Should I Get A Winter Bike? | GCN Tech Clinic

[@gcntech]

Anything you would add to these answers? 💬 Remember you can ask your questions in the comments with #askgcntech !

[@polarvoidx6366]

#askgcntech Hi guys, fab show, I have a winter bike ✅ But will my summer bike tyre sealant go solid during the winter, will my hydraulic disc brakes need bleeding before I ride it?

[@peterjanovcik9973]

I definitely recommend a separate bicycle for each month of the year. I hear that the latest Shimano WinterX groupset automatically disables shifting and blocks brakes when the clock strikes midnight on the last day of winter.

[@EduardoSalas]

😂😂😂

[@Marcel-ib1wp]

I have been really happy with my winter bike, 50 year old frame, rubbish wheels, it works.

[@gcntech]

that's great!

[@walshman70]

I'm a winter bike believer. 100%. Especially if you plan on keeping your summer rig a long while.

[@buggen819]

As a winter commuter a winter bike is key. I have a lapierre crosshill with carbon wheels and its lovely in the winter. This winter the coldest has been 12°c and the bike is in a shed with tpu tubes. No mess no nothing works brilliantly.

[@michaelw7438]

For washing kit, we use anti bacterial laundry cleanser, available at Waitrose and Aldi.

[@newttella1043]

No need for anti-bacterial detergent. Regular detergent, don't use too much, and more importantly a good rinse.

[@BurningHorizons]

I use a leaf blower to dry my bikes. It sounds like overkill but it works great!

[@gcntech]

Great tip!

[@jstogdill]

I do the same!

[@Bazza1968]

I've got a winter road and MTB(even got spare wheels with Ice Spikers). Still end up on the smart trainer though unless it's a nice blue sky day here in the Highlands, and that's bloody rare...

[@TheMarkmoffat]

I find that sportswash or laundry sanitiser helps to kill off the bacteria. Don’t leave damp clothes to stew in the laundry basket, either dry them out first or wash them straight away.

[@landmd]

Using laundry sanitizer has been a game changer for washing my sportswear.

[@tattooedyogi]

1:47 the Swift cog is not compatible with the Garmin Tacx lineup currently. While you could fit it to the freehub, it won't work as intended. I believe the gear changing and hill simulation is done internally on the compatible smart trainers. I was just looking into this as i've gone from 11spd mechanical to di2 12speed and didn't want to have to buy another cassette.

[@user-el3rp6nh5m]

the question is not if you should get a winter bike, the question is if you should get an another winter bike.

[@rogersimmons8788]

I can't see the point of having a £4k bike standing in the shed for half the year while I ride a lesser bike through the winter. So, one bike, mudguards on and regular cleaning does it for me.

[@paulmcknight4137]

Serious riders need at least one backup in case the main ride needs maintenance. So why not put fenders and a rack on it, and use it for commuting and foul weather riding? I've got 75,000 miles on a custom lugged steel road bike set up in '85. It still rides flawlessly but doesn't attract attention being black and having out of date components, 36 spoked clincher wheels, downtime friction shifters, 6 speed freewheel, toe clips and straps. It weighs 24#, just light enough to keep up on club rides.

[@BradRussellisAwesome]

"Torque Test" just did an in-depth comparison of the small handheld air blasters mentioned at 3:28. Would be great for drying bikes. If you have an actual air compressor, the Tornador works absolutely fantastic!

[@HELPD3SK]

Solar power exhaust fans might be a good idea for the shed to help keep the aim moving and make it less moist.

I'm not sure about the winter bike thing. I think it's more a psychological benefit, so you don't worry as much about your bike. Take the cheapest used bike you can find that works, let's say 250€. You can buy ~10 sets of chains with that. And even a cheap bike needs basic maintenance, spare parts, etc, so you probably won't save too much money, if at all. I had a winter bike for about 10 years, now i much rather use the same, good bike all year round. It's more fun, i know it will perform well even in muddy/snowy conditions, and all i need to do is a bit more maintenance than usual

[@TheMarkmoffat]

You can get crack detection kits for metal parts, it’s a dye which shows cracks with uv light. I don’t know if they would work with carbon fibre, might be worth researching

[@markbaker5345]

Thankyou both of you for the help with my question!

[@tianyi05]

Mud means it is NOT winter, that is spring riding. Forecast tomorrow morning for our group ride is -13C(9F) with a 20-25 mile per hour wind. The lake down the road frozen over earlier this week, it will be a couple of weeks before the ice is thick enough to ride on it. Can't wait for it to get muddy out.

[@vo2maximus177]

Always had a winter hack bike. Set up exactly the same position as my roadbikes. But with SKS Chromoplastic mudguards (cheap, light) and a long mudflap on the back so that someone riding behind me gets no spray at all. 30mm winter tyres too. 105 mechanical groupset, it doesnt go wrong. Sorted. In my case, a CAAD13, cheap, pretty light.

[@Max_Mustermann_]

Absolutely, but one with a Gates carbon drive belt! Also good light is crucial. I can recommend the Magicshine EVO 1700.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Conor , Dr O , and crew. The noise ? Otto pausing , of course .

[@antonpeterson1245]

Nikwax tech wash is what I use to wash all of my cycling kit. They also have a water reproofer for clothing that are waterproof or dwr and need cleaning and restoring.

[@ebutuoyYT]

Fill some trays with silica cat litter, it can help draw moisture from the air, replace when damp.

[@BarryDakar]

Had to read that a couple of times. For a moment there, I thought GCN sponsor Silca had branched out into pet care!

[@lwittrock1]

The easiest and fastest way to ensure your bike stays in great condition if storing in a shed is to place a blanket over it then a tarp over that. you keep it warm and dry.

[@bikecommuter24]

I bought another bike on Amazon for around 400 USD, it was roughly put together but I use it for work commutes and rides on the train I wouldn't be that upset if it got stolen, I had to adjust the brakes and derailleurs, trim the cable ends and fix a few minor issues but it came with solid wheels, 21 speeds and a front suspension fork which really doesn't work all that great on bumps, I think I may convert it to to 1x like I did on my hybrid bike and fit some grippier tires for wet weather and slip some tpu tubes in while I'am at.

[@jazzcatjohn]

Living in the Seattle area, I have a rain bike and a dry bike, both set up the same with the same groupset, but the rain bike was much, much cheaper.

[@markbooth6745]

A winter bike is a must in the UK, and mudgurds too. As for carbon frames, m sorry but what do you expect. Its carbon 🤨

[@chucklesm2391]

I live in New Jersey. Every bad mishap I have had has been in the winter and the injuries have been worse due to cold weather. I stay off the outdoor bike from Dec to March.

[@nathanmead140]

If you live somewhere that gets winter and the main bike(s) are vintage get a cheap modern bike as a winter bike so the vintage bikes aren't rotting away from the road salt and wetness they will hold their value better that way to make more off if them when they're sold and whoever gets it next after it's given away/sold doesn't have to do as much work to restore it, I have a dozen bikes most or them are vintage I live in Wisconsin where we get winter and salt is put on the roads, as soon as it starts getting cold my vintage bikes get cleaned up and put away and I get one of my newer mountain bikes that I don't care about as much out and ride that all the time until spring comes and the salt has been washed away then my vintage bikes get maintenance and come back out to be ridden regularly for another year until the next winter.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Winter bike, hub gears and belt drive.

[@danlangevin2459]

Salty winter roads in Vermont. It would feel like a mortal sin to ride the summer ride in the winter.

[@cozmicmike6800]

I don't worry about carbon fibre frame cracks. My frame is Reynolds 725 steel, 16 years of trouble and worry free riding, it is my bike for life 😊. I've never won a race though, that's because, I don't race, I cycle for pleasure 😊

[@WarHammerWH]

Thanks for answering my question guys.

[@gcntech]

Any time!

[@endcensorship874]

Yes, security of the shed is important. Lock the bikes in a locked shed and lock the gate to your yard. Remember; thieves want to get in and out as fast as they can. The role of any lock is to slow them down enough to give up.

[@bookle5829]

boy am i glad to live near the equator :p

[@Mgrant8163]

Your set looks great. No need to apologize. At least your table isn't going to fall over.

[@thejeffinvade]

I am in Toronto, I cycle through winter but not in the snow. I just change tires to wider 32mm.

[@Kattbirb]

I feel like Winter bikes are where N+1 really pays off. You can convert an older bike to ride in winter when you inevitably buy the next bike that catches your attention.

[@colinb8327]

As a devotee of rim brakes, there’s no way I would ride them during the winter. All my road bikes have SRAM AXS Red components (including rim brakes) and carbon wheels, so I save them for summer/racing. That’s why I have a gravel bike with disc brakes but changed the crank to more or less match the gearing my roadies, meaning the bikes a little heavier, but the workouts the same and the components are designed to take wet/grit/💩 without wearing out as quickly.

[@Jonathan-vf6cu]

If you can afford a separate bike for winter then go for it, if not just keep riding what you have and clean it best you can

[@robertholmes5370]

in the worst months i change the chain and cassette for a cheap set and change to an oil lube.

[@JoshuaA-cv6up]

US laundry detergent recommendation is All Free and Clear. It doesn’t contain enzymes so it’s non-bio.

[@stevehollier-cox1400]

#askgcntech Straight gauge vs double butted spokes. I’m a heavy 1.95m tall, 91kg rider who likes to give it the beans up climbs out of the saddle. This year, unusually for me, I have broken 3 spokes, 3 different bikes, 3 different wheels, all non drive side, all rear, all double butted, 2 on normal dished derailleur wheels, 1 on my non-dished single speed. All broke at the bottom of climb when I got out of the saddle to climb. All have broken about 2 inches from the J bend. I have another single speed with straight gauge spokes that has more mileage than the other wheels and has yet to fail. I appreciate that metal fatigues and wheel build quality is essential. My question- where the spoke changes it gauge from thick to thinner butting - is this a potential weak point "stress raiser". Cheers steve.

[@paulbateman]

WOODEN SHED!!!! Wood is porous and soaks up the damp. It also allows the temperature to increase and decrease at a slower rate

[@Elonpocalyps420]

Yes ecover also available in Europe, can confirm. Question: I want to have a contingency plan if my bike gets stolen. I was thinking of airtaging it and hiding the airtag. A place that comes to mind is inside the seat post, maybe glue it in and put a barend plug on the seatpost end so it doesn’t fall through? Has anyone done something similar and how would you do it?

[@sebbrookhouse]

Could Jeff tell us what air compressor he uses in his shed, I’d like to get one! Sounds like a great hack to speed up the drying process

[@feedbackzaloop]

The studio is so not ready yet, Conor doesn't have a chair and has to kneel

[@gcntech]

but at least he got a pillow, he can't complain about comfort

[@feedbackzaloop]

@@gcntech but Conor complaining is top content on par with Hank suffering!

[@andrewmcalister3462]

@@gcntechA pillow? Kids these days are soft, soft I say.

[@Traildude193]

I have a winter bike I ride year round so I keep my MTB’S safe.

[@petekraemer2538]

How about SNOW!!!! Try Canada for winter riding. I ride all 12 months each year. I have ridden with my road bike in past 20 years but this year I am riding my gravel bike. I had to change the peddles so I could use my winter shoes that I have used for 20 + years.

[@tommim9367]

Textiles in a washing bag and hand wash at the lowest temperature in the washing machine and only drain the water from the machine without spinning. No one washes textiles after one ride. So then is it best to just rinse, what I've done

[@PoliticusRex632]

Spring...road bike Summer...bmx bike Fall...mountain bike Winter...cyclocross bike

[@shamendra.sakthivel]

#askgcntech Hi guys, how often do I need to change my rim tape in a tubed setup ? Tks

[@57boomer44]

All my bikes are winter bikes. Kind of.

[@MrCyclist]

For washing your kit. I have for 40 years used Tide and now use Tide Cold Wash on regular setting. My kit of 30 years still looks new and fits.. DO NOT USE THE DRYER EVER. Only for emergencies.

[@DjDeepfry1]

Any bike is a winter bike, if you ride it in winter.

[@gcntech]

🤯

[@troycollett8540]

Zwift cog has not been confirmed as being compatible with Tacx trainers yet

[@anthracitemafiaoffroad]

My fork seals go from supple to hard in the cold weather. Just like my nipples 😂

[@feedbackzaloop]

what is fork seals? Sounds like MTBing

[@GD-rh2sn]

He's a mountain biker!! GET HIM!!!! 😂

[@anthracitemafiaoffroad]

@@feedbackzaloop they are round things you put around your frank but not your beans. Trust me, she will love it. 🥰

[@AnteUp34]

Hey I don't want to sound like a fact Checker here, but i dont think the autopause feature Ollie is talking about on the wahoo actually exists. Auto pause only toggles between on and off not by speed.. it would be nice to have though.

[@markusseppala6547]

If you have a gravel bike you already got a winter bike

[@axum.gebreyohanes]

Question: I know it’s considered all the rage to have a big chainring, but I’m strongly considering downsizing my current Ultegra 50-34 chainset to a 46-36, since, according to the E-tube app, I only use the cassette gears 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 6% of the time. Also, it’s quite clear from looking at the wear on my cassette (11-34, by the way) that the bigger ones are the workhorses (in use 94%) and the smaller ones are basically pristine from lack of use. Any reasons why I shouldn’t make the switch? Given I don’t do any ridiculously fast riding (I.e. no mountains in the New Forest where I live) I don’t anticipate ‘spinning out’ will be a problem for me.

[@minuteman4199]

I'm not getting through a foot of snow no matter what bike I'm riding, so no.

[@cyclingwatercolours]

Why would you use your "good" bike during the Winter ?

[@JoshuaA-cv6up]

#askgcntech do you have any recommendations or advice for carrying a first aid kit? What supplies would be best for injuries common among road and gravel riders?

[@vo2maximus177]

Why will bio-detergent "wear your kit out" Conor? I don't get that. I've always used it. 90% of kit is polyester, I cant see a problem. Merino etc, I'd use non-bio.

[@TufferImages]

Your move to the new house is certainly not happening "in the allotted time".

[@andrewblakesley4202]

A single speed, disc braked bike with mudguards. As UK winter proof as it gets.

[@MrMeowNow]

Hello GCN TECH! I have a question about the rolling resistance and puncture protection. Basically want to find a tire that has the lowest rolling resistance and maximum puncture protection. I know that one is directly opposite to the other, and you cant have both worlds.. but is there something that is in mid of both spectrums? I currently riding Continental Grand Prix 5000 with TPU tubes on daily basis, and have done couple Ironman's with it without any punctures (very lucky), however, I did get couple just riding short rides inside city (live in Denver). I am planning on doing Triple by pass in July with 118 miles ride and 10,800 elev. gain. My fear is , that those tires might get punctures, so I was wondering is there any better tire for this kind of ride which will not be super slow and yet, will protect me more from punctures? I was thinking about Continental GatorSkin and TPU tubes or Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR and TPU .. Are there any other better options? #askgcntech

[@waynereid6103]

Assos active wear cleanser for washing cycling clothes. Works as everything else Assos does, i.e better

[@ryuujinusa]

#askgcntech How serious is road salt to worry about and if I can't do a full wash, will simply rinsing with water help? Like, I can't wash my commuter when I arrive at work, but after I can usually at least rinse it off.

[@StratoJohn]

#askgcntech I have used a kickr snap for 2 years and thought it was okay but the power reading was always 20 - 30% higher than my single side crank power meter. I've recently bought a kickr core and have noticed that there is still a 20-30% discrepancy with the turbo trainer and my power meter. Why is this? Which is more accurate? Would I be better with dual sided power meter pedals?

[@Elbrasch]

#askgcntech Hey there. My Sigma Rox 4.0 headunit (seems to be only popular in germany?) has GPS and speed sensor support. The speed sensor seems to react quite sluggish to changes in speed when stopping abruptly (that could be a 5 second average through) and the GPS seems to consistently underreport distance by 5% compared to komoot or google maps. What is the gold standard in your experience for distance and speed recording on head units?

[@eriknoren7078]

#askgcntech Is it possible to use the E-Tube app to get the Shimano Di2 rear derailleur out of crash mode? When you had a junction box in your down tube it was possible to do this by moving the derailleur up and down the cassette, but now we don’t have those, it seems that you have to move the derailleur manually, which really can’t be done without taking the chain off. It is rare for this to happen without a crash, but it has happened to me going over a rough road. It seems a shame it should be so difficult to get out of this mode. Any ideas? Thanks.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

For 12s di2, you first shift to the largest sprocket, and then all the way to the smallest sprocket. That should reset the rear derailleur crash mode.

[@eriknoren7078]

@ But when it’s in crash mode, the derailleur doesn’t move! So how can I move it up and down?

[@newttella1043]

If you don't have a winter bike, then your regular bike IS your winter bike. You now need a nice summer bike 😁

[@csiebester]

#askgcntech Hello. My bike (commuter) won't shift in sub zero temperatures. Specifically it won't shift in the direction of slackening the cable. I think there must be frozen moisture in the housing that is adding friction. I have fairly new (less than one year old) housing and cables with continuous housing from shifter to derailleur. Do you have any suggestions? My thought was to fill the housing with silicon grease, but I don't know how one would accomplish this.

[@stephenp2843]

#askGCNTech I measure my heart rate with a watch and have noticed that it measures considerably higher when wearing my winter jacket and gear. There's definitely a bit of compression at the end of the sleeves and I suspect the added pressure at my wrist is contributing to the higher numbers, but is it possible that my heart rate is higher because I'm working harder to stay warm?

[@Elbrasch]

Top of the forearm is a terrible place to measure heart rate optically, so the different fit (and probably movement from the jacket pressing down on it) will contribute to this. Chest straps are the gold standard for this reason and pretty cheap nowadays.

[@cs8sz]

Tax flux won't work as you need virtual shifting!

[@larrylem3582]

What the hell is a bio-detergent? I guess I have to Google it.

[@jockdoc07]

Where is Alex Niceas usual Ollie.

[@PikachuV4rS]

I want a bike for each season but my wallet won’t let me

[@peterdobos1606]

Absolutely not. Spend that money on a bike trip to the Alps instead. In winter. What could go wrong? Oh and person whose speed has increased with a power drop: don't look a gift horse in the mouth.