Hi All,

I'm moving this summer to Ithaca, New York, where I'll be for three years. I'm a dedicated bicycle commuter here in Portland, Oregon, but I've never ridden in a place as snowy and cold as Ithaca. Even so, I'm going to give it a try.

I'm saying goodbye to my '01 Voodoo Hoodoo and my '03 Trek 520. I like both bikes, but I can't bring everything, and I am hoping to buy a sub-$1000 steel frame mountain bike once I move out to New York. I'll use it for commuting to school, some light trail riding, and the snowy winter.

Has anybody ridden in an Ithaca winter? I'm going to be in Cayuga Heights, so I'll have a pretty flat ride in to school. Any thoughts on steel frame versus aluminum for winter riding? How about disc brakes and good V-brakes? I have my eye on a Marin Bear Valley, which is one of the few (perhaps only?) sub-$1000 steel hardtail frames.

It feels weird to be thinking about winter riding in the middle of summer, but there is no harm in planning ahead, right? Thanks for any thoughts!

Ride on -

5john