Bikes Designed with Us in Mind!
Bikes are no longer being designed solely around a Grand Tour rider's European spring/summer exploits. Today’s bikes are being built with us in mind; the UK hardy rider, the all-weather mileage masters, the winter warriors, the club-run committed.
With the rider at the forefront of bike designs, brands are prioritising endurance geometry over aerodynamics, clearance for up to even 40mm tyres, and now mounts for mudguards come as standard.
We asked the experts (our local bike shops of course) for the latest bike recommendations ideal for Struggle training in the UK winter.
Prologue Performance Cycling’s Top Pick: Cervelo Caledonia
The Caledonia was born when Cervelo starting trying to adapt their climbing bike (the R5) and their gravel bike (the Asperos); making room for wider tyres (clearance for 35mm tyres) and forgiving geometry (for all-day endurance riding). Instead, a whole new bike was born and it’s ideal for winter and summer Struggle sportive training.
The latest model is the Caledonia 5. The complete bike, with new 12-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Reserve wheels, weighs in at only 7.95kg, making it an ideal bike for sportive training in the hills.
The bike comes with disc brakes for winter braking control. Built-in mounts allow for lights, and computer without compromising the aerodynamics or structure of the bike, and at the dropouts there are removable mudguard mounts. Parts can also be cost-effectively and easily replaced after winters of wear; for example, the bolt-on front derailleur mount.
Conclusion: The Caledonia is an ideal sportive bike that can transition from summer to winter bike with ease.
Best: Summer & Winter Bike
Prices: From £3,300
View the Range: Cervelo Caledonia Range
Chevin Cycle’s Top Pick: Trek Domane AL 4
Looking for a cost-effective winter bike for Struggle training in bad weather then look no further than the Trek Domane AL 4.
The bike comes with clearance for 32 mm tyres, it's mudguard compatible and has various mounts for gear including a top-tube bag mount for easy access to snacks!
It ticks all the boxes as a work-horse winter ride for long distance days in the saddle. Reviews call it a "stable ride and a comfortable endurance geometry".
The full Trek Domane bike comes with Shimano Tiagra drivetrain, so you won’t be worrying about replacing expensive parts. The durable wheels come with 32mm tubeless-ready road tyres for added cushion.
There's almost gravel-esk flared handlebars for extra control and stability. The Powerful disc brakes also come in handy for all-weather stopping.
Conclusion: The Trek Domane AL 4 is an ideal winter-committed steed that offers everything you need for a safe and comfy ride and at a great price.
Best: Value Bike
Prices: From £1,875
View the Bike: Trek Domane AL 4
Scott’s Top Pick: Scott Addict 10
The Addict 10 is Scott’s endurance bike. It’s renowned as a cost-effective but high-performance road bike.
Scott has designed the Addict 10 with longer days in mind. The geometry is less focused on racing and more on eating up miles. That said, reviews say it’s an “endurance machine with a racy edge and plenty of stiffness”.
Scott’s in-house Syncros components complete the finishing kit including wheels: a set of RP2.0 Discs with alloy rims and Schwalbe One 32mm tan tyres that roll well and have plenty of grip in both the wet and dry.
If you want to run electric gearing through winter, the Scott Addict 10 ideally comes with SRAM's Rival AXS groupset rather than the top of the range SRAM Red electronic gearing.
Conclusion: Although ideal for Struggle winter training, the Addict is still very much a performance bike thanks to plenty of stiffness and a weight for great climbing and acceleration as well as control.
Best: Performance for Price
Prices: From £3,499
View the Bike: Scott Addict 10
Specialized’s Top Pick: Specialized Roubaix SL8 Pro
The Roubaix is Specialized’s endurance road bike that allows for a more relaxed position for long winter miles. The geometry is designed so you sit “in” the bike not “on” the bike, which relieves pressure on your hands, arms, and shoulders for better bike handling and confidence on winter’s wet and gritty roads.
The latest model comes with full mudguard mounts and the ability to fit up to 40mm types. The new Futureshock in the front end helps keep your hands and bars steady for a smoother ride with more control to stay fast, safe, and confident on long descents (ideal when descending in the Struggle Dales and Moors).
While the latest Roubaix SL8 Pro price tag may make you think twice about riding through winter, the Roubiax range does have bikes starting from £1,999.
Best: Comfort Bike
Prices: From £1,999
View the Range: Specialized Roubaix Range
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