Winter Bikes: Essential Or A Bit Pointless? | GCN Tech Show Ep. 309
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- Coming up, some carbon mudguards, some fast new wheels & a wooden gravel bike?! Comments of the week, the Bike Vault, AND our discussion topic this week...are winter bikes pointless? 🤔
Intro 0:00
Are Winter Bikes Pointless? 0:21
Hot & Spicy Tech 7:14
Comments of the Week 13:45
Bike Vault 17:35
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Do you own a winter bike? 🥶
When I was commuting with a bicycle, I had a winter bike and a summer bikes.
The winter bike was taken out as soon as the salt was on the pavement, and the summer bikes were brought out after 3-4 heavy rains after the snow is gone.
I never tire or is it tyre of saying No. I live in Los Angeles and it's 70°F today.
Thanks for the definition of a winter bike. Perhaps we also need a definition of 'winter'? Round here, it's minimum four months where on many streets you can't see the pavement for the snow and ice and it's handy to have a bike dedicated to running w studded tires for the worst of it. That said, I bought a bike w an IGH as a winter bike, thinking that would prevent iced-up derailleur issues, but the wretched thing freezes up at about -15ºC. Not as useful as I had hoped. (Also, this is for a commuter bike situation; I'm sure it's diff when you're a racer.)
I had a 14.5kg winter bike for 15years as I cycle to work as well all year round with Marathon tyres, when spring comes i take my others out.
Nope. I live in the Bay Area of California, no need.
If you live in a place where they use salt on the roads in the winter, a winter bike is pretty much the only rational choice. I'm not spraying my Ultegra running gear with salt water all winter. Add in that you want different tires (often wider / knobbier) having a different bike for those conditions (often that can double as a gravel bike in nicer weather), it starts to make sense.
I began cycling in the 70's and a winter hack bike was always there to save our best bikes. They were built up out of old components on an old frame. And mudguards.
Do you still use a winter bike now?
@@gcntech Yes I use an old raleigh with a hub gear.
Single speed bike is my winter bike
+1 for separate winter bike with fatter tires, permanent fenders, and rear pannier rack. In the summer, the "winter" bike with rack does duty as commuter/grocery bike.
Winter bikes is what winter was made for (along with very un-aero clothing). So nice to get off an 11kg beater and back on 7kg race bike in late spring and back into proper kit. Hard slog winter miles are what create the summer smiles.
There's a third options - Move to a place without a winter. Here in Hawaii, it might rain once in a while, but its always summer.
I use my touring bike in the winter. It's stable, has mudguards, heavy-duty wheels (with comfortable tyres), a great dynamo lighting system and generally feels invincible.
I just use my good bike all year round. Look after it more during winter, but accept the fact that chances are I’m going to replace chain and possibly the cassette in spring. One thing I do pay a lot more attention to in winter are bearings, hubs are sealed so no panic there, but the chain set comes out and bottom bracket cleaned and greased at least 2/3 times during winter same with headset due to the extra times it gets washed.
Cheaper than another bike that could cause a divorce.
A winter bike in my view is very useful to have if you commute throughout the year on a bike and it's a distance that's far enough to make a town bike or hybrid seem impractical. I used to ride 18 miles a day, five days a week and the sort of weather that would prompt a bike clean is the same weather that would make me want to have a hot shower and then relax for the rest of the evening. I'd usually clean that bike once a week.
I've had mechs just wear out from use on that bike, and I do not think a higher end rear mech would last any longer, even with a mudguard. I'd rather buy a new mech for £30 (Sora) than £200+ (something electronic).
After upgrading my one and only bike, I had enough spare bits laying about to build another which I use to commute on all-year round in all weathers.
The definition of trickle down technology😂😂😂
I really like the convivence factor of not having to swap over mud guards etc if the weather turns, especially in the UK with our unpredictable weather all year round. I've also crashed more in Winter due to ice and bad conditions, so its saved me on replacing expensive parts. I used to use my winter bike to commute to work on which was always advantageous in the crazy morning dash and worrying less bought an accident. I've just bought a second hand Trek Domane AL for £300. Absolute bargain.
Sounds like the winter bike is a great solution for you 🙌
Yep! I try to avoid icy roads, but misjudge and lay the winter bike down a few times every year. I'm happy all the dings and scratches are on the winter monster, not my summer beauty.
I have one gravel bike I ride all year.
I can see the attraction of having a “good weather” bike (28mm tyres, no mudguards) and all purpose (e.g. gravel bike with mudguards, 40mm tyres, rack for shopping/commuting).
My winter bike is also my lock up bike, and my rainy day bike (year round mudguards). I also take it if I'm going to need to put it in a friend's car. Works beautifully.
Getting a good secondhand hardtail mtb for winter riding is spot on imo. Superfun to ride and saves your good roadie.
Interesting! Are you riding that on or off road?
That's what I do too. Just put mudguards on and detachable lighting, and I spare my expensive road equipment.
@@gcntech Yes
I like to have winter beater bike even for summer. It keeps me exited about my nice race bike all year round.
I have a winter bike (nice steel frame one) , a light bike for spring summer, another bike for bad summer weather, a commuter bike (made from old road bike) a 26er and a gravel bike....because I just love bikes (and can't get into my garage anymore 😞 ) 🙂
A bike for everyday of the week! 🙌
I have a similar collection of bikes and just love riding each one, and save my bestest bestest bike for sunny days only! My spare room is more like a bike garage I'm afraid!😂😂😂😂
The roads get pretty nasty in Vermont with lots of slush and muck. We also heavily salt the roads to prevent ice. It would feel like bike abuse to be out on my summer bike. I have a mid-80s Univega that I got at Goodwill for $7 and have gradually upgraded it with mid-tier "good enough" components. I still try to keep it clean and maintained but if it suffers any damage my primary bike remains in good condition.
I've had my aluminium Giant Defy 1 for 9 years, bought a Giant TCR last year and I've done the same as Manon. My defy has an aluminium frame and Shimano 105 (groupset of the people). My new TCR is by no means a super fancy bike, but it's my pride and joy, so I keep it for spring and summer (and a little bit of autumn too, depending on the weather!)
You won't be alone there! The defy is a common sight out on the winter roads 🙌 Great to hear you are riding all year 🚴🥶
My winterbike is a Cannondale Topstone Al with GRX 400 2x10, mudguards and a dynamo wheelset. The bike has a lot of relfectors and is designed to be seen on the road. It rides quite well and its summer counterpart is nearly the same. Topstone Al, GRX 600 1x11, no mudguards no dynamo but still some reflectors. And next year with better wheels. Maybe even carbon stuff. 🤓
I've got a Specialized SL7, can't get mudguards on it, and wouldn't if I could! 😂 Winter bike is a Cannondale CADD13, heavier but I'm OK with that, still a great bike to ride, and like Mannon said you feel the difference when spring comes 😊☀️☀️
I’m lucky as I live in a rural area in the Peak District. I stick to the lanes, no grime and salt, clean my bike thoroughly when I’m home and properly maintained. I can cycle 15 miles and not see anyone, never mind vehicles. Thirty lumpy miles 5-6 times a week is how I roll all year round, at 60 years old it keeps me smiling, mentally strong and in a good place. There’s no better feeling than being on your bike.
Good on ya!
I’ve just come back from a 40 mile gravel ride in the Peak District this morning. Absolutely beautiful even in the drizzle
Sounds dreamy! It must be tricky in winter if the roads aren't gritted? Do you keep a close watch for ice in the lanes?
@@gcntech Most definitely, had a bad off on Beeley Moor two years ago on black ice. Severed an artery in my face and a hematoma the size of grapefruit on my hip. So lucky not to break anything and regaining confidence took some time. I ride more defensively now and continually think self preservation, especially in winter.
@@dh7314 Brilliant! If you know where the people don’t go the solitude and scenery makes it such a special place. 👍🏼🚴🏼
once upgraded my entry tier bike to the full di2 bike setup. i kept the old bike as winter bike but changed to a 1x setup for ease of cleaning and cheaper in less replacement parts i love that bike so no less enjoyment when i get on it in winter look forwarded to it. which helps moral as it normally comes out in cold wet season in Ireland
It was thinking about getting a winter bike that made me get a gravel bike. Gnarly tyres , more clearance for mudguards and the added option of going off road and avoiding traffic in the dark evenings.
Marinoni bicycles are super nice. They are hand-build by a former pro-cyclist Giuseppe Marinoni since 1974. He also held the Canadian hour record in its age category many times.
Back in the 'old' days, before all of this new, expensive, touchy and complicated equipment, you rode your road bike all year round. I bought my Miyata 1000 brand new in 1981. At the time, it was one of the top touring bikes on the market. Suntour Cyclone components. Heavy duty Araya rims, DiaComp cantilever brakes and a Tange New Falcon headset. It was bullet proof and still is. I still ride it today. It's been upgraded with SIS, SPD, a new, heavy duty tandem cartridge rear hub and bottom bracket. I still take it out in the winter time, as long as the roads aren't snowy or icy. The thing is, why would you take out your multi-thousand dollar bike, with very expensive components, when you could get a decent frame with a good group-set and not worry about damaging your expensive road bike?
100% agree with Manon, defo use old bike as winter bike. Most people upgrade so keep the older one as winter bike.
I have 2 Gravel bikes and a Road bike* One of my Gravel bikes is a real brute of thing with almost MTB tyres, 650b, 1X Mullet, Ti fame, wide flared bars, lower tier (cheap) "consumables" it eats mud for breakfast always has mud guards fitted, good for bike packing too.
My other gravel bike is very much an all-road bike, Carbon Semi-Sub compact-ish??? (46x32) X 11-34 gears, road drops, more aggressive setup, PM fitted.
And my road bike is just a carbon road bike with all the usual bells and whistles.
This happened by accident the original plan was to sell the older Ti bike but I discovered between those three a winter/hack bike is just not necessary, so plans changed and I always get to ride a bike I love no matter the weather.
*I have another road bike too but SHE's vintage steel and far to pretty to go outside much, I might get dirt on the skin-walls LOL
My "winter" bike is my 90s Trek 820, mainly because It's my commuter with a rack and guards so it just.... carries on as normal.
Although on really nice weekends I'd bring out my road bike to feel that sendage
At 19:17 - Giuseppe Marinoni, nicknamed "Pépé", is one of the most well-known bicycle frame builders in North America. After immigrating to Canada from Italy in the 1960s, he started a family business, Cycles Marinoni, in 1974, now operated with his wife Simonne and son Paolo out of Montreal. Marinoni, now 84, has built upwards of 40,000 bikes over the last 50 years, and while many would say that he's perfected his craft, he says that he's still learning.
One of my LBSs has a ton of vintage Marinonis hanging from the ceiling. (I don't know why, except that the boss collects them.)
In the past we had steel frames, metal gear cables, rim brakes which could rust, wear and snap, so a winter bike was a great help. Nowadays we have carbon frames and maybe wheels, electronic groupsets and disc brakes. Carbon does not rust like steel, so your rusty frame is a thing of the past. Electronic gears and disc brakes mean no gear and brake cables to get crud in and fray or snap and no bad gear changes or even adjustment ever. Disc brakes do not wear down expensive wheel rims, just the pads which get changed far less that rim brake pads that on really foul days could be gone through in a couple of rides. I ride the same bike summer and winter and have no problems. Slap on the Raceblade XLs when needed, which do a great job.
Do I own a winter bike? Have to... since I live in Canada. Where I am, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, winter hits us as though someone flipped a switch! I then park my gravel bike (we live on a gravel road, with gravel roads in all directions) and pump up the studded tires on my mountain bike for use on those days when the temperature and road conditions (might) permit getting out for 10 km or so. We call these bikes "winter beaters". Cheers!
If you live in Canada, a winter bike is 100% a thing!! If you're strictly riding trails, winter riding is no worse that getting mud all over your bike. Anything remotely close to a road surface will be covered in salt and grit that mixes into a soup that just destroys your bike!!
I built my winter bike from a cheap aluminium road bike I got for 200$. The Tiagra groupset was actually too nice for it so I'm taking them off for winter. I've ditched the front derailleur and gotten a cheap rear one coupled with a friction thumb shifter. I never get on the drops in the winter so I got a bullhorn bar that mimics the stance on my summer setup so the ergonomics feel very familiar. Also the front carbon fork didn't have enough clearance for the snow tires so I got an Airwolf carbon fork off Ebay for cheap and everything fits now. All in all, the bike is a stripped down version of itself albeit with heavier wheels and tires, so it pretty much evens out close to the weight of my summer bike. So with that, I can strip off all these cheaper components come summer time and put the nicer Shimano stuff back on and have a decent 2nd bike in the summer and one that won't make me feel bad riding through any of this:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/weather-quebec-november-23-1.5812285
I don't have a winter bike, just the one bike I use for pretty much everything, even light touring. For a mostly non-competitive rider, I don't think a winter bike is necessary. My main, go-to bike is mid-range (105 mechanical, decent alloy frame, carbon wheels, GP5000) and has full mudguards that I just leave on the bike all year (I honestly don't know what people have against them). I take good care of it, repair things right away, clean and lube the drivetrain at least once a week, and that bike seems to work great in all weather pretty much all the time. I do tend to burn through brake pads pretty quickly in winter, though, and 2-3 chains a year.
It's much cheaper to by a lower end or average aluminum winter bike with a mid-tier group set.............Than it is to repair or replace a dura-ace groupset after all that winter grit and wear.
Not to mention if you fall, it's much cheaper to replace a mid-tier mech, than a top spec one. A top spec mech, chain or wheel will cost as much as my WHOLE winter bike if you slip or fall.
If you live in a rainy winter climate, a rain bike is a decent investment. It needs to have fender mounts, so you can easily bolt/unbolt them. Then, leave your race bike for the drier days.
Gravel bike with done 35mm tyres + mudguards is my winter bike while the road bike is on the turbo trainer!
Hello Alex and Manon. Fun fact, Alex, Balsa is a hardwood. With the exception of Yew (which is classified as a hard wood), a hardwood is one for which its tree looses its leaves in autumn. An evergreen (except Yew) is a soft wood. Ash is a quick growing straight grained wood, traditionally used for spears (!) which makes it suitable for this application. I like the "marginal grains" on the web site.
Alex, flaps for your mudguards have been available for years (even when I was young!) from your local bike shop or even Halfords!
How on earth can you "Super nice" the Peugeot with all that cropping? But for the shaddow you wouldn't know it had a saddle.
Given the state of British roads in the winter, a winter bike is even more relevant now. There’s so much mud, grit and plant debris around at the moment, and that’s before roads get gritted/salted when it’s freezing. I’ve ridden a dedicated winter bike for 35 years and even with mudguards the components take a battering compared to summer riding. Back in the 80s & 90s a winter bike had old race components, but now (ironically) cheaper, lower spec components seem to be more robust and well-suited to a winter bike.
Only thing I change in winter is putting on some heavy alliminium wheels and keep the carbon wheelset tucked away (rim brake). As far as the frame and components go, I simply clean the bike thoroughly after every ride, and tbh if the weather is rubbish I just use zwift. No need for a winter bike
I use a winter bike for sure. I wouldn't mind washing a good bike during the winter, but when the temps are always below freezing, washing a bike is difficult. Rust is inevitable over the course of a winter due to the extreme salt on the roads.
Earlier this year I decided to get a "lesser" frame to all the extra parts I had lying around that came off from my pride and joy to make - essentially - a "pub bike". Slightly wonky Mavic wheels (three shops were unable to tru them), glued carbon handlebar, some pedals I have had forever, worn-out saddle and of course all the used tyres and leftover inner tubes. The cheap frame I bought also came with and extra rim that I had laced up, so eventually I've got 2.5 bikes. One is the thoroughbred racer and the other being the winter (or I should say: daylight saving time bike as I mostly use it for commuting and on the rollers after work) with the option of changing the wheels for the rest of the year with fresher tyres and better wheels for longer tours and just everyday use.
I've got an older alloy Boardman, I bought it as a winter and wet weather bike, i fitted mudguards and use durable tyres, 8 speed transmission is ideal for rough weather, all in it was less than £250, I'm with Manon on this one, summer bike feels so fast when the weather improves.🚴
Living in California, I don't really need a winter bike, but I do have another road bike that I use if the conditions aren't ideal but it's more of my backup bike. If I go into the garage and my bike is flat just ten minutes before the meetup, if something mechanical is wrong, or the bike is in the shop I have another bike to ride until I can sort out what's wrong with my go to bike. At the very least, your winter bike can be your backup bike.
You can get mudguards for close clearance frames that will keep the bike's rider dry. I have yet to see a set of clip ons that come low enough at the back to provide the protection from spray that your riding buddies (behind you) deserve. Who knows, maybe some folk enjoy being soaked by a rider in front who doesn't care enough about their companions to mount 'proper' mudguards?
Everyone in the "fast" group in my club has a winter bike.
They're set up to keep you riding throughout winter, not necessarily just being cheaper to maintain:
-Wider tyres (32+) for grip on leaves and crappy roads.
- Full length mudguards (clip ons are nowhere near as good)
I wouldn't say a winter bike is essential for everyone (if you have a summer bike which takes mudguards there's no need), but I can't see myself not having one any time aoon.
I keep my bestest-newest bike off the salt used on the local roads. A winter bike, for salty, wet, dirty roads… sure. And my winter bike carry’s a rack with a bag for a winter jacket (either to put on, or store one I took off). The winter bike… is my old “demoted” road bike.
Agree with both here but only because I would never go out and BUY a crap bike for winter riding! Who does that? (..besides Alex? lol)
Beginners with only one bike - just get mudguards and keep after it until you buy a new bike and can "demotivate" the old one.
Most people in actual need of a winter-specific bike already have an older bike. Definitely winterizing is putting it to good use.
Normally it was kept because it retains some nostalgic value so it's still a pleasure to ride - slower pace, quirks and all.
Mine is my gravel/cross bike. It's not that much older than my road racer but I can use messy wet lube on the chain, keep the mudguards on it and use fatter tires which are better in the slop. It's Ultegra/105 11spd vs 12spd DA so components are cheaper.
Plus I can hop off road onto a forested trail when it's really cold.
When it's nice I can still ride the race bike without having to take off the mudguards.
I have a bike that everybody hates and I ride it all year round. It's got drop bars so people in the city think I'm crazy and it's got mudguards, lights and a rack so people on road bikes think I am a loser with no style.
But I can just put a pair of winter tyres on it to be able to ride on ice if need be. I cycle pretty much everywhere in any weather so I just keep a set of spares for many of my parts in case something goes wrong. To me, it's a tool. Wear and tear are normal and I'll get over it. I don't have a winter bike just like most people don't have a winter car.
I’ve got 2 road bikes both qualify as most people’s winter bikes. One has Carbon aero unbranded wheels. As soon as the suns out the are wheels come out. The older one gets used in all conditions. Mtb available but for my daily commute I choose the road bike to get to work faster.
Mountain bikes make great commuters 🙌 Daily riders that are built for a beating.
That comment highlights exactly the issue with hookless - people shouldn’t have to randomly be lucky enough to have watched a specific GCN video to know what they have and understand the complexities of tyre compatibility and pressure. Manufacturers and retailers need to do more on this, especially if selling hookless wheels with the bike.
I am "Team Winterbike".
I bought a beat up 10years old Bike an build it up. Paied roundaboud 380€ for the hole bike. But the best Thing is, that i upgrade it with all the old stuff from my good bike. So i can spend money on upgrades for my good bike and upgrade 2 bikes at once!
Such a graet excuse to spend money on hot new tech. :D
To be honest. As I see it anyone who rides in the winter. Has a winter bike. It doesn't matter if it's a £1500 alloy bike with mid range parts, a £12000 S Works bike, a mountain bike or an e-bike. If you ride a bike in the winter. It's a winter bike. I do have "winter" bikes. A 29er hardtail mountain bike with 140mm travel forks and 4.5kg wheels and tyre set up tubeless of course. A hybrid with 32mm tyres. Not tubeless but recently upgraded to TPU tubes. Plus a road bike with crap rim brakes. Which I can't set up tubeless. As it also runs 23mm tyres. After been spoiled by using disk brakes I don't use the road bike if it's raining. If I do get caught out in the rain on my road bike don't use my ceramic rims anymore.
I always had a winter bike, but now I’m not racing, and Zwift is amazing, so I just don’t go out unless conditions are decent.
Winter bikes were fun, it was a competition amongst the team to have the heavier bike, more nonsense hanging off it, heaviest lights, like Manon’s point; heavier bike- better training!
It was nonsense! 😂
I've had the reverse to Chloe. My winter bike has become my all-year bike and I only get the titanium dream machine out for special occasions, even in the summer!
Titanium bikes are something else 👌Great to hear your keeping it looked after!
Winter bikes.
I would say it depends on where you live and what bike you have, and how you maintain it.
I never needed it.
I used to live in Bergen , Norway which have quite similar climate to a lot of the UK.
So the winters are usually wet and windy.
And i didn´t need one there.
Back then I rode a 2010 Cervelo S1, so a aero aluminium bike with rim brakes.
And that worked fine.
Now I live in Rome, Italy and ride a 3T Strada and don´t really need a winter bike here either.
But there are some that would have a winter bike in Bergen, like some people in UK do as well.
I think as long as you clean it and lubricate it then I feel you don´t need a winter bike.
A steel winter bike is a lot more crashable. Potholes open up over winter and are harder to see, all making carbon fibre more crunchy. Winter bikes are heavier and slower, more effort, which is a good thing because you get the same workout at a slower speed. Come race season you get back on your race bike and suddenly you're flying!
Tbh, most people's winter bikes are just their previous race bike...
I do a lot of winter and wet weather riding in coastal Alaska on crap roads with lots of grit and salt. I've found if you give the bike a quick rinse after each wet ride, and keep it clean, and light film of wet lube on the chain you will not experience excessive wear.
Here in Florida, rain and sand is all year round. Thus it’s all about main bike and beer bike (easily maintained single speed)
My winter bike doubles as my camping/summer hols bike. Whack it on the bike rack... keep it in the tent and potter around unfamiliar roads with less stress
If money is no issue then by all means have a winter bike, and why not a summer bike too 😜 It's a bit like wearing wellies when it is raining or very muddy, instead of your dancing shoes. That all said I think a set of good mud guards is all you need to ride the same bike year round, unless you are really hardcore and ride in snow and frost, and with salt on the roads, in which case a turbo trainer is probably a better idea than a winter bike anyway. I personally just have the same road bike for all year, with mud guards on in the winter, and to be honest I hardly see any other cyclists out and about this time of year, so what is the point in owning a winter bike if you don't go out and ride it.
Manon makes a great suggestion: Demote the old bike to winter riding when you upgrade. The best part is not having to sell bikes. I have backups for my backups no matter the weather! The wife's not so keen on how much room said bikes take up though. 🤷♂️
Modern degreasers make it easy to keep your bike clean and functioning through the winter. Only change I make is to switch over to winter tyres for the reduced temperature and wet roads.
Here in Paris :
My race bike in the winter goes to a home trainer.
But I still ride outside even through winter with my cheap but reliable Decathlon single speed.
I have ridden an aluminium frame with rim brakes, tubes and full mudguards as my winter / commuting bike for 8 years. Just upgraded to a full carbon Giant TCR Advanced with clip on mudguards, tubeless tyres and disc brakes for my commuter / winter trainer... And WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I will still use the aluminium bike for running errands and the worst of the winter weather - but having a half decent bike through the winter has definitely kept me riding more, and enjoying my commutes and rides more too! +1 vote for Winter Bikes.
What a winterbike is - it has studded tires (for icy conditions), it has mudguards (for slush and rain), it has lights and backup lights (daylight lasts only for about 5-6 hours).
Take steel and aluminium, then connect it all together with a carbon conductor. Add an electrolyte (wet road salt) and watch the galvanic action seize everything and slowly turn it into a fine powder. I'm happy to have a cheap Winter bike.
I ride my ‘winter’ bike even on days during the summer when it rains - clip-on mudguards can’t compete with full-length, fitted mudguards. And my best bike is never taken out when it’s wet.
I don't have a winter bike but my current bike will become my shopping bike when I get my new bike. Even though I have a good bike lock, I don't fancy leaving a good bike outside of the shops.
I've got about 5 winter bikes. Hyper - roadworthiness is about all it takes to make a bike a winter bike. My favorite bike ever (best build) is also a winter bike because it handles so well in the wet! (even though I will never put fenders on it> Tubular 28c TUFO's on Belgium C2's! The other 4 have fenders , and varying levels of les encoutrement (Dynohubs lights etc.)
My wife and I have matching Ti bikes for commuting. The absolute best option for all the grime that gets on it. 105 mechanical with hydraulic disc. The group set of the people
You guys are funny. Here in Montreal, Canada, a good winter bikes is a beater bike. The salt they put in the streets to make the snow melt will just destroy your bike.
Winter bike in the NE US means potential for snow, slush, and definitely road salt remnants. All of that means increased risk of wheel slip out and dropping the thing on the pavement. Thus a bike to abuse is not a bad option. For Manon's original point, heavier bike, better workout. When it is fxng cold, you aren't doing PRs anyway, so its more about just getting out and enjoying the outdoors.
Hydraulic disc brakes have negated a lot of the advantages of having a seperate winter bike (especially if you run carbon wheels) but if the conditions and your circumstances call for it, go for it. Having a tool better suited for the demands of winter riding makes for a better experience.
I know I am slower on my winter bike but I can't fit full mudguards or panniers on my summer bike, and clip on mudguards are not as comprehensively functional especially with dropped seat stays.
the next 20 years wheels ads would be like you are going to save 3watts over 50mph, fastest wheel we have ever made
Along the same lines, I have a "winter" bike that stays on the trainer.
This past summer, while I rode my better bike on the road, I let my son ride my "winter" bike.
And he in turn, left his "winter" bike on his trainer.
Now I have it back just in time for the Canadian "winter".🚴♂️❄️
II turned my older bike into a bad weather bike. It's still a decent bike overall, but i ride it any time it's rainy, and use sloppy wet lube and will run the drivetrain until it's entirely trashed. My other bikes have waxed chains, and nicer parts that I don't want to either wear out, or spend a lot of time cleaning to keep it in shape.
Maybe a big difference is what weather people are dealing with, and how often they ride. I'm not going to spend the time to clean my chain and cassette every day after I commute in the rain on a daily basis.
Depens on where you live and what they do to roads. Here they plow but also use salt mixed with gravel which forces you to thorougly wash your bike after each use or risk serious damage, not to mention all the little nicks in the paint from flying gravel. It's just not worth risking expensive bike and everyone switches.
A winter bike is essential in the UK. I have three bikes, two carbon bikes for spring summer and autumn and my third bike exclusively for bad weather. My winter bike is a Van Nicholas! Titanium doesn’t tarnish or corrode, I still use Dura Ace 9100 components because I still want performance. It’s probably the bike I’ll be riding long after my carbon bike are in land fill!
$4,500 for a wheelset - WHOAH!!!! 😢😢😢
What you're describing as a winter bike is known here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA as a rain bike. Four months of the year here it is dry, when we ride our race bikes. During the incredibly wet conditions the rest of the year, we ride our rain bikes, with full fenders, thicker tires, cable shifters, and lights. Mine is a carbon Giant TCR with Dura Ace mechanical (my old race bike), full fenders, heavy duty tires, and front and rear lights.
"elbows like a trials riders shins" 🤣
Riding a new expensive disk brake bike during summer and an older rim brake bike for winter riding completely defeats the point, as winter is effectively the only time disk brake road bikes have some tangible benefits.... I understand that in the era of rim brakes you wouldn't want to ride your expensive carbon wheels in the pouring rain and the limited tire clearance wasn't much accommodating for most tires suitable for winter riding. With modern bikes with disk brakes and generous tires clearances and enough space for mudguards, there is less and less point on having a winter bike. Just keep up with the maintenance, or put a cheaper chain and cassette and you are good to go.
dont have a winter bike but have just bought a low-mid tier "gravel/all-road" bike that I bought with the intentions of getting in some variation on some new trails I could never take my best bike on, abusing and not having to overly worry about scratching or breaking more replaceable parts. worked because first ride i crashed it
I don't have a "winter bike", but during the bad weather months I ride my gravel bike and my race bike sits on my indoor trainer.
A winter bike is subjective. It depends on where you live. I use my carbon road bike even though I live in Toronto but only bike in the adjacent residential suburbs where they clean the snow meticulously for dry road cycling. Toronto is slushy due to the car density. And I drive to and stay in Apopka, Florida for Jan & Feb a biking paradise for these two months.
Living in Australia-no “winter bike” required, as no salt or grit on the roads (unless in the mountains). A commuter bike makes sense year-round, but on the occasional poor weather days, the indoor trainer makes sense.
I’d have a winter bike in the UK, and use my summer bike 3 days a year! 😀
A "winterized" bike is necessary, yet a winter dedicated bike is not necessary. Could simply just swap wheels, and clean it often. Done.
If you already have an old frame and parts, that’s one thing but buying one to use just the winter is a waste. A bike is made for riding.
have my Teck Madone 2.1 C H2 11speed, which I use 95% of the Danish winter on my zwift setup.
28 mm gravel tires are fitted, so when I rarely go on the winter road, it works perfectly.
and the summer cycle comes out again when the birds start singing again 😉
Riding a Giant Propel with Di2 I headed out early one December the roads looked okay but I hit a damp patch on a corner and went down damaging the rear derailleur, that was an expensive 5 mins, I now ride one of my much cheaper Gravel Bikes on the roads between November and March while the expensive bike rests up for Spring
It never gets to freezing in Auckland, we don't get snow, and while it rains a lot, especially in winter, I don't ride in the rain. No need for it. However I do also have an Alu cross runaround whatever-the-weather backup bike.
Does it get icy in the winters in the uk? Why pay for carbon fiber damage you dont need to take?
I like to use my gravel bike with mud guards, I feel very confident with my gravel tires as opposed to using my road bike with skinner tires.
Yep, I'm a big supporter of a winter bike. My wife bought me an aluminium Merida 500 wirh mechenical Ultegra for my 65th birtday., as a retiremant pressie.(but I didn't retire then anyway) I fitted full bolt on guards to it, and that's how it remains, in waiting, till the winter beckons. It also makes appearances in crappy weather Spring, Autumn and Summer days.Fully fitted guards make all the difference to keeping me, my kit and most of the important bts of the bike clean and free from dirt and grime. As Manon says, when I get back on one of my 'Summer bikes', they feel so much quicker, having ridden a heavier bike for months.
I wash my bike as soon as I get back, but do have a brew while the soap is soaking in 😂
Always had a winter / crap weather bike. No excuses saying you cant afford it either. If you can afford a nice new carbon bike then just getting an old steel / alu frame with a older groupset on is not much of a stretch. Although dont do what I do and end up spending loads on retro 9 speed campag parts for it 🤭
My road bike goes away once they start salting the Toronto roads. I'll take the gravel bike out on warmer winter days. For winter errands I'm using the city bike share, let them deal with the maintenance.
I'm in the lucky position to have 2 winter bikes, a Dolan fixed & a Ribble campag 9 speed veloce steel both with mudguards. Plus 2 summer bikes( merckx & a flandria both campag) & a mtb. Everyone needs 2 bikes minimum 1 for summer, 1 for winter. Clubruns used to be full of fixed bikes & big saddlebags & mudguards
I totally agree! I live in the Pacific NW-US and all of our group rides rrquire full mudguards to participate. Having a bike with a slightly longer wheelbase and eyelets for full fender mounting (not clip-ons!) is the way to go. You will get significantly longer life from your components on your summer bike if you avoid rain riding, sloppy roads even when its not raining. We still want to ride spiritedly, so we don't want something too heavy, just slightly lesser components and larger tyres.
With the best will in the world fitting mudguards to my "good" bike would quickly spoil the paintwork on the frame. Despite protective coverings you always end up with scuffs and scratches.
I now ride my best bike all year round. My former winter bike is now in permanent residence on my smart trainer. I simply don't ride outside if conditions are wet and skanky, I don't enjoy it so I won't do it. I'm fine with cold and dry, but not wet so no mudguards ( they are an abomination in my opinion). In my defense though I am 72 years old and live in S/W France!
I've built up my endurance bike with lightweight components, wheels and 32mm tubeless continentals - extremely comfortable. Every time I get on something else it's just Meh!! If the weather is really nasty there's always lesser spec chains and cassettes, clip on mudguards and washing the bike after each trip. The alternate bike just wont be ridden - ergo - waste of money.