Does anyone ride a winter bike?

winter or bad weather bike

do poor weather conditions allow rust to form easily? is it worth having another bike for winter/poor weather?

i am going to be commuting around 6 miles to and then from college every day next year, so im just thinking long term at the moment. if a winter bike really is worth having then i may as well put one together this winter

stick some mudguards, brakes and wider tyres on and you're good to go.

yeah do it, its back to the future for winter fixed.
all roadies would have a winter fix at one point (massive generalisation)
rat bike category here, rough as you like to look at but running smooth and sweet.
yeah.

n+1

i am thinking about possibly getting some new wheels for my main bike anyway (at the moment i have white weinmann wheels, £165 for the pair), although i think new wheels might be excessive. if i did get some new wheels, i would only need to buy a sprocket, lockring, chain, seatpost and frame and i would have a second bike.

Assuming you already have spare handlebars, stem, bar tape, bottom bracket, saddle, seatpost bolt, crankset, chainring, chainring bolts, pedals, headset, tyres, tubes, and possibly brake lever, brake and brake cable, then yes, you would indeed have a second bike. Been there my friend, been there...

just look after the bike you have now.
its cheaper and generally satisfying working on bikes. well it is for me anyway.
+1 for mudguards and slightly wider tyres

Yes, if you ride fixed... you just need 'guards' and (if you can be bothered) 25 or 28c tyres.

...and perhaps a brake if you usually ride NoBrakes™

its much nicer to see your "main" bike transform throughout the seasons, it's like a mechanical process of mutation of your bike.

Unless you have too much money to have a perdy bike that only sees the dry air and smooth tarmac, stick with your "every-day" bike since it's for every day.

its just i really hate mudguards, and i mean REALLY hate mudguards. but of course i know they are necessary in the rain, but on winter days when its not raining, i dont want to have mudguards on my bike! i think i am just fussy...

Most people feel the same. I ride most of the winter with just a raceblade on the back.

its just i really hate mudguards, and i mean REALLY hate mudguards. but of course i know they are necessary in the rain, but on winter days when its not raining, i dont want to have mudguards on my bike! i think i am just fussy...

come on and off easily

and mudguards are schhheksy

well, at least your ass won't be covered in shit

unless you don't wipe

but do they really work? i am assuming the top right mudguard is the rear and attaches to the seatpost. i dont see how the other one attaches onto the frame

do you have a set of guards similar to those by any chance, eddie?

er titanium bike with carbon and aluminium parts, then you don't need mudguards or a second bike! :p

or coke bottle wedged in rear stays

i have a singlespeed hardtail mtb to ride in the winter instead of my full suss and i ride my condor pista more in the winter instead of my bling road bike.

Dont so much have a winter bike but an everything else bike. Its basically I bike I use for carrying/pulling kiddie trailer/commuting/bad weather riding. Mudguards are a PITA, but so is riding under a blue sky just after a rain storm and getting soaked regardless.

I'm building a new winter / hack bike / commuter... A steamroller with 700x32 tyres, front brake, risers (possibly mudguards), 44 x 18 cluster... just to make those rainy winter days a wee bit less hairy than the super skinny tyred no brake track bike.... Bye bye summer riding.....

I'm just changing my 23mm fixed set up for some 38mm single speed wheels

was going to build a winter hack but i need to stop spunking my money on bike parts. I have to buy some Campognolo Atlantas this weekend, because 2 weeks ago I promised to buy them and can't really back out. They're going to sit under the bed until next summer now :(

As I understand it, the old school idea of a "winter bike" was for winter training. So it would generally have a longer wheelbase for comfort whilst "putting in the miles", ie. longer rides but no speedwork. It would also have mudguard clearances and attachments. If you're riding in a group in the wet, that would be appreciated. A club may not even have let you come out without mudguards! Nowadays a winter bike just seems to be how cyclists refer to their old one.

A fixed gear is ideal for winter anyway. Fewer parts to maintain and always pedalling will keep you warm. Mudguards, as has been mentioned, are a good idea. Just get clip on/off ones, eg SKS raceblades if you don't want them on all the time. Full length offer more protection though.

hipsters - cycling in winter?

yeah right

Mudguards are the best, full length front and rear work an absolute treat. Nothing worse than getting London's famous black winter sludge all over your self, and full length fronts make an amazing difference to the dryness of your feet should you encounter a puddle.