+1 for Dolan frames; I got one of their Cross frames around 9 years ago and it has taken a pounding both training, commuting and a bit of cross but keeps on rolling, I see it being around for a long time yet.

All about the short stem for thrilling handling on leafy wet climbs!

Surprised not to see more of these on this thread !!!

Love this bike !

P5200138 by paulcheshirecat, on Flickr

Almost zero maintenance bike – Alfine hub and BB7 gears. Used on road this morning – has cross tyres for bridleways etc if I’m in the mood. Pretty heavy though.

I know that they’re a necessity, but winter road bikes look so uninspiring 🙁

There was a good smattering of winter hacks at our club reliability trial today, shame I didn’t have a camera. Saw at least four fixed and three other bikes as well as mine still sporting down tube shifters.

winter road bikes look so uninspiring

Whereas they speak to me of hard miles in the winter, commitmwent to riding and all the fun I’ve had on those close-knit, joke-laden club runs in the half dark and over the hills.

Also used year round for commuting, the odd bit of touring and the occasional cross race.

Whats up with the angles on that kaffenback? Looks liek the forks are way to long?

Summer in background attatched to turbo with an old back wheel on. CX bike in forefront with cx wheels on, swap to some road wheels when i go on road. Cant be bothered taking guards on and off for CX racing.

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389998_10151276104211413_792568931_n by H2O Foto, on Flickr[/img]

There was a good smattering of winter hacks at our club reliability trial today, shame I didn’t have a camera. Saw at least four fixed and three other bikes as well as mine still sporting down tube shifters.

It was a great route…..could’ve done with a canoe at some points though. Shame I missed you.

My hugely inspiring Kinesis Tripster. Absolutely love it to bits. It’s not just a winter bike, but the year round commuter, is presently covered in all manner of muck and lord knows what, does thousands of miles a year, never complains and just gives great service.

Whereas they speak to me of hard miles in the winter, commitmwent to riding and all the fun I’ve had on those close-knit, joke-laden club runs in the half dark and over the hills.

I see where you’re coming from. I enjoy the winter training and I’m still out 3 times a week, but looking at winter bikes doesn’t make me want to go ride like proper bike porn does.

I see where you’re coming from. I enjoy the winter training and I’m still out 3 times a week, but looking at winter bikes doesn’t make me want to go ride like proper bike porn does.

I find the opposite, “proper bike porn” has me reaching for the credit card to spend on bikes that don’t do very well on a £/mile basis. Winter bikes make me want to plan something completely epic despite crap brakes and 3×6 friction shifters on the downtube!

I think I might have to build up a third winter bike now, already got a tourer (up there —^), and a singlespeed (barely used), but fancy something racier with more gears, narrower tyres but still with full guards for Sunday club runs.

It was a great route…..could’ve done with a canoe at some points though. Shame I missed you.

Ditto

What were you riding? I was wearing the Belgians top (prior to setting off in the downpour) and I set off last. I was on that old steel red Italian thing.

Been getting out on my Osprey quite a bit recently and loving it. Heavy, but so nice and smooth to ride and does just what a winter bike should.

My other one, thou it’s a bit too heavy to take the on the club run so it only used for commuting. (plus the alfine gear spacing doesnt work too well in a group).

Some might say it looks remarkably similar to my summer road bike

Roberts Audax Custom, built for me in 2006, currently used year round for audaxes and when the weather’s poor for club runs and commuting:

Previous winter bikes (both now sold):

Roadrat fixed:

Raleigh fixed:

Raleigh after respray with some gears (I know, but it was a hack and I didn’t have any other colour tyres, sorry 😳 ):

Here’s mine – frame and fork thanks to coopersport1 – and the rest of the bits from the cellar. It was one of those moments of ‘hang on, with just a frame and fork, I have another bike here!’.

Just need to fit the guards and pedals, and it’s my grim weather / short road ride blast beastie.

There’s something pleasing about skinny steel, one gear and narrow tyres 🙂

Here it is, built up Saturday night which has added the best part of 2kg to it but forgave it when it p!ssed it down on Sundays club ride.

Picking this up Saturday, guards (black sks) to be added

Finished my new mudguards, complete with carbon stays and shower gel bottle flaps.

damitamit – which mudguards are those and where from if you don’t mind me asking?

Damitamit. Hongfu or Dengfu? Plus what does ELRM stand for then? 🙄

Bazz, Curana C-Lites with quite a bit of modification to make them fit the tight clearances. The standard mounting hardware is pretty bad – I wouldnt buy them again.

Ctznsmith, frame was from carbonzone. Decals are vinyl stickers done here.
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Go on then. Its just the same as my summer one though. Just bought some mudguards for it aswell.

I’m enjoying this, it rides well, is verrry comfortable and has destroyed my prejudice against aluminium. On road it’s a bit slower than my roadie and off road it whups mountain bikes uphill and on the flat but is hopeless on downhills.

oops, double post.

Anyone want to sell me a built 57-58cm winter bike? I don’t have the inclination to build one but it would be much handier than my current commuter that rattles and clunks it’s way along the road.

Oops double post also, whassup?

I only have one road bike, so i guess that makes it my winter bike?

Nice, always loved those Lemonds.

Damitamit;

Loving your winter bike, very tidy. Sorely tempted to go plastic for winter too. Love the flaps, pinching that idea for my bike. 🙂

Love the flaps, pinching that idea for my bike.

‘Muc-Off’ bottle make good ones, just cut them so you loose the M.

Winter commuter by rOcKeTdOgUk, on Flickr

Love that idea OG, beats my inner tube flaps. Assume it’s easiest just to drill a hole in the guard?

Up to date pictures of my winter hack/trainer bike. Use it on most solo rides when i don’t have to keep up with anyone. Run it SS not fixed as my knees are shagged enough as it is.
Stock Langster but with longer stem, different post and saddle, and mavic open sport rims built onto the stock hubs.
Also some lairy rubino pros which i put on for a bit of a laugh as they matched Asthma UKs colours for a charity ride, but have impressed enough to keep them on.
Seat nose a bit high in this photo, as i’d just swappped the post/seat over from my other bike and hadn’t got round to setting it up yet.

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IMAG1565 by bmclynskey1, on Flickr[/img][/url]
IMAG1563 by bmclynskey1, on Flickr[/img]

That saddle angle looks painful!

rusty trowel – what ratio are you running there?