Winter Bike?

[DaveyM]

Is it worth switching back to my 10 year old Giant front suspension for the winter, it has served me well by getting me back into the saddle.

I was lucky enough to get a small pay rise...so used this to invest in a specialized Tri-cross on the cycle to work scheme.
So my question is "Is it worth running the old faithful mtb over the winter and storing the new beauty till early next year? or am I just being over protective of the new bike?"

Should also add that this is the first ever NEW bike I have owned, all my others even as a kid were someone elses cast off. I just want to keep this in the best condition possible.

 

[DCLane]

My 'best' bike goes away shortly - and I'm running a Raleigh Airlite 100 this winter as a winter bike, plus my MTB as needed.

 

[smokeysmoo]

am I just being over protective of the new bike?

Yes

I know it's your first brand new bike and all that, but you bought a Tricross, not a £10k pro replica race bike. Get it ridden, clean it when it's dirty, dry it when it's wet, lube it regularly and all will be well.

Your old MTB will feel like an iron donkey now after the new bike anyway, and IME you won't enjoy riding it at all as a result.

These are the sorts of conditions CX bikes crave, so a bit of winter will be water off a ducks back to it

 

[Pedal pusher]

Defo wrap the Tri cross up in a wee blanket after a bath and lube and place in the garage or the dinning room if you can get away with it

 

[biggs682]

why not keep it for dry weather winter bike

 

[Deleted member 20519]

My 'best' bike goes away shortly - and I'm running a Raleigh Airlite 100 this winter as a winter bike, plus my MTB as needed.

My best bike is my only bike!

 

[sittingbull]

I ride nearly every day through the winter and enjoy it

I've ridden an MTB in recent years which is of course slower and heavier (and IMHO better training).

This year I've re-accustomed myself to riding a road bike and I don't intend going through that again every Spring, so this Winter will be a mix of both bikes.

It's avoiding the grit (salt) that bothers me, impossible on a road bike if covering decent miles.

I'm thinking of using a pressurised garden sprayer (pump up the 5 litre container by hand) to rinse off the worst of the Winter road grime after each ride, maybe in conjuction with some Muc-Off in-between rinses

 

[Kiwiavenger]

im just waiting on a rigid MTB (no front suspension) to come down so i can spike it up ready for snow/ice just so i can continue to ride in the winter! will also be used for pleasure rides with my son and hitting the trails by my work at lunch if i have to drive in!!

the roadie will be used all year round if i can get away with it!!!

 

[Col5632]

I only have 1 bike so no choice but i think i will use my hybrid for the winter when i get my roadie

 

[Old Plodder]

Is it worth switching back to my 10 year old Giant front suspension for the winter, it has served me well by getting me back into the saddle.

I was lucky enough to get a small pay rise...so used this to invest in a specialized Tri-cross on the cycle to work scheme.
So my question is "Is it worth running the old faithful mtb over the winter and storing the new beauty till early next year? or am I just being over protective of the new bike?"

Should also add that this is the first ever NEW bike I have owned, all my others even as a kid were someone elses cast off. I just want to keep this in the best condition possible.

When the snow & ice come, yes use an old bike, otherwise use either, as suits you.
Most people use a hack bike for commuting all the time, saving their best bike for pleasure rides.

 

[DaveyM]

Thanks for all the info and opinions.

My main concern is the amount of road salt I will get on the bike, living in Northumberland and the main roads are nearly gritted everyday during the winter.
I would love to ride my new pride and joy and if all it takes is a wash then I don't mind doing that, coz I will be giving the mountain bike the same TLC.

I really want to keep riding over the winter and continue to improve. Plus I think I will get a real buzz out of seeing some of the stunning scenery and knowing I made my own way there

 

[Hip Priest]

Whereabouts in Northumberland are you Davey?

I have a hybrid for work and a road bike for weekends. But I use them both throughout the winter.

 

[cyberknight]

I only use my boardman for leisure rides atm, got it on C2W last year when we found out ck#2 was on the way so it is being kept as a best bike for the forseeable future.
I use a carrera vituoso all year round for commuting and will use it in the winter months for club runs as well, when the weather gets really bad i dig out the giant mtb/hybrid as i like the extra rubber on the road .The giant was an ebay find £40 for a rigid bike that i have put some conti travel contacts on and it makes a good "OMFG its icy /snowing" bike

 

[DaveyM]

I live on the river Blyth just on the very edge of Bedlington, so I am very lucky. ( I think having lived many different places that this is the best place I have ever lived and have no plans to ever move again)
Are you a Northumbrian?

 

[zizou]

I have a few bikes but still ride my best road bike in the winter

Have to spend a bit of time cleaning and drying it (something which quickly becomes a pain in the arse!) but i would have to do that anyway whatever bike i'm on, so figure I may as well use my favourite bike if the weather isn't too bad.