Commuting - The Snowmuter: 700c, disc brake, studs.....

I'm deciding how to build up my frame that should hopefully be back from the powdercoater this weekend. It is a hybrid frame, 700C, with disc tabs on the fork (cantis in back). I'd like to build it up as a snow bike for commuting for plying icy, snowy urban streets, plowed or not.

With this goal, can you put together studded tires with a disc brake in the front? The problem I see is that most 700C rims for use with disc brakes are too narrow to take 35mm tires (which appear to be the narrowest Nokians).

What other characteristics do you think the Snowmuter should have?

A coworker has a stock REI bike w/ discs front and back and 700cX37 or 38mm tires, so I think it can't be soooo hard.

The new breed of 29er mtn bikes started by using standard road rims and mtn bike size tires. 38mm isn't a problem when others put 2.1 and 2.2 inch tires on them.

My Crossmax Mountain Rims are only 17mm wide (internal width, according to Mavic) and I've run 2.3" tires. My Open Pro's, laced to disc hubs are the same width. You shouldn't have a problem.

One word of caution, when purchasing new rims, be sure to note that they are for a bike with disc brakes. Disc brakes exert more force on a rim, requiring a little more strength and rigidity.

I'm deciding how to build up my frame that should hopefully be back from the powdercoater this weekend. It is a hybrid frame, 700C, with disc tabs on the fork (cantis in back). I'd like to build it up as a snow bike for commuting for plying icy, snowy urban streets, plowed or not.

With this goal, can you put together studded tires with a disc brake in the front? The problem I see is that most 700C rims for use with disc brakes are too narrow to take 35mm tires (which appear to be the narrowest Nokians).

What other characteristics do you think the Snowmuter should have?

The 35c tires will fit fine on almost any road rim.

If you're thinking of riding on significant amounts of unplowed snow, you may be dissapointed by the performance of the 700X35 nokians, which are mostly intended for plowed pavement +/- ice. Wider tires are much better in those kind of situations.

If your frame has enough clearance, it might be possible to have a second wheelset with 26*2" wheels for those really snowy days- since you're going to be running disc brakes, you can run various diameter wheels.

First you do not need disc specific rims. The main reason for disc specific rims is to save weight and allow for painted rims without a brake track.
Second a 35mm tire should fit on nearly any road rim. I use a 35mm on Velocity Aerohead rims (20mm outside width) without a problem. However such a bike sounds like a good choice for Velocity Dyads or Sun Rhynolytes.
Third 29er MTBs use 700c rims. Many of these are wider and disc specific.
Craig

The 35c tires will fit fine on almost any road rim.

If you're thinking of riding on significant amounts of unplowed snow, you may be dissapointed by the performance of the 700X35 nokians, which are mostly intended for plowed pavement +/- ice. Wider tires are much better in those kind of situations.

If your frame has enough clearance, it might be possible to have a second wheelset with 26*2" wheels for those really snowy days- since you're going to be running disc brakes, you can run various diameter wheels.
+1

I'm riding the 35mm 106s right now, and wouldn't recommend them for "snow". They're great for ice and icy roads, though. I like the idea of 26" wheels and front brake only with studs. Without studs, the rear brake is absolutely necessary. Although it gets a lot of bashing, I like the roller brake on the Nexus 8, and its weatherproof.

I like the idea of 26" wheels and front brake only with studs.

I'd keep the rear brake, even with studs.

If the frame is spaced 135 in the back (as with most disc hybrid frames), then a mtb wheelset will slot right in.

Thanks for all the replies.

I believe the rear of the frame, which is not a "disc" frame, is actually 130mm.

In terms of fitting 35 mm wide tires on road rims, I have disc-specific 622x13 rims on a different bike now. The Sheldon Brown tire sizing chart (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html) shows that the largest tires that should go on those rims are 25mm (even though I have 28mm tires now). Wouldn't 35mm tires be really pushing it? I'm not even sure they'd seat properly.

this is the rim of choice for most 29er folks these days. 29mm wide and disc specific

Thanks for all the replies.

I believe the rear of the frame, which is not a "disc" frame, is actually 130mm.

In terms of fitting 35 mm wide tires on road rims, I have disc-specific 622x13 rims on a different bike now. The Sheldon Brown tire sizing chart (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html) shows that the largest tires that should go on those rims are 25mm (even though I have 28mm tires now). Wouldn't 35mm tires be really pushing it? I'm not even sure they'd seat properly.
Are you sure you have disc specific rims only 13mm wide. A disc specific 700c rim would almost have to target a 29er or cyclocross. Cyclocross bikes run 30-35mm tires and 29ers use 50+mm tires.
The otherthing to note is that Sheldon Browns tires sizing guide is very conservative. Many people have greatly exceeded his recomendations with success. One example is many of the 29er crowd use light weight narrow road rims with 2.0" tires to save weight in the wheels for racing.
Craig

I don't know if it's recommended or not, but I've been running Nokians on rims that are speced for 23mm tires (mavic MA3) for 2 winters now. They look a little weird but they've been fine.

The narrower Nokians are pretty squirrelly in rutted snow, but not too bad in unplowed fresh snow. I've never fell, but I've been a bit uncomfortable if there are a lot of tire tracks to pick through.

I have a 700c disc brake winter bike built up with Mavic A719 rims touring rims. They are solid and can fit quite wide tires.

Are you sure you have disc specific rims only 13mm wide.

I have these (http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Wheelworks/Wheels/21279.php). Doesn't say on this web page, but it says on the side of the rim "622x13." Think I can ride 35mm tires in them?

Yes I do.