"Winter Bike" / Commuter

Cyclewizard

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice if anyone can help. I am currently using my carbon bike for weekend rides and also to cycle to training and the odd short ride at night during the week. With the weather being bad recently I'm starting to worry that its getting a bit of a hammering and I was thinking of getting something second hand to use until the weather improves and the evenings get lighter!

The options Im considering are
1) Vintage Steel Bike
2) A fixie / Single Speed
3) An aluminium sora / 2300 bike
4) 2nd hand CX bike

Now my current bike has Ultegra so Im worried if I go for a cheap 2300 / sora one that I'll get fed up and the main bike will be back out within a week or two which will defeat the purpose so I dont know if a nice Vintage bike would be better for the novelty of riding a nice steel frame or even a fixie and use it as a form of training or just something a bit different rather than just a 'downgraded version' of my current bike. On the other hand I could stick mudguards on it and in some ways I feel its a more sensible option rather than the unknown of a fixie / ss etc

I was just wondering if any of you guys have any preference or what you do over the winter? I dont have / want to train indoors on a turbo and as I say I do use the bike for getting around aswell. Iv got about 600 to spend but am a bit indecisive at the moment!

Thanks!

rollingscone

Cyclewizard wrote: »

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice if anyone can help. I am currently using my carbon bike for weekend rides and also to cycle to training and the odd short ride at night during the week. With the weather being bad recently I'm starting to worry that its getting a bit of a hammering and I was thinking of getting something second hand to use until the weather improves and the evenings get lighter!

The options Im considering are
1) Vintage Steel Bike
2) A fixie / Single Speed
3) An aluminium sora / 2300 bike
4) 2nd hand CX bike

Now my current bike has Ultegra so Im worried if I go for a cheap 2300 / sora one that I'll get fed up and the main bike will be back out within a week or two which will defeat the purpose so I dont know if a nice Vintage bike would be better for the novelty of riding a nice steel frame or even a fixie and use it as a form of training or just something a bit different rather than just a 'downgraded version' of my current bike. On the other hand I could stick mudguards on it and in some ways I feel its a more sensible option rather than the unknown of a fixie / ss etc

I was just wondering if any of you guys have any preference or what you do over the winter? I dont have / want to train indoors on a turbo and as I say I do use the bike for getting around aswell. Iv got about 600 to spend but am a bit indecisive at the moment!

Thanks!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-reynolds-525-steel?part=BB13RIBREYNOLDS525&sub=conf_BBRW&bike=1
10spd tiagra = sorted

macnab

I spent €200 on a 2nd hand Carrera TDF and €70 on a budget wheel set (TDF wheels weigh 4kg) then I added a set of mudguards for €30. I am quite happy with the result.
I have tried a hybrid but didn't like it. If I was just using it for city commutes I might try a fixie.
My main bike is a carbon fibre frame with Dura-Ace components.

07Lapierre

I'd go for Option 3 with 105 or Ultegra.

daragh_

Option 2.

One of these!

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPKOJ/on_one_pompino_drop_bar_urban_bike

Lumen

Those Ribble winter bikes are fantastic. They do alloy as well (not sure if steel is any great advantage TBH).

rollingscone

Lumen wrote: »

Those Ribble winter bikes are fantastic. They do alloy as well (not sure if steel is any great advantage TBH).

IMHO it's prettier. The greatest of all advantages.

Lumen

rollingscone wrote: »

IMHO it's prettier. The greatest of all advantages.

I lost* a commuter race to a red Genesis Equilibrium along the Dublin south quays last night.

The paint job is amazing in real life.



* I was actually never in contention. Dude was like a motorbike.

Cee-Jay-Cee

With a budget of €600 you will be able to get a very well spec'd aluminium framed road bike with at least Tiagra group set.

I was selling my Ridley compact after I bought a carbon bike but after about 5 spins (in October when the weather was still warm but wet) I decided to keep the Ridley and use it for winter and glad I did as it gets filthy every time I go out on it now.

There are several good 105 spec bikes on Donedeal all within your budget. There is a Ridley Triton C with 105 group set which would be my choice if I were looking for a winter bike around €600. It has carbon forks and sets stays with alum frame. I test rode one prior to buying my Compact and loved it but it has 2300 group set which put me off and I bought the tiagra compact instead but the Triton was by far the nicer bike and more comfortable.

mp31

Lumen wrote: »

I lost* a commuter race to a red Genesis Equilibrium along the Dublin south quays last night.
* I was actually never in contention. Dude was like a motorbike.

Was he wearing a red softshell top, black tights, pannier rack with a horizontal 5 led rear light with all leds flashing simultaneously? If so, I know him well.. nice bloke and flipping fast.

Lumen

mp31 wrote: »

Was he wearing a red softshell top, black tights, pannier rack with a horizontal 5 led rear light with all leds flashing simultaneously? If so, I know him well.. nice bloke and flipping fast.

I think it was a single bright blinky, but he had the biggest (white) front mudflap I've ever seen.

mp31

Cyclewizard wrote: »

Hi,
...with the weather being bad recently I'm starting to worry that its getting a bit of a hammering ...

Not sure if this is a problem.. maybe I'm ignorant on this since I don't own one but a bit of dirt/water on a carbon bike isn't going to hurt it is it? Wheels/chain/cassette/brake blocks take the most abuse and they can be replaced easily.

Why not just get some SKS long raceblade mudguards instead - saves all the hassle and you train on what you race on.

mp31

Lumen wrote: »

I think it was a single bright blinky, but he had the biggest (white) front mudflap I've ever seen.

Don't remember the mudflap but jeez he must have been going some to go faster than you!

Seweryn

mp31 wrote: »

Not sure if this is a problem.. maybe I'm ignorant on this since I don't own one but a bit of dirt/water on a carbon bike isn't going to hurt it is it? Wheels/chain/cassette/brake blocks take the most abuse and they can be replaced easily.

Why not just get some SKS long raceblade mudguards instead - saves all the hassle.

That is what I do, i.e. I ride one bike that I like most all the time. That means cycling with pleasure, so I do it more often.
I replace components as they wear, but surprisingly with minimal care some components last quite a long mileage.

07Lapierre

mp31 wrote: »

Not sure if this is a problem.. maybe I'm ignorant on this since I don't own one but a bit of dirt/water on a carbon bike isn't going to hurt it is it?

dirt/water will cause problems with brake caliper, deraillers, chains etc. so its usually better to have a cheap/easily maintained bike for winter use. Fitting mudguards and lights is also a good idea but some people don't like putting these on their "carbon pride and joy"

slideshow bob

For many of the same reasons I did this...

Cyclewizard wrote: »

4) 2nd hand CX bike

I bought new in the end as I got a bargain and spent only marginally more for a much better bike than I was going to buy 2nd hand. Changed the CX tyres for 4 Seasons as soon as I got it home and it's been really fantastic. I have used for all my weekend spins since September too. It's been a great buy.

Cyclewizard

thanks for the advice, keeping an eye out on done deal and adverts, going to take a look at a vintage steel bike this weekend going to try out a fixie or SS aswel see if I like the feel of them seen as my commute is flat. Most CX bikes seem to be quite a bit out of my budget and cant seem to find many 2nd hand to be honest.

PS is there anywere else apart from DD, adverts and ebay where I might find a 2nd hand bike?

longford76

What size are you looking for out of interest?

Cee-Jay-Cee

If your not too far from the border then try gumtree.co.uk and limit your search to Northern Ireland.

slideshow bob

Cyclewizard wrote: »

PS is there anywere else apart from DD, adverts and ebay where I might find a 2nd hand bike?

You've most of them covered - Cycling Adverts here is the only other that comes to mind. Maybe with the CX season almost over (already?) there's somebody thinking of selling off a one-too-many bike. A posting there might draw it out.

Cyclewizard

longford76 wrote: »

What size are you looking for out of interest?

55cm if possible!

longford76

Good luck with the search.

I've a 52 ribble winter bike that isn't really fitting me properly so it was just in case...

Micilin Muc

mp31 wrote: »

Not sure if this is a problem.. maybe I'm ignorant on this since I don't own one but a bit of dirt/water on a carbon bike isn't going to hurt it is it? Wheels/chain/cassette/brake blocks take the most abuse and they can be replaced easily.

Why not just get some SKS long raceblade mudguards instead - saves all the hassle and you train on what you race on.

+1 It's not as if winter is all that different to the other seasons in Ireland.

Seweryn

Micilin Muc wrote: »

+1 It's not as if winter is all that different to the other seasons in Ireland.

The main difference is that the rain is warmer in the summer, but not much differece for the bike.

krissovo

I am almost finished building up a 70's vintage "fake" Colnago and its a joy to build and ride and once my 26.8mm braze on adapter arrives it will get better with the extra gears.

The frame was 40 quid on ebay but its actually columbus SL tubes and looks great and is light, a 90's campagnolo record/veloce/mirage groupset from the mid 90's (135 euro ebay) that also came with 3T handlebars and a decent stem.

All in I am at 450 euro so far as I had to buy long drop brakes (shimano r650) and cables, peddals, new chain/cassette, brooks b17 saddle, jteck shiftmate as my wheels were shimano but I also got a vintage campagnolo aero seat post which looks awesome!

Its a really comfy ride and I see myself riding this more than my modern alu frame 105 equipped Willer bike.

So far its 9.4kg but soooo nice to ride.

Just to add, with the wheel size difference from 26" I have a lot of room for mudguards :-)

darkvalley

Micilin Muc wrote: »

+1 It's not as if winter is all that different to the other seasons in Ireland.

Surely the big difference is not the weather but the amount of corrosive salt that is spread around on the roads in this country during winter?

Seweryn

darkvalley wrote: »

Surely the big difference is not the weather but the amount of corrosive salt that is spread around on the roads in this country during winter?

When did you see the salt being sprayed last time? And what damage does it make to the shiny carbon frame bike in question? Surely, the drivetrain should be cleaned and re-lubed more often, but that's about it.

Unknown Soldier

What size tyres would people recommend putting on a "winter" bike? 28c? 32c?

Seweryn

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

What size tyres would people recommend putting on a "winter" bike? 28c? 32c?

23c or 25c alternatively.

Unknown Soldier

Seweryn wrote: »

23c or 25c alternatively.

Is a bigger tyre not a little bit safer? Or is that just a thing I have in my head that isn't actually scientifically true.

Seweryn

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

Is a bigger tyre not a little bit safer? Or is that just a thing I have in my head that isn't actually scientifically true.

It's more down to type of tyre than the size of it. I have been cycling every day on 23c tyres in all seasons and can't see a reason for changing to a wider tyre.
A wider rim may be a good idea though, and that is my plan for future upgrade.

Ole Rodrigo

I think 25 is better for commuting - 28 if you have the clearance. A wider tyre is better if you're carrying extra weight.

aFlabbyPanda

I'm on 25mm but my new bike will be 35 (comfy!)

Unknown Soldier

Thanks for the replies. I'm not heavy and getting lighter by the day, so I'll see if CRC might amend my order that is in processing. 25s would mean I could use my road bike tubes and not have to get another set.

Thanks again.

donal7

Lumen wrote: »

I lost* a commuter race to a red Genesis Equilibrium along the Dublin south quays last night.

The paint job is amazing in real life.



* I was actually never in contention. Dude was like a motorbike.

He he...Worse again I was totally destroyed by someone on a nice single speed commuting home from the city centre recently. City centre to North Strand where he turned off. Absolutely destroyed me, couldnt believe the speed he was hitting on a single speed nor the speed of his legs as we progressed. I have no excuses!!!!....:)

Plastik

Lumen wrote: »

I lost* a commuter race to a red Genesis Equilibrium along the Dublin south quays last night.

The paint job is amazing in real life.



* I was actually never in contention. Dude was like a motorbike.

Yes, really is a good looking bike in person. I work with a guy that comes in from Maynooth to D1 on one regularly and I'm very envious every time I see if locked downstairs. I think it helps that he is absolutely fastidious about keeping it immaculately clean. Even with full mounted mudguards and panniers it looks smashing.