I need a bicycle for winter...

[kingnat]

So I live very close (about 1 mi) from my work, but I live in Maine so it's cold and lots of snow/gravel/slush/water on the roads. I'd like to continue biking to school throughout the winter, but my road bike isn't going to work well. I was thinking of buying some pos mountain/dirt bike. Does anyone have experience or ideas about this kinda thing?

thanks

[biondino]

How about getting some knobbly cyclo-cross tyres for your road bike, if they'll fit?

[biondino]

I cycle to work too, sometimes - not very often in winter, I have to admit, but it's just over 7 miles through central London. Anyway, I was thinking - if your journey is a pretty one then wouldn't walking be a nice change and only take like 15 minutes?

[animal_chin]

Lols.

[ChrisBCritter]

Hey kingnat... Look here http://maine.craigslist.org/bik/ You never know what you might find!!!

But I definitely don't envy you trying to bike in the winter, even if it's only a mile... In some cases, I think I'd rather walk with a good jacket on... Good luck!

[swiggidy]

How about getting some knobbly cyclo-cross tyres for your road bike, if they'll fit?

This was my first thought.

However, you would need to either buy new hubs, or change the tubes & tread. The first would cost more than a POS bike, then second sucks IMO unless you're strapped for cash. Normally I would be hesitant to get a POS bike cuz it would be heavy, but that may help you in the snow.

I was in a similar situation in school. I chose to walk the 1.5 mi, but I'm also a pussy about biking in the cold (sub 40F for me).

[flomo]

wear a helmet
blue is best

don't transport fragile stuff(laptop)

and another thing get something low to the ground, so you don't fall as far when you wreck

[mrhappy333]

Kingnat,
I just picked this badboy up Today and took it for a ride. I wiped out in about 10 minutes, Ice under the snow on the trail I was on.
If your gonna be riding mostly on the road, you can get a much cheaper HardTail=No Suspension. I had a hard tail for 15years and it has gotten me all over the place.
Most Bike shops are running close out specials this month , the 2007 models because the 08's are out now.
For example the bike I bought was MFSRP was 2500 and I got it for 1500!!

Before you buy a model you like, just Google the brand and Reviews to see if it's good or not. I was hell bent on buying a Trek Fuel 7 for 1200 but the reviews came back shitty. Then the LBS (local Bike Shop) guy showed me this model and I checked out all the reviews, and they all came back super.

Also this is my first ride with Disc brakes and it is an amazing difference, especially in the wet weather. I was riding in the snow today and had no trouble stopping (except on the ice) oh, and speaking of Ice they sell Metal studded tires about $100 for a set, and they tell me you can ride on frozen lakes with them, which sounds like alot of fun!!
Any questions? Just ask.
Goot luck.
Def get a helmut. And a light for the front.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22010

[DaNutsInYoEye]

and another thing get something low to the ground, so you don't fall as far when you wreck

"HiWheel Bike Crash"

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D1%26hl%3Den

[euphoricism]

Pssst: Nuts: tinyurl.com

[salsa4ever]

step 1: go to ebay. buy a really cheap road bike, you can probably get one for $50 or $100

step 2: buy new road wheels, lights, and whatever accessories you want. install wheels & lights.

step 3: take it to bike mechanic. get them to rebalance the wheels, touch it up where necceessary.

step 4: buy spray paints. make your bike look pretty.

step 5: profit!!!!!

[XTR1000]

whatever u buy, get maxxis tyres with 60a or better 40a rc.

Specialized builds great bikes for a good price, I´m the proud owner of an SX supercross since last summer and I will never ever ride anything else

[kingnat]

Awesome guys.. thanks for the advice.. the walk is sufficiently long enough that I get cold from the walk (15 minutes) without bundling up like a clown. Whereas the bike ride is sufficiently short enough that with a little windbreaker material I don't really get that cold. That probably doesn't make much sense, but I really want to bike and not walk.

I appreciate all the suggestions...