Ginsu Dave

I'm looking to maintain cycling fitness over the winter. Living in Lansing, MI that seems like a sketchy proposition. I'm torn between getting a SingleSpeed CycloCross bike (Bianchi San Jose being the first choice due to price and frame material of preference), outfitting it with Nokian studded tires, and continuining to ride outside. I think I'd prefer this, but my wife and others think that it will still be significantly more dangerous due to ice and the possibility of me falling into a car's path or a car veering from its path uncontrollably. I can get out into the country, but on high-speed roads with no shoulders, but I have to ride through town to get there. I'd probably only do this in the daylight hours on the weekend.

Alternatively, I've considered going the roller route as well. It sounds like you can get a good workout and build technique on a set of Kreitlers, and I could add the headwind unit. There would be no element of real danger (save for falling off while daydreaming about riding outside). I could do it before work as well as on the weekend. The thing is, it seems like I would loose my fresh air benefits as well as sightseeing by locking myself in the basement.

The CX bike I could use year round as a rain bike, putting the Nokians up til the next winter. The rollers I could use yearround to get an early spin in before work without having to get out the headlights.

So, what does the forum recommend? Will I be bored to death on rollers, or are they a fun challenge? Will I be risking my life more than normal riding in the winter even with studded tires, or will the studs take care of my traction needs? Can I run studs if I live in a climate where a 20 miles ride will take me over 2 miles or snow, 300 yards of ice, and 18 miles or clear pavement?

Thanks for your opinions!

DogBoy

I recommend both.

CBBaron

If you want a road bike for fitness skip the Nokians and just get a bike that can take fenders and a decent tire. If the roads are covered in snow plan your workout for another day. Even in Lake Effect Cleveland nearly every week has 3-4 days with no snow. The Nokians become necessary if you commute every day or ride off-road.
I find rollers or cycle trainer to be extremely boreing and I won't keep it up.
Craig

plodderslusk

I like winter cycling, but will never go for long training rides on ordinary frozen roads. I commute but for longer distances I go offroad. Find a forest area with utility roads and ride there. Any old MTB with paralell rear dropouts can be converted very cheaply into a winter singlespeed. And do buy a pair of Nokians, they are worth the price.