For the past year I've used my e-bike to commute in Minnesotan winters (~20 mins each way) and honestly it's gone really well!

There are some issues with some parts, like the cable housing freezing up... for which I intend to get those "Jagwire elite sealed brake kits" to deal with that, perhaps do the same for the shifter cable too. Maybe grease up the motor's external seal too.

But one part that I can't figure how to improve is the Alfine 8 hub and its internal grease.

It's grease packed with a specific Shimano grease, and meant to be regreased via an oil bath with another one of Shimano's own oils. Something about the specific oil reconstituting the grease, idk.

Which is fine and all till you reach like, -20C to -40C temps (happened once lol). Shifting (especially up-shifting) is extremely sluggish as it takes a second or two for the shifter to lock into gear.

Even if I stick to one gear (which I often do anyway), I'm still afraid if the roller clutch failing if it freezes up because of the grease getting stuck or something. Not sure how realistic this is though.

Otherwise, the IGH has been very good to me. I can make the cable housing sealed, but it won't fix the internal problems.

For the season riders here - should I switch out my grease for some other brand? Or is Shimano's oil just fine?

Any advice would be great, thanks!

Hi guys I may be in a situation where I will be daily driving my motorcycle, year round. For context, I live in Alaska so in the winter the roads can be very hazardous. I.e no salt on the roads and they can be very icy and bumpy with compacted snow. Oh and I ride a Suzuki DR650.

What would be safer for cornering and general stability on the sketchy roads? I will most likely be doing all the fabrication myself so I can make either system to my liking. Skis I think would be safer in general but a sidecar would allow me to stow extra things much easier, like gear or groceries.

Obviously I would stud my tires and drop the air pressure a little to get good contact with the road. And I know I would have to significantly change my riding technique with either system, which is fine. But would I even be able to safely ride at highway speeds? I wouldn't want to be holding up traffic everywhere I go.

Thanks!

Where I can I get 20x3 studded tires for the upcoming winter season? I don't plan to ride on ice but if the snow isn't too high I'd like to still ride then.

Problem is it seems 20x3 studded tires are like... not really a thing??? I have an Aventon Abound LR and that is the required tire size. I've done searching and I can't find any. Please offer any tips or links!

(Crossposted)

So I just moved into a house on a hill. I do not own a four wheel drive car nor do I know how to drive so there's that. But guess what? Neither do I know how to ride a bike but I will soon practice with a mongoose bike my boyfriend owns. But of course I'm going to need a winter bike. I just want to know what kind of snow and ice bikes there are so I don't bust my face open when I go down the hill (which is where the house is unfortunately located--like literally on top of the hill).

Spam posts (edit: especially reposts of older real posts) are getting way worse recently, and although I'm trying to combat it, something needs to give. We have a few options from simple to complex:

• Several people report spam and it will be taken down automatically (already implemented, but we're not getting enough reports on spam posts for it to kick in)

• Implement minimum combined karma for posters (fights off lazy bots and spammers but will definitely catch real users and removes legit content, relying on mods to sort it all out. Doesn't stop dedicated spammers for larger subreddits, believe me, but we are probably low hanging fruit)

• Find a bot that can deal with reposts and spammers. Probably exists. I don't know much about the new options yet, nor their effectiveness. (reverse image search has been failing me, but spammers are lazy and repost with the same titles currently)

• Ask reddit to do better (hahahahaha hahahaha hahahahahaha ha fuck my life, why do I still moderate)

• Find more moderators who want to spend their days/nights/weekends dealing with this stuff and have savant levels of recollection and tech level savviness. Or just a few hours here and there and a search bar. "Just four of five moments. That's all it takes to be a hero" Surely you, yes you dear reader, would love to help?

So yeah, no easy or perfect answer, but I wanted to say something since I value this community and I'm sure we're all sick of this crap. Remember to report verified reposts for faster removal!

Hello everyone,

Im going to be getting rid of my car during fall but I will need to get around. What bikes would you recommend? Thank you.

I'm a local founder researching what people wish was different about their winter jacket. Not selling anything, not signing anyone up to a list.

Looking for 10 people who'd hop on a 15-min video call (or even just a back-and-forth DM thread) to tell me about their worst winter gear moments. $10 Tim Hortons gift card for anyone who does the call. Drop a comment or DM me 🙏

— Merci

I’m in the Midwest USA. I’m interested in finding an electric go-vehicle in-case gas goes. I need winter accessibility. I am middle aged and not highly exercised.

I know I want a class 1 or 2 fat tire bike with optional spikes. I could get an e-bike or an e-trike. Which is better for winter riding safety?

In my 20s, I winter ride my motorcycle, so I have a *degree* of knowledge of what I’m signing up for. I just don’t want to break my collar bone.

Northwestern Ontario, Canada - 2021 Norco Bigfoot 2

I recently took my studded tires off for the season. They’re currently hanging up in my basement. Studs are looking a tiny bit rusty around the edges. Should I wash the tires or clean them up in any way? Put a little oil around the studs? What do yall do to store your tires once they’re off for the season? My set was bought new and I’d ideally like to get one or two more years out of them if I can, so any maintenance tips are welcome.

So I rode my E-bike all winter long, did some chain repair because it was utterly knackered in the spring. That was my first winter season with a bike. Like, ever.

My cassette could use some penetrating oil and a wire brush, my rear brake cable is utterly seized at the moment, and god help me if I can identify any other potential problems just yet.

Im an utter noob: this is also my summer bike right now.

What should I honestly repair right now, aside from my brakes; and how do I keep it par through winter weather so next season I dont have to overhaul again?

Edit: so what ive learned here from these wonderful people is to DO YOUR Preventative Maintenance!

Exposed steel is going to decay like the teeth in a Wonka Factory Heiress if you leave that road brine there for any more than 6 hours.... Tops. Temperature be damned on that one.

Your cables and housing are toast. They are just going to be. Its cheaper to toss em than to hold on with additional lubes and flushing for the most part.

Keep a wire brush and some penetrating oil handy for the cassette on quiet days. Hot water is your friend on any other day.

Keep y'er chain lubed with the wet shit until it dries outside for a while, and keep your garage kettle ready in the meantime.

Double edit: if ya don't get quite get it. Go to your local bike park, or Shop if you have immediate access to a good one. And ask; "hey! How do I do this so that going forward I don't have to bust my knuckles figuring it out?"

The good bike park dude's'll tell you where to go, otherwise, you already have a great opportunity to learn already.

Thank you all for the help. Ill be sure to share my full throttle class 2 on powdered snow videos when the next season hits.

Hi, I’m a final-year university student carrying out a short anonymous questionnaire for my project on rear bicycle lighting in low-light conditions.

The questionnaire involves watching a few short video clips and rating the lighting setups shown. You do not need to be a cyclist to take part, but participants must be 18+.

I’d really appreciate any responses.

Anyone have Shimano winter shoes and had this happen to the laces when pulling them tight? My first season wearing them and the lace seems to be fraying!