Astark
Whale Farts
I just got myself a new/used bike with 27.5+. Getting going and Turning were quite interesting in the snow today. I did take a pretty good tumble but honestly with ski pants and the cushion of the snow it wasn’t too bad.
Beginners group ride
- Thread starter freshmtb
- Start date
I just got myself a new/used bike with 27.5+. Getting going and Turning were quite interesting in the snow today. I did take a pretty good tumble but honestly with ski pants and the cushion of the snow it wasn’t too bad.
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
Post pictures of the said bike... or it didn't happen
Rollin Dice
Active Member
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
welcome to the world of snow biking, start messing around with the tire pressures
Most folks are dialing in single digits on tubeless, in tubes I was in the low teens
Nothing you can do about slow slogging, that's snow riding for you
After a few rides, you'll figure out some new skills you'll need to develop to stay upright, especially for downhill switchbacks
rick81721
Lothar
If it's rideable at all. From my limited experience (last 5 years) around here, more often than not, going out in the snow is a waste of time.
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
Blind leading the blind...
If any interest for HM, that I can do.
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
but still a better workout than couch surfing...
rick81721
Lothar
of course!
Astark
Whale Farts
The new bike has tubeless 27.5+ X 3”. Started out with 18 but ended off dialing it down to 13 which made for a lot better traction. I’m looking forward to the next storm and getting out again.
Here is a pic of the new ride
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thegock
Well-Known Member
If you have a fat bike and the snow is less than 6-12" deep, you should have no problem riding the snow.
There are a new set of challenges, of course, and diminishing returns with deeper snow, but Sunday I saw a guy clear a very technical section of trail that he hadn't even seen before in about 4" of unbroken snow.
In the last five years of snow riding, I would say that a regular mtb is a lot less fun in the snow, doe. The fattie made all the difference with tubeless and low tire pressure.
Or you could move to FLA @rick81721...
There are a new set of challenges, of course, and diminishing returns with deeper snow, but Sunday I saw a guy clear a very technical section of trail that he hadn't even seen before in about 4" of unbroken snow.
In the last five years of snow riding, I would say that a regular mtb is a lot less fun in the snow, doe. The fattie made all the difference with tubeless and low tire pressure.
Or you could move to FLA @rick81721...
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
Looks like you went all out... nice!
Juggernaut
Master of the Metaphor
@GreenMachine, things to keep in mind when the snow gets a little deeper.
1) Momentum is your friend. It’s a hell of a lot easier to keep it going than starting and stopping in snow.
2) Don’t oversteer. Turning the wheel breaks traction causing front wheel washout. Gentle bike lean while keeping your weight centered is better.
3) Keep a light front wheel. Keeping your weight back will allow the front wheel to keep from digging in and stopping you dead in your tracks.
And none of this matters if your not running sub 5 psi.
1) Momentum is your friend. It’s a hell of a lot easier to keep it going than starting and stopping in snow.
2) Don’t oversteer. Turning the wheel breaks traction causing front wheel washout. Gentle bike lean while keeping your weight centered is better.
3) Keep a light front wheel. Keeping your weight back will allow the front wheel to keep from digging in and stopping you dead in your tracks.
And none of this matters if your not running sub 5 psi.
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
nice ride Mr Whale, I'd think about trimming the steerer as you get it dialed in
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
can you survive with 5" in the front and 4.5" rears to the the right float?
I ran 4" last year and anything over 8 inches gave me trouble as the wheels would dig in
Juggernaut
Master of the Metaphor
With "good snow" absolutely. Last years snow sucked day one.... It was so unstructured, it was like riding on styrofoam beads. Even snowshoeing was meh till it set up a little.
thegock
Well-Known Member
Should be no problem under 6" of snow. I run 4.6" Spec GC on my Fatboy. But, like @Juggernaut said, low pressure is your friend.
During one of last winter's snow rides, we saw a mink playing around at Six Mile. He was sliding on the frozen creeks. One of the better snow ride experiences. Of course, there are days like 1/23/16, when blizzard conditions made everything not plowed rapidly unrideable and somewhat dangerous.
Night rides in the snow are the best.
Are you guys doing Stephens on Saturday?
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
I won't , need to take a trip down to VA
Hoping someone else would want to lead this week