Winter trainer - cheap(ish) roadie or cyclocross?

[jgoodwood]

Hi, as above really.. Don't want to get the bianchi all messed up during winter but wondering which kind of bike to go for.. I quite fancy the ability to do some light off road stuff too and wondered if anyone has used a cyclo cross on the road during winter..

Also looking for recommendations up to £1k. NOT A PENNY MORE! I know what you lot are like..

Cheers,
J

[gazza285]

Kinesis Crosslight, job done and under budget.

[GhostDriver]

I'm in the same position, except, I couldn't justify £1k on a winter bike, so I bought a £300 second hand Specialized Tricross.

If I was going to spend £1000 on one...

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Cross-Race-2013-Cyclo...

[anonymous-user]

gazza285 said:

Kinesis Crosslight, job done and under budget.

Fatbirds have some great deals on at the moment and have a racelight all kitted up in winter gear for under £1000. Take off the guards, fit some lighter tyres and its a great all rounder too!

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/809587/products/kinesis-...

As nice as the Cube is, it doesnt have mudguard mounts which seems pointless for a winter hack, yes you can run sks raceblades but they are no substitute for proper guards in the rain and poor weather.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 23 August 08:47

[Roman]

I bought a Boardman Team CX precisely for this and I've barely touched my roadbike since, I love getting out on largely traffic free rides.

It's breathed new life into my stale local rides as I can now mix on and off road sections to create new routes and if I see an interesting looking off road track or trail when out I can just zoom off to explore. It's not much slower than my road bike tbh but so much more adaptable with mounts for mudguards & rack so I could use it for commuting or light touring if i wanted as well as 'dicking around' on mtb trails. It's ideal for the Coast to Coast or Trans-Pennine too.

Forme and Merida also do good disc cross bikes for around £1k but you get another 10% off the already cheaper Boardman with BC membership and they're sometimes reduced in price too.

These Kinesis wheels (1800g) are a great upgrade and with the BC discount & selling your standard wheels you could still be in budget:
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/954929/products/kinesis-...

[Jimbo.]

jgoodwood said:

Hi, as above really.. Don't want to get the bianchi all messed up during winter but wondering which kind of bike to go for.. I quite fancy the ability to do some light off road stuff too and wondered if anyone has used a cyclo cross on the road during winter..

Also looking for recommendations up to £1k. NOT A PENNY MORE! I know what you lot are like..

Cheers,
J

Using a Cannondale CAADX 105 as a commuter and eventually a winter bike. Cross bikes are a giggle. There're not as "fast" as a rod bike on the road thanks to a less aerodynamic riding position, the handling's a little slower (slightly more relaxed geometry), and the geometry/sizing is all to cock thanks to a much higher BB (meaning you also sit higher overall). They may also have slightly different gearing (36/46 upfront).

Canti brakes can be a PITA at first (noise, judder) and entertaining to set up, but you soon get used to them. You'll see quite a lot of bikes with discs. I'm still undecided. If you've a road bike already, then keeping it canti will let you swap wheels and brake pads between bikes, which is ALWAYS handy.

Be aware that a "proper" CX bike won't have any mounts, and might not even have bottle cage mounts (all about the racing/shouldering!) so check before you buy. Most CX bikes in this price bracket will, however

[Disco You]

Ribble winter trainer with 105= £845 which leaves money for some upgrades.

[jgoodwood]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.. I think i'm going to go for a CX (with provision for fixing bottles and guards) as it will give me more riding options than just getting another road bike.. I've not got enough bikes to just get a different style........ YET!

Cheers,
J

[gazza285]

Jimbo. said:

Canti brakes can be a PITA at first (noise, judder)

Noise? How do cantilever rim brakes make a different noise to calliper rim brakes? And it's not like calliper and diss brakes never suffer from judder either, they will all do it if not set up right, so why pick on cantilevers? Is it because you don't know how to set them up?

[Jimbo.]

gazza285 said:

Noise? How do cantilever rim brakes make a different noise to calliper rim brakes? And it's not like calliper and diss brakes never suffer from judder either, they will all do it if not set up right, so why pick on cantilevers? Is it because you don't know how to set them up?

Note the "at first" If they're not set up just so (as many aren't from new. Me? I'm getting there) then they'll make that horrible turkey-esque "gobbling" noise and/or judder.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Looking for same thing, my rural commute is potholed muddy tarmacked unclassified roads I want to do this all year round, plus want something that can handle a rack and paniers for 100+ milers

Rible Winter bike looks good and you can spec how you want

Think Dolan do a Winter trainer as well

Kinesis looks a steal on fatbirds: http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/691893/products/kinesis-...

I think I'm gonna go for a Raleigh Clubman http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/...

My local decent LBS will do it for £850, rides nice and the spec suits me . I would be tempted by the others if I could source them locally to try before buying.

Charge do some interesting Winter bikes as well