Compromise for a wi...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Compromise for a winter road bike....

27 Posts
18 Users
0 Reactions
81 Views
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Is a set of winter wheels adequate compensation if I can't stretch to a winter bike? Something like some RS10's which are serviceable and fairly hardy?

Or am I kidding myself.....?


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 8:32 pm
Posts: 859
Free Member
 

After this winter, riding virtually every weekend whatever the weather, everything bar the shifters is worn out.. . chainrings, chain, jockey wheels, cassette and wheel rims. Oh, and 3 sets of brake pads.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 8:34 pm
Posts: 17187
Full Member
 

I'm gonna buy a triban for £300


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 8:36 pm
Posts: 6603
Free Member
 

It can be expensive. What about just getting a fixie or a singlespeed?


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 8:40 pm
Posts: 1442
Free Member
 

Yes.
I used hope open-pro hoops and a set of raceblades over winter.
This was on a pegoretti 8)
I did clean the drivetrain properly after every wet ride though.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 8:41 pm
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

I can't help thinking a Triban with race blades could work...


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 8:51 pm
Posts: 13240
Free Member
 

Get a ladybike and use it as a winter ride. Oops wrong thread,sorry. 🙂


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:06 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

What about just getting a fixed gear

Best thing for winter, full guards and two brakes.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Yeh, just get a spare set of wheels. My drive train still shifts ok, cleaned it once and swapped the chain. My wheels wore out though.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:19 pm
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Not sure if you are being sarcastic DavidTF?

The reason I asked is that my winter riding has cost me a set of rear wheel bearings and a week off the bike while the got replaced. On inspection the hub "caps" aren't very well sealed and I don't have spare wheels.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:44 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Im not, my drivetrain is still working fine, probably not optimally though.

My wheels were shagged by about January.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Ah, my apologies. My drivetrain too is fine. I've a chance at some RS10's for £75 so.....


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:50 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Take it on. Probably best off with the heaviest rims you can find, I guess they'll last longer. Use some good pads an all, not the cheap ones with bits of metal in them! Also, clean your rims.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:52 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm in the opposite camp. Currently have a winter bike (a Ribble special), and can't stretch to a sexy summer bike. Can't even be bothered to take the mudguards off!


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Plus, it'll feel like a differnt bike when you put your good wheels and tires back on and take off the mudguards.


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 9:54 pm
Posts: 15261
Full Member
 

Best suggestions so far are definitely cheap 2nd set of wheels or spend £300 on a triban 3 and treat it as a disposable bike for the winter.

Its worth taking into account the extra wear and tear your good bike will see if thrashed through next winter in addition to the wheels...


 
Posted : 20/05/2013 10:58 pm
Posts: 71
Free Member
 

How many sets of bearings can you buy for the cost of new wheels? IMO a winter bike won't save you money, but don't let that stop you. I have one.


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 5:22 am
Posts: 126
Free Member
 

Cheaper wheels, but just clean it after every ride unless it's been dry, and just lube and wipe off.
If you've been out for hours what's another few minutes.


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 5:42 am
 hora
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You own a Pegoretti? Pics-I bet its lovely. I keep looking at a roadbike but within my budget they all (carbon) look like, well plastic crap. 🙁


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 6:02 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Well I only have one road-bike. One LBS asked me recently if it was my winter bike which hurt a bit. It's a CAD4 R500 cannondale with a Shimano 105 wheelset and a 105 groupset. So it is a good few years old. Has it really reached 'winter' status?


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 6:11 am
 kilo
Posts: 6666
Full Member
 

May be mistaken but think i had rs10s and they break spokes for fun and the spokes if you can get them arr not cheap


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 6:42 am
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

njee20 - Member
How many sets of bearings can you buy for the cost of new wheels? IMO a winter bike won't save you money, but don't let that stop you. I have one

2. But also bear in mind the annoyance of not being able to ride whilst said wheel(s) is in the shop.


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 7:01 am
Posts: 50
Full Member
 

I've got a pair of Mavic Open Pros on Hope Pro 3s for my winter wheels. I've also got the replacement bearings in stock for when necessary.


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 7:31 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Me same as Sanity, why because they are good wheels and the previous ones [Mavic open pro's Ultegra hubs] the rims have worn out.
As for a winter bike I believe the ruling is :-
"After 2 years your summer bike becomes your winter bike and a new bike is bought in that winter for the summer."

So please obey the rules and just wait


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 8:14 am
 LS
Posts: 1174
Free Member
 

The reason I asked is that my winter riding has cost me a set of rear wheel bearings and a week off the bike while the got replaced. On inspection the hub "caps" aren't very well sealed and I don't have spare wheels.

Buy the bearings in advance and change them yourself - time off the bike = 20 minutes.
Personally I'm a big believer in having a winter bike that saves wear on the 'best' bike. But I'm not one for using a cheap and cheerful one, I'm definitely in the hand-me-down summer bike camp. You spend a lot of time on a winter bike so it may as well be a nice one that you enjoy riding. Who wants to drag an old heap out of the shed when you've got four hours in the rain ahead?


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 9:02 am
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

I'm finding it hard to visualise a Bianchi Sempre with race blade longs..... :-/


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 10:04 am
 LS
Posts: 1174
Free Member
 

I managed to get proper SKS guards into my old Litespeed so raceblades on a Bianchi is no issue, practically or visually 🙂


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 10:09 am
Posts: 27603
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Hmm. I can't make my mind up whether my current wheels should be left as posh wheels. Or just wear out the bearings as last year.


 
Posted : 21/05/2013 5:47 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!