Winter commuting wheels..do you switch ?

[Arjimlad]

Last winter a combination of rain, road salt, grit and Aztec brake pads wore my original Giant rims down past the indicators - despite my regular cleaning of the blocks. They were less than a year old too.

In the rain the Aztec blocks seemed to turn into grinding paste, with bits of metal driven into the surface.

So in the spring I treated my bike to some new wheels - Mavic CXP33 on Shimano 105 hubs, and splashed out on some Swissstop alloy-friendly brake blocks which have been fine so far, rain or shine..the hubs are beautifully smooth and quiet.

With a wet winter again approaching I am thinking twice about exposing my nice wheels to the joys of commuting, and wondered whether other commuters switch wheels for the winter ?

I am tempted to see about getting new rims put onto the old Shimano hubs to replace the original Giant rims, but I suspect that the cost will make it just as effective to buy some Shimano R500s for the winter.. or should I just work harder at keeping the brake blocks & wheels clean ?

 

[ianrauk]

Fed up with changing wheels/rims every 18 months, changed to disc braked road bike so now my wheels will hopefully last for nearly forever.

 

[Arjimlad]

Good plan, but not one I can sign up to at the moment !

 

[gaz]

Same as Ian. I use a disc brake biked for commuting to keep a constant braking performance throughout the year.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i use the same wheels all year round.
might get a disk braked hybrid for commuting on though when i get some cash and to tow the trailer

 

[nilling]

Switch wheels? No, I switch to my disc braked winter bike.

 

[HLaB]

I use the same wheels all year round for commuting but touch wood because I cycle a fixie I'm braking less

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I don't need constant braking performance as im skilful enough on the fixie.(I think)

Nah I don't switch wheels.

 

[forzagaribaldi]

I don't switch wheels, I switch bike. Single speed through the winter—it's one I don't mind getting filthy but also has fewer components to clean or worry about corrosion.

 

[fossyant]

I just wear rims out so I can practice my wheel building skills

 

[martinclive]

I don't switch wheels, I switch bike. Single speed through the winter—it's one I don't mind getting filthy but also has fewer components to clean or worry about corrosion.

+1 to that - I do exactly the same for the same reasons

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I commute on fixed all year and don't change wheels.

 

[Arjimlad]

So, as with all matters bike-related, N+1 is the answer !

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

The Open 4CDs on my Dyna-Tech lasted 19 years, & are still on it, with the last 5 as a commuter, in all weathers

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The Open 4CDs on my Dyna-Tech lasted 19 years, & are still on it, with the last 5 as a commuter, in all weathers

I had a cheap Raleigh years ago which got used as a commuter, I sold it after about 10 years and it still had the original wheels on it.