Winter bike.... Worth it or not?
Discussion
I was toying with the idea of waiting a couple of months and then spending another c. £400 on a bike upgrade but I'm wondering whether or not to just get a cheapy winter hack. Through a cycle to work scheme could get something worth around the 700 mark and would leave my nicer bianchi for nicer days.
Not sure if it's worth it though.... I mean, what's wrong with riding in the winter aside more wear and tear... And increased risk of paint scrapes due to accidents!
Cheers
Not sure if it's worth it though.... I mean, what's wrong with riding in the winter aside more wear and tear... And increased risk of paint scrapes due to accidents!
Cheers
Rust.
My previous bike came out of the winter considerably rustier than when it went in thanks to all of the salt on the road. Rust pretty much all bolts and sticking mechanical parts and a knackered chain.
I think my new bike is going to stay in the shed from the end of Nov - March.
Tempted to get my old bike repaired (needs a new rear wheel and an inner tube.. probably a new chain too) and use that on semi slicks for the winter. I don't mind if that gets more wrecked.
My previous bike came out of the winter considerably rustier than when it went in thanks to all of the salt on the road. Rust pretty much all bolts and sticking mechanical parts and a knackered chain.
I think my new bike is going to stay in the shed from the end of Nov - March.
Tempted to get my old bike repaired (needs a new rear wheel and an inner tube.. probably a new chain too) and use that on semi slicks for the winter. I don't mind if that gets more wrecked.
Edited by MysteryLemon on Saturday 17th August 15:47
I'd say it was worth it, yes. If done right of course. That means a bike with mudguard mounts and clearances: this keeps a lot of the spray/crap off you, making winter riding that bit more tolerable.
It also spares the rims and drivetrain of your Sunday best from the onslaught if grit and salt.
It also spares the rims and drivetrain of your Sunday best from the onslaught if grit and salt.
MysteryLemon said:
Rust.
My previous bike came out of the winter considerably rustier than when it went in thanks to all of the salt on the road.
I think my new bike is going to stay in the shed from the end of Nov - March.
Tempted to get my old bike repaired (needs a new rear wheel and an inner tube) and use that on semi slicks for the winter. I don't mind if that gets more wrecked.
On the flip side, the frame is carbon so won't rust and a new chain/cassette is far, far cheaper than another bike.... My previous bike came out of the winter considerably rustier than when it went in thanks to all of the salt on the road.
I think my new bike is going to stay in the shed from the end of Nov - March.
Tempted to get my old bike repaired (needs a new rear wheel and an inner tube) and use that on semi slicks for the winter. I don't mind if that gets more wrecked.
So is it really worth it?
Hmm, the frame might not rust but anything metal may well do. Salt is nasty stuff and will get into the bearings and all sorts.
I wouldn't say it's worth it spending a few hundred on a winter bike. I would defo consider buying something second hand off ebay for say, £100, and running that through the winter. Won't feel so bad abusing it then.
I wouldn't say it's worth it spending a few hundred on a winter bike. I would defo consider buying something second hand off ebay for say, £100, and running that through the winter. Won't feel so bad abusing it then.
I had been been toying with the idea of buying something along the lines of a second hand cyclocross or Kinesis Racelite for the winter, but according to SWMBO I already have n+1 bikes so I compromised and decided to use my 28 year old Peugeot.
Yesterday I changed the old Shimano bottom bracket for a cartridge type, fitted new headset bearings, fitted new brake cables (inner and outer), sourced some NOS Shimano brake lever hoods, wrapped the bars with Lizard Skin tape and a set of SKS mudguards. Total cost less than £60 and that should see me through the worst of the weather.
Yesterday I changed the old Shimano bottom bracket for a cartridge type, fitted new headset bearings, fitted new brake cables (inner and outer), sourced some NOS Shimano brake lever hoods, wrapped the bars with Lizard Skin tape and a set of SKS mudguards. Total cost less than £60 and that should see me through the worst of the weather.
If the area where you live/ride is fairly flat then a single speed is the way to go. There's much less maintenance, they're cheaper to buy and chains and sprockets cost peanuts.
What I bought last autumn was a second hand Specialized Langster (not the 2012+ model as this is no use for winterizing) and fitted some full mudguards. There's a bit of a knack to getting them on there but it's not too tricky.
Obviously there are specific SS bikes out there so any will do really so long as guards will fit.
What I bought last autumn was a second hand Specialized Langster (not the 2012+ model as this is no use for winterizing) and fitted some full mudguards. There's a bit of a knack to getting them on there but it's not too tricky.
Obviously there are specific SS bikes out there so any will do really so long as guards will fit.
Crud Road Racer Mudguards
these are really close fitting to 23-25 c 700 tyres and need no fixing points on the bike, will fit minimal clearance on the brakes etc.
I managed to fit a set to an aero frame with rear wheel cut-out!
these are really close fitting to 23-25 c 700 tyres and need no fixing points on the bike, will fit minimal clearance on the brakes etc.
I managed to fit a set to an aero frame with rear wheel cut-out!
First year biking so go easy on me....
I've been debating this for a while now. I don't ride my cube in the rain, let alone full winter. So I've been on the hunt for a cheapo winter bike. Unfortunately I've come to realise that I don't like crappy bikes. And I found one of these, pretty much brand new for £350...
Allez Sport. Have ordered the crud mudguards mentioned above, D Lock Bracket Fixed & will get a rear pannier rack.
Presto Winter/commuter/pop to shops Bike.....
Only thing is, its a bit too bloody nice to ride through the winter.
I've been debating this for a while now. I don't ride my cube in the rain, let alone full winter. So I've been on the hunt for a cheapo winter bike. Unfortunately I've come to realise that I don't like crappy bikes. And I found one of these, pretty much brand new for £350...
Allez Sport. Have ordered the crud mudguards mentioned above, D Lock Bracket Fixed & will get a rear pannier rack.
Presto Winter/commuter/pop to shops Bike.....
Only thing is, its a bit too bloody nice to ride through the winter.
Its worth it if you are going to continue riding during the winter. My nice bike goes away in Oct as I wouldn't want to take it out in the rain, cold, grit and salt. It ruins bikes.
I have a single speed for the winter, with mudguards. I appreciate it as a tool, but don't care about it in the same way. Its a tool that gets abused. Riding a heavier bike during the winter makes you stronger too, and appreciate the nice bike once it gets nicer again.
I also have a 10 speed Dolan bike, which hopefully I will get back on the road at some point. Much better for group rides!
I have a single speed for the winter, with mudguards. I appreciate it as a tool, but don't care about it in the same way. Its a tool that gets abused. Riding a heavier bike during the winter makes you stronger too, and appreciate the nice bike once it gets nicer again.
I also have a 10 speed Dolan bike, which hopefully I will get back on the road at some point. Much better for group rides!
S10GTA said:
Its worth it if you are going to continue riding during the winter. My nice bike goes away in Oct as I wouldn't want to take it out in the rain, cold, grit and salt. It ruins bikes.
I have a single speed for the winter, with mudguards. I appreciate it as a tool, but don't care about it in the same way. Its a tool that gets abused. Riding a heavier bike during the winter makes you stronger too, and appreciate the nice bike once it gets nicer again.
I also have a 10 speed Dolan bike, which hopefully I will get back on the road at some point. Much better for group rides!
SS with guards? Does it have track ends? If so, how'd you get on with the whole wheel removal/mudguard/chain tension thing?I have a single speed for the winter, with mudguards. I appreciate it as a tool, but don't care about it in the same way. Its a tool that gets abused. Riding a heavier bike during the winter makes you stronger too, and appreciate the nice bike once it gets nicer again.
I also have a 10 speed Dolan bike, which hopefully I will get back on the road at some point. Much better for group rides!
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