Winter Bike

Loretta Damage

My wife has just suggested that I buy a winter bike; obviously this is preparing me for a fairly shocking announcement of some sort but in the meantime seeing as I've got the go ahead to but a new bike, what should I go for? Budget is around the £1000 mark, a few of the guys I ride with have suggested Ribble - any advice most welcome! I ride a Trek Madone 3.5 at the moment.

bmxboy10

Get some more money together and get this.

http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=219525

amaferanga

Spend a few hundred quid on a good used bike and spend the rest on nice new bits for your best bike instead. I don't see the point in spending a grand on a new bike just for winter.

nathancom

I just got hold of a new Genesis Equilibrium frame. It seems like the ideal winter bike to my mind - comfy, not too expensive, takes full mudguards but still provides an enjoyable ride. I can't wait to finish building it.

meesterbond

Does your wife know my wife?? Mine suggested the same last night (or at least it got ok'd with minimal arguement), so I'll be watching this thread with interest.

I think I'm going to go for a cross bike with Dolan Multi-cross as the current favourite, although if I can find something secondhand I'd probably go with that.

kim10

nathancom wrote:

I just got hold of a new Genesis Equilibrium frame. It seems like the ideal winter bike to my mind - comfy, not too expensive, takes full mudguards but still provides an enjoyable ride. I can't wait to finish building it.

+1 Got on last year and build it up before the winter. It has been great, very comfortable and for the price I think you get a quality frame that will go on for years. I have just given it a small service last weekend ready for the foul weather forcasted but can't wait to get out on it again.
I manage to keep my build well under £1000 but only because I had most of the parts.

d3anharper

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/forme/bikes-bcp1.html

Seriously look at picking up one of these Forme's for £500 - I have the equivalent model from 2010 and its is so well made its unreal, 3000 miles in not a scratch on the paintwork and no rust anywhere, all I have had to replace are the tyres.

Pick up one for £500 and then spend £50 on some winter tyres, and then use a bit of your budget for some decent winter gear

arlowood

For a serious winter bike I would expect the capability to fit mudguards without too much faffing around.

On that basis the Kinesis Racelight TK2 is another option for your shortlist

http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/racelight/tk2

Tiagra drivetrain, R500 wheelset etc

Should come in around your £1K budget.

Loretta Damage

Have gone for new Kinesis TK3 frame, Mavic Aksium wheels and 105 group set. I'll be commuting on it as well so it will get daily use as well as the weekend training ride.

andrew_s

meesterbond wrote:

I think I'm going to go for a cross bike with Dolan Multi-cross as the current favourite,

I'd agree that a cross bike is very good for a winter bike. Unlike the average "winter" bike, which is a standard road bike with just enough clearance to squeeze mudguards over 25mm tyres, it would have room for tyres that are actually suitable for snow & ice. These don't come in anything narrower than 35mm.

gavbarron

I'm another advocate of a cross bike for winter, especially out in the sticks where the farmers cover the road in mud I can roll through on comfy cross tyres. Also have another set of wheels with road tyres on and i quickly stick the crud racer mud guards on for club runs. Very versatile option.
As said though, go second hand, little point dropping a grand on a winter bike, get a good used one in good condition and spend the change on the wife for mega brownie points