New Winter Bike Ideas

essex-commuter · February 2018

Current bike needs quite a few bits replaced to make good so I've decided to go new.

I ordered a Ribble Winter bike last night but have cancelled it this morning after reading it is only suitable with 23mm tyres, anything bigger causes clearance issues.

I'm after a bike that accepts full mudguards with good clearance (25mm tyre with room so that stones or mud don't get caught) and ideally 23lb or less. Groupset must be 105 or better. I don't particularly want to spend over £1300 or so as it is a Winter only bike after all.

What are you riding, what would you recommend?

essex-commuter · February 2018

Forget this post, I've just seen there are similar posts over on Commuting General.

N0bodyOfTheGoat · February 2018

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ar ... e-EV275629 for £900, you could even go as big as 45mm tubeless tyres under the guards

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... rey_373882 for £1070 might be an option if Cube ever re-release their guards, some are now using SKS Raceblade Pro XLs with up to at least 30mm tyres.

essex-commuter · February 2018

NitrousOxide wrote:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-x-2018-adventure-road-bike-EV275629 for £900, you could even go as big as 45mm tubeless tyres under the guards

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... rey_373882 for £1070 might be an option if Cube ever re-release their guards, some are now using SKS Raceblade Pro XLs with up to at least 30mm tyres.

I looked at the Pinnacle earlier, and then noticed it has bar end shifters!

N0bodyOfTheGoat · February 2018

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-do ... e-EV275637 for £995 isn't bad, if you fit a 54cm frame

essex-commuter · February 2018

That looks pretty good, think I could fit a 54.

Been looking at the PX London Road though, I'm being drawn towards it for some reason.

graeme_s-2 · February 2018

I still like my LR a lot, according to Strava I'm about to pass 6,000 miles on it.

I have 38C tyres under full guards on mine, which I reckon is about as large as you can go (a bit bigger without guards).

Mine's a commuter, but I have used it for longer rides (some training/leisure rides and once a hilly winter sportive). It's a bit of a truck, but it's incredibly versatile.

singleton · February 2018

I confess that I like CAAD's, but I'd certainly suggest considering a CAAD Optimo.

105 version is under a grand - maybe a lot lower if you want an unusual size - and has integrated rack / mudguard mounts.

essex-commuter · February 2018

Graeme_S wrote:

It's a bit of a truck

That does concern me a bit as that's how I feel about my current Boardman commuter.

graeme_s-2 · February 2018

I'd imagine better wheels and tyres would make a big difference to the LR. Some lighter wheels and a pair of these would probably make it feel much more sprightly http://road.cc/content/review/237487-co ... ss-tc-tyre

My initial feeling was it was a bit agricultural (but it was replacing a 25C shod drop barred fixie as my commuter, and my other usual ride was a carbon fibre road bike), but I've come to enjoy it for its reliable braking and comfy wide tyres. When I've needed to ride it quickly (like the sportive that I did), it's been fine and I've kept up with people I usually ride with when they're on racier bikes.

bendertherobot · February 2018

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc 2017 now does 28c with guards. It's heavy, but it is very very good.

That said, I've been using my Vitus Energie all this week for commuting and, well, everything. It's brilliant. Left field I know. But takes massive tyres, does mudguards, hydraulic, and the 1X gearing is excellent for winter.

essex-commuter · February 2018

Graeme_S wrote:

I'd imagine better wheels and tyres would make a big difference to the LR. Some lighter wheels and a pair of these would probably make it feel much more sprightly http://road.cc/content/review/237487-co ... ss-tc-tyre

My initial feeling was it was a bit agricultural (but it was replacing a 25C shod drop barred fixie as my commuter, and my other usual ride was a carbon fibre road bike), but I've come to enjoy it for its reliable braking and comfy wide tyres. When I've needed to ride it quickly (like the sportive that I did), it's been fine and I've kept up with people I usually ride with when they're on racier bikes.

Good info, thanks. Also I'd be running 25's so that would probably make it feel more lively too. I think lighter wheels would have helped my Boardman to be honest, but then again it's a wet weather commuter and I'm not chasing segments in poor conditions (or good conditions to be honest!). A lively bike just feels better than a shed on wheels.

essex-commuter · February 2018

bendertherobot wrote:

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc 2017 now does 28c with guards. It's heavy, but it is very very good.

That said, I've been using my Vitus Energie all this week for commuting and, well, everything.

Mmm, another contender. Do you know the weight?

bendertherobot · February 2018

essex-commuter wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc 2017 now does 28c with guards. It's heavy, but it is very very good.

That said, I've been using my Vitus Energie all this week for commuting and, well, everything.

Mmm, another contender. Do you know the weight?

Says 9.2, I've not weighed it, but it's pretty much ballpark.

It will do front mudguards really easily. The rear will require a seat stay bridge adapter, which should be pennies.

All I'd say is that you'd want 35c or so on there to ensure that the mudguards didn't look silly but it will do pretty much everything. Epic flared bars. It's a lovely bike.

I do think 1x is perfect for the UK much of the time and particularly perfect for winter.

essex-commuter · February 2018

bendertherobot wrote:

essex-commuter wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc 2017 now does 28c with guards. It's heavy, but it is very very good.

That said, I've been using my Vitus Energie all this week for commuting and, well, everything.

Mmm, another contender. Do you know the weight?

Says 9.2, I've not weighed it, but it's pretty much ballpark.

It will do front mudguards really easily. The rear will require a seat stay bridge adapter, which should be pennies.

All I'd say is that you'd want 35c or so on there to ensure that the mudguards didn't look silly but it will do pretty much everything. Epic flared bars. It's a lovely bike.

I do think 1x is perfect for the UK much of the time and particularly perfect for winter.

Oh I couldn't see the weights. Look really good value actually. Is yours the aluminium one? Apex or Rival?

bendertherobot · February 2018

essex-commuter wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

essex-commuter wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc 2017 now does 28c with guards. It's heavy, but it is very very good.

That said, I've been using my Vitus Energie all this week for commuting and, well, everything.

Mmm, another contender. Do you know the weight?

Says 9.2, I've not weighed it, but it's pretty much ballpark.

It will do front mudguards really easily. The rear will require a seat stay bridge adapter, which should be pennies.

All I'd say is that you'd want 35c or so on there to ensure that the mudguards didn't look silly but it will do pretty much everything. Epic flared bars. It's a lovely bike.

I do think 1x is perfect for the UK much of the time and particularly perfect for winter.

Oh I couldn't see the weights. Look really good value actually. Is yours the aluminium one? Apex or Rival?

Apex. The Rival seems identical but for a massive amount more, which isn't justified IMO. Colour's not as nice either.

PX do a Rival 1x too. Good value but only BB7 brakes. Of course, if you have platinum Wiggle or CRC BC discount you can get the Vitus for much less. I paid £835.

bendertherobot · February 2018

https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bik ... il_disc10/

And that's, pretty much, my other bike. But the 2017 has TRP Hy Rd which are great.

essex-commuter · February 2018

I'm Platinum on Wiggle...who isn't :-)

No looking up how to fit full mudguards without a seatstay bridge! Always something......

Edit...no chainstay bridge either?

bendertherobot · February 2018

essex-commuter wrote:

I'm Platinum on Wiggle...who isn't :-)

No looking up how to fit full mudguards without a seatstay bridge! Always something......

Edit...no chainstay bridge either?

No, there's a hole half way up the downtube. You'll need to drill a hole in the mudguard at that point. In many ways, it's a bit easier to have it there.

The adapter will look a bit like this, I think, not figured out which one yet.

Or you could just leave it, should be fine.

https://www.jejamescycles.com/trek-seat ... U8QAvD_BwE

The holes for mounting (at the missing seat bridge) are actually underneath the seat stays, slightly hidden from view.

keef66 · February 2018

Cube on sale at Rutland?

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... rey_373882

Genesis Datum? (As long as you need a 54) Definitely takes guards, I fitted chromoplastics to one for a mate

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... lue_374135

prawny · February 2018

I've got a Saracen Hack, if you can pick one up on sale they're pretty good, if not a bit heavy.

I was going to get an Arkose until I got the Hack as a warranty replacement for my old Tenet. These sort of bikes make great commuters. The new giant contend looks good too and quite cheap. I don't think you can go too far with that type of bike, and unsurprisingly, there are loads around the normal CTW limit.

Top considerations for me are, decent clearance so you can put ice tyres in, proper mudguard mounts, and hydro brakes of some description. If you've not used mechanical discs before you won't know the hell of constant tweaking to avoid losing one or both brakes in a wet ride home.

essex-commuter · February 2018

bendertherobot wrote:

essex-commuter wrote:

I'm Platinum on Wiggle...who isn't :-)

No looking up how to fit full mudguards without a seatstay bridge! Always something......

Edit...no chainstay bridge either?

No, there's a hole half way up the downtube. You'll need to drill a hole in the mudguard at that point. In many ways, it's a bit easier to have it there.

The adapter will look a bit like this, I think, not figured out which one yet.

Or you could just leave it, should be fine.

https://www.jejamescycles.com/trek-seat ... U8QAvD_BwE

The holes for mounting (at the missing seat bridge) are actually underneath the seat stays, slightly hidden from view.

Your being really helpful, really appreciate it.

So the Trek seatstay adapter kit, how does that fit to the seatstays? Or maybe you haven't used it, ignore if that's the case!

Chainstay, you say there is a hole halfway up the downtube. Isn't there a significant gap between that and where the mudguard would be? My current mudguard follows the tyre right down to the chainstay bridge, would that not be achievable?

bendertherobot · February 2018

It would look like this:

So, the bolts go through the bracket into the seatstay holes. Then you have a seat bridge.

As to the hole on the seatube, it would mean that there's a few inches (I guess 6-8) of unbraced mudguard but given the clearance I'd not worry about it. Should be rattle free.

essex-commuter · February 2018

bendertherobot wrote:

It would look like this:

So, the bolts go through the bracket into the seatstay holes. Then you have a seat bridge.

As to the hole on the seatube, it would mean that there's a few inches (I guess 6-8) of unbraced mudguard but given the clearance I'd not worry about it. Should be rattle free.

Just been looking at more pics, the seat tube hole would be pretty close to the mudguard so all good, well nowhere as much as I thought.

But are there seatstay holes on this bike, I presume there are? can't see their purpose, why not just put a bridge!

bendertherobot · February 2018

Mine's in the shop being serviced, so I can't photo it, but:

Do the big pic, then press again to zoom in:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-bikes-ene ... ex-1x11-1/

On the seatstay, just above the blue line you can see the bolt holes which can hold the seat bridge.

They've done away with the bridge because it's all stiff enough and it creates more tyre clearance, Cannondale have done this too.

bendertherobot · February 2018

http://d1mo5ln9tjltxq.cloudfront.net/~/ ... 01T000000Z

Same principle as this.

essex-commuter · February 2018

bendertherobot wrote:

Mine's in the shop being serviced, so I can't photo it, but:

Do the big pic, then press again to zoom in:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-bikes-ene ... ex-1x11-1/

On the seatstay, just above the blue line you can see the bolt holes which can hold the seat bridge.

They've done away with the bridge because it's all stiff enough and it creates more tyre clearance, Cannondale have done this too.

Yep, got it. You Sir are a bit of a legend. I think I will place an order.

What size do you ride and how tall? I'm 5ft 10". The 56 is out of stock but I'm thinking 54.....

bendertherobot · February 2018

essex-commuter wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Mine's in the shop being serviced, so I can't photo it, but:

Do the big pic, then press again to zoom in:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-bikes-ene ... ex-1x11-1/

On the seatstay, just above the blue line you can see the bolt holes which can hold the seat bridge.

They've done away with the bridge because it's all stiff enough and it creates more tyre clearance, Cannondale have done this too.

Yep, got it. You Sir are a bit of a legend. I think I will place an order.

What size do you ride and how tall? I'm 5ft 10". The 56 is out of stock but I'm thinking 54.....

I'm 5ft 10 and riding the 54. It's quite a short stem so you could lengthen that if you wanted to.

It's also quite upright and, being a CX, quite high. Just make sure it's the type of thing you want. For me, it's great, suits me down to the ground. You will want more 'roadie' tyres on there. Getting the tyres off was initially a bit of a pain, as the rims are tubeless compatible and quite tight, but once done that was all fine. I'd recommend Schwalbe G-One Speed, Vittoria Hyper Voyager etc.

N0bodyOfTheGoat · February 2018

If you want the 56cm, bizarrely CRC has them, even though Wiggle don't.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod159446

£950 before BC discount, so ~£855 less Topcashback, which might beat your platinum Wiggle discount.

But look at the geo table on CRC, the reach for each frame is quite long, with a low stack (compared to my 58cm Cube)!

essex-commuter · February 2018

Cheers guys. My Boardman kinda matches up with the 54 so should be OK. I'll compare prices between Wiggle Platinum and CR with BC discount. Topcashback...something I haven't looked at.....

minnnt · February 2018

Have you considered the Boardman Team CX? It takes full mudguards, can run massive tyres and comes stock with Sram Rival 1x11.

I’m 5ft 11” and ride the 53cm.

£900 in Halfords with a potential extra £90 off if you’re a BC member...

Or there are some bargains on eBay for around £600-700. IMO you can’t beat it although the Vitus does look nice.

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