Winter Bike
davedicko
Posts: 35
I'm thinking of buying a dedicated winter bike this year having spent last winter on my Madone and religiously cleaning after every time it was used. It all got a bit too much of a pain. Plus i refused to put mudguards on it because I couldn't stand to mudguards on a bike like that.
So looking at the moment there are plenty of decent deals around but should I just be looking for a relatively low cost alu/steel bike putting guards on it and not worrying a great deal about it? Or should I be looking for something that is more deliberately a winter bike?
I've got a budget of up to £1k but would rather spend towards the £500-700 mark.
I've seen some great deals on the Focus Culebro (full 105, decent spec) or something like the CAAD 8 105. Alternatively, is something like a Genesis Equilibrium Disc 10 (also in my price range) going to be a better investment? Or is it going to be a bit of a pig compared to say a CAAD 8?
I still want to have a bike that I actually look forward to riding.
Never done a winter bike before so any advice is appreciated!
So looking at the moment there are plenty of decent deals around but should I just be looking for a relatively low cost alu/steel bike putting guards on it and not worrying a great deal about it? Or should I be looking for something that is more deliberately a winter bike?
I've got a budget of up to £1k but would rather spend towards the £500-700 mark.
I've seen some great deals on the Focus Culebro (full 105, decent spec) or something like the CAAD 8 105. Alternatively, is something like a Genesis Equilibrium Disc 10 (also in my price range) going to be a better investment? Or is it going to be a bit of a pig compared to say a CAAD 8?
I still want to have a bike that I actually look forward to riding.
Never done a winter bike before so any advice is appreciated!
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Comments
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If I was in your shoes I would look at Kinesis. Either their fully built bike or build one up yourself from the frameset which looks better value.
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/racelight/t2
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/products/racelight/t20 -
It's up to you what type you want. Did the Madone prevent you from going out in really bad weather? If not, then a spare racing bike is fine (CAAD 8 etc).
Or did you hate the thought of icy water up your arris? If so, get a proper winter bike.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
A "winter bike" is only a term that means it has bosses and clearances for guards and you do't mind it getting a bit wrecked with the road salt.
The chain, rings and cassette could also take a bit of a hammering so I would say 105 is as 'high' as you would want to go - as you will possibly need to change them more often than the summer bike.
Personally, I would think disc may be the way to go for winter bikes now. Better in the wet and lots of clearance. Maybe think about something a bit 'gravel/adventure' so you can use it in the summer for something different?
Have a look at the GT Grade (alloy) - the reviews have been great, it has the bosses for guards and you can take it off road.
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-gt-grade-alloy-105-15-48994/0 -
Have a look at the Planet X London Road. Alloy frame + carbon fork. Takes full guards and also has rack mounts if you need them. Disc brakes (hydraulic or mechanical depending on your budget) which I suggest are preferred if you will be riding in wet winter conditions. Can also take larger tyres with the guards fitted so will benefit you in the comfort department.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/london-road
£700 will get you the SRAM Apex version with mechanical discs or you could splash your full budget and get the Rival 22 version with hydraulic discs.
Have to declare a slight bias as I've recently ordered the Rival 22 version with mechanical discs (£800) - due to be built and delivered next week. This won't just be a winter bike for me but for all year riding (SWMBO only subscribes to the "n" rule as her logic states that you can only ride one bike at any one time!!! :roll: )
Fully kitted example here taken from the "Your Road Bikes" forum. (there is a long thread dedicated to the London Road
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I have the Equilibrium disc 20 as an "all weather" bike. Rides excellently, and easily takes full 'guards and 25mm tyres. But it's not a racing bike.0
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Probably want a winter bike for a number of reasons -
- Ultegra parts are expensive to replace post a winter of grime & salt.
- Constant full cleaning to stop excessive wear is a bit of a pain
- Didn't want to put guards on my Madone and suffered wrath of constant complaining from mates for a face full of water.
- Obvious increased potential for crashes in winter ice/frost (as demonstrated by a skite up the road at one point following another rider slipping out and taking my front wheel away. Luckily no marks at all to frame, but one torn Saddle and wrecked mech = expensive)
Not bothered on it necessarily being racey or laid back. Just want to make sure I stay with something that I actually want to ride that is still relatively engaging. Equilibrium disc owners - how is the ride? Is it very laid back?
Totally agree on the 105 front - thats as high as I'd want to go.0 -
I'd never consider riding in the winter / wet without proper mudguards. In my late 50's now, so comfort comes a long way ahead of anything in The Rules. The idea of a cold, grey salty enema doesn't appeal at all.
With that in mind my first road bike was one of the Kinesis winter trainers, a racelight Tk. (They have since revised the frame and fork several times and today's equivalent is the 4S) Fitted with 9 speed Tiagra, 25mm GP4Seasons tyres and full Chromoplastic guards it's the perfect winter ride. Still got quite racy geometry and a lively ride; for the first 5 years it was my only bike, and the guards would occasionally come off in the summer.
Now I have a CR1-SL as a dry weather / summer bike, but I still enjoy riding the Tk just as much. I'm no faster on the carbon bike either, and TBH with a carbon fork 25mm tyres on both the ride is pretty similar.
The cheaper Racelight T2 is the same geometry but with slightly thicker / less sophisticated tubes, so it is apparently a bit harsher. It still makes a very good choice as a winter bike. Or the Tifosi CK7 is very similar.
If you want disk brakes, as mentioned above, the PX London Road is hard to beat value wise.0 -
Do Ribble still do that classic blue winter bike ? That was very popular.
I'd waver about disc brakes. If you get a standard braked bike then you can swap wheels to your normal bike - handy if you need a spare in a hurry. We've used caliper brakes for decades so they're not a total nightmare.
Whatever you get - make sure it has tyre clearance for full guards and at least 25mm tyres = pref more.0 -
I have a Focus Culebro and absolutely love it, although mine's five years old and the current spec is rather different. Previously it was my summer bike, now I've upgraded it's the workhorse used when I don't need mudguards but the bike might get a bit wet. Upwards of 13,000 miles and it's still going strong: original wheels, chainset and brake blocks for example.
My winter bike is a Boardman, perfectly adequate with retrofitted Crudcatchers although the clearance is tight and I have to run fairly narrow tyres. If I was going to replace it tomorrow I would probably look for something with discs and designed for mudguards, such as one of the bikes mentioned above.0 -
Do Ribble still do that classic blue winter bike ? That was very popular.
I'd waver about disc brakes. If you get a standard braked bike then you can swap wheels to your normal bike - handy if you need a spare in a hurry. We've used caliper brakes for decades so they're not a total nightmare.
Whatever you get - make sure it has tyre clearance for full guards and at least 25mm tyres = pref more.
That was the downside to the Ribble blue winter trainer IIRC. It takes standard drop brakes and you could only squeeze mudguards in if you went with 23mm tyres or smaller; not ideal for winter and especially not if you're riding in the dark and more likely to hit potholes disguised as innocent puddles.0 -
Just bought a GT grade carbon 105 superb bike if the alloy ones ride half as well I'd grab one, pretty hard to get discount as they are selling so well. Why spend less money on a winter bike when you probably spend more time on it than the summer one
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"Why spend less money on a winter bike when you probably spend more time on it than the summer one"
That is a very good point. I'm sure I spend more time on the wet weather bike, and I'm glad it's a decent frame.
I do feel the 9 speed Tiagra is a bit more robust than the 10 / 11 speed stuff, cable changes are simpler, and the chains / cassettes are cheaper.
I'm also happy to run a basic R500 wheelset on it; round, j bend spokes and plenty of them (for my 64kg) and cup and cone hubs I can easily adjust / service. I hit a lot of potholes riding at night in the winter, and I'd hate to be doing it on expensive wheels with very low numbers of unusual spokes.0 -
Happy to recommend the Kinesis T2. I have ridden mine year round for 2 years now.0
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I run gatorskin 25's on my blue ribble with sks guards, no problem.
nice frame really happy with it0 -
If I was in your shoes I would look at Kinesis. Either their fully built bike or build one up yourself from the frameset which looks better value.
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/racelight/t2
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/products/racelight/t2
This is good value http://www.merlincycles.com/kinesis-racelight-t2-complete-bike-79103.html for a Kinesis.
I bought a Giant Defy last year as a winter bike with guards. It's also a pretty good option.0 -
Perhaps consider the 2016 Defy Disc 1 - cracking review and usual Giant quality:
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-1-disc-49567/
Just sold my 2014 Defy 1 that I used with mudguards last winter and am waiting for my 2016 Defy 1 Disc to arrive. The other advantage is that having the 2015 Defy Advanced 1 as my summer/best bike, I can buy a single set of decent wheels and share between the two.
Best wishes with your deliberations.Tim0 -
This is good value http://www.merlincycles.com/kinesis-racelight-t2-complete-bike-79103.html for a Kinesis.
I bought a Giant Defy last year as a winter bike with guards. It's also a pretty good option.
Seriously? That's embarrassingly good value. One winter bike sorted.
<<starts fingering credit cards...>>
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
I have been commuting on the previous model of this bike (then called the Norco Indie drop) but fitted with a single chain ring for simplicity and 9 speed Sora at the rear (11 - 32). Norco have changed the frame somewhat, especially in the rear triangle, but if it rides like my bike it will be a bit heavy but comfortable. I don't find that the bike holds me back when i am doing some SCR and i might even try some cyclocross on it this winter... This version is newer, probably lighter than my bike and fitted with 105 11 speed, Hayes CX discs and reduced to £720
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-s2-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec072576#answers
They also have the more basic bike, with the same frame but with Sora gearing, for £520.0
