Winter Bike or Mudguards

Markgraf2008

I bought a Giant Defy 2 as my first road bike and was after advice on a cheap winter bike? Skiing season is on us so need it cheap.

Was also considering mudguards for the Defy, would a winter wreck my Defy if I cleaned it regularly and fitted guards.

As I said Newbie to all this so all advice greatly recived.

Havent been out for a month and I'm getting severe withdrawl symptoms.

Thanks

danlikesbikes

No the winter wont wreck your bike if cleaned after each ride, but as you would be using it more and in worse conditions will have more wear & tear than the same riding in the summer.

Mudguards are an option for you and there are loads around just look at a few online shops or even Bikeradar product reviews to give you an idea.

A cheap winter bike is the other option as the wear & tear can be taken out on lower spec components and the frame should last ages if taken care of. The plus of a winter bike is if you have an "off" on your best bike is not going to get damaged at all.

You can look at it either way I rode my good bike last year in bad weather, but to be honest not all the way through the winter - so this year have opted for a winter bike (kinesis frame) and fell a bit happier as my pride best back can just look awesome on the hallway till the weather gets better

Markgraf2008

Thanks Dan appreciate the advice I have bought a pair of Defy Gurds for it so have that option in hand. Don't know the cheapest road bike I could get, its a bit of a "how long is a piece f string" question I guess.

Many thanks

nochekmate

I've just opted to buy a winter bike - plenty going cheap on eBay. This is the one I bought for £150. Yes I know that the frame looks a bit odd but I'm not riding this in the winter for the aesthetics! It is in very good condition, with Sora groupset and Alex rims (all ideal for winter).

Equipped it with Crud mudguards - all ready to go but now snowbound!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

I was getting sick of riding for an hour or so and then having to spend about the same time cleaning my nice bikes.

MikeWW

Rode my bike through the winter last year and plan to do the same this year. Have put crudguards on and changed the wheels back to Alex rims and cheap conti tyres.(run Kysrium Elites and Pro3's normally)

Skiziridis

I had the same worries about my first bike as I am new into cycling and I put mudguards on a Trek 1.2 and using it as winter bike at the moment , trying to keep it reasonably clean , chain etc. I dont know if it is the best I did, but as I am thinking it again, I wouldnt like to ride a cheap heavy steel frame for a winter bike. Cycling is joy so , I really enjoy it with the Trek at the moment, weather permitting obviously.(turbo is a good option instead) . We ll see how it goes .. maybe get another lighter Carbon frame for the summer ...

ridley2010

If your fitting mudguards to a frame like yours the crud Raceguard MKII are the daddies of all clip on guards and as long as you clean regulalrly you should have no issues. Roadgrit and dirt can be detrimental to the longevity of the drivetrain though.

the_prophet

ive the same bike, and swapped the crud guards for the giant specific guards, much better, so wouldn't bother with the cruds if i were you. benefit of having mounting points for full guards, seems silly using a clip on system. you should also be able to knock up a little deflector for the front mech as well to keep the crap off that. thats my plan anyway.