Jeff of Vt

I've got a 29er hardtail and a rugged drop-bar bike. Both sporting disc brakes. The 29er has the typical tire clearances and front suspension. The drop-bar bike can easily clear 32mm wide tires(35mm is pushing it in the rear though the front can likely take 40s). The 29er is pretty typical of its class. The drop-bar bike is the oddball. The disc brakes, wheelset, and drop bars are all aftermarket. This is why the rear tire is slightly offset to the one side and can't take as wide of a tire as the front.

I'm torn between which one I should give the winter treatment, studded tires and full fenders. The LBS recommended the hardtail as components are cheaper and easier to replace and the lower pressure tires won't hurt. I can see the advantage of either.

I plan to ride mostly marginally maintained village and rural roads. I guess it comes down to studded tires in either the 700x32mm format or 29x2-ish. Does one really outshine the other on snowy/icy roads? I'm also wondering if full fenders on the hardtail will hold up on the trails come spring time. I can keep them from getting directly hit but I'm not sure if the hardware can take the frequent jarring of trail use.

Any thoughts?

gregf83 

I'd fix the dish in your rear wheel and use the drop bar bike. Adjusting dish in a wheel is pretty quick, just do a quarter turn on all the spokes on one side and a quarter turn the opposite way on the other side until the wheel is centered. I have a 60km round trip commute so need a fairly aero position which is tougher on a MTB.

Jeff of Vt

Are you saying that I can correct the offset by dishing the wheel(or do I have these terms conflated)? Does that weaken the wheel at all? I'm not entirely sure how this works. The chainstays are tight at the front so it wouldn't buy more than the ability to go up to 35mm with a rear fender installed which would still be of benefit.

wolfchild

I would go with the 29'er, they offer a lot more possibilities than a skinny tired drop bar road bike. Bigger tires run a lower pressures will roll a lot better and give you better control on poorly maintained rural roads, plus with a 29'er you can ride off road trails which you couldn't do with a road bike.

gregf83 

Yes you can move the position of the rim relative to the hub. It shouldn’t weaken the wheel. Spoke tension is usually different on each side in the rear because of the cassette. They make a dishing tool but I’ve just done it while the wheel is mounted on the bike. If you’re not comfortable a shop could do it for you.

How far far is your commute?

rumrunn6

for riding paved roads I'd prefer narrow. lets the tire dig down to the hard stuff better. I think you can find 32mm studded tires. they may not have as many studs but it could be just enough to keep you from going down

Jeff of Vt

I'm not commuting. My job makes bike commuting impossible. This is for exercise and enjoyment. I probably will need to have that wheel dished properly. It does annoy me a bit. It will still be a tight fit but should have enough clearance for something like the Crud Roadracer Mk3(the fenders I'm considering for that bike).

I've heard the narrower 30s-40s mm tires dig down well but I have no experience with that. Is there really a big advantage between either choice? I take it that the colder weather, rougher roads, and studded tires will render the better top end of the drop bar bike moot.

Fender choices are more limited for a trail rig(I don't really want to buy and fit different fenders for different seasons). I see there are trail fenders for the front that are extended and provide nearly the same coverage as "full" on the front but the rears only go as far down as the seatstays and extend rearward. Would this still keep the majority of the road muck out of the drivetrain?

rumrunn6

hmmm ..., your questions are personal choices. I've equipped a roomy hybrid for the winter, for commuting & joy rides on the road. I leave my road bike as-is & only ride it if the roads are dry & clear of ice. didn't ride it much last winter, mostly cuz I had a new-to-me MTB that I was riding thru the winter off road

ljsense

The 29er will be more fun in snow, and as your shop pointed out, its components are cheaper. Winter beats on a bike. Road fenders on a bike with tight tire clearance is also going to be frustrating. Slush and ice will collect. If you rely on studs, your tire choices are worse. And mountain tires will be way better anytime the snow is deep, hardpacked, actually mud, etc. It sounds like your shop gave you good advice. They saw your bikes and know the area. Trust them.