Riding in snow

[bud01234]

I've had my I2 with standard tires for about a year now but didn't try riding in the snow last winter.

How likely am I to bust my bippy if I try it this winter? (not expecting to be able to ride in deep snow, but maybe an inch or so?)

Any advice welcome.

Bud

[DarthSegVator]

It depends of the type of snow and the underlying conditions.

Light, fluffy (dry) snow should be fine.

Heavy, sticky (wet) snow is probably OK as long as it isn't too deep or dense.

Ice underneath the snow (regardless of the type of snow) is a bad thing.

You will be surprised at how well it performs provided you maintain traction.

Bundle-up and wear a helmet. Make sure someone else is around in case you take a spill.

Also, avoid quick actions (starts, stops, turns) - take it easy and you should have fun.

[SegwayDan]

Originally Posted by bud01234

I've had my I2 with standard tires for about a year now but didn't try riding in the snow last winter.

How likely am I to bust my bippy if I try it this winter? (not expecting to be able to ride in deep snow, but maybe an inch or so?)

Any advice welcome.

Bud

Yeah, I live in Florida, but I came from Chicago, and I remember snow, along with the hidden patches of ice under the snow here and there. x2's with their knobby tread would seem to fare better than your i2 in loose-packed snow.

You might get a away with fooling around in your yard, but I'd be very reluctant to brave such elements if I were seriously trying to get somewhere, like commuting to work.

[team222badbrad]

A light coating over grass is the best place to practice.

As stated anything that has ice below or on top is basically like ice skating. You won't be upright long!

1-2 inch thick snow that packs is best because it forms around the tires.

You will fall over!

Here is what riding in good snow and after lots of practice looks like.



The funnest part I find is "drifting" through the turns!

[Bob.Kerns]

When I tried it, on 10' of snow pack, with IRC-23 snow tires, I only fell when I first set out, trying to climb a steep slushy incline to get out onto the snow proper. (And I was expecting to maybe fall there -- I was just testing).

I spent the rest of the day going around, without falling.

The key is simply, don't exceed your traction. Remember, pushing snow around or crunching it down in creases resistance, an need for traction, as do inclines. Slush, and especially ice, increase it. Taking it slow and easy and avoiding inclines, you'll be surprised at what you can do.

[gbrandwood]

Originally Posted by team222badbrad

Here is what riding in good snow and after lots of practice looks like.

The funnest part I find is "drifting" through the turns!

That's a cool video - thanks for posting it.

I have two thoughts on this:

1) don't leave a white i2 out in a heavy snow fall - you might not be able to find it once the snow covers the wheels and
2) if you guys have salt-based gritters out there, who try and stop ice build up in otherwise icy prone spots, remember that after a trip on your segway, to try and wipe/rinse off the salty residue from your machine (epsecially the gearboxes and around any exposed screws etc.) - it's pretty corrisive.

[segsurfer]

Originally Posted by DarthSegVator

It depends of the type of snow and the underlying conditions.

Light, fluffy (dry) snow should be fine.

Heavy, sticky (wet) snow is probably OK as long as it isn't too deep or dense.

Ice underneath the snow (regardless of the type of snow) is a bad thing.

You will be surprised at how well it performs provided you maintain traction.

Bundle-up and wear a helmet. Make sure someone else is around in case you take a spill.

Also, avoid quick actions (starts, stops, turns) - take it easy and you should have fun.

I concur on all counts, although depending on the size of your ego you may not someone around to witness your fall.
-segsurfer

[homey]

Originally Posted by team222badbrad

A light coating over grass is the best place to practice.

As stated anything that has ice below or on top is basically like ice skating. You won't be upright long!

1-2 inch thick snow that packs is best because it forms around the tires.

You will fall over!

Here is what riding in good snow and after lots of practice looks like.



The funnest part I find is "drifting" through the turns!

lets pick it up a bit... looking too much like gbrandwoods spot on mounting kerbs

[Bob.Kerns]

Originally Posted by homey

lets pick it up a bit... looking too much like gbrandwoods spot on mounting kerbs

It looks like they were doing everything they could to TRY and fall. I didn't see anything that couldn't have been handled successfully with a light touch and a bit of prudence.

But nice soundtrack, and it looks like they had a load of fun!

[homey]

Bob, the title is the clue i think (ice).
i'm not sure but there might be ice under that snow. notice those tires are winding up to the shutdown speed a lot more than i think they could on frozen ground... yea frozen lake. this looks like head gear fun!

i am going to give it a go the first good snow we get here in Chicago. i need to verify if i have one of those frost bite boards you guys talk about anyway. i intend to leave it outside for a few hours shutdown and then i will know for sure.