Single Speed Bike vs Snowstorm | All-City Super Professional

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  • Опубліковано 12 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 95

  • @mitmon_8538
    @mitmon_8538 19 годин тому +7

    Omaha, Nebraska here. I'm a year round commuter and I've converted over to bikes with aluminum frames, internal gearing, and belt drives. I don't have to do anything to the bikes during the winter. They get a good scrubbing in spring and fall, but that's it.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  19 годин тому

      Nice, that sounds like a great move!

    • @ruadhbran
      @ruadhbran 11 годин тому

      My commuter is an aluminum frame, but I might have to think about the internal hub and belt for future winters. The drivetrain is a mess right now.

    • @MrBike207
      @MrBike207 11 годин тому

      Yeah! Belts are the way to go for winter riding! I'm in Burlington, VT and I have a SS Spot Rallye with a belt drive and studded tires. I believe Spot stopped making the belt drive version of the Rallye. I've also thought about internal gearing but I also love the simplicity of a single speed.

  • @Dubdanick
    @Dubdanick 10 годин тому +1

    Montreal here. I'm using an aluminium hybrid bike with full fenders, studded front tire, knobby rear tire. I'm leaving my bike outside on my balcony (there's a little roof over it) and wash it in a community workshop twice a month. We got a nice winter network here but biking in fresh snow really is exhilarating!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  7 годин тому

      Nice! It sounds like everyone is Montreal has got it figured out really well! Seems like aluminum is the way to go too.

  • @brentwatson1338
    @brentwatson1338 11 годин тому +1

    Fellow Ottawa resident and bike commuter here--I got caught with my ancient road bike at work when our first heavy snow hit back in December. I remember struggling--and failing, on multiple occasions--to stay upright on the lowest gear possible as I half-pedaled, half-slid along on my 1.25" tires down the Ottawa River Pathway with all the cross-country skiers and fatbikers, feeling like the biggest dumbass in the city. Definitely my most memorable ride of the season!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  11 годин тому

      Haha! I think all of us Ottawa locals have that happen at least once. There was definitely a few fat bikers out in the arboretum when I was on this ride too and they were having a way easier time than me 😆

  • @freiguy20
    @freiguy20 10 годин тому +2

    St. Paul, Minnesota. I love biking in the winter if for no other reason than the crazy looks people give you when you show up on your bike and the comradery of the other folks who bike year round. My "winter beater bike" is a single speed Peugeot with 32 mm gravel tires. Single speed in the winter is the way to go in my opinion. You're less likely to get too much speed and you feel more connected to the bike.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  7 годин тому

      I couldn’t agree more about going single speed. And also the crazy looks :)

  • @zensukai
    @zensukai 19 годин тому +2

    Your neighbor to the West, Alberta, and here I run a Kona Unit single speed for winter (your description of the single speed experience is spot on). Easy to use, low maintenance, and allows for those snowy adventures. =]
    Bike maintenance is a major pain, as my bathroom is on the second floor, so no carrying a bike up the stairs. But, we do have a car wash 2 blocks down, so I will do a hose off there and walk back to reduce all the spray -- a little wipe down in the garage when home, then good to go.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  19 годин тому +1

      Good call on the car wash! I also have to lug my dripping wet bike up the stairs to the shower. I absolutely love Kona Unit’s! Must be a fun one in the winter!

    • @zensukai
      @zensukai 18 годин тому

      @@bike.breath The Unit sure is, plus then I can swap out in the summer with some gear, so a two in one -- good deal. =]
      Oh ... the stairs with a drippy bike, brave man, I would be afraid of breaking my neck. I remember back in the day when I lived in Calgary and did the winter adventures, I lived right behind the Bike Shop on 12ave. In that case, it was great, as they had a heated wash bay -- so bring donuts and it was a win win! =]

  • @dreamcyclevancouver
    @dreamcyclevancouver 8 годин тому +1

    Brrrr, less Dreamy. I bike messengered in Saskatoon for 2 yrs in the 90's so now Vancouver winters are my jam.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  7 годин тому

      Oof, ya I’ve been to Saskatoon in the winter, those are gnarly winters! How do you find Vancouver’s rain in the winter?

    • @dreamcyclevancouver
      @dreamcyclevancouver Годину тому

      @@bike.breath I love it! Poncho's are my ideal North West riding hack.

  • @mkkrt
    @mkkrt 11 годин тому +1

    Finland. Similar conditions. Lots of snow and ice. I've ridden a single speed commuter for the last 15 years all year round, but a couple of months ago I bought a (stock) Surly Straggler. Gears and wider tires really help in the snow.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  11 годин тому +1

      Nice! I used to have a straggler as well, great bike. And I’ve heard Oulu is one of the best places for winter cycling in the world!

  • @Simonfnp
    @Simonfnp 19 годин тому +2

    I live in Copenhagen , Denmark- I love biking all year around - thanks for your vids, I really enjoy em.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  19 годин тому +1

      Copenhagen is so gorgeous, I’m jealous! Thanks for watching the channel!

  • @donttouchthisatall
    @donttouchthisatall 13 годин тому +1

    Austrian here - not a lot of snow in recent years, and streets are salted, which sucks for my mostly steel fleet. Roads are usually snow free, unless it has just snowed recently. I usually go out for rides daily as long as it's not icy/rainy. But we don't get temperatures like -10 to -25 °C here mostly. Usually it hovers around 0 °C (+/- 5 °C). I ride all year round but might have to adapt my gear if we were to get winters like you folks!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  13 годин тому +1

      Austria is beautiful! I’ll have to add it to places I should move to so that I can ride year round :)
      I hear you on the salt, it gets annoying!

  • @LaurentGloaguen
    @LaurentGloaguen 11 годин тому +1

    You have to come back to Montreal in winter. Each year, the cycling network is better maintained than the last, and there are more and more winter cyclists. Bixis with studded tires are also available.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  7 годин тому +1

      Wow, a few people have said it’s really good. I love it in the summer too and now it sounds like I should just move there! Haha

  • @rosaonwheels
    @rosaonwheels 16 годин тому +1

    Living near Lisbon, Portugal! It never snows but it doss rain a lot of times. But I don’t mind it at all. I feel so free riding in the rain, even with the weather a bit chillier.
    Amazing video! ❤

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  16 годин тому +1

      @rosaonwheels love to hear that! With the right gear it can feel free, you’re totally right! Thanks for watching the video! ❤️

  • @dedre123
    @dedre123 11 годин тому +1

    Some of my favorite Ottawa routes and spots.

  • @hnurminen
    @hnurminen 12 годин тому +1

    Looks pretty similar here in southern Finland - snow and ice on ground in various forms from December to March, sometimes to April. Just got 20cm of fresh snow this weekend, but I'll be riding my bike to work tomorrow.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  12 годин тому

      Nice! I’ve always wanted to visit Finland. I’ve heard Oulu is one of the best places in the world for winter cycling too. Happy riding!

    • @hnurminen
      @hnurminen 12 годин тому

      @@bike.breath Oulu is about 600km north from Espoo where I live (just next to Helsinki), so they get a bit more constant winter conditions which helps maintaining the bike paths. But they have really put effort into making riding bikes a truly viable option in the winter and with good results, too. Here in the south coast of Finland the temperatures constantly seesaws from above zero (Celsius, that is) to every now and the down to -20 degrees which makes riding conditions change constantly. Great conditions today can turn into really crappy conditions tomorrow. Let me know if you ever make it to Finland!

  • @davidbee9563
    @davidbee9563 19 годин тому +2

    Shout out from London. We had 60 cm of snow one day last week. Not too cold yet. I ride a Masi steel monster cross fixed with 2.2 semi knobbies. built like a tank but perfect for this time of year. Fenders a must for snushy conditions. 2nd season with flat pedals, the rest of my bikes are spds. I have ridden year round for 30 years. Living on /near a bus route means my street get plowed but some don't and it turns into a crunchy mess.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  18 годин тому

      2.2 semi knobbies sound perfect, good call! My 700x38’s were slippin’ all over the place 😆

    • @davidbee9563
      @davidbee9563 9 годин тому

      @@bike.breath The frame fits 700x40 or 27.5x2.2 .

  • @Coyotewes14
    @Coyotewes14 11 годин тому +1

    Awesome video! I'm looking forward to seeing some fat bike content next.

  • @cafelife1252
    @cafelife1252 18 годин тому +1

    Central California here. I love my cold morning rides and we get zero snow where I live. That is one perk about Cali is the year round good weather for biking and motorcycling. Watching your ride in snow is borderline horrifying for someone like me lol Great Video!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  18 годин тому

      I once visited Los Angeles in February and couldn’t believe that I didn’t need my jacket 😆. I love California! Thanks for checking out the video!

  • @tracerxrider
    @tracerxrider 18 годин тому +1

    Portland, Oregon here. We don't have to deal with snow as a normal occurrence, but rain is definitely in the winter forecast. Full coverage fenders and a variety of wet-weather gear (and spares while the wet stuff dries) make it tolerable and even enjoyable.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  18 годин тому +2

      Fenders would’ve saved me here, nothing like a soaked back half! I’d love to visit Portland!

    • @tracerxrider
      @tracerxrider 18 годин тому +1

      @@bike.breath MADE bike show is in August. :

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  18 годин тому

      @@tracerxrider true! It seems like heaven, maybe this is the year 🤔

    • @biosfearmag
      @biosfearmag 16 годин тому +1

      @@tracerxrider Portland here also saying that MADE is definitely worth the trip. One of my favorite weekends in the city. A great time to visit and reach out if you need somewhere to crash.

  • @mustacherides420
    @mustacherides420 17 годин тому +1

    I'm with you on the aesthetic part of building up a bike. Building a beautiful bike is a surefire way to stay motivated to ride more often.
    In Moncton, NB over here, most of my riding will stay indoors for the time being, hard to justify a fat bike when I have 4 other bikes in the shed in various states of rebuild.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  16 годин тому +1

      @@mustacherides420 I hear you on justifying a fat bike purchase, it’s tricky. I sold mine and tend to rent one a few times over the winter since I always want to put money towards other bikes or parts too. I love Moncton! I visited a few times a while back with a band I was touring with and always had a great time there, nice city!

  • @RideAllTheBikes
    @RideAllTheBikes 19 годин тому +1

    I live in Central Arkansas and while we don't get a lot of snow, we just had 8+ inches of a wet snow. I tried getting out in it on my fat tire ebike but the snow was too wet and slippery. Last winter we had 5 inches of a drier slow and I was able to ride that ebike all around my neighborhood. This will be my first winter bike commuting to my job but fortunately we don't have too many sub-freezing days.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  18 годин тому

      8 inches of the wet stuff is quite a bit! I find the first snow fall to always be the slickest too. Safe riding out there!

  • @pigs249
    @pigs249 18 годин тому +1

    Albuquerque, NM. Year-round commuter, but with 300 days of sunshine annually that’s not too difficult. We’re at 5000ft, so we do get cold mornings, sometimes winds, as well. My wife made me a custom pair of pogies for my commuter a couple years ago, which was a game changer on the worst morning rides!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  16 годин тому

      @@pigs249 nice, 300 days of sun sounds glorious! Good call on the pogies too, I might have to go that route once I get out on the fat bike this year.

  • @kaduceusz
    @kaduceusz 15 годин тому +1

    Man, gotta love those silver parts!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  15 годин тому

      @@kaduceusz nice! 650x60 sounds dreamy! And I love the silver too :)
      Thanks for watching!

  • @mischaks
    @mischaks 15 годин тому +1

    Here in Basel, Switzerland cold but mostly dry, around 1°C in January. Snow on the surrounding hills. Merino layers are helpfull. My Kona hontytonk with mudguards and dynamo does the job. Can't wait for longer days and warmer temperatures, January is always hard…

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  13 годин тому +1

      Good call on the dynamo! The cold here chews through my light battery so quick. I’ve always wanted to visit Switzerland!

  • @liambient
    @liambient 17 годин тому +1

    St. John’s NL.
    A difficult city for cycling in the best of weather. But some lovely mountain bike trails become slow rolling for fat biking. As well, our old railway bed across the province gets groomed by by and for snowmobiles. Going to be checking those out while doing some indoor training sessions too!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  16 годин тому

      @@liambient nice! I need to visit St.John’s sometime! I love when rowdy MTB trails get smoothed out by snow for fat biking.

  • @jonathanbenn2241
    @jonathanbenn2241 19 годин тому +1

    Albany, NY. Plenty of cold and snow. Phat bike on a regular basis. Commuter with fenders also see's lots of use this time of year.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  18 годин тому

      Nice! You’re only about 5 hours or so from us, I guess the weather isn’t too different. Fenders would’ve saved me on this ride 😆

  • @kornenator
    @kornenator 10 годин тому +1

    Interesting, where i live salt is not allowed to be used for the pavement anymore, they banned it i think a few years ago. Now it's just grit or maybe ash if you have that as a waste from the heating.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  10 годин тому +1

      Interesting! I wish my city would do the same, the impact the salt has on our rivers is bad.

  • @neilwalton4474
    @neilwalton4474 2 години тому

    OMG !! The weather looks terrible. Thanks for the video, it's inspired me to get out on my bike today. I haven't rode since New year's eve, because of the snow and ice, especially the ice.
    Regards, Neil. (Sweden)

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  2 години тому

      @@neilwalton4474 I hope you have a great (and safe) ride! Cheers

  • @chuckrodgers4780
    @chuckrodgers4780 Годину тому

    Sf Bay Area , we have pretty good weather all year, in fact in really enjoy winter riding here. No snow , maybe on the peaks, and there are so many dry days you can just skip a day or two if it’s really stormy.

  • @konishiwoi
    @konishiwoi 12 годин тому +1

    MTL here, still struggling to keep my toes warm. Slim socks mean is can feel the cold wind hitting my boot, but warm socks and my feet get sweaty. sweaty means wet, and wet means cold. I'm at the point where I might wear plastic bag around my feet or duct tape the front of my shoes.
    Or maybe the issue is I'm not keeping my LEGS warm enough so by the time the blood makes it way to my toes it's cold.
    Bike setup is an old 26in MTB with full fenders and stud only on the front wheel. Canti rim brakes are okay, but not confidence inducing ngl
    Still experimenting with tire width, I can't tell which way of thinking is best. Wider to get more weight distribution and grip (or whatever makes a fatbike good in winter), or skinny to cut through layers or slush and ride as close as possible to the pavement.
    A balaclava is an absolute must have, and with good mitts you should be good, so far I don't feel the need for poggies just don't use gloves with individual fingers. That's too much surface area for temperature exchanges and what makes your fingers cold. MITTS
    My building has an underground garage where I can hose down my bike so that's nice but I don't have storage down there so I still need to bring my wet bike in my apartment and that's not so nice

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  12 годин тому +1

      @@konishiwoi Montreal winters are wild, good on you for riding through that! Are you riding clipped in? I found my feet get colder when clipped in, could be the cold metal?
      I personally like a little thicker tires, like a 45mm, I like to run them a bit low pressure.
      I’m with you on the mitts, I can’t do gloves either.
      I hope you find a solution for your feet soon!

    • @konishiwoi
      @konishiwoi 11 годин тому

      @@bike.breath I use flat plastic pedals, but I was considering getting clips because my feet sometimes slide off the pedals if I stepped in snow at a red light or something, and then I thought what if I build makeshift "feet poggies" using the clip as a frame and some duct tape or neoprene
      But I've never ridden with foot retention so I might just kiss the pavement sooner than later.
      Thanks to using a 26in ATB, I can use tires wider than 45 or anything gravel oriented. Currently running some 2.1in so about 53mm but I'll go down to 1.95 for bigger knobs soon
      I also do not ride everyday in winter, I wish I could commute all year long but a 45min commute in the dark on slippery roads isn't fun. I have plenty of cheat days where I use the subway which thankfully in Montréal is great

  • @kevbikes
    @kevbikes 5 годин тому

    Incredible video, as per usual! Always bringing the heat despite all the snow 😂. Keep it up and looking forward to the next. I am fortunate enough to live somewhere I can ride year round (with the exception of pockets of rain here and there). I am in the Bay Area, California. Happy riding! ❤

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  3 години тому

      Thanks for the kind words! I’m jealous of all you Bay Area folks and the riding I’ve seen from the area! Looks really nice 👍

  • @MamboFerido
    @MamboFerido 3 години тому

    That mechanical disc brake is clean!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  3 години тому

      @@MamboFerido it needed a good shower 😆

  • @ThriftyFramebuilder
    @ThriftyFramebuilder 5 годин тому

    Minneapolis, MN. Many (if not most) of my favorite rides of the year are winter rides.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  3 години тому +1

      Man, your fat bike clips on the frozen lake freaked me out! But also makes me want to get out on the fat bikes soon! I have family up in Thunder Bay on Lake Superior and it looks nice and frozen right now too. I gotta get down to MN sometime!

    • @ThriftyFramebuilder
      @ThriftyFramebuilder 2 години тому

      I can’t imagine riding on Lake Superior! That would be awesome. Ice riding definitely takes some getting used to; just gotta be safe about it. Riding on my local creek is even freakier (but shallower)!

  • @limdog5000
    @limdog5000 9 годин тому

    I live in Townsville Australia. Our low in winter is 15 degrees delicious 😅 easy riding.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  7 годин тому

      Oh man, sounds like I need to head your way!

  • @Garden_Core99
    @Garden_Core99 5 годин тому

    Thunder bay/toronto. Toronto is usually pretty dry and heavily salted so not bad if you can brave the wind recently its been floating just under 0. Thunder bay is cold, snowy, icy and not great. I dont think the city salts roads so there are many ice patches making most forms of cycling a no go. I was a regular bike commuter until November when cold windy mornings, agressive drivers and low visibility just didn’t feel like a good call winters here range from -15 to -35 so cycling is pretty much a write off.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  3 години тому

      That Toronto cold is something else! I lived in Toronto before Ottawa, and I have family in Thunder Bay too!

  • @INTERpEST
    @INTERpEST 17 годин тому

    Hey, nice video.
    I live quite in the centre of Germany. You can not speak of winters here, anymore. Right now it's like a sunny spring day.
    I don't like to ride during winter. I don't like to change clothes at and from work. It's gerring dark too early and i din't wanna wash my good old (well, quite new) Campus- trekking bike. It brought me throgh the alps, as can be wittnessed on my channel - sorry for just adverizing it.
    I don't do any sports diring winter which makes me feeling unhappy. A circle of not moving outside because of bot moving outside etc. Things have to be changed :-)
    Take care guys 🌲

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  15 годин тому +1

      Thanks for watching! I find it hard to not feel unhappy during the winter as well, I miss riding my bike during the winter too. I’ll have to check out your video too! Thanks again! ❤️

  • @kevinstumpycampbell4044
    @kevinstumpycampbell4044 10 годин тому

    Victoria BC. Currently 7c. Sun. Lite breeze. Winter riding is easy here. What ever your style is. Also. Suggest Vessi shoes for riding.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  10 годин тому

      I really got to get out to Vic! Sounds lovely

  • @nicoandreibaula7796
    @nicoandreibaula7796 16 годин тому +1

    Planning to buy a gorilla monsoon. Can i use it for my everyday commute without a gravel or trail path with a 26’ wheels? Love your vlogs as always.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  16 годин тому

      @@nicoandreibaula7796 nice! I plan to do a video about my gorilla monsoon this winter as well! It’s my favourite bike. I’ve never seen a Gorilla Monsoon built with 26 inch wheels but it could possibly work! What size frame are you building from? The Gorilla Monsoon has a lot of clearance for 27.5 wheels already. That bike is great for everything but if you don’t plan on riding any trails or dirt paths you might want a faster rolling wheel/tire combo.

    • @nicoandreibaula7796
      @nicoandreibaula7796 8 годин тому

      What tires can you suggest for a more fast rolling feel on paved roads? Will use a size 50 gorilla monsoon frame

  • @linesided
    @linesided 17 годин тому

    You had me until that bike went in the shower . Nasty bro lol! I mean that in the best possible way. SS in winter is awesome. But I find it needs to be cold (minus minus 10) to really avoid off road breaking through the snow surface - especially here in Montreal where there is so much sun the snow surface is often soft by lunchtime.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  16 годин тому

      Haha! I’ll have to give my shower a shower 😆. Montreal winters are pretty wild I find! Good on you for riding through that ❤️

    • @donttouchthisatall
      @donttouchthisatall 13 годин тому

      I don't have access to an outdoor hose either and instead of schlepping buckets outside, I resort to using the shower too ;) totally viable

  • @SylvainPoitras
    @SylvainPoitras 4 години тому

    Gatineau: I take out the fat bike for the winter. I commute to work and hit the Gatineau Park trails on the weekend.

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  4 години тому

      @@SylvainPoitras nice, I love the trails in Gatineau Park and plan to fat bike them soon too!

  • @lucastrottier8292
    @lucastrottier8292 9 годин тому

    Montreal here, I'm lucky enough to have to bikes I run in the winter, a superpro like yours but fixed(42x16) with extra plush 650b x50 tires for when the conditions are good and an aluminium 1x flat bar touring bike with studded tires for when the conditions are tougher.
    Both fully fendered and dynamoed:) I work at T-lab so I'm fully equipped to do the cleaning there, btw love the channel if you guys want to demo an X1/R1 frame or come for a visit hit me up!

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  7 годин тому

      Whoa! I was just reading about the new R1’s the other day, I was trying to figure out how they’re priced so well! Haha. I’d absolutely love to chat more about trying one and/or visiting! If you want to DM us on Instagram or email us I’ll keep an eye out.
      That super pro setup sounds really nice! You guys have pretty wild winters so, good on you riding through them!
      Thanks so much for the kind words on the channel!

  • @brandonsouba
    @brandonsouba 14 годин тому

    What is the best way to get the salt off your bike after a ride? I imagine hosing everything down afterwards is pretty effective - any other tips?

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  13 годин тому

      I find getting to it with the hose (or shower) right away is the most effective! If your bike goes from cold to warm and the salt starts to dry up then it’s a bit worse. But also, when I rode a beater bike all winter I left it locked up outside all winter and cleaned it less. Because the bike never really warmed up and the salt didn’t have a chance to do as much damage. That bike still got ruined after a few years so, if you want your bike to last a while with winter riding I’d say rinse it off right as the bike comes in from the cold.

  • @apia2
    @apia2 6 годин тому

    Rad shoes! What are they?

    • @bike.breath
      @bike.breath  6 годин тому

      @@apia2 thanks! They’re Merrell 1Trl winter mocs :)

    • @apia2
      @apia2 5 годин тому

      @@bike.breath hell yeah, thanks!