Winter bike for £1,000

Ed McC
Ed McC Posts: 175
edited August 2008 in Workshop
I need a new winter bike. Some of the things I would like are:
1. Fast - not too heavy and with good handling
2. Comfortable - for big weekend rides through the winter
3. Shimano 105 10 speed I think
4. Possibly full mudguards
5. Long life

Budget about £1,000, which some might think is a lot for a second bike, but I expect to do big miles on this and want it to last for a few years.

Any recommendations?

Comments

  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Big ask as you might find it hard to get a good frame with eys these days.

    I would hunt down a Principia RSL A/S frame and build it from there Cahin reaction might have a few left.
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • Ed McC
    Ed McC Posts: 175
    Down the Road wrote:
    Big ask as you might find it hard to get a good frame with eys these days.

    Is it essential to get a frame with eyes?

    I recently saw a bike with full guards which seemed to have some sort of fixing / bracket at the drop outs to take the guards.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Look at the Racelight TK builds offered by Epic Cycles.

    Currently top of my shopping list, and will certainly tick all your boxes. I have also read some excellent reviews.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Ribble winter / audax will also take full guards (they are snug though) but some people apparently find the frame geometry a bit odd (long top tube / short head tube) and have to flip the stem to get a comfortable riding position.

    Should get a 105 equipped bike for less than £700 though
  • Gragi
    Gragi Posts: 448
    Condor fratello? bang on budget.
    http://www.condorcycles.com/fratello.html
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    keef66 wrote:
    Look at the Racelight TK builds offered by Epic Cycles.

    Currently top of my shopping list, and will certainly tick all your boxes. I have also read some excellent reviews.

    It's a mighty fine bike. You won't regret it!

    If it's over budget the Racelight T frame is cheaper.
  • salsarider79
    salsarider79 Posts: 828
    What about the specialized tricross? The geared one will be £750ish. However, I'd look at the single speed.
    The single speed is only £450-500 and you could get last years model for less, if your lucky. Why single speed? Well, no gears, so no cassette to be sanded to nothing in just those few winter months, mudguards and rack mounts, carbon forks, can take upto 35c tyres (with mudguards, 42c without) and will cope with potholes. If you want a good winter/training bike, it makes sense.
    Also leaves you money in the pot to spice up your summer bike....
    jedster wrote:
    Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness.
    FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
    FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around.
  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    edited August 2008
    Over budget but it depends whether you have any bits or wheels already or need a full bike - Titanium audax/winter Sunday September has clearance and eyes for rack/guards. The frame and fork is 'only' £800 and it's my new winter bike. They will let you test ride one for several hours (we did about 4 hours test riding up and down the hills in the area) before you make a decision.
    http://www.sundaybicycles.co.uk/September.php
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... r-08-32142

    Can confirm that One One Pompino (SS or Fixed) does take guards and rack as I also have that and use it for commuting and winter audax. Obviously it isn't Shimano 10 spd but does the job welll.
  • Steve GT
    Steve GT Posts: 383
    Blonde wrote:
    Over budget but it depends whether you have any bits or wheels already or need a full bike - Titanium audax/winter Sunday September has clearance and eyes for rack/guards. The frame and fork is 'only' £800 and it's my new winter bike. They will let you test ride one for several hours (we did about 4 hours test riding up and down the hills in the area) before you make a decision.
    http://www.sundaybicycles.co.uk/September.php
    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... r-08-32142

    Can confirm that One One Pompino (SS or Fixed) does take guards and rack as I also have that and use it for commuting and winter audax.
    Hi Blonde,
    I thought you bought the Van Vic Yukon, or am I mistaken?
    Crediamo in te, bici!
    My Bikes.
  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    Nope, went for Sunday instead. Cheaper, and with nicer logos. I really needed to KNOW it would be right before buying but was able to really test ride it properly and it fitted me perfectly - I measured my current set up (saddle fore/aft/infron of BB, saddle height, height diff between handlebar and saddle etc) and they set it up exactly right before I went out on it. They have polished it up to a sheen finish (rather than the standard matt) and have provided the logos in black rather than the standard green for that model, 'cos that's what I asked for. All v nice :D I've just got the frame and fork as I already had most of the other parts inc. wheels.
  • Steve GT
    Steve GT Posts: 383
    Blonde wrote:
    Nope, went for Sunday instead. Cheaper, and with nicer logos. I really needed to KNOW it would be right before buying but was able to really test ride it properly and it fitted me perfectly - I measured my current set up (saddle fore/aft/infron of BB, saddle height, height diff between handlebar and saddle etc) and they set it up exactly right before I went out on it. They have polished it up to a sheen finish (rather than the standard matt) and have provided the logos in black rather than the standard green for that model, 'cos that's what I asked for. All v nice :D I've just got the frame and fork as I already had most of the other parts inc. wheels.
    I like the look of the Sunday September (never heard of it until you mentioned it :) ). It looks as if it has the same geometry as my Zeppellin, but with the added benefit of mudgaurd eyes. I love the Zeppellin, but I have passed it down to my son. I also have a ribble winter bike, but find the ride a bit harsh after 50 miles or more. I think I have found the perfect frame to replace both bikes. I feel a trip to Spa cycles may be on the cards this weekend! :P
    Crediamo in te, bici!
    My Bikes.
  • alansmithy
    alansmithy Posts: 80
    Another vote for the Condor Fratello here. Mine with Veloce came in at £999.99 including SKS guards. It's done 3,500 very comfortable miles so far without a problem. I use it with rack and guards for commuting, but whipping them off for sportives shows off a much sprightlier side to the machine....well recommended.
  • Blonde
    Blonde Posts: 3,188
    Steve GT wrote:
    I also have a ribble winter bike, but find the ride a bit harsh after 50 miles or more. I think I have found the perfect frame to replace both bikes. I feel a trip to Spa cycles may be on the cards this weekend! :P

    Agree that ribble is a harsh ride - that is what I am replacing with the Sunday September. The ribble wasn't a good buy for me. It's too short in the head tube for me anyway. The Sunday is better for steerer height - I'll stil have a bit showing above the head tube, but not like the silly amount on the Ribble. The Sunday frame and fork only arrived this week but It was a v comfy test ride, so looking forward to getting mine built up over the next week or so.
  • blorg
    blorg Posts: 1,169
    I have SKS Race Blades on my road bike and they work very well. Just something to consider if you are looking at something without eyelets. However it may be a bit hit and miss as they don't fit my tourer very well.

    Have just bought SKS Chromoplastics for my tourer, not fitted yet.

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