Winter commuting bike

[CentralCommuter]

Hi all,

My commute is between 7 and 10 miles each way, depending on the route. I have a Cube Attain Pro with 105 and disc brakes. Think I've got 28mm continentals on there - not sure if I could get any bigger on it.

I'm planning to do the commute on bike 3 or 4 days a week and drive the other day - all through the seasons!

My question is this. The road bike I have is a carbon frame, although from 2016 I think. It is still in pretty good condition, although maybe needs a service. Do I use this bike all through winter, or do I get a more wintery bike that's better for the conditions and won't get wrecked as much? Or, if I was going to buy a second bike for winter, do I use this for winter then just get a newer road bike next year? Is there any actual advantage to getting a different model/configuration of bike for the winter, or will a road bike do it?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi!

Do I use this bike all through winter, or do I get a more wintery bike that's better for the conditions and won't get wrecked as much?

Do you really like this bike? Keep it for summer fun rides.
Do you really like the bike and also have time to keep on top of the maintenance?
Use the bike all year round!
Do you really like the bike, but also fancy a new road bike?
Buy a new bike, use the old one for commuting still giving it some attention when needed, because it's an old friend

Is there any actual advantage to getting a different model/configuration of bike for the winter, or will a road bike do it?

Will you need panniers? Are you going to ride roads with plenty of pot holes?
Along a canal maybe?
Will a road bike do for this kind of riding?

 

[biggs682]

The road bike I have is a carbon frame, although from 2016 I think. It is still in pretty good condition, although maybe needs a service. Do I use this bike all through winter, or do I get a more wintery bike that's better for the conditions and won't get wrecked as much? Or, if I was going to buy a second bike for winter, do I use this for winter then just get a newer road bike next year? Is there any actual advantage to getting a different model/configuration of bike for the winter, or will a road bike do it?

You must be aware that carbon disolves in the damp surely ??

Buy yourself a good old steel road bike for your winter bike

 

[DCLane]

@CentralCommuter- I commute and have a separate bike for that. Carbon / aluminium / titanium / steel / wood (?) are fine, but it's the components and wheels which take a beating. Commuting kills bikes, particularly bad weather winter commuting. I currently do two days a week but used to do four and my commuter lasted a couple of years before being worn out. I tend to buy second-hand on a budget and maintain them enough to be usable, but not pristine.

Oh, and if you're commuting in all weathers decent mudguards and clothing is a must.

These days I use a cyclo-cross bike with clip-on mudguards to commute as the roads in south Leeds aren't cleaned, so there are less fairy visits.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Commuting kills bikes, particularly bad weather winter commuting. I currently do two days a week but used to do four and my commuter lasted a couple of years before being worn out.

I beg to slightly disagree about the bike killing
I don't have a car.
I used to commute year round an 12 mile commute 5/6/7 days a week, did this for a good 10 years.
Now my commute is only 6 miles all round, but still mostly 6 days a week.
I just get the mechanic to replace yearly cassette, chain, any components that need it, I do this every October.
All the years on the longer commute, wheels got replaced once, just because the back wheel's bearing fell out
The frame of my commuter is still fine - I always have a spare bike in case of emergency, but I had to use it for commuting only twice, once when the bearings of the main bike fell out, once when my commuter was stolen at work.
OK, I also use my ice bike when it's icy, but that is maybe 3 weeks a year: that one gets serviced once every 2 years.
I use my commuter for leisure rides too, for shopping and for errands.
It's a Genesis Tour de Fer, now over 10 years old, nothing wrong with it so far.

 

[cyberknight]

Depends on the conditions you ride in , how far and how hard you ride .
Through winter i can write off a chain in less than 1000 miles if im riding through muddy, gritted lanes that can eat your derailleurs if you dont keep on top of maintenance.
I prefer a bike with mudgaurds and panniers so i can carry what i need as i work shifts there are not many bike shops open after midnight so i try to be as prepared as i can for potential problems .
Current commuter is a 8 speed claris road bike with discs or i have an old cx bike with cantis as a back up , both are aluminium and full gaurds and pannier racks.

 

[Alex321]

Hi all,

My commute is between 7 and 10 miles each way, depending on the route. I have a Cube Attain Pro with 105 and disc brakes. Think I've got 28mm continentals on there - not sure if I could get any bigger on it.

I'm planning to do the commute on bike 3 or 4 days a week and drive the other day - all through the seasons!

My question is this. The road bike I have is a carbon frame, although from 2016 I think. It is still in pretty good condition, although maybe needs a service. Do I use this bike all through winter, or do I get a more wintery bike that's better for the conditions and won't get wrecked as much? Or, if I was going to buy a second bike for winter, do I use this for winter then just get a newer road bike next year? Is there any actual advantage to getting a different model/configuration of bike for the winter, or will a road bike do it?

I commute 2 days a week, 31 mile round trip. I have a similar bike to yours, but more recent - 2021 Cube Attain GTC, carbon frame, also with 105 mechanical gears and 28mm tyres - and mudguards.

That bike is used for almost all my riding, both commuting and riding for pleasure/exercise. I do also have an older hybrid, but I only use that when the Cube is out of action for some reason, or for my turbo bike.

I commute in almost all weathers - I don't ride when there is significant chance of black ice, or when it is blowing a serious gale (40mph+ gusts plus 25mph+ "steady).

I bought that bike in August 2021, have done over 13,000 miles on it, including a couple of quite bad crashes, and it is still going strong.

So personally, I would say continue to use your current bike all through the winter.

 

[Jameshow]

I'd buy a new s/h bike each year ride it sell it in to some gullible weekend warrior each Easter.

Think of the car purchase, tax, MOT, insurance, fuel, your saving...

Think I'll commute tomorrow!

January morning where did I put the car keys...🤣🤣🤣

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I'd expect your Cube to have clearance for 32mm tyres without guards, 28mm tyres with guards at a squeeze, just like my '16 Attain GTC Disc.

 

[CentralCommuter]

Thank you for all the answers. All sound advice.

I don’t really want to wreck it, as it’s a good bike to use in the nice weather and is light enough for longer rides.

Had a look on gumtree at a Sirrus from about 2018 in nice condition with guards for £100. For that kind of money, that would stop me making stupid big purchases and keep the good bike in decent condition. Lots to think about!

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Hi all,

My commute is between 7 and 10 miles each way, depending on the route. I have a Cube Attain Pro with 105 and disc brakes. Think I've got 28mm continentals on there - not sure if I could get any bigger on it.

I'm planning to do the commute on bike 3 or 4 days a week and drive the other day - all through the seasons!

My question is this. The road bike I have is a carbon frame, although from 2016 I think. It is still in pretty good condition, although maybe needs a service. Do I use this bike all through winter, or do I get a more wintery bike that's better for the conditions and won't get wrecked as much? Or, if I was going to buy a second bike for winter, do I use this for winter then just get a newer road bike next year? Is there any actual advantage to getting a different model/configuration of bike for the winter, or will a road bike do it?

Mudguards are essential for winter commuting. And proper ones, not clip on jobbies.

A cheaper drive train is desirable, 'cos you'll need to replace it at the vernal equinox!

Carbon frame is fine.

 

[bikingdad90]

Also consider the unavoidable, you’ll go out one commute, it will be a bit sketchy in places (think wet road, oilly patch, ice etc) and there is good chance you may come off your bike and at best maybe rip some clothing but at worst damage the frame.

In the years I have been commuting I have fallen off/crashed about 4-5 times, roughly once a year, usually from something very silly and avoidable.

If you are a fairer weather cyclist it would be conditions you are more likely to have avoided cycling in.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

For my old ~5 mile each way commute, I used a '16 Voodoo Wazoo fatbike (with anything from 28mm GP 4 Seasons to 4" Jumbo Jims) and then a Voodoo Marasa from summer '20. Both hydraulic disc brakes, one 2x8 and the other 3x9 speed, tiny hill either end of route.