Advice on winter/training bike

funnyclub

Hey guys i currently have a full carbon bike with ultegra groupset and i am looking to pick up a bike for winter and the turbo trainer.

I have my eye on a few bikes and wanted to go with shimano 105 but im just wondering do i need to be going for 105 or would tiagra do?

Let me know what ya think.

thekooman

Tiagra or even Sora would do... i got a Giant SCR (2007/8 version of the Defy) a few years back with Sora and Tiagra and its perfect.

Welshkev

I'm in exactly the same boat as you and am looking at the moment. I'm assuming you have the 11 speed Ultegra?
I was swaying towards Tiagra/Sora as it's just for winter, but it may be worth paying a few quid extra to get a bike with this years 105 on as that is now also 11-speed so wheels etc. will be interchangable.

mruser2014

Just out of interest here, does everyone have a winter bike?

I only have my cannondale carbon bike and I used it last winter no problem. Just kept it serviced and clean.

Is there really a need for a winter bike? I can't really afford to have another bike.

Lumen

mruser2014 wrote: »

Is there really a need for a winter bike? I can't really afford to have another bike.

No. Components wear out faster in winter, but the frame will be fine.

jdburkedjburke

I am thinking the same way, do I get a bike for the winter

Raam

jdburkedjburke wrote: »

I am thinking the same way, do I get a bike for the winter

You do.

dragratchet

its gonna break my heart going back to the winter hack having enjoyed the summer on my new one. do most people retire their carbon rides for the whole winter or just those nasty weather forecast days.

wanderer 22

dragratchet wrote: »

its gonna break my heart going back to the winter hack having enjoyed the summer on my new one. do most people retire their carbon rides for the whole winter or just those nasty weather forecast days.

The answer is to upgrade your good bike and then use the old one as the winter hack.

dragratchet

colm18 wrote: »

The answer is to upgrade your good bike and then use the old one as the winter hack.

that dynamic could continue indefinitely

billyhead

The answer is you need another bike. Isn't there some rule that goes along the lines of N+1. I requalified for the BYW scheme this year so got another road bike which is now my summer dry weather bike and the old bike is now my winter/****e weather bike:D

Cyclewizard

I have a carbon road bike for summer / events and a couple of alu road bikes for commuting. As Im in and out of traffic I dont have my pedals/cleats fitted to my commuter and have winter tyres and mudguard on it. My other 'winter' bike I have set up with pedals / no mudguards for the better winter days. My summer bike is 10sp ultegra, winter ones veloce/mirage and I'm perfectly happy with the set up, ironically the only major difference I notice is the ultegra calipers are far better. I retire the summer bike basically till it gets nicer in the spring, altho any sportive or event during the winter I'd be tempted to get it out for the day.

Basically I'd definitely look at getting a second bike if I was you, I got both mine second hand from reputable guys and am glad I did. It's also handy if one of them are out of action needing repairs etc, you've always got one ready to go!

funnyclub

Cyclewizard wrote: »

I have a carbon road bike for summer / events and a couple of alu road bikes for commuting. As Im in and out of traffic I dont have my pedals/cleats fitted to my commuter and have winter tyres and mudguard on it. My other 'winter' bike I have set up with pedals / no mudguards for the better winter days. My summer bike is 10sp ultegra, winter ones veloce/mirage and I'm perfectly happy with the set up, ironically the only major difference I notice is the ultegra calipers are far better. I retire the summer bike basically till it gets nicer in the spring, altho any sportive or event during the winter I'd be tempted to get it out for the day.

Basically I'd definitely look at getting a second bike if I was you, I got both mine second hand from reputable guys and am glad I did. It's also handy if one of them are out of action needing repairs etc, you've always got one ready to go!

I'm using my BTW to get the bike. So will need to be new.

quinnp

I picked up a new Carbon Trek Emonda with 11 speed Ultegra, so my old trusty Specialized Allez has been fitted with a new Tiagra group & relegated to winter & turbo duties. .

harringtonp

mruser2014 wrote: »

Just out of interest here, does everyone have a winter bike?

I only have my cannondale carbon bike and I used it last winter no problem. Just kept it serviced and clean.

Is there really a need for a winter bike? I can't really afford to have another bike.

I use to only have one road bike. Years passed, components got a bit older and the top of the seat tube broke so the seat was glued in permanently. Got a new bike and the old one came a winter bike.

So now as winter approaches I switch from from Ultegra to Durace (yes thats Durace in winter) and a very slightly lighter frame. Summer bike is still better, however I would have no problems using the winter bike racing if the summer one was temporarily out of action.

I wouldn't be rushing to get a low quality, heavy winter bike as they can be hard to enjoy if you're use to much better quality.