Fatbiking and Other Junk

First Snow.

That is sticking, that is.  We have had a few snow showers so far this fall but nothing has stuck yet.  Not today.  I think this will stick for a while but it came in warm so it was wet and semi-melted as the snow hit the ground and as it continued to get colder over the night, the snow stayed snow.  However, we have a lot of slick icy patches around so time for the studded snow tires on the bikes.  I'll get the Skookum rolling first since it has full studs and those wheels are easier to swap out.

45North Flowbeist Review.

I have had a pair of 45North tires on one fat bike (a Skookum) set up as tubless for a few years now.  I love the rims and wheels (HED setup) but have been underwhelmed by the Flowbeist.  This is the second one to suffer a leak that the sealant can't keep up with.  A great tire for loose conditions and snow, but sucky for tubeless setups.  My second one got bad leaks within 200 miles of riding but had loads of tread left.  Rather than try and warranty it and get another crappy Flowbeist, I think I will just put a tube in and run it that way.  I know you weight weenies would cringe at that but all I need to do is push a bit more poop out in the am to make up for it.  No big deal.  The tire name should be changed to Blowbeist instead.

Nokian/Suomi Studded Bike Tires Reviewed.

I posted a brief review of Nokian/Suomi (or is it Suomi/Nokian) studded bike tires yesterday on the Real Life microblog.  Great tires if you can afford them.  The are heavy too.  For many years they were they only major source of studded bike tires but with the recent explosion of fatbikes I think many other companies are rethinking their winter tires.  With more people wanting to ride year round, there is a market for studded tires.  I have one Schwalbe studded 29er tire, a set of 45North Xerxes, and a third set of 45North studded tires on order (can't remember the model, the Gravdal I believe).  Expect reviews as the winter progresses.