Winter bike recommendations....

markwb79

Hi all,

Hope you can help....

I am thinking about getting a winter bike.....

What bikes can fit full length mud guards on?
I would prefer a bike that has the permanent fixing points?

I remember liking the Alu Ribble bike growing up.
So something along those lines, but looking for something lighter.
I will want it to have Di2 and rim brakes though.
Something with a racey set up.

I really like the Caad12 for example, but that doesnt have the eyelets.

Any advice would be great...

Thanks
Mark

keef66

Kinesis 4S? Kinesis T2 / T3?

ETA scrap the T2 / T3 suggestion, no mention of Di2.

The 4S Disk frameset is Di2 ready, and despite the name is also suitable for rim brakes, and it gives you the possibility of moving to discs at some point in the future

keef66

Sticking to rim brakes limits your choices a bit. If you want room for proper mudguards eg SKS Chromoplastics, you need a frame designed for long drop calipers.

I think the Alu Cannondale Synapse also fits the bill (the mudguard mounting points may not be obvious, but it has them)

Most people looking for a winter bike these days want clearance for wider tyres, and disk brakes. There's an increasing choice of those now they've invented the 'Adventure Road' category of bikes. GT Grade, Genesis Datum for instance

markwb79

Cool thanks, the 4S fits most of requirements. Also nice.

Not sure I wanted Alu though, but certainly worth considering.

Also thought about the Van Nicholas Yokon (but then cant have Di2), or if they made the Enigma etape for rim brakes (and with a different name).

yeah, I am fine with 25mm tyres to be honest. Dont need anything else.

ugo.santalucia

Dolan Dual?

markwb79

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Dolan Dual?

Very nice....now for the di2 routing

kingrollo

Giant Defy.
Takes giant own full length guards - been pretty bombproof in my experience.
Theres loads used on ebay as well

keef66

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/221 ... road-bikes

Couple of rim braked options in there

markwb79

This is not a easy decision...or I am too picky! (Which I know is true)

Defy - Not for me, geometry doesnt fit me.
Dolan and Trek arnt bad.

Saw Dolan also have a Ti bike, but again, geometry doesnt fit .

Need something with a 515ish top tube and a 12cm head tube really.
I liked the Dolan a lot actually.

singleton

CAAD Optimo has the same geometry as CAAD12 and comes with mudguard mounts.
You may struggle with di2....

fenix

Why Di2 ?

For me a winter bike is one that's more likely to hit the deck - mud.ice, leaves, rain. It has to be good - but I don't need electronic shifting on it.

keef66

Some make the opposite point; no mechanical cables to corrode / gunk up. If you can afford it, why not??

fenix

Di2 still has cables though plus batteries. I've not had a gear cable give up on me yet - I'm old school for winter.

keef66

I'm old school for everything! 9 speed Tiagra on the winter bike....

singleton

I'm old school for everything too.
Bought a Di2 summer bike in summer 2014.
Replaced it with an Ultegra model in Spring 2016.

markwb79

Singleton wrote:

CAAD Optimo has the same geometry as CAAD12 and comes with mudguard mounts.
You may struggle with di2....

wow....like that a lot. But yes, di2. I see there is internal routing for the brakes, its not compatible for di2 I assume?

markwb79

Fenix wrote:

Why Di2 ?

For me a winter bike is one that's more likely to hit the deck - mud.ice, leaves, rain. It has to be good - but I don't need electronic shifting on it.

I have built, ridden, fallen and maintained lots of variations over the years.

I have lots of the parts already. Compatibility.

So for me, my preference is definitely di2.

I don't think I will ride much more than I do every winter, and di2 has been great so far.

Tiesetrotter

Mmmm, no mud guard mounts but very nice:
https://bowman-cycles.com/product/palace-r/

markwb79

Tiesetrotter wrote:

Mmmm, no mud guard mounts but very nice:
https://bowman-cycles.com/product/palace-r/

wow...yes, have to agree. I like that a lot. Shame no mounts though.

sloppyschleckonds

Tiesetrotter wrote:

Mmmm, no mud guard mounts but very nice:
https://bowman-cycles.com/product/palace-r/

Does it take anything bigger than 25' tyres yet?

markwb79

So there seems to be a compromise on something on each bike.

di2 vs cable.
geometry - not being as compact as I want.

my favorite so far is the Dolan ADX, but I need one size smaller.
Any ideas?

Anyone have experience of going direct to Asia?

Many thanks again!

ugo.santalucia

Markwb79 wrote:

my favorite so far is the Dolan ADX, but I need one size smaller.
Any ideas?


Many thanks again!

I bought a Dual in May... used it quite a lot, I think 2000 miles already. I assembled the bike and rode and never had to do anything to it. Any previous bike I had needed some kind of tweak, being that the headset tightening, the dropout filing, a particular shim or adapter... a different bung that would hold, a different stem that wouldn't slip, a different seatpost clamp, a different position of the cleat to avoid toe overlap... I bought the Dolan based on reviews rather than looks... everybody was happy with it and so am I. I think the company ethos is No Nonsense... which is exactly what you get at a good price

Wilf Roberts

I'd recommend speaking to Dolan re: the ADX and sizing. I've done this and they seem really helpful, and I know people who've done this too and only have good things to say about them.

If it becomes apparent that the ADX really won't fit then how about Burls and getting a custom titanium frame?

markwb79

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

my favorite so far is the Dolan ADX, but I need one size smaller.
Any ideas?


Many thanks again!

I bought a Dual in May... used it quite a lot, I think 2000 miles already. I assembled the bike and rode and never had to do anything to it. Any previous bike I had needed some kind of tweak, being that the headset tightening, the dropout filing, a particular shim or adapter... a different bung that would hold, a different stem that wouldn't slip, a different seatpost clamp, a different position of the cleat to avoid toe overlap... I bought the Dolan based on reviews rather than looks... everybody was happy with it and so am I. I think the company ethos is No Nonsense... which is exactly what you get at a good price

Cool, thanks.

I am right in understand you have mechanical though? I am looking for Di2.

So really I want the sizing of the Dual with the build of the ADX!

ugo.santalucia

Markwb79 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

my favorite so far is the Dolan ADX, but I need one size smaller.
Any ideas?


Many thanks again!

I bought a Dual in May... used it quite a lot, I think 2000 miles already. I assembled the bike and rode and never had to do anything to it. Any previous bike I had needed some kind of tweak, being that the headset tightening, the dropout filing, a particular shim or adapter... a different bung that would hold, a different stem that wouldn't slip, a different seatpost clamp, a different position of the cleat to avoid toe overlap... I bought the Dolan based on reviews rather than looks... everybody was happy with it and so am I. I think the company ethos is No Nonsense... which is exactly what you get at a good price

Cool, thanks.

I am right in understand you have mechanical though? I am looking for Di2.

So really I want the sizing of the Dual with the build of the ADX!

Yes, discussed already. Then get just that, what is the issue?

markwb79

keef66 wrote:

Kinesis 4S? Kinesis T2 / T3?

ETA scrap the T2 / T3 suggestion, no mention of Di2.

The 4S Disk frameset is Di2 ready, and despite the name is also suitable for rim brakes, and it gives you the possibility of moving to discs at some point in the future

haha, you mentioned lots of Kinesis bikes, but not the Ti Granfondo.

Seems to fit everything I am looking for?

Does anyone have any experience?

keef66

Markwb79 wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Kinesis 4S? Kinesis T2 / T3?

ETA scrap the T2 / T3 suggestion, no mention of Di2.

The 4S Disk frameset is Di2 ready, and despite the name is also suitable for rim brakes, and it gives you the possibility of moving to discs at some point in the future

haha, you mentioned lots of Kinesis bikes, but not the Ti Granfondo.

Seems to fit everything I am looking for?

Does anyone have any experience?

No direct experience. Not really looked at the spec for a while; got the impression then that tyre clearance wasn't as generous as some. Maybe they've updated it since?

ETA - seems they have; mentions 30mm tyres and the built up bikes come with 28s

jdee84

keef66 wrote:

Markwb79 wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Kinesis 4S? Kinesis T2 / T3?

ETA scrap the T2 / T3 suggestion, no mention of Di2.

The 4S Disk frameset is Di2 ready, and despite the name is also suitable for rim brakes, and it gives you the possibility of moving to discs at some point in the future

haha, you mentioned lots of Kinesis bikes, but not the Ti Granfondo.

Seems to fit everything I am looking for?

Does anyone have any experience?

No direct experience. Not really looked at the spec for a while; got the impression then that tyre clearance wasn't as generous as some. Maybe they've updated it since?

ETA - seems they have; mentions 30mm tyres and the built up bikes come with 28s

Yeah a guy I know had one last winter think he had 28mm gp4S on it on a set of campag wheels and full guards

markwb79

This is never ending....

Now just came across Burls, never heard of them.

What are they like anyone?

flasher

Markwb79 wrote:

This is never ending....

Now just came across Burls, never heard of them.

What are they like anyone?

Excellent, built me a Ti winter bike 5 years ago now, worth every penny, and cheaper than many off the peg frames.

Justin's very easy to deal with, and quick with communication, also being custom you can have pretty much whatever you wish.

markwb79

Wilf Roberts wrote:

I'd recommend speaking to Dolan re: the ADX and sizing. I've done this and they seem really helpful, and I know people who've done this too and only have good things to say about them.

If it becomes apparent that the ADX really won't fit then how about Burls and getting a custom titanium frame?

Sorry, I missed this reply.
Yes, I have been in touch with Dolan about the ADX, going to send my measurement to them. But its very similar sizing of the Giant TCR size S, and I have just moved down to the XS and it fits me a lot better, although still need a -17 stem.

And you mention Burls....sorry again. Amazing, like that a lot.