Board to Bike

BikeBoardsCyclists might be getting a little “bored” of riding on the trainer, but let’s face it winter isn’t going anywhere just yet. If you can’t beat it then board up. The BikeBoards, which were unveiled at the recent Outdoor Retailer Show Winter Market, basically transforms a mountain bike into more than a snow bike. It puts front ski on the tire and allows the bike to better navigate through the white stuff.

Designed to fit tires with widths between two and five inches it can be mounted in three positions based on the snow and conditions. It features a full steel edge with a sidecut and curved tips that provide float in deep snow, as well as grip and carving on harder snow and ice. All we can say is hop on board.

BikeBoards Official Website

Riding Minnesota

MinnesotaMinnesota has winter. Whether you consider it “harsh” depends on if enjoy or endure it. For those in the latter, winter is a time to hit the fat wheel bikes – and this winter those on a budget can take out The Minnesota, which is available in two models beginning at $799.

These are from The House Outdoor Gear, the giant retailer of snow sports equipment. Clearly the company saw a market for snow bikes. The basic $799 1.0 model features a nine-speed aluminum frame with disc brakes and SRAM X5 components. The 2.0 is $100 more and offers 18 speeds. Both are ready to roll this winter.

The House Outdoor Gear Official Website

Bike Spiked

There has been a notable trend in winter bicycle riding with several companies crafting fat tire “snow bikes” but another option is to get the right snow tires for winter riding. One solution is Bike Spikes, a unique solution that doesn’t even mean changing the normal tires but rather putting this series of flexible, studded plates – which are connected by a wire – over the tire. The details on this system aren’t entirely clear but we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for anyone riding with these! Video after the jump

Michigan Tech Says ‘Ya’ to Snow Bikes

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is tough country. The winters are long, cold and over 200-inches of snow can fall in a year. Not only are the winters long, but the days are short at a mere eight hours. The area was heavily settled by immigrants from Nordic countries so it is no surprise that residents of the Upper Peninsula (Yoopers) have a great affection for winter sports. The website KewennawTrails.com is reporting that Michigan Tech is opening certain Nordic trails to snow bikes, those bikes that have tires wider than 3.5-inches and tire pressures of less than 10 psi. Continue reading Michigan Tech Says ‘Ya’ to Snow Bikes

Twenty2 Cycles Bullies the Snow

What is the cyclist to when the white stuff starts falling? Hang up the bike and grab the skis, or grind out the miles on an indoor trainer? With the newer breed of snow or ‘fat’ bikes hitting the market, the cycling season does not have to stop in the winter. The folks behind Twenty2 Cycles of Vail, Colorado agree with this idea and have introduced their own line of snow bikes, the Bully and Big Fat Bully (BFB).

These snow bikes utilize over sized tires to help the rider and bike float over the packed snow or even sand and other loose terrain with ease. This means that once the snow melts, these fat bikes can be taken to your favorite sand dune in the summer – a true four season bike! However, making a snow bike is not as easy as slapping on a set of fat tires, it requires a specific bike frame.

There are about a half of a dozen companies currently making snow bikes, all small to mid-size organizations. Each one builds frames that fit an over sized tire ranging in size from 3.7-inches to 4.7-inches, almost 1.5-inches wider than the standard mountain bike tire!

Twenty2 Cycles differentiates from the competition in that they are offering their customers a wider selection of options. Not only are they offering both titanium and steel frames, but both material options are available in either the original fat bike standard tire width of 3.7-inches or the newer mongo 4.7-inch tire. Additionally, Twenty2 Cycles is one of just a few manufacturers that are producing its frames in America with U.S.A. made raw materials.
Video after the jump

[UPDATE] Moots FrosTi Titanium Snow Bike Frame

 

[UPDATE] Moots extended the order deadline on the Moots FrosTi Titanium Snow Bike Frame to November 1, 2011 to accommodate more orders.

While on the subject of snow bikes, it should be mentioned that Moots of Steamboat Springs, Colorado is producing a very limited production run of their own snow bike frame, the FrosTi.

The FrosTi is a titanium frame specifically designed for snow riding. The rear spacing is 170mm, the bottom bracket is 100mm, the cable guides are designed for the shifter cables to be fully enclosed and the frame is made to accommodate a 3.7-inch tire. The geometry of the frame is designed to handle a Salsa Enabler fork and even an 80mm travel 29er fork for use in the summer. Unlike other frames from Moots, the FrosTi has very few custom options. No slider dropouts, no YBB rear suspension and no couplers for traveling… just an additional water bottle mount, rack mounts and different color decals are available. But heck, with only 20 or less being produced how likely is it that you will ever see another FrosTi?

Continue reading [UPDATE] Moots FrosTi Titanium Snow Bike Frame

Hands On: Surly Moonlander

The leaves are changing colors and the days are becoming shorter; this means that winter is not too far behind and neither is the prospect of snow. For some cyclists this means hanging up the bikes for the winter and doing the grind at the gym. For those who want to brave the elements, there is another option – the Surly Moonlander.

Continue reading Hands On: Surly Moonlander