If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re not a beginner in the biking world. Just as we showed you in our article on the Best Entry Level Road Bikes for Beginners, this article is going to show you all of the best practices for picking out a winter road bike. Much like that piece, this article is written to assist you in shopping for the best winter road bikes. We’ll talk about all of the individual things that you’ll need to look for when shopping, including prices. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be an expert on winter road bikes! Later on, we’ll also look at some individual reviews of actual products. That way, you know that you’ll be getting the best winter road bike for you!
Click Here To See The Best Selling Winter Road Bike On Amazon
We want to help you find the best winter road bike for you, and this article will focus on great winter road bikes available at a variety of price range. Buying a quality cycle is really important, for more than a few reasons. First of all, even if you’re not the most avid athlete, buying a quality winter road bike is still necessary. Cycling in the winter is a little tougher than biking at any other time of year, due to inclement weather and freezing cold temperatures. Also, even though biking can be used as a practical means for getting around without a car but in less time than it takes to walk, it’s still a sport, and sports can be dangerous. You wouldn’t want to settle for an inferior product and then injure yourself almost immediately, would you?
If you’re never bought a bike before, don’t even think about heading to Target or Walmart. Even though it’s definitely possible to get an affordable bike from one of those places, the quality isn’t going to be very good. In this article, we’ll show you how to get a winter road bike at a cost that comes close to bargain places, but instead affords you much better quality. And, if you’ve never ridden on a bicycle that came from a place other than Walmart or Target, you’re going to be in for a treat. There is a huge difference between riding a cheaply made product and a product that was designed for optimal comfort and mobility. If you don’t believe this, take a few hours and head to your local bike shop. Try out some cycles…you’ll have to really do it in order to see the difference!
So now you may be asking: why cycle in the winter? Even if you’re an experienced biker, riding in the snow and cold can be a very different experience. For those who hate winter, it can be downright hellish. But it doesn’t have to be, and biking in the winter can even be… fun! Biking in the winter is also extremely rewarding, and will make you feel seriously good about yourself. And, biking in the winter is an extremely practical way to stay fit. If you commute to work by biking during the other three seasons of the year, why not go the extra mile (literally!) and commute in the winter as well? In addition to saving lots of time from not being stuck in traffic, you’ll stay fit and lean during a season where everyone else tends to overindulge! Plus, biking in the winter can be a great way to keep your peace of mind during the holiday craziness. If you’re feeling stressed about all of the seasonal pressures, just head out for a quick and quiet ride by yourself. A solitary bike ride can do wonders for your state of wellbeing, and a quick sojourn through the snowy trees can be extremely tranquil and refreshing. Biking during the winter is great; there are just a few things you need to watch out for!
What You’ve Gotta Know Before You Buy Your First Winter Bike
Just like shopping for any other kind of bike, shopping for a winter road bike can be an endeavor if you’re not sure what to look for. Luckily, we’ll help you with that right now. As with any other pieces of gear, it’s important to pay attention to bike fit and sizing. They are both absolutely critical items. As with any other bike, if it hasn’t been properly fitted, that can cause a load of issues. You can wind up with back problems, or even carpal tunnel syndrome! Additionally, riding a cycle that hasn’t been fitted doesn’t feel good. And you’re definitely not going to ride something that’s extremely painful, even if you know that it’s for the greater good of working out. So, pay attention to size and fit.
Bike Fit and Sizing Guide
For size, you want to make sure that the bike is neither too big nor too small. A too-small bike will have you hunched over while riding it; a bike that’s too tall will feel like you’re stretching to reach the pedals or the handlebars. To get a general idea of what size you should be riding, hop on a bike and push the pedal all the way down to the floor. You will want to have a slight bend in your knee—about 20 degrees. If you don’t have this, it’s likely that your legs will get way too tired while riding, and then you won’t be able to ride for as long.
It’s a good idea to use your height as a basic way to find out which size bike you’ll need. We’ve included a sizing guide below:
50cm = 5’3-5’5
52cm = 5’5-5’7
54cm = 5’7-5’9
56cm = 5’9-5’11
58cm = 5’11-6’2
60cm = 6’1-6’3
Since I’m 5’9”, I’d probably start trying on 54cm bikes and 56cm bikes.
How Are Winter Road Bikes Different From Others?
It’s also a good idea to talk about what makes winter road bikes different from regular bikes. Just like standard road bikes, winter road bikes are much more lightweight than other bikes, and they have more narrow tires. This creates much less resistance when you’re riding, so you’re able to go for a long ride without using that much energy. And just like a regular road bike, you’ll be sitting on your winter road bike in a way that makes your body more aerodynamic, for maximum speed in heavy conditions. If you’ve only ridden on mountain bikes and are skeptical about how much of a difference the bike weight makes, you have every right to be skeptical. Mountain bikes are not ideal for going long distances, even though it can be done. You’ll be in pain and sore, and probably quite bruised up from lots of accidents in the snow. Luckily, road bikes are perfect for going long distances. Even someone who’s not a pro rider will be able to commute a few miles with total ease. You may even feel disbelief when you realize just how much easier road bikes are to ride.
Unlike standard road bikes, however, you’re going to be looking a few things for a winter road bike. For starters, mudguards are an absolute must. You’re going to be riding through a lot of snow and slush, and the last thing you’ll want is to arrive at your destination even more wet and disheveled than you would be anyway. Mudguards are absolutely essential; don’t compromise on these!
You’re also going to be looking at tire width. Even though road bikes feature very narrow tires, for a winter bike, these are going to be a little wider than you’re used to. This will help distribute your weight over uneven terrain (like freshly fallen snow), and make your ride more comfortable. Wider tires also assist with puncture protection, which is more than an added bonus: since you’ll be riding in the snow, you won’t really be able to see sharp items on the ground as well. Also, you’re going to want to keep your winter road bike tires slightly less full than you would the rest of the year. Reduced tire pressure makes road traction much easier, and you’re also decreasing the likeliness of a puncture. And for really nasty weather, you may want to check out studded tires for an insane level of traction—much like studded tires do on a car!
Make Sure You Have Great Components
Finally, when shopping for a winter road bike, it’s really important to pay attention to components. As the saying goes, the whole needs to be more than the sum of the parts. It’s not only important to have good bike parts, it’s important to have a bike that works well together. This doesn’t mean going out and buying the most expensive cycle you can think of. This means making sure that everything you get is compatible. For instance, you’re not going to buy a road bike designed for biking in hot, arid weather and put snow tires on it. That just wouldn’t work! Ideally, you’re going to want to spend enough money to have a bike that doesn’t need any repairs for a year or two, and will last somewhere in between 7 and 10 years total. And even though that sounds like a lot, think of all the miles that you and your new winter road bike will be tackling together. Plus, it may be that winter cycling is just not for you—either because you can’t stand being outdoors in the cold or because you live in a climate that gets excessive precipitation. In that case, you want to make sure that you bought a quality-enough bike to resell, because there’s nothing worse than finding out you don’t want to continue a hobby and you can’t even get rid of the equipment!
Keeping all of those factors in mind, we’re now going to look at a few individual winter road bikes! Prepare to be awed, and get ready to take some notes.
Get Ready To Bundle Up! Best Versatile Winter Road Bikes For The Extreme Rider
FORZA 4.0 Aluminum Integrated Shifters Road Bike by Vilano
Click Here To See The FORZA 4.0 Best Price
This FORZE aluminum road bike from Vilano would be a perfect fit for anyone who is looking to get into road biking. While it’s not ideal for more advanced athletes, it’s perfect for beginner and intermediate riders who also want to bike through the winter. Priced at just under $800, the Vilano FORZA features an incredibly lightweight aluminum frame and 24 speeds, perfect for any situation. Users report that this bike works really well in winter conditions, but most recommend adding a more comfortable seat cover as well as possibly switching out the tires. All in all, this is probably the most affordable winter road bike out there.
Talon Tri Bicycle by Kestrel
Click Here To See The Talon Tri Best Price
If you’re a more advanced athlete looking to drop a little more money on a road bike, definitely consider the Talon Tri bike by Kestrel. Coming in at just under $1,500, you’re going to get a superior product. This is definitely one of the best winter road bike options available. Even though it’s geared towards people who are active in triathlons, users report loving this road bike in all conditions. Additionally, most people report that this is a great bike right out of the box—the only thing that most people replaced was the seat, or they just added a cover. Even though $1,500 may seem like a lot to drop on a bike, when you consider that you won’t need to replace any parts for a few years, the Talon Tri bike really seems like a steal. Check this bike out today!
Century 2 Complete Road Bike by Diamondback Bicycles
Click Here To See The Century 2 Best Price
If you’re desperate for a road bike that you can use in winter but want to stay under $1000, check out the Century 2 from Diamondback. This is an incredibly popular bike, with users who use it for racing and commuting agreeing that it’s a solid purchase. The Century 2 has an aluminum frame, but features a carbon fork for extra comfort while riding. Most users report, as usual, that they had to change the seat or add a seat cover, but aside from that, people love this bike right out of the box!
A Final Word….
Even though you have a reason to look forward to winter now, there’s one last thing we want to leave you with. When you get your bike delivered, chances are it’s not going to be fully assembled. And even if you’re an experience cyclist, definitely consider taking it to a local bike shop in order to have it assembled there. Chances are it won’t cost more than $100, and while you’re there, you can have the employees’ double check that you’re a good size and fit for the bike. Now get out there and hit the snow!
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