Weight of a mtb compared to a Trek hybrid

[Becky]

1. Yes, but it will cost a fortune.
2. Yes. Hardtails generally weigh less than full-suspension, all other things being equal.
3. You could and it might, but I'd consider changing the tires or buying a second second of wheels and mounting different tires. I don't know what tires you're running now or how bad "bad conditions" might be (depends on your comfort level), but that will definitely have an influence on tire choices. Personally, if it's snowing, raining hard, or anything resembling ice, I'm driving or taking the bus.

Something else to consider as you shop: does your MTB have the requisite braze-ons or eyelets to mount your rack(s) and panniers for sloppy-weather commuting? Some will, some will not.

[Grog]

How exactly do you define "bad/cold weather"?

How much snow and ice are considering riding on? How much calcium will be on those roads? If any, you may want to consider a "winter bike", i.e. a cheaper bike that you will not be too sad to see quickly deteriorating as you ride through the winter snow-abrasive-calcium slush.

For stability, you'll be fine with tires with a bit more thread to them. I don't think a mountain bike would give you much of an advantage there, unless you plan on starting to jump over snow piles...

[sundial]

Pardes, I did a quick check on the tires the 7.6 has--700x28. I would shop for a different tread (like an all-season tire) and possibly go up to a 700x32, if it will clear your brakes. A wider tire will give you a little more stability but may not make much difference in extreme weather conditions.

Also, mountain bikes are awkward to handle compared to road bikes and I know you load your bike on the bus. Just a thought.....

[pardes]

Great answers! Thanks so much.

I don't plan to bike for very long (time-wise) on icy/snowy roads but I would still have to get to the bus stop. I have several choices of buses and times but on really bad days the closest bus stop is only 0.7 mile from my house. I would be walking that anyway if I didn't have a bike so I'm going to be "out there" anyway I go.

I see that mtb is not the way to go from your comments.

I like Becky's idea of changing out the wheels but I may be limited with the Trek 7.6 FX. As it is now with the tires I have, it's a VERY small distance to the racks.....we are talking millimeters....but maybe with smaller tires???? I see I need to consult Howard at Bikeline to see what can be done with the bike I have.

I also like Grog's comments. Sure, jumping a snowbank would be a trip! If I can't adapt what I have, you are probably right about getting a cheaper bike that might get very salty coated before our winter is over.

Thanks again. Now I can start window-shopping and heckling the bike stores.

[Zen]

It's not so much size as it is tread.
32's should be fine.

[pardes]

Zen, how much would the extra tread slow me down? In other words would the difference be enough to not consider using the extra tread tires year round? Speed isn't the issue for slowpoke me but road resistance that makes it harder to bike is.

[Miranda]

Hmm, how much more does the mtb type tread slow you down (and also jarring with suspension w/o a lock out option)...

A guy in a lbs finally described what I wanted to say about this very thing to a dear GF who wants me to do paved bike paths with her using my mtb...

"I feel like I'm going no where fast".

I told the shop guy he nailed it right on the head of how I felt about it too.

For a mtb I own a Trek wsd 4500 hard trail (only front end suspension and no disc brakes--good stopping power in wet conditions, but heavier brakes).

About this time last year I think, there was a lovely thread of someone's beautiful "slush queen" bike a lbs built for the gal. She got much "oooo & ahhhh" and was said to be too beautiful for slush. But, her owner said it was her destiny... so be it. I might dig around for the thread. Can you tell she left quite an impression on me as well? Thinking... maybe it would give you some ideas for modifications on how to make what you have work better or something.

I was thinking you could fix up a cheap beater bike as suggested with those tires. I have a 25yr+ bike in my garage that would make a nice beater bike. But, she's steele... and if you load her on the bus as posted, that could really start to sux pretty quick (she's soooo heavy, much more than my current mtb). Going to search for the "slush queen"...

EDIT: Below is the link to the thread with the "slush kicker" she was called, not queen... I was pretty close on the wording...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=slush

[sundial]

Miranda, thanks for that link.

I'm currently outfitting my '05 Sequoia with a mountain cassette, derailer and bigger tires for my off season riding. I think it's a great idea to have an older bike as a back-up bike for rainy days and such. I hope others enjoy theirs too.