Bikes Oct 21, 2011 at 12:14 pm

Comic: What You Need for Winter Biking

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Comments

1
I like the last-panel creature, but it looks like a downside-up sloth, and sloths are not marsupials. There is a marsupial, the cuscus, that's similar to a sloth in its habits, but the face and nose are rather different.

http://webspace.webring.com/people/sh/hamm…
Todd Mecklem on October 21, 2011 at 12:33 PM Report this
2
YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT TIRE TREAD AND BALDNESS. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

"Grooved tread on pavement does nothing to improve traction in the rain, unlike on a automobile tire with a rectangular contact patch. The oval contact patch of a bicycle tire forces water to the sides of the tire, eliminating hydroplaning. Water doesn't build up in front of the tire. Bicycle tire manufacturers put tiny treads on their high performance tires only to reassure consumers who may not understand the way bicycle tires function in the rain."
Graham on October 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM Report this
3
You have a bald spot, don't you, Graham?
Todd Mecklem on October 21, 2011 at 12:44 PM Report this
4
Bikes!
Blabby on October 21, 2011 at 12:45 PM Report this
5
Also, don't you think that tread might at least help while braking on wet surfaces???? Physics pholks?
Todd Mecklem on October 21, 2011 at 12:47 PM Report this
6
She also called skunk-butt "mud butt." I chased chocolate cake with coffee last night; believe me, mud butt ain't skunk butt.

Very interesting, Graham. Thanks.
on October 21, 2011 at 12:47 PM Report this
7
Todd is right. Sloths are placental mammals.
Tommy on October 21, 2011 at 12:53 PM Report this
8
Graham is correct about tire tread. Rubber compound can make a big difference in wet traction. Tread virtually none.
encephalopath on October 21, 2011 at 1:04 PM Report this
9
As ridership grows, more than ever, winter means keeping your (helmeted) head up at all times and giving everyone around you even more space than normal to fuck up/act as if you aren't there.

Also, side lights. SIDE LIGHTS. Be a two-wheeled supernova of visibility.
Commenty Colin on October 21, 2011 at 1:14 PM Report this
10
Actually, Graham is correct here. Physics is on his side.

To quote St. Sheldon: For pavement riding, smooth tires get as good traction as those with tread, sometimes better. Aggressive knobby-tread tires corner very poorly on pavement, because the tall knobs bend sideways under stress.

Tread is useful mostly to let you know when the tire is wearing out. The other dead giveaway is lots of flat tires.
on October 21, 2011 at 1:42 PM Report this
11
I dont know much about the physics involved in tires specially made for bikes in rainy seasons, though I should have, but the hydroplane factor is common in F-1 racing, and the change of tires (similar to the bikes described here) works miracles for those speed demon machines when theres heavy rain in the circuit, eventually too when the circuits tracks are just "sprayed" with a coating of water (even more dangerous, different tires).
Leaky 2.0 oz The Avatar Slayer on October 21, 2011 at 1:44 PM Report this
12
@CC: YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT SIDE LIGHTS BECAUSE YOUR WIFE GOT HIT ON THE SIDWAYS. REAL MEN RIDE WITH NO LIGHTS AND WEARING ALL BLACK.

WITH NO HELMET.

ON A TALLBIKE.

ON SANDY BLVD.
Graham on October 21, 2011 at 1:56 PM Report this
13
has the kinetic lights for bike wheels that was shown here some time ago been tried or used by somebody?
Leaky 2.0 oz The Avatar Slayer on October 21, 2011 at 2:08 PM Report this
14
@ GRAHAM: Why no accreditation for you quote? You just ripped off Sheldon Brown.
on October 21, 2011 at 3:04 PM Report this
15
I used to think that tires w/ tread (e.g. mtn bike tires) offered more traction, but then my bike mechanic explained that the more contact your tire has w/ the pavement, the more friction you have and the less likely you are to slip. Of course, bald tires are a problem because they may be more suceptible to flats and eventual wearing out, but they won't cause you to slip in the rain. If you are riding on big ol' knobby tires now, I encourage you to get slicks at your local bike shop. They are superior for winter and rain both because they grip better but also because they can be inflated to a higher pressure and therefore you'll go faster with no extra effort. Bonus!
Jessica Roberts on October 21, 2011 at 3:08 PM Report this
16
Dear Mercury:

If you keep even one intern this year, keep this one.

Yours,

Fruit Cup
Fruit Cup on October 21, 2011 at 3:38 PM Report this
17
@SHELDON FRIEND: YOU ARE AN IDIOT. I RIPPED OFF SOME SALES COPY FROM PETER WHITE CYCLES. SHELDON BROWN HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.
Graham on October 21, 2011 at 3:45 PM Report this
18
@JESSICA ROBERTS: YOUR NAME SOUNDS LIKE JESSICA RABBIT. ALSO, YOU ARE VERY VERY VERY CORRECT. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Graham on October 21, 2011 at 3:47 PM Report this
19
@ Graham - Sandy Blvd.? Amateur.

I saw a cyclist *in the travel lanes of 99W* going northbound near the Acropolis, which I passed by going south, yeah, to somewhere farther south in Milwaukie. Farther south in Milwaukie.
LawyerPepper on October 21, 2011 at 5:05 PM Report this
20
Sorry about that typo earlier. I meant to write: You have a soft spot for bald tires, don't you, Graham?
Todd Mecklem on October 21, 2011 at 5:09 PM Report this
21
I want sloth fenders.
bikefor1 on October 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM Report this
22
Please don't use your goddamned flasher light feature when it's pitch dark out. Flashing lights are for dawn, dusk and day time. At night they are for causing night blind seizure to on comers.
Tom [______] . on October 21, 2011 at 8:36 PM Report this
23
Actually, rain pants are awesome.
azure on October 22, 2011 at 2:55 PM Report this
24
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Kind Regards,
on October 23, 2011 at 5:16 AM Report this
25
well that spam comment is so ridiculous i think I'm just gonna leave it there.
Alison Hallett on October 24, 2011 at 4:01 PM Report this

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