Winter workhorse advice needed.

Ber Nard

Looking forward to the winter already, I'm thinking about building up a winter-proof do it all bike to free up my Preffisio as my winter trainer.

I want: Disc brakes, a rack, mudgaurds, clearance for 700c 35mm ice spikes (when needed) under the mudgaurds and cheapish.

Closest I've seen is the Planet X Kaffenback and Genesis Croix de Fer but I think tyre clearance would be an issue. Ideally I want to stick to 700c wheels, drop bars and carry over as much of my Veloce groupset as possible but would I be better off looking at MTB frames? As it'd end up as my year round commuter I want something road orientated so I'm reluctant to consider 26 inch wheels and flat bars.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Rob

SimonAH

This;

http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/p ... sub-10-xl/

Carbon drive is awesome requiring zero maintenance, silent running and no grease on your legs / trousers.

Nicely sealed Alfine gives you gears and puts all the delicate bits out of the rain and grit.

Disc brakes as specified.

Plenty of tyre clearance.

For practicality I cannot see how this can be beaten.

The only box not ticked is the drop bars - but that shouldn't be an issue to retrofit.

Ber Nard

Never come across those but it looks good. Maybe a little bit too hybrid but a change to drop bars and skinnier tyres should sort that.

Cheers,

Rob

bails87

A 29er mtb, or cx. Boardman? Not sure how cheap you consider it, but there might be some second hand ones about.

jedster

I've got a drop bar 11 speed pompetamine which would tick everything but clearance for ice spikes under guards. How many days a year would you expect to use those tyres - you're in Stoke on Trent not Stavanger )

spasypaddy

get a CX bike/frame with disc mounts.

phy2sll2

Nah, cantis all the way.

What is life without excitement?

nich

Cotric RoadRat (or the newer X) will do the trick.

Been using mine for ages, not just through winter.

They are a bit costly though, but I'm chuffed with it.

DrLex

Ber Nard wrote:

[...] clearance for 700c 35mm ice spikes (when needed) under the mudgaurds [...]

Surely if it's cold enough to need ice spikes, the need for mudguards is almost eliminated?

(Or else; N+2 => winter commuter and dedicated 'ice bike')

roger_merriman

DrLex wrote:

Ber Nard wrote:

[...] clearance for 700c 35mm ice spikes (when needed) under the mudgaurds [...]

Surely if it's cold enough to need ice spikes, the need for mudguards is almost eliminated?

(Or else; N+2 => winter commuter and dedicated 'ice bike')

your confuseing need with want!

does sound like a fun bike has to be said, sounds like maybe one of the CX bikes best bet?

UndercoverElephant

If you get a CX, you could use MTB-style downtube guards to keep the worst off you. It's not as though a CX is likely to be a looker, so it doesn't matter as much.

Kieran_Burns

UndercoverElephant wrote:

If you get a CX, you could use MTB-style downtube guards to keep the worst off you. It's not as though a CX is likely to be a looker, so it doesn't matter as much.

Cheek!

You can get 42c guards to fit on the Tricross - there's loads of clearance and 35s with ice spikes won't be a problem

bails87

Yeah, 35s and guards easily fit on the Boardman CX too.

Ber Nard

jedster wrote:

I've got a drop bar 11 speed pompetamine which would tick everything but clearance for ice spikes under guards. How many days a year would you expect to use those tyres - you're in Stoke on Trent not Stavanger )

True, but I want to have the option for those days. I use the bike regardless of the weather and don't fancy adding to the scars from my last outings on black ice.

DrLex wrote:

Surely if it's cold enough to need ice spikes, the need for mudguards is almost eliminated?

(Or else; N+2 => winter commuter and dedicated 'ice bike')

A dedicated ice bike sounds cool! Skinny steel frame, ice spikes, fixed wheel, no brakes... But Jedster's point above stands and I couldn't be arsed with removing the rack and guards to change tyres. I also want the option of running CX tyres for snow/slush. Like I say; this has to be a true do it all bike.

Cheers for all the suggestions, the Boardman CX is high up my list - I'll have to look at the others. I'm also considering a Jamis Bosanova for a bit of old school touring style but they only seem available from Evans. Any experience of them?

Rob

notsoblue

jedster wrote:

I've got a drop bar 11 speed pompetamine which would tick everything but clearance for ice spikes under guards.

On-One don't do these any more

desweller

It's a bit expensive but maybe something based on the Singular Peregrine? Lugged frame construction with disc brake mounts, clears 2.0" tyres...what's not to like!