Can you be too precious about your bike?

moscowflyer

Ok, so say you just have one bike, or say you have more than one bike. Do you ride your 'good bike' in crap weather, or are you too precious about it to do so? I'm pretty strict about riding my good bike in the wet (In fact, I hate riding either of my two bikes in the wet), I hate the thought of getting it dirty and will immediately spend half an hour cleaning it post ride if it gets dirty in any way. Yesterday I got back from a ride where the roads were unexpectedly wet and the bike got caked in crap, I then spent ages cleaning it so it became gleaming again.

Some people will only have one bike but will have spent a small fortune on it, will you still ride it in the crap weather or will you stick to the turbo or rollers? Is life too short, do I need to mtfu and just ride the good bike in all conditions or am I right to treat it better than I treat my kids?

mk1markfalkirk

I have 1 bike, its modern, carbon with Dura ace

I ride it all weathers and just take care cleaning it and lubricating everything again post ride.

if I had a classic steel Italian steed with beautiful Campagnolo components I'd only use it in the dry, Modern bikes are merely tools to me

Gabbo

I have a carbon road bike and a turbo trainer. The turbo trainer wasn't a bad investment, but I've only used it once. I would compare it to a tredmill - boring!

Put it this way, I'll be purchasing a 2nd hand alu bike when pay day arrives. Can't risk damaging a carbon frame. But yes, MTFU and get yourself out there! Only thing stopping you should either be snow or a force 9 gale ;-)

Mikey41

It's only natural to want to look after something really nice. While I won't deliberately set out in the rain, I can't completely avoid wet conditions or I'd barely ride at all. I fixed the cleaning problem by fitting some mudguards Todays ride was wet in places and the guards worked spectacularly well at keeping the bike (and me) clean.

Crud Roadracer Mk2's. When summer rolls around, I'll take them off again.

Philinmerthyr

I bought myself a Specialized Roubaix 3 weeks ago. I also own an Orange Crush mountain bike. Since buying the Roubaix I haven't ridden the mountain bike. Rain or shine I've been on the carbon framed Roubix.

hipshot

I ride my best bike in all weathers and I don't get too wound up about cleaning it. A very quick wipe down/lube after each ride and a thorough one every few rides or after a period of bad weather. Most components last for years with basic maintenence and don't need to be fretted over. Just watch out for road salt or sand.

Your components will wear. It's inevitable. Life is most definitely too short to worry about it.

tiredofwhiners

I'm not funny about my carbon bikes but do try and kep them clean - every other ride and well lubricated after and before each ride.

You know people are being 'strange' when they won't go out in the wet, they want to cover the bike in cling film, worry about scratching the soles of their shoes (I joke not) and a myriad of other strange behaviours. its entirely up to them though - I just find it laughable.

Mickyg88

I can't understand this fixation with not riding the best carbon bike in the rain, besides cycling I am a keen fly fisher, and what do I fish with, yes, a carbon fibre rod, even I the middle of winter in the rain, and believe me it gets much more abuse than a road bike, and I've had my 'best rod' over 10 tears now and no problems with it, so I see no reason not to ride a carbon bike in the wet weather.

cougie

You can be too precious. My best bike won't be going out in the salt and ice - but its done its share of wet and dirty rides.

In crappy winter weather - my winter bike comes out. Its got guards so keeps the cr@p off me - and its a cheaper bike - so less need to keep it pristine.

welsh_one

So much so, I don't ride it ! No serious, even bought new winter jacket and waterproof jacket and gloves from Aldi. Still got tags on . Even bought bike pump and puncture kit etc. :oops: I need motivation. Loads of motivation.

TakeTurns

Give the drive chain a quick scrub and spray with lube every 2-3 weeks. I don't bother with anything else off season. I may wipe it down occasionally, but don't care so much. It's only a bit of dirt.

mustgettaller

Yes you can be too precious.

In my opinion bikes are there to be used. My first proper ride on my lovely new (to me) Tarmac Comp ended up with it looking like I'd been mountain-biking (2 weekends ago on the Chichester Wiggle sportive - very wet). Hosed it off (gently) and wiped it down, lubed and was ready to go again. 2nd ride today again around the wet Sussex lanes (including an 8" puddle - across whole road). Again gave it a quick (10 minute) hose off wipe and lube and ready to go again. No doubt it's picked up some paint chips or scratches - but hey!

If you want to keep a bike looking brand new and polished - don't use it.

Just my 2p worth.

teisetrotter

Mickyg88 wrote:

I can't understand this fixation with not riding the best carbon bike in the rain, besides cycling I am a keen fly fisher, and what do I fish with, yes, a carbon fibre rod, even I the middle of winter in the rain, and believe me it gets much more abuse than a road bike, and I've had my 'best rod' over 10 tears now and no problems with it, so I see no reason not to ride a carbon bike in the wet weather.

Me to and my favourite Sage rod gets no mercy as it is the tool of choice. To wind my wife up even further I like to play golf as I seem to be reasonable at it. I reckon all told my golf kit is £1500, just for the bats. Some have carbon shafts and I deliberately swing them at a hundred miles an hour and smash them against a plastic ball and a muddy field.

I can understand the care thing and I do clean my bike carefully after a ride in the wet. But my only worry is my will of putty when I see the rain ................. brrrrrr, I'll stay in and glue myself to sky sports instead.

Grill

mustgettaller wrote:

Yes you can be too precious.

In my opinion bikes are there to be used. My first proper ride on my lovely new (to me) Tarmac Comp ended up with it looking like I'd been mountain-biking (2 weekends ago on the Chichester Wiggle sportive - very wet). Hosed it off (gently) and wiped it down, lubed and was ready to go again. 2nd ride today again around the wet Sussex lanes (including an 8" puddle - across whole road). Again gave it a quick (10 minute) hose off wipe and lube and ready to go again. No doubt it's picked up some paint chips or scratches - but hey!

If you want to keep a bike looking brand new and polished - don't use it.

Just my 2p worth.

This.

In the 3000 miles I've put on my Foil it's been cleaned 3 times, all of them by mechanic during servicing. Now it's away for winter and my GT may see one or two cleans before April when it goes into hibernation.

binsted

I can identify with the OP, I use the hybrid with mudguards if its wet and the carbon road bike if its dry, its not just getting the bike dirty but me as well.

I really need to get out more as I enjoy cleaning the bike but not every time I get on it.

Mark Elvin

I ride my bike in all weather, as long as I give it a good wash off & re-lube after dirty rides it'll be fine.

Bozman

I just take care of my Look and it gets the same treatment every year, this time of year gives me a big excuse to service it - cables, chain, bar tape, pads replaced and the rest was striped, cleaned and lubed. The bike is still in top condition after nearly 5 yrs and it will stay away until the salt disappears. My Izalco is used until then and that'll be striped etc when the Look is used again.

DevonClimber

I used to be very anal about this, but now I have let go a bit, especially after seeing watching a telly programme on thermodynamics the other day, entropy, order, disorder and all that. Items will degrade over time, maintaining will help a lot, but will not stop the inevitable happening and that item being replaced eventually.
I just do a bit of Buddhism on this now, and accept nothing is permanent and enjoy the ride whatever the weather.

KonaMike

I only have room/funds for one bike so it gets used in all weathers. Its my weekend bike and my week day commuter,I did have carbon paranoia for the first few weeks but I'm over it now.
The bike is there to be used,not to look pretty in my hallway,plus upgrading worn out bits is half the fun !!
My old Giant Defy managed 2 nasty winters of commuting with only a chain needing changing.

mikeouk

when i first got my bike new, i was a little anal about it getting dirty, now it doesnt bother me.
I was going to buy a cheaper bike for winter use, but decided to just use this one through the winter and maybe buy a nicer "summer bike" in the spring. As for cleaning it after every ride, naa, cant be bothered, does anyone actually set about cleaning their bike after a ride when its dark and freezing?
In my own head I justify the cost of it by how much I used to pay out for a gym membership, around £400 a year, the bike ive got cost £1000, so if I get 2 and a half years use out of it, then throw it in a skip im no worse off.

thegreatdivide

Wilier Izoard is my all weather bike. Currently she’s flitting between turbo and road with full guards.
Wilier Cento Uno will not go out if it’s raining or if it’s going to rain – but I’m not upset if I get caught in a surprise shower or I’m faced with a big muddy puddle. The latter situation results in a two hour deep clean in front of some cycling on the TV.
Colnago Master is shiny classic steel and she will not be taken out unless the ground is bone dry.

fossyant

My best bike is 22 years old, Columbus SLX, custom made and painted with chrome forks and back end, Dura Ace Groupset - I still use it on long rides in bad weather. Last two long rides I did on it, both were wet the entire time ! Just give it a good clean and lube when you get back. Simple.

I have 4 bikes, and the fixed is used all weathers as it's my commuter.

Alibran

I have a cheap, knackered mountain bike that I ride in the rain. It gets covered in road grime, grit and debris - I had to detach a piece of tree that had wound itself round the brake cable before I rode it yesterday. I give it a bit of a wash down occasionally and plenty of lube, and it keeps going OK. I don't enjoy riding it much, but I'm not going to enjoy riding in the rain whatever I ride. I just go out, get it done, come home and get on with the day.

My road bike and my good mountain bike are saved for dry weather, which we do get plenty of here, so it isn't like I hardly ever ride them. (The mountain bike obviously gets muddy, but that isn't the same as the dirt you get off wet roads.)

When I lived in Cornwall, I rode my good bike in the wet because there wasn't any choice if I wanted to ride it at all.

bluedoggy

I bought a 2nd hand Hybrid Boardman for £300 for the winter. Like new. Really good bike and a joy to ride. When the sun shines i ride the Wilier carbon. What i find is that when i get back on the Wilier i notice how bloody lite it is and i feel like Superman! Having a heavier ride over the winter just helps with the fitness.

moscowflyer

Some good replies here. I still haven't been able to convince myself recently, to the point where even the Boardman which is the commute bike stayed in the garage the other day as the roads were wet. I was tested big time this morning as no sooner had I gone to get the 'good bike' out of the garage for a planned 40 miler with a mate, it started to rain. I sat there for ten minutes trying to decide whether to ride at all or leave it because of the dirt on the roads!

I did actually think back to this thread and decided just to go for it, pointless paying that much for a bike only to not bother riding it if it's wet, especially in this country. It was wet everywhere and the bike got caked in crap. You can't really tell how much by this, especially the state of the rear end of the bike, but when I got home it was pretty dirty to say the least.



However, half an hour later and it was looking like this.



I 'think' I may now be cured...

southdownswolf

I have one road bike that I ride whether the weather is good, bad or ugly. It's an old Reynolds 531 steel frame and it probably weighs twice as much as some modern carbon bikes, but will just get me fitter quicker :-)

I ride because I enjoy it and don't feel the need to spend £k's on bikes that will improve my performance by 2.67% (% accuracy not guarenteed)

fevmeister

How are you getting on with ultegra di2??

moscowflyer

Fevmeister wrote:

How are you getting on with ultegra di2??

Love it. The changes are very smooth and I've not missed a gear yet. Plus it makes me a ridiculously quiet ride as well. I just love everything about it.

lef

i will probably keep a bike for about 4-5 yrs max. I ride so called 'good' bikes all year. The bad weather will not knacker the bike in that time. I can handle having to replace the odd chain, cassette a little more frequently. If you want the bike to last 20 yrs with minimal replacements then agree, hang it up in winter. But why spend so much on a bike and watch it depreciate for half the year?

In my view is its comparable to spending a load of cash on a new car then parking it up while its bad weather. A classic car yes, a new car no.

The only precaution i do take is not riding expensive wheels all the way through winter as rims can wear down quite a lot in a couple of seasons, so some seasons I do bother to stick some cheap PX model b's on.

rolf_f

lef wrote:

i will probably keep a bike for about 4-5 yrs max. I ride so called 'good' bikes all year. The bad weather will not knacker the bike in that time. I can handle having to replace the odd chain, cassette a little more frequently. If you want the bike to last 20 yrs with minimal replacements then agree, hang it up in winter. But why spend so much on a bike and watch it depreciate for half the year?

Who gives a stuff about depreciation? Besides, you are losing far more on depreciation by replacing a bike every 4-5 years than you will by keeping it for 20 plus and running a cheap bike for the 10 weeks or so of winter that does the real damage.

ademort

I would never use just 1 bike. I use my best bike in good weather only. My commute is 10 miles over dirty unlit farmers roads and i use a Giant Defy4. By the end of the week the bike is caked in mud and desperately in need of cleaning. The bike requires new chain,cassette, brake blocks etc on a regular basis and if i were to use my best bike for the commute it would not last anything like as long as it will by using it in good weather only.
Ademort