Road bike or Hybrid for the winter???

[Voyley]

Good news I've got a new job I'm really enjoying and its a little closer to home so I can cycle more and am flying through the miles each week and past all of the gridlocked traffic.

Bad news - winter is coming so I need to make sure I'm set up and ready to roll so to speak.

The Rain - this isn't generally a problem as I have good waterproofsa problem although I think I should be cleaning my bike more regularly but how often is recommended when your riding 5 times a week? (Roughly 120 miles per week)

The wind - is there a wind speed (mph) that you guys just don't go out in because it's not safe and keep an eye on the forecasts? I've been out in 20odd MPH and its ok as long as I'm sensible but where to draw the line?

Ice/grit/grip/rain - with all of these issues I'm not sure how to approach commuting on a road bike. Do I get winter Tyres do I get a hybrid bike with wider wheels? Or do I just not cycle when Jack Frost comes to town and the roads get icy, wet and dark?

Your feedback would be a huge help to me, I am enjoying cycling but have a tendency to jump on the bike first and think later and want to make sure I've got my gear together as there's a bike to work scheme running but don't want to spend money I don't have to.

P.s apologies for some of the poor writing I'm on my phone and it's not the best with forums.

 

[confusedcyclist]

With full fenders you can cut down on a lot of cleaning. I hose my road bike down after a downpour which takes no time at all, and clean it once a week if there has been rain, or bi-weekly if no rain. That said, once the gritters are out I will be washing at least weekly if not more often to keep the drive train clean.

You should be ok on road tyers in all but ice, I plan on riding my MTB with knobbies on icy days. Most important advice is to slow down and expect you stopping distance to increase.

 

[Mo1959]

You should be ok on road tyers in all but ice, I plan on riding my MTB with knobbies on icy days.

Afraid it makes no difference if it is proper black ice. I have come off on ice on road tyres and wide mtb tyres. The spiked tyres are the only ones that will make much difference on ice.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Sorry, yes I did forget to mention I would be fitting studded tyres for the worst weather!

 

[DCLane]

I use a road bike in all except the worst weather, when most won't ride anyway.

The 'bad weather bike' has 28mm tyres, mudguards and I don't care if it gets scratched, etc. as it's kept for that purpose.

 

[ianrauk]

Road bike all year round, except in snow or icy weather.
Don't need studded tyres in London as the main roads are usually very clear anyway.

 

[Pale Rider]

The wind - is there a wind speed (mph) that you guys just don't go out in because it's not safe and keep an eye on the forecasts? I've been out in 20odd MPH and its ok as long as I'm sensible but where to draw the line?
.

I have a quick look at the BBC weather website in windy conditions.

If it's showing more than 20mph, I seriously consider not going out.

That's mostly because I find it unpleasant.

I doubt there's a day in an average year that is so windy you literally could not/should not cycle.

 

[BrumJim]

I've used the road bike in all weathers including snow on the road. Probably not my most sensible decision, though.

Now have a touring bike with 32mm tyres (IIRC) and have bought some winter studded ones. I'm getting sensible in my old age!

Realistically, though, main gritted roads are as good in sub-zero as in warm weather, although your bike will collect salt and the chain will grind away. Anything not gritted is a different case entirely. Water makes metalwork (covers) very slippy, and scares a road bike. Wider tires still makes this stuff scary, but gives a much more predictable performance over slippy surfaces such as brick (e.g. canal towpath).
Wind? Anything that blows you off your route into the front of a passing car is too strong. Generally anything above 25 mile/h is probably a little too scary for me.

I used to clean my road bike weekly. Now it has no mudguards, I'd clean it after every ride in the wet, and every 5 days of riding otherwise.

 

[confusedcyclist]

I doubt there's a day in an average year that is so windy you literally could not/should not cycle.

Not in the UK anyway... there are some climes where it wouldn't be recommended...

 

[Voyley]

Thanks everyone some really good advice there and will just use my common Sense I think, will be buying mudguards this month as the roads are constantly wet (or so it seems) apart from the days when I have to drive in but I believe that's called Sod's Law ha ha

 

[wisdom]

This is what works for me.
Winter and wet days the hybrid which has full mudguards. If its nice and dry the roadie which has no mudguards and is
white.
The most important thing in my book is whatever you use enjoy it . maintain it well and use the mickle method for your chain (I do mine weekly without fail).I commute in all weathers except gales.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Fenders,always welcome on the commute for me,because not all puddles are water.