Man isn’t meant to stay indoors — our weekly “Trekking” column can attest to that. It’s a column dedicated to the adventurer inside of all of us, the one pining to ditch the office humdrum for a quick surf session or seven-week jaunt in the Grand Tetons. One day we may highlight an ultra-light stove and the next a set of handmade canoe paddles. Life doesn’t just happen inside the workplace, so get outside and live it.
Downhill mountain biking is exhilarating. The rush of speed as you zigzag down the mountain, the sensation of properly railing a berm as you do — few would argue there’s anything quite like it. It’s enough to send any cyclist into the stratosphere, but unless you have mammoth tires and the right set of gear, tackling it in the snow isn’t exactly ideal even if you think you’re the most skilled athlete on the slopes. Fortunately, the Kickstarter-backed Snogo Snobike ($1,400) was built for such occasions.
Related: Head for the snow-capped hills with five of our favorite ski goggles
Taking a cue from mountain biking and skiing, the Snobike looks to capitalize on the best of both worlds. The seatless contraption utilizes a 6061 aluminum alloy frame and three twin-tip skis, the latter of which articulate independently and adapt to the terrain in order to give you a greater sense of freedom than afforded by most other snow bike designs. Each ski makes use of a full wooden core and steel edges, and rear come outfitted with open bindings that allow you to quickly slide your feet in and out. A patent pending system called responsive lateral torsion-assist geometry (RLTAG) also helps you stabilize your body and maintain your control, while the optional RockShox fork further establishes comfort and control.
Other hallmarks are more subtle, however. The Snogo Snobike comes equipped with a 22-inch chairlift hook and a coiled safety leash, along with a quick release that allows you disassemble the bike for transport and storage in under a minute. Best of all, the bike components are interchangeable, meaning you can outfit the Snobike to fit your individual riding style and look. Mastering the slopes? Well, that comes next.
Check out Snogo online for more information, or to pre-order a Snobike for February.
