Winter Training Bike

Secteur
Secteur Posts: 1,971
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
I have a bike, but when it's wet (and in the Winter) I'd like to have a second bike ready set up with "wet" grippy tyres, mud guards if I need them and for it to be slightly more rugged.

I hear people talk about their "winter training bikes".

What do people mean by this?

I am a newbie so any thoughts welcome!

PS is the specialized tricross a good winter training bike? The 2010 models already being discounted, and with all the rain I might be buying sooner than I'd thought!

My other option is to use my current bike as a winter bike and then buy a better summer bike next season!!

Comments

  • HamishD
    HamishD Posts: 538
    Secteur wrote:
    I have a bike, but when it's wet (and in the Winter) I'd like to have a second bike ready set up with "wet" grippy tyres, mud guards if I need them and for it to be slightly more rugged.

    I hear people talk about their "winter training bikes".

    What do people mean by this?

    I am a newbie so any thoughts welcome!

    PS is the specialized tricross a good winter training bike? The 2010 models already being discounted, and with all the rain I might be buying sooner than I'd thought!

    My other option is to use my current bike as a winter bike and then buy a better summer bike next season!!

    No such thing as "wet" grippy tyres for the road I'm afraid . . .

    Winter/training bike is one that you don't mind getting as trashed as you would your best bike, especially with all the crud that goes on the roads in the winter. Rugged doesn't come into it really, the one you're riding at the moment is pretty rugged.

    Ribble do a good winter bike, as do Kinesis - both of which take full mudguards. Don't know which Secteur you've got but either of these could actually be better than your current bike, dependent on how you spec them. . . .Alternatively, as you've already stated, keep your current bike for hack/winter/training duties and splash out for a new summer/best biike (if you have the cash or inclination). Can a secteur take mudguards?
  • HoHoHoBlueGiant
    HoHoHoBlueGiant Posts: 85
    I'm a cheapskate, picked up an early 90's Raleigh for £15, it only had been ridden ONCE and then put in storage! Put on new bar tape and 2 new tires, SPD's and mudguards swapped from my 'best' bike.

    I soon got used to the downtube gear change levers (took me back to my yoof!), and if I do take a tumble on it, nevermind, brake levers are cheaper to replace than STI's for example.

    And I love it, it's chromoly steel, weighs a ton, but that doens't matter anyway with the added mudguards, lights etc. It's also so much smoother than my aluminium Giant , and I really love the 'retro' look, not an oversized tube in sight, she's so pretty.... :oops:

    I wouldn't want to sway you away from splashing the cash though, who wouldn't want a better 'best' bike :lol:
    Wind. Cold. Rain. Pick two.
  • procyclist
    procyclist Posts: 50
    For a few quid you can easily knock together a fixed bike for using between October - December, stick 66" max fixed on and you're laughing - less maintenance to worry about, and it teaches/reminds you to pedal fluidly.
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    HamishD wrote:
    Can a secteur take mudguards?

    After a lot of research and personal experience, I can say yes - but only SKS RaceBlades XL., but they are snug and do a good job and are easily put on and off, though they have rubbed the paint off the bars where they attach!

    I suspect I will keep this one through the winter, and then buy a nice shiny new full-carbon beauty in the Spring!
  • gaddster
    gaddster Posts: 401
    Got crud roadracers on my secteur which is now a wet weather bike. They fit fine with 25 tyres too..
    ARTHUR
    "Hello oh great one"
    LARRY
    "Are you talking to me or my ass?"
  • Tonymufc
    Tonymufc Posts: 1,016
    S'pose it depends on what sort of money you want to spend. Like the others have said you can knock a cheap winter bike together for very little money. However, my way of thinking is that the winter bike has to be good enough to stand up to what our winters can throw at it, so on that basis I bought a kinesis TK2 for a little over a grand (cyclescheme wink wink). I always live by the rule that you get what you pay for!
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    +1 for Kinesis Racelight

    Got mine off eBay for £460 - immaculate condition, looks as new and kitted out with Campag Veloce groupset and Fulcrum 5s & full mudguards, so very good spec for the money. Unfashionable brand (apart from keen cyclists, where they are a popular winter bike) that don't fetch big prices on eBay but built for the job. Seller threw in 2 pairs of tyres & Assos Fugu jacket and biblongs for only £150 so well pleased with that - he was having to give up due to arthritis, which was unfortunate for him :cry:

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