You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Maybe it's my mid-life crisis ... who knows ... either way, I fancy dabbling with the dark side after several years away from the scene. Like the idea of mixing up some early morning pre-work road sessions (which I no longer enjoy as much on the MTB) along with the odd 4-5 hour weekender.
Thinking about 105-specced Allez/CAAD/Defy vs the more sportive type beasts such as the Synapse.
May instead go for Tiagra spec and get a second hand set of Kysriums or equivalent, should I feel the need for more speed.
The 105 triple I mentioned at the weekend is still an option, although I'd still want to switch it to double ASAP.
Not yet smitten enough with CX. And not a fan of winter hacks - perhaps next year if I get bitten this time round.
So, what are you guys going to be running?
My car.
The same bike I rode on the roads in the summer.
The same bike I rode on the roads [b]and trails[/b] in the summer.
Will be on my Diverge! Fitting some mudguards, though.
Road bikes are for the summer days for me. Nowt more depressing than a road slog on grotty wet days IMO.
Mountain bikes in the slop however, are funny as.
Just upgraded my 2013 Defy 3 (sora) to 105. I'll be riding that - it has full guards - again. I'm hoping to do many winter miles this winter.
Will be on my Diverge! Fitting some mudguards, though.
Ooh ...
**Looks up Diverge and wonders how I didn't even know this thing existed.**
Me likey.
Pictures available if you'd like, spacemonkey! 🙂
Mountain bikes in the slop however, are funny as.
sometimes, theres a lot of "why the **** am i doing this moments"
My aluminium Synapse Disc with some guards.
This is also my August bike due to the effing shyte English summers.
Kinesis 4S or my Kinesis Decade singlespeed.
Tricky question. I might put some wet tyres on the Malt-R, but if it gets really shitty, I'll go for hybrid/road tyres on the Malt-2.
Pictures available if you'd like, spacemonkey!
Yes please sir. Some pleasant aesthetics may be all I need before being seduced 🙂
.Nowt more depressing than a road slog on grotty wet days IMO
Depends how many days are like that over the dark months.The last few winters up here have been dry on the commute (and night rides).I love riding on the cold crisp days,which will mostly be on a ridgid steel hardtail and an old carbon road bike with bodged up guards. 😉
In new, skinwall shod mode;
[img] 
:large[/img]
Fitted some pimpy Challenge Strada Biancas. Lovely tyres, but I may change to something from Conti or Spesh for the winter.
Designed for lots of post, to allow flexy comfiness. Seems to work. Takes full guards, and racks if you so desire (Including lowriders). Can also take a SWAT toolkit on the downtube below the bottle cage. There are three bottle cage braze ons, allowing for a fit further up the tube if need be. Mine just has the SWAT chain tool in the head tube, replaces the SFN assembly with a chaintool. Cleverness!
Mine is the crabon fribe frame, as per the pimpy S-Works version, but with Ultegra. FSA crabon fribe chainset, though.
Commute and training: Heavily customised Kona Paddy Wagon fixed wheel 8)
Club rides: CAAD8 with mudguards
Snow: Catrike Villager recumbent trike 8) 8)
To and from Imperial Winter Series races: Giant Propel SL 8) 8) 8)
The same bike I rode on the roads in the summer.
+1 8)
Dreaming up a Kinesis 4S build or a Genesis Equilibrium build.
Kinesis wouldn't be far off the weight of my summer bike but with 28c tyres, seems like a win-win 8)
This
[URL= http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/loddrik1/2014-11-05_11-47-21_zpstiv5e7po.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/loddrik1/2014-11-05_11-47-21_zpstiv5e7po.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Saddle angle, Lodders! Saddle angle!
Think of your plums, old chap! And your old chap, old chap!
Cannondale synapse adventure..
[img] 
[/img]
Mines a recently purchased Genesis Equilibrium, in a very fetching matt ginger (copper) with hope/Alpha 400, 28mm Schwalbe the ones (tubeless) and a full centaur groupset.
Just debating if to purchase some Portland design works mudguards or leave the plastic P35's on. ❓
Will be on my Diverge! Fitting some mudguards, though.
Ive never even taken mine off lol
I consider a motorbike to be safer around greater Manchester. So not me for. I wont be investing.
Contrary to many people, I prefer riding on road in the winter than off road. I just can't be arsed getting covered ins sh*te week in week out, and you can do more in less time. I'll be riding a Dirty Disco mostly but tempted to go back to the single speed roadie (formerly a fixie but too hilly round here for that) this winter.
Tripster + Mason-Hunt wheels..
The Xlite will be literally wrapped in cotton wool until the week before Mallorca.
Mines a recently purchased Genesis Equilibrium, in a very fetching matt ginger (copper) with hope/Alpha 400, 28mm Schwalbe the ones (tubeless) and a full centaur groupset.
Pics please! I haven't seen any pictures of a fully built Equilibrium frameset yet.
I was planning a slightly less exciting build of 105 with Easton carbon bits and Ultegra on DT 460 rims.
My CX if I need gears or my old fixie. Most of the time I'll be off road though away from the traffic.
My CX bike with road tyres.
Ribble carbon sportive 365, full guards.
I go to about 80% road in winter. Quite enjoy it tbh.
This...
[img] 
[/img]
I was planning a slightly less exciting build of 105 with Easton carbon bits and Ultegra on DT 460 rims
105 is eq to the centaur and mine has Easton carbon bits as well.
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/371/18559282162_e58e6eb181_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/371/18559282162_e58e6eb181_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/uh2aZu ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
it has open pros and Conti 4s in the Photo
On-One Pompino. Fixed gear, dynamo lights, full mudguards and rack.
Nice and eclectic so far. As expected 🙂
CFH + firestarter: how are you finding the Diverge on climbs?
Liking the Equilibrium.
I bought a cheap Saracen roadie last year that takes full guards. They've been off over the summer but will go back on soon. I do all my riding before half 8 in the morning so the mtb is no fun at all road bike isn't much better though tbf 😕
I think I'll be mid week rollers or turbo, then weekend on the road if 5°+ or mtb if it's colder or snowing
This
[URL= http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/firestarter4075/20150813_133418_zps7tmd8ph7.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f278/firestarter4075/20150813_133418_zps7tmd8ph7.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Diverge look better in the flesh, very nice version in my LBS.
I'll be cherry picking a few clean rides but mostly in the garage on a turbo this year.
A triggers broom of a cheap Trek frame. Not overly relishing the prospect of getting back on it after a summer of riding and racing the TCR. Thinking of treating myself to something nicer considering the amount of cold, wet, dark winter miles I do on it.
Like that Shand ^^^. Keep checking out the Skinnymalinky, would make a lovely winter bike 🙂
My fixed gear.
Or my kona dewdrop.
Or my dawes kingpin if its to the shop.
Or possibly a ribble 525 frame because I kind of like it. And its cheap.
I think I'll be mid week rollers or [b]turbo[/b]
Good luck with that! Managed a few tabata sessions on my Tacx 2200 before getting bored. Lovely bit of kit and I really should get some Sufferfest vids. Still can't get my head round being 'locked' in a room though.
EDIT: BTW, you're not the same Prawn that used to hang out in Surrey's finest Hills 10 yrs ago are you?
Same thing i've ridden the past two winters.
[img] 
[/img]
Not sure yet,for club runs? I'm still debating a new frame as we speak.
But will also be on my Vaya, for long solo days out.
34 year old Raleigh Record Ace. Massive steel mudguards. Schwalbe marathons. Downtube shifters, no indexing, nothing to go wrong - Hopefully.
Can't be doing with MTBs in winter. Too much expensive wear and tear...
Kaffenback disk version with 28mm tyres and full guards on the road. T'is heavy, but fits me well and riding a heavy bike makes you strong!
My commuter Arkose 2, no difference in set up as it's got 32c marathon plus tyres and full mudguards already
Commuting, pig iron fixie.
Road riding, same road bike I used last winter and this summer, with crud guards.
Got a CX bike now too, which is going to be for all sorts of in between stuff... MTB barely gets a look in at the moment...
Genesis Croix De Fer with road tyres and mudguards.
2010 Spesh Tarmac with hope on Open 4 and Ultegra. Crud Race Guards fitted.
An RT-58 with Mavic's and full 105.
£99 for the frame, £69 for the forks, £100 for the wheels and the rest all PX's own except the ISM Proloque cus I have a bony arse 😀
Full build under £500
My summer bike with PDW guards fitted. Life is too short to ride dull heavy bikes in the winter.
Did 5 winters on my pegoretti, see no reason to not do the same with new bike. I might swap to some more 'ordinary' wheels though (still tubeless)
I'm with Flashy, a Diverge for me through the winter. Sadly just the alloy model and not the bling carbon version like his!
a cannibalised version of this......hopefully.
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/626/20135883494_af5063bacb_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/wFkED5 ]cidImage_FOTCBCF.JPG" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/626/20135883494_af5063bacb_b.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/wFkED5 ]cidImage_FOTCBCF.JPG"/> [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/91703444@N06/ ]20ston[/url], on Flickr
[URL= http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss177/misterp13/20150724_132844_zpswg2vt8jj.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss177/misterp13/20150724_132844_zpswg2vt8jj.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
It started life as a Genesis Equilibrium Disc 20, although the only stock parts left are frame, fork and headset. It's now running Ultegra 11 speed, 685 hydraulic disc brakes and a set of DT Swiss Spline wheels along with PRO finishing kit.
[img] 
[/img]
Is getting resprayed, I've no idea of color or finish yet though. Currently thinking Flamboyant (candy if you're American or a fan of Pimp My Ride) Purple, with gold lettering.
But Mercian are local to my parents and there are some lovely barbers poles in their gallery so I'm tempted to go down the Rattle can route to save money as the prices rapidly get silly when you start adding in barbers poles, lug lining, panels etc.
[URL= http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss177/misterp13/Mobile%20Uploads/20140901_192549_zpsb389660c.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss177/misterp13/Mobile%20Uploads/20140901_192549_zpsb389660c.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
I'll probably ride a few miles on the Flyer too.
Contrary to many people, I prefer riding on road in the winter than off road. I just can't be arsed getting covered ins sh*te week in week out, and you can do more in less time
This for me too. I use my road bike more in the winter to keep fitness up and then visit trail centres on the MTB as they generally drain better than the local [s]bogs[/s] trails. Summer is about long evenings exploring local trails on the MTB.
<cx envy>
Ton, that's a Tiagra CAADX, yes? That's on my list and is close to taking the number one spot.
</cx envy>
Any chance I could pop up north and borrow it for the winter? I promise to drop it back in the spring 🙂
cx envy>Ton, that's a Tiagra CAADX, yes? That's on my list and is close to taking the number one spot.
</cx envy>
Any chance I could pop up north and borrow it for the winter? I prom
spacemonkey, it is now a sora flatbar caadx. and of course you can.
Keep checking out the Skinnymalinky, would make a lovely winter bike
Theres a Skinny downstairs in Bespoke Cycles and it's a very somber karki green. Kitted out with some fabulous kit it really does look blinking lovely.
But.
It's far too nice for just winter bike, it really is that lovely.
I shall be fitting mudguards to my Mason Definition in the very near future...
Mason Definition although I need to sort some guards for it. Dom uses the long SKS ones so it's a toss up between those or the pdw ones.
[img][URL= http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/steveomain/Bike%20Pics/IMG_0671_zpssphyd048.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/steveomain/Bike%20Pics/IMG_0671_zpssphyd048.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]
spacemonkey, it is now a sora flatbar caadx. and of course you can.
Very kind 🙂 If only life were that simple, eh? Those CAADXs are so seductive even though I'm fighting the CX lure ... especially if watch any more vids.
this:
[img] 
[/img]
Cheers, Rich
Kona Ute
the fixed gear dolan if it's not too bad out
Mason Definition although I need to sort some guards for it. Dom uses the long SKS ones so it's a toss up between those or the pdw ones.
Apparently the SKS longboards are prone to cracking...PDW are much nicer but look a bit small for 25-28c tyres.
Apparently the SKS longboards are prone to cracking...PDW are much nicer but look a bit small for 25-28c tyres.
I have the PDW guards on my TiCom ^^^ running with 29mm Schwalbe Durano and there's plenty of clearance, although I did need to fit the optional longer rear stays.
Cheers, Rich
Nice light fast hybrid with fat tyres that grip, brakes that work, and mudguards so big, they have property speculators planning loft conversions in them. Sorted. Commuter first and foremost but it does the job most folks'd get a road bike for.
@gotama ... i fitted the longboards to my definition along
with 30mm tyres ... bring it on 😉
Suspect i'll go longboards for ease/surety of fitment if nothing else. therevokid - what 30mm tyres have you got? Tempted by some myself but would like tubeless for puncture protection.
Theres a Skinny downstairs in Bespoke Cycles and it's a very somber karki green. Kitted out with some fabulous kit it really does look blinking lovely.But.
It's far too nice for just winter bike, it really is that lovely.
Not going to happen... but if it did it would certainly make winter miles a lot more bearable 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
I have the PDW guards on my TiCom ^^^ running with 29mm Schwalbe Durano and there's plenty of clearance, although I did need to fit the optional longer rear stays.Cheers, Rich
Interesting, thanks. Did you fit the thinner PDWs? They come in two widths, I think.
@gotama ... i fitted the longboards to my definition along
with 30mm tyres ... bring it on
Didn't know you'd bought one! We'll have to compare notes...
^^ yup that, that in somber kharki green..
De-licious.
Great, just as I start pondering going Diverges, Shands and Masons, seems I'm behind the curve already.
Just hypothetically, how are you guys getting on with the Masons?
Fantastic. Very stable and fun descending, stiff when you stand on the pedals but also comfortable cruising along. Basically great fun to ride and seems to suit whatever mood i'm in. The finish on the frame is excellent as well, they look stunning in the flesh in my completely impartial :wink:. opinion 😀
Hmmmm - steel or alloy.....? 😕
My usual wet weather wagon - Enigma Etape, or if I get some full guards sorted, my newish Arkose.
If it's dry then the Felt 2nd best CF bike.
Just hypothetically, how are you guys getting on with the Masons?
Can't recommend it enough. I wanted something practical (rack & guard mounts, wide tyre clearance, discs) yet lightweight and fun to ride when you're pressing on. It delivers both in spades, and the quality of the paintwork has to be seen to be believed. My only niggle was setting the internal cables up was a total PITA, but once it's done, it's easier the second time. Also, watch the sizing as they're quite long in the top tube. I went for a 52 instead of my usual 54, and the fit is just right.
Interesting, thanks. Did you fit the thinner PDWs? They come in two widths, I think.
I have the city guards which are apparently good for up to 35mm tyres:
[url= https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/fenders/full-metal-fenders-city ]https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/fenders/full-metal-fenders-city[/url]
Cheers, Rich
Got day one alfine on cycle2work, love it....
[URL= http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/mf_kuman/image.jpg1_zpsedkm5onk.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/mf_kuman/image.jpg1_zpsedkm5onk.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/mf_kuman/image.jpg2_zpsf4bcytqr.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/mf_kuman/image.jpg2_zpsf4bcytqr.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Just dug it out for a wet weekend...
[img] 
[/img]
The chainset looks tiny! Shall likely stick a 53/39 on there with my Vector pedals. It spent last winter on 50/36 but that's going to feel a bit spinny now.
Or maybe just swap it for that Shand... 🙂