Do people have a Winter / Spare bike?

highlander777
highlander777 Posts: 67
edited September 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi

One of my spokes blew out the other day. The wheel is still under warranty, so it has been sent back to Mavic. I now have no bike for about 2 / 3 weeks. It is doing my head in

So, do get a winter bike (spare).

FYI - I currently have a Cervelo R5.

What do others do ?

Comments

  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    N+1
    I have TWO winter bikes :D One is a SS/fixed for club rides and the other a tourer so I have some gears for harder riding
  • I use a CX as a winter/bad weather bike, kitted with mudguards. Rather different experience from the road bike but strangely addictive. Always a nice contrast swapping from one to the other. I do have a mtb for other occasions, but this gets used less and less.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    A spare pair of wheels at least - a pothole can wipe a wheel out anytime.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    of course. it's the law ....
  • Beatmaker
    Beatmaker Posts: 1,092
    I've just built up a Winter bike, but its ended up with a spec similar to my Summer bike, which defeats the object I suppose!
  • Currently just have the hybrid commuter/mtb at the moment but plan on selling that in favour of a cheap winter hack and a long term build for next spring/summer.
    Would definitely recommend a cheaper 2nd bike be it a fixie, CX or tourer.
    Cannondale SS Evo Team
    Kona Jake CX
    Cervelo P5
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Yes. My old good bike became my winter bike (in fairness my old good bike isn't as good as most people's winter bikes!). Trek Pilot 1.0, does the job well.
  • Beatmaker wrote:
    I've just built up a Winter bike, but its ended up with a spec similar to my Summer bike, which defeats the object I suppose!

    I've just done the same but my logic was that an all-weather bike will get more miles than a dry-weather bike (Scotland!) so in theory my best bike should be the winter one. I pick it up this afternoon as it happens. . .can't wait!

    N+1 still applies, though, so if I don't want to use the new winter bike I have an old MTB with rigid fork, which usually wears studded tyres, my ready-to go ice bike for winter.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Yes it's called crud roadracer 2's and RS20 wheels with Gator Hardshell tyres sat in the shed ready to fit :-(
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    This is precisely why you need spare bikes.

    For winter you want full guards and sturdier tyres. I just go fixed wheel- less to maintain and the high cadence keeps you warm.

    The cross bike is another good option - lets you ride surfaces you may otherwise shy away from.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    winter - ti CX frame, discs, 1x9, 'gaurds, 28mm GP4Seasons

    summer - Giant TCR Advanced, various wheels, spangly trick stuff


    MTBs are th same - burly steel hardtail for winter, trick fullsusser for summer/Alps
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • For winter caad10 with crud catchers and conti 4 seasons or krylions.....It was new last year and even using through all conditions is still in immaculate condition.
  • A purpose built frameset with proper guards is so much better than using crudcatchers. Sks in particular are very sturdy. Riding behind both i can tell you that your mates will thank you for using proper guards.
  • Giant Glory DH !!! lol
  • I also use my CX bike for winter riding, a bit more robust than a road bike!
  • Yes and spare wheels to avoid the position you find yourself in.

    Old Allez on Aksiums for cruddy weather (just finished swapping it up to 105 from Sora courtesy of wise use of the efbay-fu) :D : 8)
    Allez Triple (hairy with mudguards) - FCN 4
    Ribble Gran Fondo
  • awsm
    awsm Posts: 210
    My daily bike is a Trek 1.1. It's a tank but extremely reliable and takes well to being abused. Used for shopping, winter, commuting. Canyon & Ti bikes for best :)
  • mjbennett wrote:
    A purpose built frameset with proper guards is so much better than using crudcatchers. Sks in particular are very sturdy. Riding behind both i can tell you that your mates will thank you for using proper guards.

    +1. I have an all out carbon racer for summer and racing, and a winter/rain bike with full, permanent mudguards.
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    I have a single speed with full guards (supposedly for winter although much fun any time year) and a carbon bike for dry weather. Also have a alu road bike now used for turbo trainer and cruddy weather but can only put crud racers and 23mm tyres on it. They drive me mad when they start rubbing! Have been thinking of getting one good do it all bike (perhaps in titanium) to replace the carbon and alu bikes, but having no bike due to a mechanical or worse does make me think twice. but then I think I'm just being greedy (could always fall back onto the singlespeed when necessary)
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • carrock
    carrock Posts: 1,103
    Just ordered Specialized Crux Cyclocross as a do-it-all commuter/winter/light off road bike
  • A 1992 Merckx, columbus max frame and forks with hope hoops and tiagra. Still rides beautifully.
  • I refer to them as wet and dry bikes rather than winter or summer as you can get conditions appropriate for either bike at any time of the year.
  • Yes true, good point verylonglegs. Where i live we dont seem to have seasons any more!
  • MTB for the really crappy weather and playing off road. 2 road bikes which are alledgedly 1 summer and 1 winter although i'm enjoying the summer bike so much i'm not sure if or when i'll switch to the winter bike.

    Maybe when the roads are getting gritted i'll swap over.