MTB Vs Cyclo-Cross, As A Winter Commuter.

[gb155]

Not sure what forum to stick this in TBH

Ok, so was chatting with someone at work when the conversation went onto MTB's and the fact I still dont have my Cube back

He said what at first I suspected to be a throw away comment:

"Try and get a refund on the Cube and get a Cyclo-Cross to commute down the canal on"

Im never going to do any MTB'ing, Im too much of a road rider now, its my passion, but I enjoy the Canal when its been snowing, I got the MTB because I can fit Marathon Winters to it, but I have seen Marathon winters in 700x35 sizes and most cyclo-x's will take tyres of that size.

So , what do you think ? get ride of the MTB and get a Cyclo-x ? will it offer the same amount of grip as a MTB when the weather gets tough (with Marathon winters ) or keep the MTB to use for 6-8 weeks a year ???

Gaz

 

[palinurus]

'cross bikes will take pretty fat tyres, I think my Snow Studs are 34s. It makes for a fine winter commuter when the weather conditions are poor but if you already have an MTB then this would do a similar job.

One advantage of a 'cross bike is that a change of wheels, perhaps swapping cassette, and it can be used on the road -I've done it when my road bike is temporarily out of action.

Great for towpaths and stuff.

 

[Norm]

I'd go CX unless you regularly encounter very rutted offroad tracks. Even in thick mud they handle well and there is no comparison once you get onto tarmac.

I have a run that is about 10 miles, over 2/3 of it off road in thick mud, tow paths and tracks, and I am faster on my CX than on my MTB because the bits on the road see me running at least 25% faster.

And the looks you get when you are riding through mud and puddles on a drop-bar "racer" have to be seen to be believed.

 

[MacB]

Gaz, I had same debate with myself and decided that CX style was more suitable, but I'd aim for CX/Tour rather than CX/Road. One of the things I really liked about my XCheck was the clearances for up to 700x44 with mudguards. when I finally settled on the new Salsa Vaya, after a brief flirtation with a Pompetamine, one of the attractions was that it had the same clearances as the XCheck. I also read a coupled of detailed reviews showing the Vaya being used in cross racing, the conditions were far worse than anything I plan on putting a bike through so that made up my mind.

The Vaya also gave me disc brakes with chainstay mounted rear caliper(so no funny disc specific racks), compact geometry and front rack mounts if I fancy any touring.


IMG_6415 by MacBludgeon, on Flickr


Since taking this piccy the bars are a bit lower and not rotated up so much and the saddle is further back.

 

[gb155]

Does sound like Cyclo-X would be better for the Canal's that I hit (and only during winter)

Mac, that's a pretty sweet, versatile ride you got there man.