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Winter changes?

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  • August 28, 2014 at 12:33 pm #22251
    Eebijeebi

    I used to ride quiet a lot but never as my main sport, just summer fitness, charity rides and fair weather commuting.
    After a 10 year lay off from all kinds of exercise (due to illness) I climbed back on to the old Bianchi in March as it’s the only form of CV my shot knees can take – but am loving it and will keep at it through the winter. I shall be looking to join a local club to drag me out.

    My question is about winter and bikes. Assuming I brave it past the trainer on fair days, are there things I should consider specifically regarding the bike? Mudguards, wheels, tyres or maybe or a separate bike altogether? Mountain bike – or does that make me the anti-christ?

    Thanks for reading,
    E.

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  • August 28, 2014 at 2:30 pm #811909
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    LondonDynaslow

    colinth wrote:A club will

    colinth wrote:
    A club will probably expect you to have mudguards in winter otherwise whoever is on your wheel gets covered in crap spraying up from your tyre.

    Most London clubs don’t, but I do, so I have to ride solo for most of the winter. Before cycling apparently became “cool”, you would not have been allowed NEAR a club run without full mudguards and rear buddy flaps.

    August 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm #811907
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    arfa

    I wouldn’t rule out the
    I wouldn’t rule out the mountain bike as it’s n+1, a different kind of riding and a good way to put some work in when the roads are covered in the wet slimy mulch of fallen leaves. One of the hardest rides I have done is london to Brighton off road in January. In addition, the highest elevation to miles ridden ratio I get are off road in the North downs – good for your climbing legs and skinny tyres feel like floating on air after mtb training.

    August 28, 2014 at 2:04 pm #811905
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    colinth

    A club will probably expect
    A club will probably expect you to have mudguards in winter otherwise whoever is on your wheel gets covered in crap spraying up from your tyre. Personally I hate fitting them because they can be fiddly for a clumsy oaf like me, but if you need to buy some the shop will probably fit them for a few quid.

    The lights advice is good, if it’s murky you really should have a light imho. The only other thing I’d mention is a spare tube and a puncture kit, much more likely to get punctures in winter due to stones etc being washed into the road.

    August 28, 2014 at 1:57 pm #811903
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    Shades

    Mudguards… end of
    Mudguards… end of conversation.

    Definitely! Why some people, unless you’re racing, seem completely averse to them in the winter is beyond me; they actually do keep the cr#p off you, and the bike, without slowing you down. Lots of different options depending on how much protection or versatility (eg on/off ease) you want. I think clubs insist on them if it’s wet.

    MTBs are for off-road. Too many people puffing away commuting on them.

    August 28, 2014 at 1:43 pm #811901
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    Jimmy Ray Will

    Mudguards… end of
    Mudguards… end of conversation.

    There might be an argument for getting a disk specific bike, but honestly, if you do one thing for winter, its get some decent mudguards.

    Good lights is another. I run two rear lights. This is so that I can run one on constant beam, and the other flashing. Best of both worlds. Also, its to protect against light failure… the chances of both lights failing on a ride or very, very small.

    if you;ve not done so already, stick some 25mm tyres on. Just that bit grippier in the wet.

    I don’t believe in ‘winter’ tyres, but plenty of people do. I don’t like them because what they give you in respect to puncture resistance and longevity, they take away in respect to grip and safety.

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