FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

This is a new product in a new sport. You are bound to have questions. Here are some of the most common ones, please contact us with any others you might have.

Q. Can you ride a Snowmoto at resorts?

A. Yes, there are many resorts allowing Snowmotos, snowbikes, ski-bobs, and a range of alternative products on the hill, and each one has a unique set of rules and regulations. Some areas are wide open, some are more restricted, but we're making progress every day. Educating and campaigning for complete resort acceptance is a huge priority for us, like it was for Snowboarding 20 years ago. If you want to help the effort, join the Crighton Bro Team and become a member of a ski-bike organization. HOWEVER: If you don't see a resort close to you, don't let that stop you. A Snowmoto is a blast on any backhill, sledding hill, or snowy incline. Without special boots and bindings, it is the ultimate backhill session tool. Because you can push it up the hill, it is easy to hike for hours. Build a mini-park with your friends, and practice all day and night. Even if there are resorts all over, if you like freestyle BMX riding, you will love backhill sessions on a Snowmoto.

Q. Is it easy to learn?

A. Learning how to ride is easier compared to skis or snowboards-most riders are having fun and learning tricks in a matter of runs, not days or weeks. But that doesn't mean that a Snowmoto is the right product for everybody, which leads us to the next frequent question:

Q. Is it easier to ride?

A. We get inquiries from riders with injuries looking to get back on snow, and novices who have never tried skiing, snowboarding, BMX, Mountain Biking, or similar sports. For these riders, we recommend getting on a ski-bike of some sort-but probably not a Crighton Snowmoto. The Snowmoto requires an aggressive stance, healthy knees and back. For riders experienced in similar sports, who have mastered the balance and techniques required, riding will come naturally-but a Snowmoto requires as much effort and muscle to ride as skis or snowboards, and you will be just as sore after a good day riding. That is not the case with some of the cruiser bikes out there-which can be pretty low-stress. Go to the American Ski Bike Association to check out other products. Crighton is a SnowBMX company, and our products are made for freestyle riding.

Q. How much does it weigh?

A. It depends on the model and the construction, but generally Snowmotos range from 21 lbs to about 27 lbs. Add in a pair of comfortable 4 lb. snow-boots (snowboard boots work well, but you can generally ride softer boots than you would need on a board), and the whole on-snow weight is about 25-31 lbs, which is a good deal lighter than most freestyle BMX bikes, and actually lighter than the vast majority of other ski-bikes out there-especially when you add in the weight of ski-boots and mini-skis. The lightest traditional ski-bobs are about 17 - 18lbs, plus 8-10 lbs for a pair of ski boots, and another 4-5 lbs for mini skis and bindings, and you are quickly up to 30-33 lbs of gear, and you are stuck with painful ski boots, skinny skis on the bike, and outrigger footskis (all of which is a serious limitation for tricks and all-condition freeriding).

Q. How fast can you go?

A. Snowmotos are fast in the same way that BMX bikes, freestyle snowboards, and motocross bikes are fast: It's all a balance of speed and maneuverability over a broad range of conditions and terrain, and the skill and courage of the rider makes a huge difference. On a wide-open powder slope, a Snowmoto will float just like a snowboard-which means it is faster in these conditions than many skis. In freestyle terrain, you adjust your speed according to the jump. In a straight-out race on an icy slope with a downhill racer on 215s-you will lose on a Snowmoto, just like a jeep would lose in a drag-race. If speed is your main thing, and you love the icy groomers-get some hardboots and a racing snowboard. If you like to ride everything on the hill, catch air, and bust out BMX tricks, get a Snowmoto.

Q. Why are the bars wide?

A. We get this a lot from hardcore BMX guys who want to switch out the bars before they even ride. A Snowmoto is inspired by BMX and Snowboarding-but there are very unique forces placed on the product: snow doesn't usually act like concrete, and skis don't really act like wheels. Everything has been designed and tested for a reason, and the wide bars definitely provide the proper leverage and balance needed. If you don't believe us, take your bars for a test ride after trying ours-you'll switch right back.

Q. Why is the seat so low?

A. The secret to the Snowmoto's performance is the unique design balance of the frame, raised standing platform, low freestyle seat, and board geometry. All of these elements work together, and have been extensively tested on-snow (not on a conference table). With the Snowmoto on your living room floor, the seat might look strange. It's not set up set like a normal bike-for good reasons. The seat has been optimized for downhill, on-snow performance, with the rider standing on the platform. You only sit down when you are cruising or waiting for the next jump. The seat is an essential part of the leverage system and it will make perfect sense when you start riding.

Q. How do you travel with a Snowmoto?

A. We put them into standard ski racks on top of the car, and adjust the rack spacing until it holds the Snowmotos securely. Then we'll add a few bungee straps to stabilize the frames. To put them into a car, we loosen up the stem enough to drop the handlebars down, and this allows us to fit the Snowmotos into really tight spaces. With the bars down and the front ski turned around, we can fit a couple Snowmotos into a tight car trunk. If you have a big SUV or truck-you are all set, just toss them in and go. To fly with the Snowmoto, we use the Big Wheelie Duffel. It rocks (available Fall of 2004).