Disadvantages of having a winter bike

 Disadvantages of having a winter bike

1、Initial Cost

Okay, so there's some cost involved of buying a winter bike, and while you don't want to buy too low specification a bike because it will affect your enjoyment of the ride, there’s still no need to go overboard and buy something on par with your good and likely very expensive bike. The second hand market could be a way to minimise your costs.


2、Time And Inconvenience

Even if you are planning on using your existing bike there are still other costs involved. Mudguards, sturdy wheels and wider tyres all come at a cost, notably the time it would take you to swap parts on and off dependent on the weather. Remember not all bikes are able to accommodate mudguards, as there’s not enough clearance for them.


3、Storage Issues

Having more than one bike isn’t always the easiest if you are limited for space. You could consider one of the ingenious space saving storage solutions, including ones that allow you to mount your bike on a wall or even hoist it up towards the ceiling. Remember, your good bike could be out of use for a number of months and could be broken down with the wheels removed so it can more easily be stored away.


4、Slower Speeds

A heavier bike is going to be a slower bike, but in wintry conditions you are going to be slower anyway. It is better to accept that you’re not aiming to be King of the Mountains on your wet weather bike and just enjoy the fact that you are still out their riding while many others are inactive or sweating it out on the turbo.  


5、Winter Tyres May Not Fit

If aiming to change the tyres on your bike for winter it is possible that they may not fit an existing bike you own. Tyres that are 25mm larger are not suitable for some bikes as there is sometimes not enough clearance to fit them. That said, you can still use a 23mm tyre with greater grip than your regular racing tyres.


6、Care And Maintenance

Looking after your winter warrior takes time. You’ll need to check over your components after each ride and ensure that your chain is cleaned and lubricated regularly, especially after riding in wet and gritty conditions. You‘ll need to use a ‘wet lube’ which is thicker than regular lubes so it does not wash off so easy in the rain, but also attracts dirt and grime, meaning your chain needs to be degreased frequently.

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