You can run it 4 seasons right ?
I may go 27.5 x 4.0 and sell the Terrence
I've run it in summer during a spell of masochism, but wouldn't do so regularly for a variety of reasons:
-I don't trust the tire sidewalls during pointy rock season.
-fat tires hold A LOT of air, which essentially act like undampened suspension on rooty and rocky trails. It feels like bouncing on yoga balls.
-Geo isn't outrageous for general trail riding but it also isn't ideal. The seat tube is a little slacker than I'd prefer in summer, but is great for snow since it helps keep your rear wheel from spinning out. Q-factor is wide and would be annoying on some of the tight rock gaps I ride through in the summer.
This is a bike that is insanely fun to ride on snowy singletrack. It also handles sandy beach riding like a champ. I don't find it to be the right tool for the job for most other uses. Granted, it can be fun to intentionally ride the "wrong" bike once in a while for a challenge or just to mix things up a bit. But I would not want the Blizzard to be my only bike.
And in regard to downsizing from a 4.5 to a 4.0 tire -- DON'T!!! A 27.5x4.0 is fine if you only ride firm and groomed trails. But if you ever ride in fresh snow or less ideal conditions, that extra float of the 4.5 will distribute your weight more and give you a much better riding experience.
