Winter bike options.....

[Steve vRS]

My current bike is nothing too special compared to most on here. It is a Giant Defy 1 with a 105 groupset and Ultegra wheels (upgraded).

I started to ride to work this morning but the drivetrain was so dirty following 130miles in the recent rotten weather that I couldn't continue given the crunching and squeaking coming from it. Every application of the brakes also made me think about the rims getting butchered with all the grit and crap caught on the brake pads.

So, should I consider a new cheap winter bike or is my current bike not that special and should I just ride the damn thing and change the chain/cassette at more regular intervals?

Or, of course there is the stock PH answer of relegate my Defy to winter bike and buy a carbon Di2 summer bike...

Steve

[IroningMan]

My 'winter' bike is a Spesh Allez with 105 and Kysrium Elites - if I were doing the miles that you do then I'd maybe get a pair of cheaper wheels - there are some good Open Pro/Tiagra builds about for peanuts - but otherwise clean/service regularly and buy a nicer bike for high days and holidays...

[richardxjr]

Fit the Defy/Rapid mudguards for a start (assuming you haven't already) Put the old wheels on for winter workout?

[Steve vRS]

richardxjr said:

Fit the Defy/Rapid mudguards for a start (assuming you haven't already) Put the old wheels on for winter workout?

Mudguards are an option.

The old wheels were worn out (snapping spokes, rims like paper) so I only have one set.

Steve

[TwistingMyMelon]

I spent £800 on a winter bike and now kind of regret it for everyday riding, don't get me wrong for longer weekend winter rides its perfect, but for my daily commute the muck, crap and potholes are going to kill it on a daily basis

I'm gonna repair my broken framed MTB, or purchase another rigid one and use that for the commute

If you are just riding at weekends I'd get some mudguards and factor in extra cleaning times for one bike

Having said that the roads here are either dry as a bone, or covered in thick mud, leaves & petrol!

• edit: this is in rural areas, when I lived and did more urban riding through the winter, I found the conditions a lot better

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Wednesday 30th October 13:45

[bakerstreet]

Steve vRS said:

My current bike is nothing too special compared to most on here. It is a Giant Defy 1 with a 105 groupset and Ultegra wheels (upgraded).

I started to ride to work this morning but the drivetrain was so dirty following 130miles in the recent rotten weather that I couldn't continue given the crunching and squeaking coming from it. Every application of the brakes also made me think about the rims getting butchered with all the grit and crap caught on the brake pads.

So, should I consider a new cheap winter bike or is my current bike not that special and should I just ride the damn thing and change the chain/cassette at more regular intervals?

Or, of course there is the stock PH answer of relegate my Defy to winter bike and buy a carbon Di2 summer bike...

Steve

I'd just run the thing. I run RS80s, which I just clean every week with baby wipes. Its worth cleaning the faces of the brake blocks too. As for the drive train, I just oil it all once and month and leave it be.

[richardxjr]

Do get the Giant mudguards Steve, they are approx. 1000 times better than those floppy blade things.

Got into mtb-ing yet though?

[frag68]

Steve,

I had an old Halfrauds mtb without suspension and with cheap garbage components on it, so I stripped it, painted it in all sorts of colours, put on half decent shimano components, new wheels, tyres, new bottom bracket, Look pedals etc all for £450 inc paint and have been using it for the past couple of months on the usual Tuesday night lads outings, or when its wet to save the good road bike. Yes its a flat bar bike, but it has a Sora triple on the front and 8 sp Alivio on the back, so its suited to almost any road conditions, including Hellfire Pass. I fitted a vet of Vittorio 26 x 1.5 road tyres and I am over the moon with it. Its unique and not that much harder to propel than the road bike.

Once the snow ane frost hit here in Scotland, I will use the MTB, but until then, this is the winter hack for me

That might be an option for you

[vvill]

For commuting/winter riding i'd look at a SS road bike.

Maintenance is absolutely nothing, for example a new chain is around £2.50, and they are great fun, with little to go wrong. Obviously depends how far and where your rides are, but i've been using my SS since April and I love it. Simply don't care about it and never cleaned it.

[JEA1K]

I've just been through a similar process of deliberating over a winter bike ... last Saturdays filthy wet ride helped me make up my mind and on Sunday I ended up finding a used Trek Alpha 1.5 with Tiagra which is in great condition. I was watching a few on ebay and they either went for daft money or were too far away.

Its just been serviced with a new chain and cassette and I paid £350 but have changed the wheels (taken from my Madone), seat, pedals and added a set of Bontrager Mudguards.

I was temped by a brand new Ribble Audax or a Kinesis T2 but at £650 - £1,100 depending on the spec, I couldn't really justify having that sort of bike caked in crap during the next 4 or 5 months. Plus I've just replaced the chain, BB and cassette on the Madone which I don't want destroying over winter.

There should be some bargains about from people who've bought through the R2W scheme who want to free up some cash for Xmas.

[voicey]

I spent £300 on a cheap road bike for the same reasons ( thread here). All I've done is buy a new pair of proper mudguards and slap a pair of old SPD's on it - I'm loving it so far.

[TSCfree]

A lot of people talk of the damage that grit, dirt and salt can cause on the drive train and perceived accelerated wear but I don't think the economics stack up. £300 of winter bike buys a lot of chains, cassettes and bearings. I think a lot of people can't be bothered or don't want to maintain, replace parts on condition or clean and would rather run a snotter and that's their prerogative.

My view is that this is the UK, it rains, and my bike won't melt....it may not look as 'perfect' as one just used in summer, but it'll be maintained to its optimum and I'm sure come next summer I'll not be any slower because if it!

Sling a pair of guards on and crack on

[gazza285]

I use my old faithful Diamond Back Ascent EX for everyday winter riding, and a restored Raleigh Competition for club rides. Both have full length mudguards. I'll still go out on my cross bike or the racing MTB if the feeling takes me. Only one off limits in winter is my Vitus 979, too fragile and needs protecting from the winter salt on the roads.

[Steve vRS]

Ok. Mudguards it is

I think a little part of me was trying to use man maths to justify a CX bike although it would probably be over kill for a wet country lane

Steve

[Rouleur]

Seeing as you live somewhere flat I'd suggest you get a single speed road bike and stick some mudguards on it. They're good to ride and make life so much easier. Cheap too.

[gazza285]

Steve vRS said:

Ok. Mudguards it is

I think a little part of me was trying to use man maths to justify a CX bike although it would probably be over kill for a wet country lane

Steve

CX bike is a fantastic thing, get one for your winter duties, but also have a go at CX racing. It's great fun.