A guide to bicycle snow tires and other winter cycling gear

Winter cycling is glorious. Sure. But in most parts of Canada and a large stretch of the United States, the snow and ice also make it considerably more challenging.

Yes, we’ve seen flashes of the fanciful Europeans cycling in droves in the wintertime. They’ve set a high bar, but North Americans are improving as well, despite having longer than average commute times, very car-centric roadways, and, like, just way too many pickup trucks. You know? Who needs those things in the city anyway?

After all, it was just six years ago that the CBC, Canada’s national broadcaster, headlined a news story: “Winter cycling: good idea or flat-out insane?”

The good news is that more and more people are riding their bicycles throughout the year, for fun, exercise and to commute to work.

One of the North American cities where plenty of cyclists tackle winter with a certain gusto is Montreal, Quebec — of course, it is also one of the most European cities across the pond.

To talk a bit about a few of the tricks to cycling in the wintertime, especially when it comes to what to ride and what to ride on, Momentum checked in with Lamar Timmins of Montreal’s Allo Velo bike shop to shine some light on this very chilly subject.

“I speak more for Montreal, but with the increased bicycle network, and dedicated snow removal by the city, more and more people are choosing to continue cycling in the winter months,” he says. “Over the years the city has tested a variety of methods to make the paths safer like salt, sand, brine, sweeping machines, and plows. It’s a good mix of different formulas, but it’s great that cycling in the winter is recognized by the city.”

Snow clearing of bike lanes is not universal and could take some advocacy work on the part of cyclists. But, many major urban centers have begun. And that’s a great thing. In cities like New York City, snow clearing of bike lanes still takes a back seat to clear the fossil fuel roadways, making getting around on two wheels a serious safety issue.

Will any bicycle do the trick?

One question that is often front-and-center when considering the move to Viking biking is whether or not to get a second “beater bike” for the snowy season.

“We welcome and encourage any client of ours to try winter cycling, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive,” Timmins says. “If you don’t want to use your summer commuter bicycle, we recommend finding an older second-hand mountain bike and simply adding winter tires and fenders if it doesn’t already have them. We don’t advise using a high-end bike, as the salt and slush will cause some corrosion, wear and tear. Expect to change your chain, cables, and brakes pads by spring.”

Timmins says older mountain bikes with 26-inch wheels are a good option, as this style will keep your center of gravity a little lower, in addition to having a good gear ratio, wide handlebars for control, and wider tires.

“Most likely, you can make it through the winter, but if it’s your first time even just having a studded tire in the front makes all the difference.”

And that brings us to our second point.

Snow tires for winter cycling?

A question people grapple with when the snow approaches are whether or not to invest in winter bicycle tires.

“Here in Montreal, we tend to get a lot of ice build-up due to deep freezes and snow removal (the snowplows remove snow but leave a thin layer of ice). So having studded tires will give you the confidence to ride on icy surfaces,” he says. “Nowadays, you can find most sizes in winter tires. Whether you are riding a Brompton or a cargo bike, there is a winter tire for you.”

Timmins says two main brands are offering high-quality winter tires: Schwalbe and Continental.

“Schwalbe is known for the reputable Marathon Winter ($80) with 120 spikes and WinterPlus with 220 spikes ($120). Continental has done a great job at offering a very durable winter tire at about 2/3 the price of Schwalbe.”

There is the possibility of a DIY version of winter firms by putting screws into a mountain bike tire to recreate the effect, but Timmins says it doesn’t save much money or time.

“The new tires are very affordable and reliable, and can last two-three seasons,” he adds.

Light up your life

In addition, Timmins says an absolute essential for winter cycling is a good quality lighting system.

“As it gets darker sooner, you definitely want to be seen by other road users, especially after a snow storm when bike paths aren’t cleared, you might find yourself using the road,” he says. “We recommend having lights that are at least 100 to 200 lumens for day and night.

Timmons also recommends a helmet especially with the unpredictability of winter weather.

Embrace the winter

Ultimately, riding in the winter doesn’t need to have a steep learning curve, says Timmins.

“It has its challenges (like riding in a snowstorm), but the more you do it the better you become at understanding different snow and ice surfaces,” he says. “Learn to ride slow, especially before turning. Unlike riding in the summer, you cannot lean into your turns.  It’s just a great way to keep moving in the winter (we tend to reduce our activities), see your city differently, and get from A to B. Embrace winter!”

For more biking tips on technique and strategy for tackling city streets during the winter see this article.

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