Which winter / turbo bike?

[LeftmostAardvark]

I need a new 'hack' bike. It will be used throughout the year for training rides (mainly at the weekend and days off) and I need to be able to put it straight onto a turbo (and off again) during the evenings.

Is this any good: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...

Budget is about right I hope, could possibly stretch to £1k if needed (but would rather not). Any other recommendations gratefully received.

[Accelebrate]

They're good bikes, quite aggressive geometry, the frameset has been around for years and I've never really heard of any issues. Check the sizing as mine is bordering on a bit big for me (58cm frame, my other bike is a 61cm and nowhere near as big). I'd opt for the Shimano wheels as I'd be a little dubious of the durability of the Rodi things.

Maybe consider the sportive if you want something a bit more relaxed and don't care about mudguards...

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...

[Jimbo.]

LeftmostAardvark said:

I need a new 'hack' bike. It will be used throughout the year for training rides (mainly at the weekend and days off) and I need to be able to put it straight onto a turbo (and off again) during the evenings.

Is this any good: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...

Budget is about right I hope, could possibly stretch to £1k if needed (but would rather not). Any other recommendations gratefully received.

They're 'reet. See plenty of 'em about during the winter months! Plump for something like that, opt for the cheap st wheels and retain them for the trainer. Get some 105/Open Pro wheels made up for use everywhere else, and you'll be able to replace the rim when it wears out. Sorted.

If it's to be a winter bike, then you'll want mudguard mounts and long-drop callipers, whatever you go for.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Interested in this thread, I need a new Winter/all yr rnd commuter, my commute is rural past lots of farm turnings, so the roads get very mud heavy when it rains, hence mudflaps are a requirement.

Ive narrowed it down to two bikes:

The Ribble the OP referenced
Good:
You can spec it exactly how you want, spending money on parts over others and getting it just right
Solid bike with good owners reviews

Bad:
Would love to try before buying, Preston is a 7 hour roundtrip and would want to get sizing right

or:

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

Looks good, dont really know much about it, seems to get good reviews


Anyone have any other ideas for a decent all round Winter hack thats under 1k ?

[Jimbo.]

Can't go wrong with either, and the Kinesis is very good The one linked to is of a sensible spec too.

There'll be plenty of choice around the £1K mark: it ties in nicely with the CycleScheme limit. Expect similar-ish specs (Tiagra 4600 at the most, I suspect), and none of them will be bad.

Off the top of my head:
Cotic X (Weekday spec)
CAADX Tiagra
Genesis Equilbrium 00
Gensis Vapour
Cannondale Synapse Tiagra
...

the list goes on.

Edited by Jimbo. on Thursday 27th June 23:33

[TwistingMyMelon]

Cheers, half the problem is that there is too much choice, I have a Willer roadie already but with 23cs and no room for mudguds/panniers I want something more accommodating

[Clio200pat]

I've got a Ribble 365 Sportive that I am using as my winter/commuter bike.

Had it about 2 months and it has been excellent. Having proper mudguards instead of having to use race blades which rub on the tyres and eventually mark the frame is worlds away from what I'm used to.