Which cheap winter bike

[Gareth1974]

I’m toying with buying a new bike to keep for winter use, will fit some mudguards and I can then keep my ‘good’ bike (a Trek Emonda) for dry roads only.

The two have caught my eye. Any thoughts? I’m thinking a carbon bike is a rare option at my £800 price point. But the Cannondale looks good too.

Any other options I should consider?

Cannondale https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/CAAD-O...

Ribble https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-r872-black-s...

[okgo]

Buy used would be my advice. Or just use the Trek and then get a new summer bike

Are you doing many winter miles? Do you ride in bad conditions? Most people if they’re really honest with themselves won’t go out in grim weather and thus just using their other bike with some winter wheels perhaps is just the better shout.

[Gareth1974]

okgo said:

Are you doing many winter miles? Do you ride in bad conditions? Most people if they’re really honest with themselves won’t go out in grim weather.

Looking at my records I did about 200 miles per month in December, January and February. But that was limited to some extent by limiting use of Emonda to when the roads were dry-ish. It has no mudguards and I have no intention of fitting any on it!

[defblade]

I'd mention that winter is when disc brakes come into their own (as well as mudguards) for road bikes.
At that budget, and if C2W not available, second hand all day.
I'd also add that there's a definite cross-over in overall quality of build, ride, etc between cheap carbon and the nicer ally bikes (although each exact bike will be subjective, as always).

[Dannbodge]

I've got the Ribble Endurance SL as my winter bike.

Fits 28mm tyres and full mudguards and is slightly more racey than the R872.

It's a good bike but a bit heavy.

[mradam]

I've been running a Scott Speedster 10 as my winter bike for 3 years and can wholeheartedly recommend. Its a relatively light alloy frame with carbon fork, Shimano 105 all round with disc brakes. Best bit is it will easily clear a 32mm tyre and has mudguard mounts integrated into the frame so don't have to use cable ties. On a set of 28mm tyres it rolls very well, it's really not very far off the pace of my Aeroad.

I bought on cycle2work since it was well within the budget constraints. Looks like the latest model they seem to have downgraded some of the components to keep within price point, suggest you look for a 2021/2022. 2022 model still available here: https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/road-bikes/sco...

[smifffymoto]

Why not ride the one bike and re new all the shagged components every spring.

[Harpoon]

smifffymoto said:

Why not ride the one bike and re new all the shagged components every spring.

My wallet would rather replace the Tiagra stuff on my winter / shopping bike than the fancy stuff on my good bike. Also means mudguards and a pannier rack can live on the hack all year round.

[okgo]

Not much is going to get worn out doing 200 miles a month was my point. It’s basically 3 decent rides.