I rode a dept store bike all last winter. Man, did that take a toll. In the Spring I bought a Giant Rincon that I absolutely love. I've been debating this in my mind for months: do I ride the dept store beater (which doesn't have much live left in 'er) or do I ride my beautiful Rincon? I think I want I want to ride my Rincon. My Lbs person says that's ok, but I'll need to replace the crank, chain and cogs in the Spring.

I would really like your opinions on this one. It's not that the Rincon is a $2,000 bike or anything. Still, $450 CDN is a lot of dough fo me. But...I just love riding it and want to keep riding it.

Details:

Commute: between 10 and 20 kms (one way), depending on the route; mostly paths, some road.
Geography: Saskatchewan - very cold, very windy, BUT, they don't use salt on the roads here.
Riding conditions: Mostly just cold, some snow from time to time, but it's hard-pack; lots of ice - we don't seem to get a lot of cold/warm/cold/warm conditions - slush in the Spring, of course.

What do you think and what can I do to keep my bike in decent shape (if I do ride it this winter)?

Thanks so much, everyone!

Ron

Try finding a nice, but older beater bike from a thrift store for winter commuting.

My advice is to ride the bike that you prefer. Maybe $450 cdn is a lot of money to you but it isn't like the bike is going to fall to pieces. You will still have the Giant at the end of the season. It may require some service next Spring or it may not. A lot of that depends on how much water (i.e. snow) you get into parts of the bike that are supposed to be dry.

If you ride in deep snow or wet a lot than your bike will likely need a lot of service next Spring. If you don't than it might be just fine. I wouldn't agonize over this decision. You might want to note that if you ride any bike a lot it will require service. I have had to invest far more in repairs this Summer just due to normal wear and tear than anything that resulted from riding last Winter.

If you're riding a bike you like, you'll ride it more and you'll look after it. If you're riding an old beater that you don't like, you'll end up not riding it as much cuz it won't be fun. And you won't look after it, which results in ditching the pig and pulling out the bike you do like riding, bringing you back to do-do-do-do-do...

Ride the Rincon!

Where do you live ?

Install full fenders on your bike, and install a home made mudflap on the front fender. That way, your drivetrain will be protected from most of the roadway salts.

Then, ride your "new and comfortable bike" throughout Winter, except on stormy/snowy days

If you're riding a bike you like, you'll ride it more and you'll look after it. If you're riding an old beater that you don't like, you'll end up not riding it as much cuz it won't be fun. And you won't look after it, which results in ditching the pig and pulling out the bike you do like riding, bringing you back to do-do-do-do-do...

Ride the Rincon!
Not really. I have my winter "beaters" that I take care of. This summer both have been retired for the summer, I've upgradded the BB and head sets. They've been cleaned up and waxed set a side ready for riding when winter returns. So, it doesn't really work that way. A beat only means that it is a bike a little older that meets the requirements to ride, but it isn't the light weight road bike or your disk braked full suspension MTB. If you are dedicating your bike to just commuting in the winter you might think about a winter beater. If winter isn't that bad or you can pull the bike in and clean it after every ride then ride your regular ride.