Bring on the ice...

[SPR]

Getting ready for the Chilly Chili next week.:banana:

[ostertoaster85]

Aren't the points supposed to be sticking out, not in.

[SickBoy]

Points out is better for glare ice. Heads out is better if it's a combination of loose snow and ice.

[fatbaldpop1]

What is the format of these races? Cyclo-cross style or just a certain number of laps?

Clip-in or flat pedal (how tough are these courses...much getting off of the bike and running up icy hills?)?

[SickBoy]

Last year the race on Bush lake was STXC/crit style. Extremely short course, all on ice, lots of turns, no dismounts.

Back in the day I raced the Eriks Iceman at Crystal Lake but I have no idea how Salsa and Silver Cycling will run the format there. At the old Iceman they ran part of the race on the lake and part on some trails.

[JBergland]

Silver and Salsa are in the process or finalizing the details. Here is roughly what to expect. The race on Bush Lake will be similar to last year… shorter course, mostly on ice, etc. The starts (like last year) will be a short run/sprint, grab-the-bike-n-go!! The following two races on Crystal Lake will be modeled after previous races held on Crystal. The course will be longer (at least compared to the Bush Lake race)… maybe around 1K. When I scouted possible courses a while ago there were a lot of fishermen… WITH ICEHOUSES!! This may mean the course lay-out might change up until the morning of the race???? Part of the (planned) course will run over/through a small island… the rest will be on ice. With the predicted weather forecast, I’d expect things to be fairly slippery. Because staying up-right on the bike may be hard enough by itself, there will be no cross style ‘get-offs’.

As has been mentioned before, this race series is about FUN!! There will be some ‘fast guys’… there will also be some ‘slow guys’… both should be able to have FUN!!

Take Care!!

JB

[KleinCrazy]

Ahhh Thank You Jay,

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. The more ice and the slicker the better.

I was out on the newly studded tires this sunday to see how they worked. Was out on a glazed lake that was almost impossible to stand on. Was able to start almost normal, stop almost normal, and I could take corners almost sharper than on dirt, if I had the guts to try. I fell twice just trying to get off the damn thing. full stop, put feet down, swing leg over, WAM!!!. Learned real quick to stop, put feet down, lay bike down, step out of bike.

I am really looking forward to the race I just hope that it doesn't run into a derby as I could do some major damage with my spikes.

See you all there.

[JBergland]

James,
I know exactly what you are talking about. I have a little pond/stream in my back yard that I have been ‘testing’ some Ice Tires. The safest part of any test ride is the actual ride itself!! Getting to and from the pond/stream, on and off the bike, and just standing in general has caused me more black-n-blue marks than anything else!!

Concerns about derby?? With the amount of guys planning (from what I’ve heard) to run the full-blown-race-spikes, ‘contact’ will be kept to a minimum. Part of the FUN of the race(s) will be some bouncing around and some slipping-n-sliding… but no one is going to be allowed to put their shoulder/head down and intentionally run into someone and/or push them out of the way.

JB

[KleinCrazy]

Ahhh Good,

We will save those events for the Wednesday Night Rides and the CRC races later this year.

Full on Ice Spikes huh? Then I won't look that out of place with 300+ Bright, shiny points sticking an 1/8 inch out of my tires.

Weather looks like it is going to work perfect also.

L8er
James

[socrates]

Originally posted by KleinCrazy
Ahhh Good,

We will save those events for the Wednesday Night Rides

Yeah I heard John had some Bond like stuff installed on his bike when he switched the frame out a few months ago

[TML]

How many people are attempting the impossible and going studless? The lakes are looking pretty treacherous without studs right now. I'm not running any studs, and for most riding I'm fine, but get me on that glare ice and you'll have quite a laugh. My only saving grace on bare ice is the fact that I'm using platform pedals. :crazy:

[SickBoy]

Troy....

you're gonna die dude.... LOL.... I would seriously consider a last ditch effort to get some spikes....

[legoshoe]

A brave man indeed...

[SPR]

A few rode without studs last year, made for quite a show.

[TML]

Originally posted by SickBoy
Troy....

you're gonna die dude.... LOL.... I would seriously consider a last ditch effort to get some spikes....

I was thinking the same thing. I started throwing something together last night. We'll see what happens. . .

[KleinCrazy]

Troy,

A quick hint on how I built mine.

Old set on Bontrager AC tires. Square knob. kinda worn. F/R same pattern.

Hillmann 3/8 inch Self Tapping Sheet Metal Screws. Find at any ACE

Hillmann 7/16 inch Self Tappign sheet metal screws. very hard to find and 1/2 inch we to long.

Depending on the tire you uses annd the size of the knobs, choose your own size to fit best, but star with a Self Tapping Pan Head Screw.

I drilled from the outside in with an 1/16 inch bit to locate stud placement then screwed from the inside out to get maximum bit.

I'll post a pic tonight of the finished product.

[JBergland]

James,
For crying-out-loud-man... you are giving away far tooooo many 'trade secrets' for the construction of Ice Tires!!;)

Actually, I followed a very similar process… drilled through the center of specific knobs from the outside, then placed the screws from the inside pointing out. I ended up with around 300 studs per tire and a little over 2 hours… PER TIRE!! The tires are VERY heavy!! I’m sure this helps with traction, but any ‘sprint’ or getting on top of the gear will be much more of a ‘roll-on’ type of an acceleration.

JB

[KleinCrazy]

Jay,

Woops, forgot this was a public forum and not an email.... ah well...

Yours sound about the same as mine. about 300 per tire. different pattern on the tires. No Spike contact up front, just enough for drive without bumping spike contact in back.

I 'll agree with you on weight. geez!!!! I am also running THICK thorn resistant tubes to help prevent flats. Holding off on the Mr. Tuffies I have.

Think I trippled the rotational weight of each wheel.

Since I am going to be running 36/17 or 34/17 on the single I am kinda not to worried about gear. that is normal. Stopping is a lot lot different however with all that Gyroscopic rotational mass coming into play.

[Ish]

Originally posted by TML
My only saving grace on bare ice is the fact that I'm using platform pedals. :crazy:

Troy - I don't think that purple anno is going to help ya stay up right - but the glare off those things might blind everyone when you go down!
LOL

[SPR]

When I built my tires I borrowed a design that was used at the ice race held on Lake Phalen back in '92. The course was really cool (so to speak) as there were iced berms on many of the corners. I belive Tonka Schwinn sponsored the race and built up many studded tires which they lent out to the racers ( very generous). These tires worked great on the berms.
The process involved screwing hex head screws through the outside tire. After all the screws were in place I used a grinder to take down the protruding points. The friction of the grinding heated up the screws and melted them into the tire. I finished off the grinded area with some shoe GOOP which provides a flexible coating. I also use an extra innertube and so far have had no flats.

[TML]

Thanks for the tips James, et al. I dont think we have to worry about giving away too many secrets. Most of us that are keeping tabs on this, have got an idea of what to do anyway. It'll be fun to see everyones different setups. :cool:

The tire I fixed up last night, I put together with stuff I had around the house. 3/8 wood screws from the inside out and just slightly off-center. Then another row of 7/16" black steel stud screws a little farther to the outside edge.

Over lunch today I made a run to Seven Corners and picked up some of the Hillman self tappers for the next tire.

The first set of studs I ever made were pretty interesting. About eight years ago I made a set using rivets. Popped from the inside out. They worked well but wore out quite quickly.

[TML]

Originally posted by Crash
Troy - I don't think that purple anno is going to help ya stay up right - but the glare off those things might blind everyone when you go down!
LOL

Yup, My secret weapon! :shocked: