Once again, I've not posted much on here recently - again its because I've not got much of interest to say. Like last month most of my rides have been fun but uneventful; mainly just a hard slog though gale force winds. Autumn is definitely here!
Last month I was under the impression that I was pretty much prepared for cycling through the cooler / wetter months. However, after riding my hybrid for work, I came to a scary conclusion, that I need more than just waterproof shoes - I need a new bike! I can hear the HUGE sigh coming from my Mum's house on the other side of the village as I type this, but I really need to invest in a winter bike. I had intended to just dig out the hybrid for the winter months, but the work ride, highlighted just how much I have outgrown it. He has his obvious uses; such as mudguards and lights, but he is so heavy and the sit-up-and-beg position makes for a hard ride in windy conditions - as riding with a straight back isn't very streamlined.
More importantly, I don't wanna ruin Ted and give him a battering during the winter months. Aye, I know that he is a cyclo-cross bike and he loves to ride through mud, etc, but as he doesn't (and can't) have any (decent) mudguards and as I don't have an endless winter cycling wardrobe, I really need something to make the wet weather more tolerable. I fear that if I have to keep struggling to ride my hybrid through the winter I will lose motivation and maybe stop riding; ruining all the progresson I have made.
So now, I'm having to seriously think about getting a winter bike. Unfortunately, with the peanuts I earn I can't afford much, but as per usual my ridiculous bike standards come into play and I can't make myself consider getting a cheap and cheerful bike just to see me through the winter. I've seen a Kona Jake that I really like, but even though its an old model, its still out of budget. I've looked at alternative and cheaper options but then keep asking myself why not spend the extra money to get something I like. Argh! How can a simple girl, who has no interest in fashion or keeping up with trends have such a particular taste when it comes to bikes. Why cant I just go out and buy myself a cheap and cheerful bike? I guess, when I see something I like, I struggle get it out of my head. Someone please talk some sense into me!!!
(BTW for those of you wondering, my road bike dream has been put aside - at least until winter has passed which gives me time to save.)
9 comments:
I always have problems like this. I am fed up with my cheap winter bike. Want to replace it with something titanium. Nobody has bought mt cotic soda yet though so i can't afford one :(
Mmmm a titanium bike sounds nice. oOOo don't give me ideas. :P
Hope you get yourself a buyer. I have my fingers crossed.
How far and or hilly is your commute. What about a cheap singlespeed, there seem to be lots of them about at the moment?
Diaondback Mojito 29er SS, £230 on't net :-)
ROFL @ Jumbly & Steve... I like gears too much and they are very useful in hilly Cornwall. ;)
Singlespeeds are made for hills.
But seriously do you want a winter bike for roads or for both trails and road?
Ideally I want it for roads and trails. But it may be a cheaper just to have a road bike for winter as crossers are so expensive.
Hard to know what is ideal, I would use your lovely cross bike and get mikey to wash it every day!
Still,I live in a hilly area too,and spent as much time on my loving ol SS as I did that swanky 29er gearie...and a budget steel rigid SS with discs,with no blasted mech to freeze,the wet weather advantage of discs and no fork to stiffen in the cold? Winter bike written all over it =D
Steve
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