BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

My $450 bikesdirect cx bike fits all of your criteria. You could even buy three of them! It came with knobby 32s, which have gotten me not just through snowy roads, but also a snowy trail, as well as occasional mountain biking at Frick and North Park.

When I didn't need the knobbies, I ran 23s, but now it has slick 28s and will eventually have a full-time rack and fenders.

Side note: I have the same bike as Nick, and he has beaten his up even more than I have mine. Other than the casette and chain, I'm pretty sure the rest of the components are still fine.

I think you'd get a lot more use out of the CX bike. The Mukluk seems like more of a novelty, I have a friend who built a Pug and hardly ever rides it.

It's hard to go wrong with a Cross-Check. That being said, I park mine in the winter in favor of my MTB, mostly because the MTB is just sitting there, and it saves me from swapping tires on the CC. Although, the really low MTB gears are good for deep snow, which is something to think about, although it's not often you have to ride through that much snow, I mean like 4+" unplowed.

These are some pretty good points. I've missed most of the last couple winters (last year I missed ALL of it) performing in FL, so I'm not too well versed in it. Frankly, I think part of me just wants to play in the snow a bit. That said, I know this is nowhere near Alaska (or Colorado even).

@Kayla: Thanks for the recommendation, I'll keep it in mind.

@ Salty: I'm slightly against the Cross-Check because of the steel frame, though it is pretty sweet. I want an Aluminum frame for weight and corrosion resistance, especially if I decide to race on it.

It would be cool to have a bike to play in the snow with - I got myself stuck in the snow a couple times last year offroading. I mean my tires (2.2" knobbies) sunk into 6-8" of snow and even in low gear standing up I could not make the pedals turn. So, if the super wide super low pressure tires will actually float on that, that would be fun... but I can't see it being a practical commuter bike.

I don't think Al is any lighter than steel nowadays but corrosion is an issue I worry about.

BTW if there is one thing I really wish I had for the winter it is disc brakes. I've had a few scary incidents where my rim brakes were completely ineffective and took more rotations than I liked to clear up and grab.

That's just it. I miss being out in the elements like that, and deep down I want a bike that can tackle that stuff.

That said:

The most I will ever need to commute in the snow is like 10 miles round trip (short trips to store, etc). Even on a bike like a Mukluk that's not too bad (commuted for years on BMX, so it's gotta be better than that right?). Plus, it would only be commuted on in the snow. The other times I think my fixie will be just fine.

I think another reason the Mukluk is so appealing to me (and maybe others) is because it's so far from anything I've ever ridden. It reminds me of those big, old water bikes (http://www.adaskin.com/Oahu/sm_waikiki_water_bike02.jpg) I rode in Hawaii back when I was a kid. There's some kind of desire to just own something "out there" and outlandish. And the little bit of riding I have done on one has been wicked fun.

I just want a decent bike that I can have a blast on. They shouldn't make this stuff that difficult. I have two tabs pinned in my browser right now. One is the Mukluk and the other is the Kona Jake. Decisions, decisions.

Do I choose a plush ride over ridiculous terrain... Or speed and agility over mix of surfaces?

Btw, don't know if you saw this but Surly just upped the ridiculousness even further - 4.7"! Really expensive though.

http://surlybikes.com/blog/2531/

How about a Sala Fargo? It would probably make the best utility vehicle for your purposes.

Depends on your commute. I commuted all last winter 3 miles or so on a KHS hybrid with bald 35mm tires and rode every day, definitely not optimal, but it did the job.

I honestly think a cross bike like the kona jake (this one's aluminum) would be nice. It's a lot faster than a fatbike or a mountain bike on the roads, and seems like a really versitile bike overall. Probably don't want to take it on difficult singletrack, but it would handle some offroad riding.

http://www.konaworld.com/cx.cfm?content=jake

However, If you're more in to some heavy duty offroad stuff, I'd probably lean towards a 29er hardtail mountain bike. It will be heavier for sure, but it's going to be a lot faster than a fatbike. I was looking at the kona mahuna and kahuna's for myself.

http://www.konaworld.com/29er_hardtail.cfm?content=kahuna#2

I'm not sure I'd really want to commute on a fatbike, unless I planned on riding a short distance or through fields of unplowed snow.

Maybe you just need a 29" mountain bike.

Put skinny tires on it, race cross, ride it in the woods in any weather when it is still fun to ride.

The really fat tires can help with snowy rides, but in 6-8" of snow you'll still be walking, that floatation only goes so far. Snowshoes or XC skis are much better tolls for deep snow.

That said, I'd love to have a fat bike, but it would be more 5th or 6th bike, not my second, a 29" mountain bike is much more versatile.

@salty: Yeah, I definitely saw the Moonlander! It's epic!

I'll be honest, I wouldn't have considered a 29er until bjanaszek posted that Salsa Fargo. Unfortunately, that's $200 out of my range, but it's led me to look at some 29ers later. Maybe I'll run up to the LBS later and window shop.

ETA: BTW this has been helping me a lot! Thanks.

You can probably find a Surly Karate Monkey with a similar configuration for a bit less money. Of course, the KM is steel.

i think most of redline's 29ers would fall within your budget.

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb

I thought Salsa was doing two differnt complete Fargos or Fargoes, the $1700, and one for a good bit less. Can't find any mention of it now on the web.

There should be at least 20 different 29ers for around $1600 out there for 2012. Personally I think my next hardtail is going to be:

http://www.konaworld.com/gravity_hardtail.cfm?content=honzo

Yeah... I'm really debating freeing up the money for the Fargo. Like REALLY!!! It's already going to be hard enough to cover up this purchase. haha...

ETA: BUT... The Kona Jake is like $700 less. It's not a 29er, but looks fast.

I just brought my pugsley out into the woods for the first time yesterday. Rode the trails at hartwood acres for about 2 hours and had a blast. I have also commuted on it once or twice. Not the fastest way to get to work but not impossible. Should be great when there is snow on the ground.

I was looking at a Nashbar single speed 29er with disk brakes they have on sale right now for $375.00.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_502354_-1___

I knew I remembered a cheaper complete Fargo, I must have been looking at some early release 2012 stuff, and now Salsa updated their website:

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo_3/

No price listed, but I'm guessing it's under $1500

Yeah. I'm definitely going to be spending some time going over all of these options. I'll be test riding the Jake and Jake the Snake first cause that's the direction I'm leaning. If I don't like those for some reason, Fargo fo sho! I wish I could get them all! haha...