 4 hours into the ride and take two days to thaw! Even with wool socks my feet get cold. Waterproof socks may be your best friend on winter riding days and I may look into this option! There is nothing like paddling through a frozen over bike swallowing water hole that you thought you could ride over. To protect your hand digits from the elements you could purchase an electrical nightmare grip warming device. Or, wear Nitrile mechanics gloves under your favorite every day mx glove. Hot shot type hand warmers stay warm for hours. Your hands will look and feel like a shrivelled prune at the end of the day but they stay warm during your trail ride. Alternative to a bulky ski glove you still retain the fineness and control at the helm. To increase comfort and ward off cold hands you will need some type of wind block at the bars! I selected a modified version which found me in the kitchen stealing the household dollar store cutting boards. Zip ties and some cosmetic paint to prove worthiness. They work fine! A decent balaclava is nice to protect your exposed skin under your helmet and neck. Rain gear adds a layer and helps keep you dry.
Snow conditions?
Be very selective about when or where you winter ride! It is no fun riding on the pipe in a foot of snow or heavy elephant snot.(pic of Matt Doug and ...) (Pic of my bike in Limerick same day) It doesn't matter how much HP nor jewelry you have in your tires! Snow has many different characteristics. Hard pack to fresh powder will vary your ability to perform and more important vary your bikes response and handling. Let's not glamorize this. Trail bikes do have limits short of mounting a track system for winter. You need to consider current and past temperatures, snowpack and ride location for your day to be successful! Take this further and think about aspect to the sun and elevation. The snow conditions change from trail to trail. A change in altitude may see you riding more or less snow. Remember those face slappers in the summer? Some of those branches are now sporting white artillery that is unavoidable. Let your buddy ride out front and take some for the team!
The dismount!
Bailing off your bike while riding your favorite trail can be alarming at best. During a winter ride you need not worry about how you are landing on the ground (A big lie!). Snow cover adds a layer of padding for those falls and hides the real danger below (Oh Boy!). I find the snow to be quite inviting while riding some trails. I have many opportunities to lay the bike down and make snow angels where I never thought I would take a rest! It is fun as hell and beats couch surfing. With a bit of effort you too can ride year round in the Great white North, eh!
See you there!
Chris Moyle
The Tip: Wrapping your lunch in tin foil allows you to use your bike exhaust as a heater for a hot meal.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be any informative authority on winter riding nor riding in general. I share my experiences to help you enjoy yours! I thank those who have shared their experiences with me so I can make mine more enjoyable!
