Introductions - What's up from sunny Canada!

Hey everyone,
I just joined because I need information on a mountain bike - I've been riding a Fiore Napoli race bike for a couple years, but now I want to ride in winter. Consequently, the Fiore is no good. If anyone has any suggestions on a good bike for riding to work in the winter and taking to the mountains in the summer for around $400 Canadian post up, and let me know why your choice is a good one.

Dan

you lucky, it's sunny there, not here :(

Well, I myself have no advice for you :(

Welcome to the forums though :)

Norco or Brodie are good Can companies for mtb.
Wicked bikes @ .243racing, but the frames are 599.
Check Craigslist, they are Van, Ottawa, Montreal.
Hi-ya, I'm on Vancouver Isl, the mtb forum mod Maelstrom is over in Whistler.
Welcome.

Hi Dan.

I own two mountain bikes. One is a 2002 Giant NRS-1 that I often refer to as my high end mountain bike. I ride it only in the summer,spring and fall when snow and salt are definately not around.

I also own a 2001 Norco Scrambler. This bike was around $359.00 CDN when I originally purchased it new in 2001 to become my winter bike. I upgraded the rims to Snowcats and the tires to Nokian Extreme 296 tires.

Normal rims are 24 mm wide the snowcats are 44 mm. The extra width allows you to run the tires at very, very low pressures while reducing the risk of a snakebite type flat.

This bike has worked surprising well in the winter (actually this is it's fourth winter) and incredibly well in the summer with standard rims as a loaner bike for friends or as a backup bike for those times when my more expensive bike is in for maintenance etc. My friends like riding it and to be honest I have been pleasantly surprised when I've ridden it in the summer too.

You didn't mention in your intro where you live so it's hard to know what else I can tell you. If you plan to commute through the winter I also recommend the purchase of a good set of lights - front and back to increase both your ability to see and to be seen. You might also consider making sure that a rear rack can be added to whatever bike you purchase. The addition of a rear rack gives you a lot more options for transporting gear back and forth to work.

I hope that helps! :)

~Jamie N
www.bicycletouring101.com

Thanks Jamie, that helped alot. I live all over. I'm in Lethbridge right now, Edmonton in Sep., and then who knows. Is Norco still making the Scrambler? I can't find it on their site.
Dan