Laker Fan, I have a mountain bike question.

[jn]

I'm thinking about getting a Raleigh XXIX drive belt 29er for use in winter and perhaps starting to ride off road a bit more.   Are you familiar with this model or drive belt bikes in general?   It seems like it's a great way to go if you're looking for low maintenance, which is important for me in winter.  I'm sick of having to fight slush, rust, etc on the cheap mountain bike I currently use in winter. 

[Laker Fan]

What's up JN. I must admit, belt drive single speed rigids aren't my cup of tea, I am a cross mountain/downhill rider and as such not less than 5 inches of suspension travel front and rear and a relatively steep geometry will work for me. That said, a couple thoughts come to mind, the jury is still out on 29ers primarily because obviously they are not as nimble or maneuverable as a 26 inch bike on climbs and technical terrain, yet they are from what I have seen and read awesome on fast downhills and rolling undulating terrain, the kind you would find in Minnesota so they may be just the ticket for you. The belt drive has the advantage of lower maintenance, especially in winter weather however I can't help but wonder how the intense cold of your climate would affect the flexibility and strength of the belt. If you are doing mostly flat terrain or city streets a single speed will work but getting those 29 inch wheels turning I think would be a little challenging. Bear in mind that as you indicated you want to ride off road more and a 29 inch is slow to get moving and a bullet once it does and if you do any undulating terrain or bigger hills (yeah right, hills in MN LOL!) a single speed can be a challenge, add a 29 inch wheel and that becomes an even bigger challenge.

What are you looking to spend? I'm thinking a 2X9 hardtail wold suit your neck of the woods better without over complicating the maintenance aspect of it, keep your chain lubed and 2 chainrings up front are the bees knees. And you can hammer a hardtail on the type of terrain you have up there and love life all year long. My Mantis XCR Pro (don't ask they don't make them anymore, and and even back in 1992 the frame only was custom built and cost $1,500.00) will handle city and mild cross mountain terrain with aplomb, I will even huck it off 3-4 foot ledges with no worry's.

[jn]

Thanks LF, that helps.   I hadn't factored in the size of the tires in terms of handling.   It wouldn't be a big issue since I don't have the intention of becoming a real hard core off road rider.  They would be more of an issue in fighting throught the ruts that form from snow and ice during the worst of winter, plus the potholes. 

Also checked out a Marin 29er with a simple two speed internal gearing set up.   That's another option.

[Laker Fan]

Don't misunderstand me, 29ers have their place, and your terrain is really probably ideal because even if you became a "real hardcore off road rider" I doubt you would face the kind of technical terrain I live for, and even at my age (well into my 50's) I daresay I could challenge any rider on a 29 inch bike in slower technical terrain and hill climbs and more often than not eat his lunch, not because I'm so much better but because geometry would be in my favor. On a seriously fast (very seriously) downhill I would stand no chance, but it isn't what I necessarily ride so it is a moot point.

In ruts and snow I think you would be well pleased with the way it would soak up the hits but I can't imagine going full rigid, a hard tail is the better compromise because it gives you some flexibility off road, and no way if I am going off road even a little bit would I ever opt for a single speed, no worse choice could i imagine.

Again, it depends on what your willing to spend. Maybe I am just still old-school but 26 inch bikes offer more overall flexibility and of course i have always been a pretty big Cannondale fan have owned and ridden at least 5  of them. The Trail series bikes are well designed for what I think you're looking for and there are 5-6 different price levels depending on the gruppo and they are available 29 and 26 inch. The C'dale  F series bikes are still plentiful on Ebay and as the frames are always the same, it really boils down to what you're prepared to spend, and components are where the real money comes in, buy a used bike on Ebay with a good component group and you will not be disappointed.

Since your post I have read up a little more on belt drives and I think you might make a mistake there, belts are prone to early wear and once they go they are useless, not so a chain, a chain will take a whole lot of abuse and keep on going in cold wet weather just keep it lubed at least every other ride. I change my chain once a year because I abuse the daylights out of my drive train but in reality I could probably get away with 2-3 years on a chain.