Best winter bike

[thunderlips76]

so I'm looking at getting a winter bike, preferably under £500, any ideas

 

[vickster]

What sort of bikes do you like? Flat bars, drops, single speed, disc brakes, on roads, off road etc etc etc ......
Whatever you choose, you'll get more second hand. There's a charge plug in classifieds for almost nothing, would do very well, SS low maintenance, take mudguards

Isn't May an odd time to be buying a winter bike?!
Also better to post in the which bike forum

 

[Drago]

To ride where in the Winter?

 

[thunderlips76]

I should be more specific, defo a drop cross/gravel/road bike. Looking at an allez or something along those lines. Basically the part of Reading I tend to ride is more gravel than tarmac.....and it meant a deep clean of the bike after every ride. I live in a flat so cleaning a bike is a issue. Especially when the girl friend catches me sharing the shower with a BMC

 

[vickster]

I suggest an Allez won't take proper mudguards though as a winter bike needs. Is a skinny tyred roadbike really the best for your needs however?

Having mudguards will keep your bike and your arse cleaner. Although any bike will. Get grubby in the winter if it's wet, just less grubby. Something like a SS plug would do, it's not very hilly around Reading. There's much less to clean

Otherwise, Ribble winter bike or similar, always a few on fleabay. Or a CX (type) bike, like a Boardman CX (although mudguards can be awkward), or a specialized tricross for example, again look at eBay, plenty for under £500

 

[adamangler]

It's not winter for a while

 

[Vantage]

I live in a flat so cleaning a bike is a issue. Especially when the girl friend catches me sharing the shower with a BMC

I hate to tell you this, but, mudguards. Your bike will still get filthy and plastered in crap. They only reduce the amount of muck being splattered all over. Better than nothing but don't be under the illusion that your bike will get you home through a torrential downpour and still be showroom sparkly.
Your best bet is garden sprayer thingybob. Basically a big water bottle that you pump with air and then shoots out the water when you press the trigger. It's a quick fix if washing the thing is a daily chore.

 

[Will Spin]

If somebody hasn't already mentioned it, get a bike with mudguards.

 

[S-Express]

I should be more specific, defo a drop cross/gravel/road bike

That's not being specific

Also, interested to know which part of Reading is 'more gravel than tarmac' ??

 

[MichaelW2]

Did anyone mention mudguards? Get something designed to take them, with sufficient tyre clearance and bolt on eyelets.
I prefer old fashioned square taper bb in cartridge form, they seem to be less troublesome than modern external bb units. If using Shimano hubs I also overpack the bearing with grease to keep out crud. Clean and wax the frame to shed dirt.
Keep the wheels simple with a standard, available spoke type., Nothing special order. Disk brakes keep on worki g the same,rain or shine and are no more trouble than rim brakes to maintain.

 

[thunderlips76]

That's not being specific

Also, interested to know which part of Reading is 'more gravel than tarmac' ??

Em so I live in caversham heights, so a quick blast down tokers green and kidmore end towards Berins hill and ipsden, gets pretty rough round that way

 

[S-Express]

Ok, but that's not really Reading....not really Berkshire either...

 

[thunderlips76]

ok.......well i've only been here three months so not too sure. I'm from Barnsley so its all basically London to me.

 

[Globalti]

Why don't you buy an OS map of your area? You'll be amazed at what it will reveal.

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/maps/landranger-map-reading-windsor.html