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Still cycling fixed in Aberdeen(shire). Just very, very slowly in winter: I dropped down to a 2:1 ratio to cope with the mud.

A little bit more info in this local forum. Very sad news indeed.

Not really, but I am aware of the YthanCC forum which is more local to Pitmedden (than say Aberdeen City).

I go through Pitmedden almost every day (I change my route now and again). However, I haven't been riding fixed much this year after getting a new bike in spring. The fixed gear barely made it through last winter and so has been in bits in the garage awaiting re-building (of sorts) for this winter.

So most of the time I'm on a white GT road bike. But soon I'll be back on the fixed gear and snowtyres and trundling much slower through Pitmedden.

I run 35mm tyres (Schwalbe Winter Marathons) on 13mm rims. I've done a LOT of miles and only had one issue: my rear tyre blew out once, I don't know for sure what caused it, but I think it was the inner tube getting caught under the bead of the tyre during assembly, rather than the rim width being way less than recommended. Since then, I've always taken care to ensure the inner tube is pushed up into the tyre as much as possible during assembly and I also pull the beading back and inspect all the way around to make sure there's no inner tube poking out.

My lunar 35 lux is fine in the rain and it's survived being exploded apart in at least 3 separate crashes.

That sounds great as "exploded" apart would be a good way to describe what happened to my Ixon IQ on multiple occasions. I'm hoping for less "exploding" instances with these lights though and am planning on leaving them on the bike and not dropping/throwing them around onto concrete.

I just got two Smart Lunar 35 Lux to replace a broken B&M Ixon IQ. I'd read one bad review about them leaking water, but otherwise reviews were positive. They've not had a proper drenching yet, but have been out in the rain and so far so good. I'll just keep a close eye on them.

I'm a bit gutted the Ixon IQ only lasted a year, but it was completely abused. I would have got another, it's just that I could get the two Smart lights cheaper and quicker.

I've just switched my bike over to winter mode (even through the weather is like spring at the moment - odd). I've dropped my gearing down to 60 gear inches (42/19, 35c tyres) from my summer ~70 gear inches (42/16, 23c tyres). I was worried It'd be a bit too spinny, but it's actually ok and I can still maintain a decent speed. I can't believe I actually cycled with winter tyres on last year at the 42/16 ratio.

Any way, should the snow eventually turn up, I'll hopefully be able to cycle through it a bit better than last year and reduce the walking/carrying.

Well, was forced into an earlier than needed (given the very mild weather at the mo') move onto the winter tyres because my summer tyres wore out and so I thought I'd just stick the winter tyres on rather than buy a new tyre for a couple of weeks use (skint anyway).

My rear Winter Marathon was looking worn, but not too bad: some of the central studs had been pushed over sideways and the tread had started wearing down. However, from the outside they still looked good for another season. It didn't occur to me to check the inside. First day with them on I get a puncture, because the casing has worn inside allowing the studs to push through. The inner tube was pock marked at quite a few of the stud locations. I can't afford a new tyre yet (hopefully next month) so I've just used the worn summer tyre I'd just taken off to line the Winter Marathons.

In fairness I did do over 2500 miles on them, but I still thought I'd get more than one years use out of them.

Has anyone ever used these? I'm planning on doing some commuting through the winter up here in Aberdeen

Hi Bernhard, I'm up in Aberdeen(shire) and used these tyres all last winter. And will be using the same set this winter. For me they are a great compromise: I commute from out in the sticks into the Bridge of Don. So near home they aren't quite good enough, but in the suburbs they are overkill. I got mine from Bike24 last year as it was cheaper than getting them from the UK (might not be the case now).

Thanks for the update BRP. I did wonder how things had turned out. I definitely lusted after a pair of these gloves last year (it got to -15, -20 some nights) and promised to myself I would get some for this year. But no such luck I'm afraid. The missus has deemed the acquisition of kittens and cushions more important so looks like I will be back to gently rocking in front of the fire place and trying not to cry in front of the kids because I can't feel my hands.

Fun times!

Definitely a lower gear. If you have to stand up to go up an icy hill, then your back wheel will be slipping, studs or not. Bums in seats for ice and snow.

It's not time for this thread yet is it? I'm not ready yet!

I missed this thread. I thought I was the only weirdo who sang whilst cycling. I'm no good at remembering lyrics so usually just make up something really weird. The past Christmas I was really looking forward to singing Christmas Carols (since I at least know some of the lyrics there), but the harser weather meant there was more wind going into my lungs than I could get out so it didn't really pan out. Summer is definitely better for singing.

Just came across the first other fixed gear rider I've ever seen in Real Life (TM). And for the back country roads out Ellon way, that's pretty good going.

Lots of snow, but it's thawing a lot today.

Obviously not thawing enough. This missus just got stuck in the 4x4 trying to get up the farm track. At least when I get stuck on the bike I can just get off and push/carry it.

Here's mine last night. Lots of snow, but it's thawing a lot today.

They dont have very aggresive tread, as the are designed for hard packed snow and ice (ie. what you find on roads). But this also means they offer a nicer ride then most studded tyres. Yet they still have a large number of, well placed, quality carbide tipped studds.

In deep softer snow, its the tread that gives traction, not the studds.

So far so good with my Marathon Winters and I've done well over 800 miles on them already. I've lost a few studs and in deep snow, as you mention, they aren't great. I find I tend to "snake" down hills, but I haven't fallen off (yet!), they do tend to slide and then bite. On roads with a thin covering of snow, or sheet ice they are great. And once you get them up to speed they are really pretty nippy. They are probably the best compromise for my route which starts out in the countryside (lots of snow) and ends in the suburbs (clear roads).

I took my gloves off and found my knuckles had split from the cold and are weeping blood.
Ow.

I get this all winter. It's horrible isn't it?

Where the fuck do you live.
HTFU

Sunny Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

HTFU or STFU!

Fair point. Knew I'd get that.

exactly. if you man up you don't need to stand up.

Hey, everyone has their limits. And when you reach your limit you HTFU. But then what? The last few weeks have kind of got to me. First the headwinds causing 2.5 hr rides into work, then a blowout on my tyre which meant finishing a commute with a 6 mile walk into work (total commute time about 4hrs). And then the snow, with lots of trudging through it walking the bike because it's too deep to cycle through.

I'm working from home tomorrow. But I shall HTFU for Tuesday. Promise ;-)

The thing is, with ice and snow comes other crap weather like insane winds. So although fixed might be great and all for control over ice, it's "not great" into a 60mph gusting headwind. Also climbing icy hills, a geared bike will allow you to keep your bum on the saddle, whereas with fixed you've got to stand and hope you don't slip. And running studded tyres, etc, again it'd be nice to drop down a gear from what you rode with slicks.

I'm coping with the ice and snow on fixed, with the headwinds and the slow studded tyres, but I so wish I had some gears at the moment.

The lobster gloves made the inter début today.. Toasty, toasty, toasty fingers..

Lobster gloves are on my wishlist. Made do with plastic carrier bags over my gloves today (which are warmish, but not water proof). Can't say it's a good look, but worked a treat from a warmth point of view.

Where do you commute from and to?

Me? I'm up in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Set a new slowness record last week due to insane headwinds. Two and a half hours for my commute into work on one day. Over an hour longer than my average times.

about 46 miles daily, fixed 42 16

Five days a week? That's just pure hero status.