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…..?

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.

I’m gonna buy a triban for £300

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

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.

I can’t help thinking a Triban with race blades could work…

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

What about just getting a fixed gear

Best thing for winter, full guards and two brakes.

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.

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.

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

My wheels were shagged by about January.

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

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.

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!

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

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…

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.

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.

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. 🙁

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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.