Tourer/Winter bike dilemma

[andrewf]

Having sold my beloved Alfa ( wasnt using it...too busy cycling ) I now have a war chest

Im changing my mind by the day but the plan was to upgrade my wheels on my (currently only bike ) Trek 1.9.( Having talked to a couple of more experienced riders they can make a big difference - is this true and what would I need to pay for a decent set? I currently have the bontrager race which came with the bike.

I then wanted a new bike for the grotty winter days and wondered if any of you have Tourers...would they be suitable for club runs? I quite like the idea of doing tours at some point but realistically this might be once a year. The alternative I guess is to delve into ebay for a winter ride?

Any experiences that could help?

Cheers
Andrew

[Andrew G]

Firstly yes wheels will make a big difference, fist upgrade you should do. You want something light, less weight at the rim is the most important as it's rotating weight and furthest from the hub. Plenty of folk like Eastons and have a good reputation for durability too. I like Campag wheels and depending on budget work your way up from Zonda to Euros or Neutrons (Neutron better for climbing), of Shamals if you're really flush. If you don't want Campag then Fulcrum Racing 1s would be good, I've had the 3s and they were very good.

Winter bike - yes get one. A dedicated grotty weather bike it better for you (keeps you drier and cleaner and generally happier) and for your good bike. Get one that is a proper winter/tourer, i.e. had braze-ons for full mudguards. Full mudguards mean you can ride whatever the weather and you'll enjoy it more and so will those you ride with. Steel is more comfy than aluminium and probably more long lasting if you look after it and don't let a load of road salt stay on it. A touring frame will have braze-ons for a rack too. You may not want one now but if you use it to commute then it's much better than a bag on your back, or you might just fancy a holiday on it at some point. It would give you flexibility anyway.

If you want a flash ride then you use your good bike so why not make the other one a good workhorse/all-rounder?

Re which frame get one that fits well as that'll be most important. I have a GB steel frame that I picked up last year for £250 with a carbon fork which is great. Very comfy and I can load all kinds of stuff on the rack, it has mudguards on all year, I fitted a dynamo up front for commuting. Basically it does everything for me when I need something other than a race bike. I'm not sure that they still sell them, but if you aren't sold on steel then they sell the Aeron (made by Ridley) aluminium frame which is very good value too. Aluminium winter frames will be more readily available than steel and a lot of steel now will be more specialist and made to order, so quite expensive. It would give you a frame for life from say Bob Jackson or Dave Yates though. Have a google on audax frames and see what you can turn up.

Happy shopping .

Edit:
A quick google for steel audax/winter frames =
[url=http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Thorn-Audax-frames-432.htm]Thorn[/url]
[url=http://www.condorcycles.com/fratello.html]Condor[/url]
[url=http://www.longstaffcycles.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=2&chapter=2]Longstaff[/url]
[url=http://www.daveyatescycles.co.uk/]Dave Yates[/url]
[url=http://www.wilsoncycles.co.uk/frames.htm]Wilson[/url]
[url=http://www.robertscycles.com/products.html]Roberts[/url] in Croydon so you could pop round easily, they are near Cherry Orchard Road.

Made to measure will take longer obviously and I think Dave Yates (who is very popular with the audax set) is renowned for slow delivery.

[Grahame]

For winter/touring bikes, I'd also have a look at mid-to-upper range cyclocross bikes. Things like Kona's Jake the Snake (I have one) they come with decent enough kit (Shimano 105, etc), are built light enough to race, but tough enough to last, and have good clearance for mudguards. Plus you can use them for some offroad fun when you get bored of the road.

[Dombo]

Easton EA90 SLX are a good upgrade. I went from Bontrager Race also - stuck those on ebay and got £80 for them. Chainreaction have the '08s for under £400 and the lighter (1400gms) '09s for under £500.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=37981

[carl f]

Good winter frame at a good price
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productli ... &catid=143

[andrewf]

Great advice thanks guys...now the fun looking part..

[andrewf]

Ah...hit a snag on the Tourer front. I can take advantage of my employers ride to work scheme ( ie pretty much half price ) but we're compelled to use Evans. They only have Ridgback, Dawes and Cannondale.
Dawes galaxy looks likes it has a good heritage?

[Andrew G]

I think they're pretty good, Dawes have been making touring frames for years.

[Jon H]

One downside about the Dawes Galaxy is that it has bar-end shifters, which may seem like a step back in time and technology if you're used to STI/Ergo shifters.

[Dominic]

[quote="Jon Hemming"] bar-end shifters, which may seem like a step back in time and technology

[Alboy]

I bought a Cyclicross bike via Grahame from Sarah Strong. Have turned it into a commuter for hardly any coins. Got a seat mounted rack from Tescos at £14.95 and some lights etc etc. Then just pop on my C cross tyres for off road.
Could use it for Hols too.
AL

[Marek]

One of my mates has the Easton wheels and he has been having a lot of issues with the hubs coming apart. Apparently the shop he got them from said that there is a design fault on the Eastons. I think value for money Campag wheels are very tough to beat. Very strong and very good hubs.

In terms of winter hack, as Andrew says go for Steel. I have a Pinarello Sestriere which will be back out for the winter soon. Room for mudguards etc, but is an expensive frame but is the bees knees.

Cheers

Marek....

[andrewf]

Picked up Mavic Ksyrium Elite from GBs this afternoon after the club run ..I went in for the Fulcrum racing 3's...but got convinced otherwise...I dont think there was anything in it to be honest but the Mavics were a few quid less.

Had a long chat about the winter bike...shame I cant use GBs as they would build be an Audax steel frame with decent components for about £700-800...Evans it is tomorrow...

Thanks again for the tips
Andrew

[Marek]

Its funny how none of us mentioned Mavic wheels and you went and bought some. There is a good reason that they are cheaper.

Have fun.

Cheers

MArek...

[andrewf]

Ah...they were heartily recommened at GB's whose advice I thought I could rely upon. Does this mean you would prefer the Racing 3's or you wouldnt touch the Mavics with a bargepole?! (I havent picked them up yet )

Cheers
Andrew