Winter coming what to do....

J1mmys

Hi,

ive recently purchased a cannondale supersix and i have to say i love it! Still fettling with it However winter is on the way and i was wondering what to do with my old Carrera Virtuoso. To be honest its in amazing condition and that isnt very old either, so i should get 300 plus for it. So im in 2 minds what to do whether to sell it as i should, its a 54cm and too small for me really as my Supersix is a 58cm fits much better. Or do i keep it as a winter bike....? But to be honest id never go out if it was smashing it down or very cold. So is it really worth keeping it as a winter Bike as my Supersix wont suffer that bad as i wont take it out in heavy rain or extremely cold temps anyway?

jibberjim

The difference in life of the components that are used in all weathers, and are only used in the dry is tiny - and you're more likely to replace it for other reasons (crash/upgrade/whatever) than you are from being worn out from riding in the wet or cold.

There's very little left on a bike which rusts, which might've once been a concern with salt and winter.

J1mmys

Cool, well i guess im better off selling it and if the weather is that bad then get a turbo trainer?

Bordersroadie

J1mmys wrote:

But to be honest id never go out if it was smashing it down or very cold. So is it really worth keeping it as a winter Bike

I think you've answered your own question. If you won't go out in the wet or cold, why would you want a winter bike?

So, sell it.

Or. . . MTFU and put some mudguards on it. ;0)

arthur_scrimshaw

at least two options, winterize it with mudguards & puncture resistant tyres, this makes life more pleasant for you as well as the bike or sell it and put the money towards some nice summer wheels.
If it was me I'd do the former as it's always nice to have a backup bike esp. when the weather is bad. Also it's the start of your N+1 journey. My Six hasn't seen a wet day and it looks like new even after 4000 miles, however it might have looked like that anyway as Jim points out. I'd also rather be out on a bike than in a garage on a turbo regardless of the weather. 6 foot snowdrifts excepted.

iPete

Sell the Virtuoso then if its flatish where you are buy a single speed or a 'winter trainer' that's the right fit. Alternatively stick Cruds on the super six.

For the cost of a second bike you could put some tasty upgrades on the six in spring instead.

unixnerd

Turbo trainers are horrid, sold mine on ebay.

Everyone needs a bad weather bike. Even if it's not raining mudguards keep road spray off you and the bike. You can also fit heavier more puncture proof tyres and maybe even a pannier rack so you can use it as a shopping bike or carry decent waterproofs in case the heavens open.

satnavsteve

I've struggled to find any decent guards that do a good job without needing constant tweeking.

Having said that, I spent a bomb on an Exposure light and got my Secteur "wintered up". Rode all through winter and didn't toucj my turbo

sheffsimon

satnavsteve wrote:

I've struggled to find any decent guards that do a good job without needing constant tweeking.

Having said that, I spent a bomb on an Exposure light and got my Secteur "wintered up". Rode all through winter and didn't toucj my turbo

Have SKS chromoplastic mudguards on my winter bike, and never touch em.

But to answer the OP's question, if the frames too small, then I would get rid and get the right size.

isimba

Mud guards? why?

Hoopdriver

isimba wrote:

Mud guards? why?

Are you kidding?

For one, to keep the mud and wet off yourself

For a second, to keep the mud and wet and grit out of your drivetrain.

For a third, if you are riding with anybody else, to keep the mud and wet off them.

isimba

Hoopdriver wrote:

isimba wrote:

Mud guards? why?

Are you kidding?

For one, to keep the mud and wet off yourself

For a second, to keep the mud and wet and grit out of your drivetrain.

For a third, if you are riding with anybody else, to keep the mud and wet off them.

Off myself? Not overly bothered about that but how does it stop getting mud into the drivetrain? As I thought it just stopped it flicking up?

Hoopdriver

isimba wrote:

Hoopdriver wrote:

isimba wrote:

Mud guards? why?

Are you kidding?

For one, to keep the mud and wet off yourself

For a second, to keep the mud and wet and grit out of your drivetrain.

For a third, if you are riding with anybody else, to keep the mud and wet off them.

Off myself? Not overly bothered about that but how does it stop getting mud into the drivetrain? As I thought it just stopped it flicking up?

I suppose it depends on the quality and style of your mudguards, but full length, 'proper' mudguards with a 'skirt' on the front guard, will do a wonderful job of keeping gunk out of your drive train. A lot of mudguards - most - are not really very good at this, but putting a proper set on the bike, as I do with my tourers and winter bike, can spare your chainrings, chain, mechs and cassette a lot of wear and tear. I use sealed cables as well - Gore Ride-on or Transfil Mudlovers. I do a lot of cold dark wet winter miles and this really pays off.

iPete

Why mudguards?

Rode with Cruds for the first time today, fantastic. The drivetrain is very well protect with these (the guard wraps around the wheel near the BB) and its amazing how much longer you stay dry for.

Oh and they look pretty good if that's whats stopping you use them..