Snow riding in Jersey
Mood:  caffeinated
12-12-05:

Once the snows off the main roads I been riding my Trek XO1 cross bike a lot. The overal setup helps with the slick wet slush that remains.

However, for riding IN snowstorms I built a "snowbike". A 24" wheel frame fitted with a 2' rear wheel, fixed (borrowed from my Dahon fix) and a road fork with a 700c up front. Short cranks tho with the lift of the front wheel I could probably fit 170's. Front brake and drop bars with griptape only on the tops. Rides okay but my next project is to make a studded rear tire for it. I experimented with making a studded 26" (MTB) tire but the screws I used were too long and it hit the 'stays while spinning. Winter sux but with a little ingenuity it can be made bearable. For what it's worth everything - even the BB -- on the snow bike came from the rubbish - except the 16t rear cog.

The rear wheel/fixed cog is going back on my folding fix, but I am keeping the Snowbike.... will rebuild it as soon as I come by another cheap and solid BMX wheel and cog.... It makes blizzards fun! ;)

-- Elvis