Can You Ride A Regular Mountain Bike In The Snow? 7 Tips:

The increasing popularity of fat bikes might have you wondering if you can still ride a regular mountain bike in the snow. Is buying another bike necessary for this specific type or riding or will a normal mountain bike work as a jack of all trades?

There is no reason why you can’t ride a regular mountain bike in a reasonable amount of snow. Mountain bikers have been riding in the wintertime long before the fat bike was ever invented. Just because a better tool for the job has arrived doesn’t mean the old one doesn’t work.

Take a moment to think of the actual name we’ve given this type of bicycle: “Mountain” bike. Last time I checked, mountains have snow on them from time to time. The mountain bike was originally created to be a go anywhere, do anything machine.

Like the Jeep Wrangler of bicycles. So technically speaking, it’s capable of making it through some pretty tough conditions.

Why fat bikes are better in snow and sand:

Let’s talk about fat bikes for a minute. In case you haven’t heard of them, a fat bike is like a regular mountain bike but with huge, fat wheels and tires. Many of these bikes have no suspension (or front suspension only) because the massive sidewall of the tires actually helps to cushion sharp impacts.

These wheels are much heavier than traditional mountain bike ones so fat bikes tend to avoid any unnecessary features (extra gearing, big brakes, rear suspension, fancy frame designs, etc.) in an effort to save weight elsewhere.

So what makes these bikes better in snow and sand? It all comes down to the surface area. The wider tires on a fat bike provide a much larger contact patch than traditional tires.

A wider contact patch means that the tire is more likely to float on top of deep snow and sand rather than slice through it, causing the rider to get stuck. They’re like big balloons.

One of the very first things people with 4×4 vehicles do before they go off-roading (especially in deep snow or sand) is air their tires down. This flattens the contact patch out making it wider and more likely to float on top.

Aside from their already wide footprint, fat bikes tend to run very low air pressures (like 5 psi vs 30 psi!) for this same reason. It also gives you a smoother although more sluggish ride over rough terrain.

Snow riding with a regular mountain bike

Just because fat bikes do a better job in the deep stuff doesn’t necessarily mean you have to lock your regular mountain bike away for the entire winter. Yes, fat bikes are capable of riding in much deeper snow and sand.

But remember, they’re called mountain bikes for a reason. You can ride one in light to moderate snow if you choose to. Just understand that you’ll need to make some adjustments to your riding style (hint: you won’t be setting any lap records!).

The point is that while it’s not ideal, it can be done. You don’t need to go out and spend another $1,000+ on a fat bike just to be able to ride in the winter months if you don’t want to.

What about sand?

Sand is a different story. Fat bikes are common to see in and around beaches but you’ll rarely find a regular mountain bike out on the sand. The main difference between deep snow and deep sand is that the snow tends to pack firmer underneath you while sand just continues to move around.

You might be able to get away with riding a regular mountain bike on deep snow after it’s been packed down but when you switch to sand of the same depth, you don’t stand a chance. So if you plan to be riding on sand often, a fat bike is still the way to go.

Tips for riding in the snow

If you are going to ride your regular mountain bike in the snow, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.

1. Understand that things will be different

Riding in the winter won’t be the same as the riding you’re used to. Once you set your expectations properly, you’ll be able to enjoy the trails more and also stay safe. The biggest difference will be in your overall speed.

Attempting to ride at the same speeds you normally do will only end in frustration and quite possibly, a crash. Snow will slow you down in a major way. It’ll force you to grind your way through trails rather than gliding and due to the slippery conditions, you’ll be sliding around corners. This can be a lot of fun once you accept the fact that you’ll be a lot slower on your favorite trails.

2. Use lower gears

If you’re pushing your regular mountain bike to its limit in deeper snow, remember that it has those lower gears for a reason. Most 4×4 vehicles used for off-roading have what’s called a low range transfer case. This offers the driver much lower gearing, giving them more control and torque while crawling at slow speeds.

You can mimic this on your mountain bike by using lower gears than you normally would. If you’re having trouble getting more than a few cranks on the pedals in deep snow, try dropping way down in your gears. You won’t get anywhere fast, but it might make the difference between riding and having to hike.

3. Adjust your tire pressure

Dropping the air pressure down in your regular mountain bike tires will help to simulate what makes fat bikes so great in these conditions. Don’t drop it too low though or you can risk a puncture. Start with 10psi less than you’d normally run and adjust from there.

4. Avoid sudden movements

Riding in slippery conditions, especially in the snow, requires much smoother movements. Torquing too hard on the pedals will only break your rear wheel’s traction.

Making sharp adjustments to your steering can cause you to slip out of a rut and off the trail. Hitting your brakes too hard can cause your tires to lock up, sending you out of control.

Try to keep your tires rolling as much as possible because that’s when they have the best chance at getting traction. Momentum is your friend in slippery conditions so try to avoid excessive speeding up and slowing down.

5. Watch for patches of ice and deeper snow

Hitting a patch of ice at speed on a mountain bike can be a total pucker moment if you aren’t prepared for it. Always keep an eye out on the trail ahead of you for anything that looks shinier than the rest of the snow.

If you do happen to hit some ice, don’t panic. Stay calm and try not to touch the brakes or steer. Your best bet is to coast perfectly straight over the ice.

I’m going to assume that you don’t like to ride perfectly flat trails in a wide open field. Riding in the forest or in areas with lots of elevation changes brings a new challenge – the depth of the snow won’t be the same throughout the entire trail.

Snow doesn’t melt nearly as much in shady areas that don’t get as much sun. It also drifts and collects in low lying areas. Don’t assume the snow ahead of you is the same depth as the snow you’re currently on.

If you’re uncertain, make sure to shift your weight back a bit. If the snow gets deeper suddenly, you’ll be less likely to get sent over the bars.

6. Stick to the trails you already know

One side effect of snow-covered trails is the fact that you can’t see what’s underneath. Snow has a way of hiding rocks and roots (and also making them even more slippery). Trying to figure out what’s under the snow is nearly impossible if you’re riding a new trail for the first time.

It’s much safer to stick with riding trails that you already have memorized so you know which hazards you need to watch out for, even if you can’t see them.

7. Don’t ride soft or muddy trails

There are times in the winter where the trails will thaw out and become really soft and muddy under the snow. This is not a good time to ride. Your tires will create deep ruts in the ground and can ruin the trail when it eventually does dry up or freeze again. Don’t spoil everyone else’s fun because you’re too stubborn to skip a week or two of riding.

Fat bikes have another advantage that will help you out even if you don’t own one. Their wide tires do a great job of packing fresh snow down on the trails. If you’re riding a regular mountain bike, you might want to give the trails some time to get some traffic on them before you try riding yourself. Follow their tracks and you’ll have a better chance of not getting stuck.

Is biking in the snow safe?

Yes and no. The conditions are much more slippery which can increase the chances of a crash. This is a different type of riding though so once you get used to it, you’ll find you’re more confident.

Following the above tips will help you to stay safe and enjoy riding. The good news is that in many cases, falling on soft snow hurts a lot less than dirt. It actually offers a nice cushion. So if you feel like you’re going down, aim for the deep stuff!

Conclusion

In the end, the fact that fat bikes exist doesn’t mean that you can’t still use your normal mountain bike for winter riding. It won’t be as fast, it won’t go through deep snow, and it might not even be as enjoyable.

But it can do it. If you’re bored with your regular riding, hitting your usual trails in a bit of snow can bring a lot of excitement back and feel totally new. It definitely beats sitting inside watching curling on TV all winter.