Who says SNOW should be a problem?

[RedheadDane]

This is probably the coolest bike ever!

Though it might be primarily for descending...

 

[bc_hills]

This is probably the coolest bike ever!

Though it might be primarily for descending...

LOL! that narrow tread in the back wouldn't move through anything worth calling snow!

 

[oldborn]

Kool, it would be interesting to test this thing at Yukon Quest

 

[pedaling squares]

I'd take an old classic on the Quest trails:

 

[bc_hills]

I'd take an old classic on the Quest trails:

Have you ever ridden one of these? I'm curious to know what they ride like (the tires, not the Moots!). They'd be great in snow at low pressure.

Is that a cassette in the front hub?

 

[DirtyWorks]

Hans Hanebrink

Go back a few years to Dan Hanebrink's design. It caused quite a stir at the time. Apparently, he's still at it.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Have you ever ridden one of these? I'm curious to know what they ride like (the tires, not the Moots!). They'd be great in snow at low pressure.

Is that a cassette in the front hub?

They're a blast to ride in all kinds of conditions, and 100 miles of gravel too!!

 

[oldborn]

I'd take an old classic on the Quest trails:

Kool, just watched Discovery chanel some Brit guy doing Yukon on those tyres. He tested it in Swiss before, but it turns out that Swiss snow was different or temp was higher, so he could not pedal not even a 10 meters. In Yukon that was another story What cassette is doing there on front wheel, again?

 

[pedaling squares]

Have you ever ridden one of these? I'm curious to know what they ride like (the tires, not the Moots!). They'd be great in snow at low pressure.

Is that a cassette in the front hub?

I've never tried those huge fat rims. I went with a set of 48mm Echo trials rims with 2.5 tires and just loved them in the snow. But I typically rode trails that had been crossed by snowmobiles and/or dogsleds instead of plowing through 8" inches of powder. I tried a buddy's Surly Large Marge rims, what were those... maybe 65-67mm? They were decent but he had some Maxxis hookworm tires on that I just hated. I bet the new 80mm+ rims are great for loose snow and you probably run well under 10 psi. Can't imagine what they weigh, but when you're plowing through the snow miles from anyone who cares about grams?

I think these wheels take a 135mm hub on the front so thus the cassette. Maybe they run a different gear range and switch according to trail conditions??

 

[Milessio]

Having two identical wheels (except possibly the cassette) reduces number of spares needed when out in the wilderness.

Checkout http://www.fortunehanebrink.com

 

[Houdini]

Standard front hub spacing is too narrow for a straight blade fork to clear those fat tires. That’s why they used a rear hub up front. Spare parts and multiple gear ranges are incidental.

 

[kiwirider]

LOL! that narrow tread in the back wouldn't move through anything worth calling snow!

Mate, before you get too carried away playing the "in Canada we have real snow" card and have to start chowing down on a big slice of humble pie ...

This thing is - or at least looks to be - called a K-Trak. I haven't seen one in the flesh, but I did see it on an episode of Dragons' Den on CBC back in early 2009 ... The two inventors actually come from your part of the world - well, Whistler at least (although I see that they've moved their offices to the Island now ...) - so I'm guessing that they've tried it out on stuff that is "worth calling snow"!

As I say, haven't seen one in the flesh, but the video that they had with the presentation sure looked like a blast - and they were managing to ride both up and down hills on moderately loose snow. Stands to reason that it'd work - I manage to keep myself upright commuting on my cyclocross bike through the winter, and riding snow covered park trails in the spring on it and my MTB ...

I have to say that it looks kinda weird ... but that I'd love to get one and go blasting through the XC ski trails around here over the winter! Jeez, I get enough abuse if I skate ski on a classic trail - imagine the reaction to seeing one of those flying towards you in the middle of the forest!!!

 

[bc_hills]

I have to say that it looks kinda weird ... but that I'd love to get one and go blasting through the XC ski trails around here over the winter! Jeez, I get enough abuse if I skate ski on a classic trail - imagine the reaction to seeing one of those flying towards you in the middle of the forest!!!

Yes, and bring a dog with no leash or a poop bag for max effect. I like your thinking...

 

[pedaling squares]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP4VwaD7rd4

Looks like it would be a lot of fun on groomed XC trails or packed snow. I'm with you guys, would love to take this to the XC club and watch a few pom-poms snap to as I came by.