Cycling in the snow: Standard bicycles cope remarkably well in the white stuff

It’s simple to imagine biking should be the worst attainable choice in snow, however a bog-standard bicycle can carry out properly when different modes of transport turn into paralysed. It’s all about being smart. On the subject of winter driving, whereas ice can show tough, a light-weight overlaying of snow shouldn’t hassle most cyclists.

When you shift your self in the direction of the again of the saddle so there’s extra weight over the rear wheel, favour the again brake (gently) and run a barely decrease tyre strain, your bike ought to cope properly.

Right here within the UK we often escape heavy snow situations, however elsewhere cyclists are provided equipment and even specialised bikes constructed solely for the white stuff.

2-wheel drive

Japanese bicycle maker Tretta developed a variety of two-wheel-drive fashions. Their MTB achieves 2WD courtesy of a really lengthy chain stretching from the rear hub to the entrance wheel through a succession of small cogs. There is perhaps benefits in having each wheels pushed, however we’d fear in regards to the extra weight and complexity.

Caterpillar tracks

Canada is a rustic that is aware of a factor or two about critical snow situations. No shock then that it’s the birthplace of the world’s first retro-fit bicycle caterpillar monitor system. The design appears so spectacular we fitted one to a Specialised Rockhopper and examined it on the snow dome in Milton Keynes. As you’ll see from the video under, it takes some getting used to.

Testing (and crashing) a snow bike on the Snow Dome

The moral selection

The ETA was established in 1990 as an moral supplier of inexperienced, dependable journey companies. Over 30 years on, we proceed to supply cycle insurance coverage , breakdown cowl and mobility scooter insurance coverage whereas placing concern for the surroundings on the coronary heart of all we do.

The Good Procuring Information judges us to be the UK’s most moral supplier.