New bike for winter commute

ademort

I currently use a Giant Defy 4 for my winter commute, however when the real bad weather like snow and ice comes along this is grossly inadequate. My flat 30 minute commute over 10 miles can sometimes take me well over an hour in bad weather as i have no grip at all on the road I,m looking at mountain bikes, and wondering would this be a good idea for me. I have money to spend and only want to use the bike in the worst weather conditions. I know mountain bikes are heavier and slower but i just need a bike that offers some grip on the road and where i can at least make some descent speed to get to and from work. I must say the bike really is only to be used at those times of the year under the worst weather conditions and for the rest of the year the bike will be put in storage. Anyone recommend a new bike or offer advice, Thanks
Ade

marksteven

how about the genesis day 1 with alfine hub , ive used alfine hubbed bike for 4 winters now on an on one pompetermine

chaymck

I would never discourage the purchase of any bike but I commute on my Defy all year around with no issues- but I do live in Devon...........

Bordersroadie

ademort wrote:

I know mountain bikes are heavier and slower but i just need a bike that offers some grip on the road and where i can at least make some descent speed to get to and from work.

In reality the difference in speed/time on a commute will be hardly any different whether you use an MTB or a road bike. I know, because I commute 12 miles each way and when I use the MTB I'm not that much slower.

As for grip on the road, an MTB (or a cross bike) with knobblies will be no grippier than a road bike on slicks unless your commute is off road. On clean tarmac a road bike is best, even in the rain.

As I said in response to your same thread on buying advice section, if you want grip on ice you have to go the studded tyres route, the only other choice on such days is don't ride, unless you really want a trip to A&E.

passout

Knobbly tyres are only more grippy if they are biting into something; no tyre bites into tarmac (unless its covered in snow or deep mud or something). You'll get better grip with a smooth / slick tyre 99% of the time on road. What might give you more grip is having wider tyres. You don't need an MTB for this; tourers, cyclo cross bikes & some others can offer this. I guess the Defy gives you up to 25mm tyres right?...just guessing. Personally I think 32mm tyres give great grip on road. I also think you are better served by bigger wheels that come with road bikes. If you do go for an MTB, then go for one with larger 29inch wheels & get some slick (or at least semi slick) tyres. Hybrids would do they same job - probably a bit better than an MTB.

So if I were you I'd go for a cyclo cross bike with 28-35mm tyres and maybe disc brakes. Make sure you get one that takes mull mudgurds. Think Planet X Uncle John, Genesis Day One or Boardman cyclo-cross bike.

Another option is stay with the Defy but with 25mm tyres instead of 23mm - 'if' they fit? Get some Michelin Pro Race 3 (although fast wearing), Krylions or the long life version of the Pro Race 4 ... I like Michelins - pretty grippy I find. Depends on budget I guess - personally I like having a winter bike, main difference for me is that my winter bike has full guards and is cheaper. I didn't find grip a big issue (except on ice). FYI my winter tainer is a Genesis Aether with 25mm and full guards (Krylions).

For ice then look at ice tyres. In short it's all about the tyres.

ademort

I use this bike but mens model http://www.izibike.nl/product/3719/Bata ... gn=fietsen for general commuting it,s fitted with Vredestein trek-perfekt 622-42 tyres. Would this be ok for work. Perhaps with Schwalbe winter tyres on it.
Ade

godders1

I won't repeat what others have said about tyres and agree that hub gears are worth considering for a bike that gets a lot of use through winter. If it's flat though I'd consider single speed.

Genesis Day 1 (Alfine or Disc models) would be ideal.

roger_merriman

How often is there ice/snow on the roads?

Any how MTB's do tend to be easer to ride in low traction conditions. this said for snow/ice I'd sugest posher tyres.

Even so you'll get a better contact patch than a 23/25mm slick, simply from the greater size of the tyre, But either studded ice tyres or soft compound MTB tyres will provide remarkable grip, they will also have remarkable weight and rolling resistance as well!

ademort

Well, im going to try to use this bike, mens model. http://www.izibike.nl/product/3719/Bata ... gn=fietsen and have this morning ordered some Schwalbe marathon winter tyres 240 studs. I hope it does the trick.
Ade

alan_sherman

I guess you don't just mean ice and snow but also the horrible slush that is laid these days instead of salt. Really slippery.

I'd eco previous posters about wider road tyres rather than an mtb per se. I have an old tourer/hybrid with 700 x 35 tyres which give a bit more confidence. I'd add make sure you get a bike with clearance for guards. It looks like a hybrid or tourer would fit the bill, tourers have geometry that is designed to be stable. Disc brakes and a hub gear may ease maintenance but add weight, but worth considering.

Cyclo cross bikes can be a problem for fitting mudguards and tend to have high bottom brackets and 'racy' geometry.