CX or MTB for Snow

NWLondoner

Despite last years snow i convinced myself that I did not need a winter bike :shock: As I NOW know this was pure folly. It's too late for me to get one now as I need to save all my money for moving next year. However once I get my compensation money I want to be in a position to buy one.

My thinking is that a CX over a MTB would be perfect as I can use it in the snow and ice with knobbly tyres and once it clears up swap them for some slicks. The thought of doing long distances on a MTB puts me off this idea. My only concern is again the forward position of a CX could make it unstable on ice. Anyone here able to contradict through their own experience.

balthazar

I would get the cross bike - or indeed, any road bike with enough clearance for big tyres. That would make a good "general" bicycle for use anywhere. No bike is "stable" on ice, which is nearly impossible to ride on without studded tyres. In heavy winter conditions, it becomes more a test of your mettle than your bike..! Read this for an account of one dogged cyclist's experience:

http://draco.nac.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/9.10.html

sungod

cross bike

make sure it's got disk brakes, more powerful and much more consistent in snow/ice/rain

my first cross bike had disks, got stolen, it was summer and i made the mistake of replacing it with one with cantilevers, otherwise known as the brakes of death

as you say, chunky/studded tyres for winter, skinny tyres for the rest of the year

NWLondoner

Am hoping Focus release some CX with disc brakes for next year

sungod

when i replaced mine i think i should've gone for the genesis croix de fer

doing it now i think i'd consider this (not the 2010 model, just the 2011 yellow one)...

http://bikereviews.com/2010/08/2011-fix ... yclocross/

calvjones

Not a Brompton, given my experience on a 12 mile commute home yesterday following the cancellation of all the trains....

Omar Little

If you are wanting to put slicks on when the snow goes and use on the roads then a cx definitely. The right type of mtb can do big distances too its just takes alot longer to get there.

The advantage of a mtb is that offers a different style of riding and for offroad/ trail riding is more forgiving than a cx bike.

Monty Dog

For the last couple of snowy weekends I've taken the cross bike out to play in the snow on 'MTB' rides - accepting that gearing will be higher so don't expect to spending time sitting in the saddle winching up climbs - you'll be out the saddle hauling on the bars so you'll certainly find if you're fit or not. Agree on disc brakes for extra clearance and brake power - you can always fit a pair of 26" MTB wheels and tyres. As for bike position - depends on how you set it up - I have a 32mm layback seatpost on my CX race bike as it means I can get the weight back and traction out of the rear wheel. Fit narrow road tyres for summer and you can ride the chaingang too! I sold my MTB because it was heavy, slow and simply not fast enough! Finally, ride a 'white cross' and you'll know all about how to improve your handling skills.

MichaelW

Im riding a Dahon Cadenza with 26" DIY studs at the moment. Usually I ride fat slicks.
If you want to keep that roadie feel then a CX is a good choice. Disk brakes are highly recommended for winter.
Make sure the rear brake mount is on the chainstay so you can use normal rack and mudguard fittings.
Check that you have sufficient tyre clearance for your winter tyre of choice (eg Marathon winter or the Nokian equiv.
700c studded tyres are generally more ice-oriented and not as good in snow or slush as more knobbly MTB versions.

FransJacques

Big wheels with the fattest tyres possible are the best.

So go with a light 29er or a CX bike.

45rpm

I've been using the mountain bike for the snowy commute these past few days and i can't for the life of me think why anyone would choose to a ride a mountain bike on the road in anything less than full on tundra conditions. Im now thinking of building that spare steel road frame i have lying about into a CX / commuting machine

zippypablo

45rpm wrote:

i can't for the life of me think why anyone would choose to a ride a mountain bike on the road in anything less than full on tundra conditions.

training

Buckled_Rims

CX bike with discs. If you want to see a (blurred) photo of what canti brakes do in snow have a lokk at me and my Jake (Oh, that sounds suggestive). It jams up with snow and ice!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__K39SVzI978/S2YOXOcxIsI/AAAAAAAAAJY/008usEmbkuA/s1600-h/IMG_3631.JPG


I also have a MTB, but the CX is just much more versatile over the whole year.

MrChuck

45rpm wrote:

I've been using the mountain bike for the snowy commute these past few days and i can't for the life of me think why anyone would choose to a ride a mountain bike on the road in anything less than full on tundra conditions.

I know what you mean, when I bought my XTC a few years ago I was very surprised to hear that the shop sold most of them to commuters.

45rpm

zippypablo wrote:

45rpm wrote:

i can't for the life of me think why anyone would choose to a ride a mountain bike on the road in anything less than full on tundra conditions.

training

urgh, training loads of fun on the snow though

Monty Dog

Been out today for a couple of hours in the snow on my CX - steep descents, snow and cantis makes an interesting combination - you need to ride the brakes to wipe all the water off to get some semblance of braking and then to find the wheels are just skidding anyway! My other CX has disc brakes, but waiting for an eccentric BB to run it singlespeed (no thanks to Forward Components or the postal service)

dombo6

mtb with schwalbe marathon winter tyres

itboffin

+1 on the CX with discs

I did a 32 mile cross country ride a couple of weekends ago on my spike tyres MTB, bloody knackered afterwards, I can easily do 60 miles on the CX over almost the same terrain and not feel anywhere near that tired.

Get both, it's all good training