Both my "commuters" are equipped for foul weather, but one for only moderately foul, the other for heavily foul.

My 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax has only rim brakes and won't fit studded snow tires

so it sees only moderately foul weather. I refer to it as my three-seasons, most-conditions commuter, although it sees winter duty on days when the roads are ice-free. I find switching bikes in winter is far easier than changing tires or swapping wheels as winter conditions change.


My 2006 Trek Portland is equipped with disc brakes and fits studded snow tires.

I refer to it as my four-seasons, all-conditions commuter. The three-seasons to winter changeover is pretty easy. I change tires, swap the 12-23 cassette for the winter 12-27, and switch from the 35mm fenders to the 45mm ones, then re-aim the headlight, since the one fork crown bolt goes through both the fender and headlight mounts.


It would be a mistake to assume I commute only on "commuter" bikes. When conditions permit, and my hauling needs require only a jersey or jacket pocket (mid-week days), my 1996 Litespeed Classic gets the nod.

Like tomorrow, for instance, except it's Veterans Day and we're closed. So maybe Wednesday. It also fits a beavertail-style quick-release rear fender, so conditions don't need to be perfect, only pretty good.

EDIT: There's something about the different camera angles that makes the bikes look like each is set up for a different rider position. I don't have a tripod and simply stood across the room. In fact, every one of the three contact points on all three bikes falls within a range of one millimeter. The bar rotations and saddle tilt angles are the same too. They all look like the Litespeed does.