Winter Bike to compliment my Secteur
10-08-12 | 08:35 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Owosso, MI
Bikes: Carbon Topstone 105(factory) Size XL, 2012 Specialized Secteur
Winter Bike to complement my Secteur
I commute with my secteur now with the fairer weather, but I need something to replace it soon. With the colder weather I'll need something that can take some wider/studded tires and also fenders. I like the long head tube on the secteur. I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions for a replacement? Aluminum or Steel preferably, want to keep it cheap and sturdy.
Last edited by blargman; 10-09-12 at 12:28 PM.
10-08-12 | 08:36 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 201
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From: Owosso, MI
Bikes: Carbon Topstone 105(factory) Size XL, 2012 Specialized Secteur
My LBS sells mostly Giant/GT/Redline/Fuji/Surly. I can go other places though, they are just a bit further away.
Last edited by blargman; 10-08-12 at 08:48 PM.
10-09-12 | 07:52 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
I've been riding in the winter for several years but still experimenting with what works best. I lean towards aluminum for winter just because corrosion isn't as much of an issue. At the same time, I wouldn't necessarily pass over a steel bike if it's got everything else you want.
I have had issues in the past with derailleurs not working because they iced up so a single speed is nice if the terrain allows it. I tried an IGH last year for the first time. The winter was too wimpy to be a good test so the jury is still out on that for me but I know others like them.
Disc brakes are also a good thing on a winter bike.
10-09-12 | 08:44 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 6
From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Helix, Brompton, Rivendell, Salsa, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
I bought a demo fat bike (Salsa Mukluk) to try out for this winter! Not exactly cheap, but hey, why not? 
(And just for your info... it would be "complement", not "compliment", in your subject line. Sorry! Just the academic in me.
)
(And just for your info... it would be "complement", not "compliment", in your subject line. Sorry! Just the academic in me.
)
10-09-12 | 12:45 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Owosso, MI
Bikes: Carbon Topstone 105(factory) Size XL, 2012 Specialized Secteur
fixed. I am thinking maybe a Vaya or Surly perhaps. Being as tall as I am it's hard to find stuff to test out. tjspiel pardon my ignorance, what is an IGH?
10-09-12 | 01:55 PM
#7
Nigel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 7
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
10-09-12 | 04:05 PM
#8
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
You cant go wrong with either brand, not exactly cheap, but IMHO well worth the money. Surly's are built to accommodate wider tires such as studded ones easily. ANd they can be built up to suit your particular tastes. There are more than a few models in their range that would make amazing winter not to mention the rest of the year commuters. The LHT, Trucker Disc, Ogre, Troll, Cross check (not to mention the fat bikes) could all make fantastic winter bikes. FWIW I ride a cross check year round, for winter go with an IGH and studded tires/ I also have a Moonlander for the big snow days this winter, and I can't wait!
