Winter Cycling

Veronica Bottoms

So I put my new carbon fiber bike away around October/November which I'd recently purchased in the summer.

Since then I've been training at the gym on the exercise bikes.

I'm getting fed up of cycling on a stationary bike as I find it hard to motivate myself as it's so boring.

I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking fuck it, I don't care if my bike gets dirty or salt on it as I just want to get riding on the roads again. Of course I will clean it regularly.

All I want to know is what actual harm will I be doing to the bike and what are the main reasons people have a winter bike opposed to using there good'un over the winter? Is it purely a cosmetic thing as obviously it's muddier etc

I don't use my bike for commuting so I don't need mud guards. I use my bike purely for fitness and as a hobby.

The way I look at it is, what's the point in spending a huge amount of money on a bike which is rendered useless over the winter.

I can't afford a winter bike so that's out of the question.

So what are the main reasons why I shouldn't use my bike in the winter?

Where are the parts to clean regularly apart from the obvious places like the chain etc?

Does salt corrode carbon? Because my understanding is it doesn't and only reacts with metals.

At the end of the day life is for living and seeing my bike in the garage doing nothing is painful to take in.

If it means I lose a couple of years of life off the bike that's fine as I will get much more joy from all year riding.

Thanks for your help guys.

reacher

absolutely , load of crap this saving it for best , you will have had a coronery and died before it gets worn out ,
ride it , wear it out and buy a new one , the health benifets out weigh any posible costs any way ,
and their not exspensive in any case , when you look at what other people spend to kill them selves on beer and fags

kayakerchris

Ride it!!

Bikes are basically agricultural machinery adapted. The gears and so on are simplicity itself.

Give it a clean and lubrication at the beginning of winter and then another around March and it will be fine. Add mudguards so your bum stays drier and lots of lights so you can be seen and get out on it.

The carbon will probably fall apart faster in the garage than being used.

xcmad

Yup, get out there you won't regret it. I love winter XC riding, gets you fit, teaches you new skills and more importantly, you feel like a man.

Get on it.

CarleyB

I am another who can't afford 2 bikes, so I will just ride mine all year ! And covet other peoples many bikes !!!

clunkychunky

i think the reason the good bike is shelved during winter is because its of the extreme weather, and conditions. lets face it, you are far more likely to have an off on icy roads than on any other surface. so one reason is definitely to try to avoid damage to the bike (in my case it is anyway).

as for the salt and grit effect on the bike, well so long as you rinse it down after each ride and keep it fully lubed etc it should be ok.

Veronica Bottoms

Thanks guys for the replies.

I've got a massive smile on my face reading your replies. Glad I'm not the only one who has the same mindset.

I suppose it's like anything else, you can read to much into things and get carried away.

Can't wait to go out tomorrow

sungod

unless the road is icy, i ride

commute every day, alloy frame, hose the bike down to get salt/mud/crud off it, wipe dry, check the chain is ok

but for training etc. almost always use my posh bike, year round, clean it as above

as long as components that should be greased etc. are kept that way, then no problem

regular maintenance will involve stripping down and regreasing anyway

with a carbon frame the main risk is that corroded metal parts will seize in place, making them hard or even impossible to remove without causing damage, but with correct maintenance and cleaning you should be ok

cougie

By all means ride the bike - but if theyve been gritting clean the bike after - or your nice shiny alloy finish wony be as shiny.

seanoconn

I've only room for one bike in my flat. I enjoy having a nice bike and riding it so i use my carbon for commuting and weekend rides all year round. Cleaning it on average once a week. Looks as good as new, after a year and the 2 worst winters in living memory.

meanredspider

+1 for the "Ride It" replies. My only caveat it that if I'm likely to find black ice, I take the MTB with Ice Spikers. But then my ride is very rural so
a. The roads I ride are rarely salted
b. If I have a bad prang I might not be found for an hour.
but I'd much rather take the carbon road machine and do as soon as the road temp is above zero.

AllezAllezAllez

Just get out and ride. I have a road bike which has not been cleaned for a year and its in perfect order.

sagalout

I last cleaned my bike (trek madone) before the Colomba Chemo Classic sportive in early November. Hate cleaning bikes when it's cold! Ridden through all sorts of crap including salted roads. Decided it was looking embarrassingly dirty today and cleaned up like new.

Lifes too short for cleaning machines!

cyco2

I don't understand when you say you cannot afford another bike. They'er being thrown out by the dozen at our local dump. Legally they're not for sale but a kind word and some fivers or tenners can do the trick. I have bought and sold many this way. The thing to do is to advertise locally in Gumtree or notice board and if you like what you see haggle. I have seen many excellent bikes in Boot Sales. My favoured one at the moment for winter riding is a hybid that I bought in a BS for £25. Just look and you will find.
.
.
.

fish156

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

Since then I've been training at the gym on the exercise bikes.

......

I can't afford a winter bike so that's out of the question.

......

A winter's worth of gym membership could pay for a winter bike?

Veronica Bottoms

cyco2 wrote:

I don't understand when you say you cannot afford another bike. They'er being thrown out by the dozen at our local dump. Legally they're not for sale but a kind word and some fivers or tenners can do the trick. I have bought and sold many this way. The thing to do is to advertise locally in Gumtree or notice board and if you like what you see haggle. I have seen many excellent bikes in Boot Sales. My favoured one at the moment for winter riding is a hybid that I bought in a BS for £25. Just look and you will find.
.
.
.

I went down that route in the summer when I was looking for a throw away bike which I could lock up in town without having to worry about it getting nicked.

Firstly they said they wouldn't sell them to me and secondly they were all mountain bikes.

fish156 wrote:

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

Since then I've been training at the gym on the exercise bikes.

......

I can't afford a winter bike so that's out of the question.

......

A winter's worth of gym membership could pay for a winter bike?

With one of the months being free it totaled to about £60. I'm not stuck in a 12 month contract.

If you can direct me to a decent carbon bike for £60 be my guest.

Preferably I want to ride a decent bike all year round.

fish156

fish156 wrote:

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

Since then I've been training at the gym on the exercise bikes.

......

I can't afford a winter bike so that's out of the question.

......

A winter's worth of gym membership could pay for a winter bike?

With one of the months being free it totaled to about £60. I'm not stuck in a 12 month contract.

If you can direct me to a decent carbon bike for £60 be my guest.

Preferably I want to ride a decent bike all year round.

Blimey, you want a decent carbon bike to ride in winter as well :roll:

Then like others have already suggested, just ride your one bike and get good at maintaining it.

chrishd883

You can ride your best / only bike in all weathers!

Alrthough I would recommend that you clean / lube regularly for reliability and costs!
A dirty drive chain will wear out faster.

But I would also advise mudguards - even if not "commuting"
Race blades are OK for racing bikes but something like the Crud Racers are better.
Will fit most bikes with limited clearance & also easy to fit.

The benefits are twofold:

Ccomfort for you - especially on long rides. Wet / muddy stripe up the back of the shorts not good! Plus spray from the front wheeel onto your shoes.

And cleanliness for the bike - keeps most of the crud out of the brakes / forks, etc.

blade8

well ive got a 20 yr old raliegh for a winter bike and love it down tube shifters the lot , ok put new wheels on it and cables an brakes but nothing fancy, so my good bike is not covered in salt and grime ...and as the mile are slightly shorter im gettin a good work out on a heavier bike...

Veronica Bottoms

fish156 wrote:

fish156 wrote:

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

Since then I've been training at the gym on the exercise bikes.

......

I can't afford a winter bike so that's out of the question.

......

A winter's worth of gym membership could pay for a winter bike?

With one of the months being free it totaled to about £60. I'm not stuck in a 12 month contract.

If you can direct me to a decent carbon bike for £60 be my guest.

Preferably I want to ride a decent bike all year round.

Blimey, you want a decent carbon bike to ride in winter as well :roll:

Then like others have already suggested, just ride your one bike and get good at maintaining it.

That's what I plan on doing

chrishd883 wrote:

You can ride your best / only bike in all weathers!

Alrthough I would recommend that you clean / lube regularly for reliability and costs!
A dirty drive chain will wear out faster.

But I would also advise mudguards - even if not "commuting"
Race blades are OK for racing bikes but something like the Crud Racers are better.
Will fit most bikes with limited clearance & also easy to fit.

The benefits are twofold:

Ccomfort for you - especially on long rides. Wet / muddy stripe up the back of the shorts not good! Plus spray from the front wheeel onto your shoes.

And cleanliness for the bike - keeps most of the crud out of the brakes / forks, etc.

I hear what you're saying especially for comfort. There's nothing worst than a wet bum

The only issue is I'm pretty certain my bike doesn't have mud guard fittings. Oh well, I'll survive.

sungod

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

<...>
I hear what you're saying especially for comfort. There's nothing worst than a wet bum

The only issue is I'm pretty certain my bike doesn't have mud guard fittings. Oh well, I'll survive.

get some of these...

http://www.onyerbikeonline.com/products ... 1054&rs=gb

...designed for road bikes, keeps bum and shoes dry, stops so much crud hitting the bike

CarleyB

sungod wrote:

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

<...>
I hear what you're saying especially for comfort. There's nothing worst than a wet bum

The only issue is I'm pretty certain my bike doesn't have mud guard fittings. Oh well, I'll survive.

get some of these...

http://www.onyerbikeonline.com/products ... 1054&rs=gb

...designed for road bikes, keeps bum and shoes dry, stops so much crud hitting the bike

+1

and easy to fit

davic

here's the thing, it's easier to find an excuse not to go out on yer bike than just getting out! there are so many excuses - we've all been there - too windy, too wet, too cold etc etc etc.

fuck the bike - yeah sure it's nice having a nice bike. at the end of the day a bike is a bike; a combination of carbon, aluminium n steel or whatever. the reason why we're all reading/ writing on these message boards is not coz we like bikes it's coz we LOVE riding them - be it road, cross, mountain whatever! that feeling you get when you get home after you've just cained a massive ride in a spectacular (or even a shit) time, no matter what your limts are - we are all entitled to our own wee bit of dreamin'. How can you take take that away from yourself - this is why i love my bikes. getting home all sore from pedalling too hard, or from falling off.

next time you try to make an excuse to yourself not to go out - just try and remember how good you felt the last time you pulled up at your garden gate/ front door - legs burning, stomach hurting, face as red as a beetroot and begging for air. give the bike a hose down and a bit of a lube while you have a hot sweet coffee - it'll be fine. but you will feel totally pumped for the rest of the day, and as for the mud guards etc did Cadel need em on that stage of the Giro (forgot which one - the dead muddy one on the bianchi strada) - course he didn't !

sorry for the rant but deep down you know how good it feels on a bike! (sometimes so good it's effin agony).

Theomerchant

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

fish156 wrote:

fish156 wrote:

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

Since then I've been training at the gym on the exercise bikes.

......

I can't afford a winter bike so that's out of the question.

......

A winter's worth of gym membership could pay for a winter bike?

With one of the months being free it totaled to about £60. I'm not stuck in a 12 month contract.

If you can direct me to a decent carbon bike for £60 be my guest.

Preferably I want to ride a decent bike all year round.

Blimey, you want a decent carbon bike to ride in winter as well :roll:

Then like others have already suggested, just ride your one bike and get good at maintaining it.

That's what I plan on doing

chrishd883 wrote:

You can ride your best / only bike in all weathers!

Alrthough I would recommend that you clean / lube regularly for reliability and costs!
A dirty drive chain will wear out faster.

But I would also advise mudguards - even if not "commuting"
Race blades are OK for racing bikes but something like the Crud Racers are better.
Will fit most bikes with limited clearance & also easy to fit.

The benefits are twofold:

Ccomfort for you - especially on long rides. Wet / muddy stripe up the back of the shorts not good! Plus spray from the front wheeel onto your shoes.

And cleanliness for the bike - keeps most of the crud out of the brakes / forks, etc.

I hear what you're saying especially for comfort. There's nothing worst than a wet bum

The only issue is I'm pretty certain my bike doesn't have mud guard fittings. Oh well, I'll survive.

With Crud Road Racer guards it doesn't matter if your bike doesn't have mud guard fittings (they use a rubber 'o' ring to attach to your fork & seat stays) and to be honest they are amazing...and cheap!!

davic

hoy - it's just changed all my swear words to americanisms - that's b0llocks that is!

Veronica Bottoms

sungod wrote:

Veronica Bottoms wrote:

<...>
I hear what you're saying especially for comfort. There's nothing worst than a wet bum

The only issue is I'm pretty certain my bike doesn't have mud guard fittings. Oh well, I'll survive.

get some of these...

http://www.onyerbikeonline.com/products ... 1054&rs=gb

...designed for road bikes, keeps bum and shoes dry, stops so much crud hitting the bike

Nice one

davic wrote:

here's the thing, it's easier to find an excuse not to go out on yer bike than just getting out! there are so many excuses - we've all been there - too windy, too wet, too cold etc etc etc.

fark the bike - yeah sure it's nice having a nice bike. at the end of the day a bike is a bike; a combination of carbon, aluminium n steel or whatever. the reason why we're all reading/ writing on these message boards is not coz we like bikes it's coz we LOVE riding them - be it road, cross, mountain whatever! that feeling you get when you get home after you've just cained a massive ride in a spectacular (or even a shoot) time, no matter what your limts are - we are all entitled to our own wee bit of dreamin'. How can you take take that away from yourself - this is why i love my bikes. getting home all sore from pedalling too hard, or from falling off.

next time you try to make an excuse to yourself not to go out - just try and remember how good you felt the last time you pulled up at your garden gate/ front door - legs burning, stomach hurting, face as red as a beetroot and begging for air. give the bike a hose down and a bit of a lube while you have a hot sweet coffee - it'll be fine. but you will feel totally pumped for the rest of the day, and as for the mud guards etc did Cadel need em on that stage of the Giro (forgot which one - the dead muddy one on the bianchi strada) - course he didn't !

sorry for the rant but deep down you know how good it feels on a bike! (sometimes so good it's effin agony).

Great post, totally agree.

cyco2

You appear to be coming round to the idea that cycling is more important than the bike. That's the way I think. So, you cannot get anything except an mtb. An mtb can be made a whole lot faster with slicks on. If you 'pick up' a couple that have usable wheels then put slicks on one pair of wheels and treads on the other. That's what I use for my shopping bike and it flys.

chrishd883

+1 Again for the Crud Racers (mark 2's preferably)

Really designed for those racing bikes without the clerance or fittings for "full" mudguards.

Easy to fit as well.

Originaly used the shorter 'race blades' but gave them away after buying and trying the original Crud Racers.

The price on the link is good as well - cheapest I'd seen them was £21

peejay78

mudguards are pretty essential for winter. i ride an old raleigh 531 frame with downtube shifters from the early 1980s. it's 531, so quite nice, but it weighs a ton. however, it cost £130 all in, which is not much more than a nice jacket and a pair of mudguards. i ride this all winter, saving my nice bike from the worst winter has to offer.

sean kelly once said something like 'if it's raining outside i go out and ride and then when i get back i decide if it's too wet to ride'.



i draw the line when it's icy. like today. i went out, thinking it was ok, came off twice, even on main roads. a bit of road rash and some bruising, but nothing more. however, i could easily have broken something and then been off the bike for ten weeks, which is unthinkable.

evil_breakfast

i draw the line when it's icy. like today. i went out, thinking it was ok, came off twice, even on main roads. a bit of road rash and some bruising, but nothing more. however, i could easily have broken something and then been off the bike for ten weeks, which is unthinkable.

Tell me about it!
Went on my usual Sunday 30 miler this morning, and came off twice inside 5 minutes.
Bit of bruising/grazing, but coulda been so much worse.
*shudders*

peejay78

it's wierd, because you get through all the nasty weather, but today was the worst kind of day - when it looks really lovely and it doesn't seem that cold.