First Crash Of The Winter

[Scottyf]

Might just bite the bullet and order up a pair of the Winter Marathons then. Pricey but if there going to offer the best grip.
Actually just looked at the semi snow tire. That looks a good compromise.

I'll order some up. I was ok today only one moment that required a bit more concentration. Just took it alot more steady.


Also last night the phase wire was knackered. So i've opened the motor up and replaced it with some much thicker guage wire and replaced the connectors. It was a long day yesturday but the bikes working well again this morning.

Also my newly brought front disk is slightly out of true since the crash. I can hear it rubbing slightly. Am I able to bend it back with some heat and mole grips? or is it best I leave it and just use it.

 

[catsnapper]

Hi Scotty,

First reset the caliper, as you've had the wheel out it might not have seated in exactly the same place.
If you're sure the disc has gone out of true, use a light behind the caliper to see where it's out and which way. When you have the exact point, rotate the wheel 180deg so the point is opposite the caliper, then press the edge of the disc with the heel of your hand in the direction it needs to move.
Check and see how it's doing, may need a bit more pressure, or bending back.

Only consider playing with mole grips if that doesn't work, leave the heat for something else!

Alan

 

[Mussels]

XC tyres are designed to grip and corner well in loose soil, and dig into mud to grip the firmer layer underneath.
In 700c size there isn't so much choice as 26" so XC is often used as an alternative to smooth road tyres. The heavy offroad ones that are popular in 26" are not likely to grip better in slippery conditions on a smooth road.
I use the larger size(700x37c) Panaracer Pasela Tour Guard most of the year, in snow or bad ice I switch to a smaller bike with the Winter Marathons.

An alternative is the semi studded snow tyre, use at high pressure for normal use, drop the pressure to use in snow and ice.
Schwalbe Snow Stud HS264 Rigid Tyre

Alan

I had the snow stud tyre and whilst they work well you have to be the weight of a jockey for the studs to lift up at max pressure. This meant the studs wore down quickly and the tyres were junk after a few weeks.

 

[tillson]

I had my first, "near off" of the winter this morning. Work is at the end of an unlit country lane in the middle of nowhere. There was a very wet, but heavy, snow fall which didn't appear to be settling. I was the person first in, so had to stop on a downhill approach to open the gate. This was when I found out that a thin film of slushy ice had formed on the road which my lights / eyes hadn't picked up. This resulted in a huge front wheel slide and by some course of action, for which I have no memory, I managed to keep the bike upright.

At present I use Marathon Plus tyres and I don't know if any other type would have helped on this barely perceptible thin layer of icy slush. If the roads are obviously icy or if there is snow on the ground, the bike stays at home and I take the car. I think it's too dangerous to cycle in these types of conditions. So as far as my circumstances are concerned, I don't think that a winter tyre is worth the cash and agro of doing the swap.

 

[Scottyf]

Probably something of a rain or off road tread pattern will be better than the marathon plus road tires.
So toying with the idea or a rain / snow tire to help out.
Rolling resistance isn't so much of an issue with an electric bike but making sure the bike stays up right is of a concern.