Winter road bike ideas

[fraz101]

I’ve been toying with the idea of a 2nd bike for winter and rougher routes,hills,weekend winter club rides 50-100 miles.

Something under £400 that isn’t carbon.

I was thinking of buying a used frame and building my own as a project but suspect it will work out a lot more expensive that way?

Anyway any tips or advice on what sort of things I should use for a winter hacker?

I saw this bike which is quite local to me and liked


https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/...tent=app_ios&utm_medium=social&utm_source=sms

 

[Sittingduck]

Giant Defy is a great bike but I would check tyre clearance especially if caliper brakes. You likely want wider tyres and probably full mudguards - Don't think it has mount points, so that means race blades only. Also - it's white

edit - my main road bike is a Defy and although I love it dearly, I don't think it meets criteria for a full winter bike. And mine is Black/grey and has discs...

 

[vickster]

Full Mudguards essential which rules out lots of racy road bikes.
I’d say disc brakes too and fatter tyres.
If you can find one in budget, something like a Boardman CX would do the trick

 

[fraz101]

Giant Defy is a great bike but I would check tyre clearance especially if caliper brakes. You likely want wider tyres and probably full mudguards - Don't think it has mount points, so that means race blades only. Also - it's white

edit - my main road bike is a Defy and although I love it dearly, I don't think it meets criteria for a full winter bike. And mine is Black/grey and has discs...

Yes my main bike is a full carbon Defy also.

Good points on mudguards etc

 

[Tim Bennet.]

. . . If you can find one in budget, something like a Boardman CX would do the trick

I got one of these as an ex-demo bike from Halfords and it's been great as a winter bike.
The offer even came with enough 'free accessories' to fit mudguards and road tyres.

 

[kingrollo]

Ribble CGR fits the bill - but very heavy v a carbon bike.

 

[vickster]

Ribble CGR fits the bill - but very heavy v a carbon bike.

Can you get one for £400 even used?

The Boardman CX is around 11kg Iirc but winter bikes don’t need to be light (could always just use the carbon and clean after dirty rides of course and budget for more frequent chain changes!)

 

[kingrollo]

Can you get one for £400 even used?

The Boardman CX is around 11kg Iirc but winter bikes don’t need to be light (could always just use the carbon and clean after dirty rides of course and budget for more frequent chain changes!)

Fair point.

Another option (not cheap) but a guy at our club has these mudguards which come with there own through axle and the mudguards attach to the axle. They look very solid and he rates them - about £150 for a pair though.

 

[cougie uk]

I'd not worry too much about the weight. Your extra layers, guards and chunky tyres probably slow you down more.

My winter bike is a gravel bike with full guards and 32mm tyres and disc brakes. It's a lovely ride and gets more use than the super light carbon summer bike so probably worth spending a bit more on.

 

[vickster]

Given it’s only June, no need to buy now.
I’d save up more for something like this new
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g2p-tiagra-gravel-bike-2022-197427.html

 

[T4tomo]

Yes any gravel / CX style bike provided it has mudguard mounts (some CX "race" frames don't, but anything badges gravel, adventure etc most likely do), shod with some fattish 32/35mm+ semi slicks will do your winter roads and light offroad stuff. Or buy a second wheel set for slicks & more grippy offroad combo.

Should be plenty second hand on ebay.

 

[DCLane]

Like others have put mudguard mounts, or the ability to fit Raceblade XL guards, would be essential for a winter bike. That it'll take slightly wider tyres is also helpful. Don't discount a carbon frame since they're just as capable of winter use. As others have put a second set of wheels is always helpful for winter use.

I run a full carbon 2012 Raleigh SP Race as a commuter and winter road bike, supplemented by an Avanti Circa cross bike for winter commuting. The Raleigh has Raceblades since it doesn't have mudguard mounts plus 25mm tyres with the Avanti having full guards and 30mm tyres.

 

[I like Skol]

What is this mythical summer you speak of?

I've always run my bike all year round and never found it necessary to run a dedicated nice weather bike that gets put away for 80% of the year/rides. Maybe rethink your strategy to suit the British climate?

 

[biggs682]

Come on guys it's way too early to think about winter.
Carbon is a no if damp as it dissolves way too quick

 

[vickster]

What is this mythical summer you speak of?

I've always run my bike all year round and never found it necessary to run a dedicated nice weather bike that gets put away for 80% of the year/rides. Maybe rethink your strategy to suit the British climate?

The OP is also in Scotland so definitely mudguards