I’m about to press the button, and I think I’ve made the right choice but just in case and in no particular order…

A) Genesis Volant
B) Cannondale Synapse Alu
C) Kinesis Racelight

??

Planet X team alu?

Racelight for me.
Lovely bike.

Whatever takes mudguards

Been surprised by my Planet X Team Alum, dirt cheap but quite light really depending on what offers are on, only think I changed on my were the wheels, as the OEM were made of lead

davidtaylforth – Member
Whatever takes mudguards

They all do.

the racelight takes 28s and full guards. WIN.

Proper ones?

My friend had some of those ones that clip on and they rattled and moved about qutie a bit compared to my properly secured ones.

The Genesis will take race blades only, the other full longs…

+1 for racelight

Racelight. Guards, long drop brakes, nice ride.
What’s not to like?

D) Dolan Prefissio.

I have the matt black/white version and it’s lovely – I actually look forward to riding it.

Racelight gets my vote.

Winters over :p

Kinesis (6 out of 8 in our group!!)

CAAD8

Winters over :p

Just wait a few days…

salsa vaya.

Looking to build one right now

Dolan Preffisio at 200 quid for frame and forks, no brainer.

mathewshotbolt – Member
salsa vaya.

Looking to build one right now

It’s not really a road bike though.

Equilibrium takes full guards and rides nicely.

Kinesis sounds good though!

sorry, i only mentioned it as i have a pre-occupation with disc brakes for my next winter build!

My ideal winter bike should take 28c tyres, full length guards, a rear rack, disc brakes (new idea to the table), a king headset and threaded bb and have a replaceable hanger.

The vaya was seemingly the only frame that ticked those boxes.

will follow with a report/pictures.

Hmm, I guess a CX Bike then? The vaya just looks funny to me.

I think the Genesis CDF (or the alu version if there is one) looks like a far better frame.

But I hope you get on alrite with it.

I’ve heard those Dolans get uncomfortable after and hour or two in the saddle – can anyone confirm?

What about a Defy 4 at £599 complete?

My audax partner in crime rides a Dolan Preffisio. We did a 400k a couple of weeks ago and he was ok.

(They have racey geometry thou. They’re very much the exact copy of a race bike but cheaper with guards category of winter bikes).

Well, I’m quite the biggest Defy fan, so I’d say yes. Wheels are heavy and the stock tyres will have wire beads, but all Defy’s are great bikes.

The CAAD 8 will take mudguards as well though. And it’s a looker at £599 😉 (Wheels are also heavy).

EDIT PS: we have one of each, so I’m unbiased. 😉

Equilibrium frame. Buy it now, buy bits when they are on a ridiculous offer price. Come September you have a great riding winter bike plus the satisfaction of building it yourself.

The Defy is a lovely bike. Had a spin on one when I was working out what sized Giant frame I was, a surprisingly good ride. Would definitely recommend you try one out.

Good call Mr P, something different and classic looking. A carbon fork, and a sale tiagra / 105 group set…

But the Synapse could be good for the early season Classics….

Too many choices 😐

Winter bike ?old fixie with guards hauled out the back of the garage

I’ve heard those Dolans get uncomfortable after and hour or two in the saddle – can anyone confirm?

On the contrary, I had my concerns about going back to aluminium after riding carbon race bikes, but I was surprised how comfy it is.

It’s a fairly long wheelbase, and perhaps it helps that mine is built with handbuilt Open Pros, but it’s a very comfortable bike to ride. Kept me getting the big miles in this winter, I love it.