why an entry-level gravel bike is the perfect winter bike to keep riding outdoors
Admittedly, late autumn, winter, and early spring turn road cycling in many countries into a completely different experience than the rest of the year.
Saying it’s ‘less fun’ might not be entirely fair. It’s more about the hassle that comes with these months. The darker, colder days don’t bother me too much. But wet, dirty roads, often covered in mud or layers of salted grit? That’s a different story!
Still, I’m not someone who turns to Zwift during winter. My love for outdoor riding persists, even if it means dealing with the hassle and mess. Laundry? Manageable. But cleaning the bike after a filthy winter ride? That’s something I truly despise the most!
For years, during winter, I swapped out my carbon road bike for my trusty old alu one. I inherited it from my racing team after a season of use, and it became my backup bike, fitted with Shimano Ultegra 10-speed.
Back then, I had no idea this bike would go on to become my most-ridden bike ever. Year after year, it braved countless winters, always equipped with fenders that never quite fit perfectly. Often rubbing against the tyres and making noise. Still, they were worth every hassle, doing their best to keep me dry and clean through my winter rides.
To me, this bike was invaluable. Simply because I didn’t have to fuss over it. Occasionally it got a soapy wash. But most of the time I just wiped down the drivetrain with an old towel and applied a bit of chain lube. At the end of each winter, I would completely disassemble it, give it a full overhaul with grease, and replace the complete drivetrain to have it back ready to tackle another winter.
But after many winters of loyal service, I decided it was time to replace it. Over the years, I’ve figured out exactly what I want from a more modern winter bike. Even so, making a decision wasn’t easy…
why a gravel bike is the perfect road bike for winter
Since the gravel hype took off, I tried to combine gravel and winter bikes into one. But over time, I realized that what I wanted for winter riding wasn’t the same as with a gravel bike. For me, a proper winter bike isn’t about speed or aesthetics. Moreover, I want resilience and reliability. Just a better version of what I had. Again a bike that wouldn’t demand endless maintenance after every wet and dirty ride.
Eventually, my search brought me to the Cannondale Topstone Apex 1. A solid choice at a very reasonable price of €2,199. I went for a size small (SM) to match the fit of my road bike in terms of stack. However, in hindsight, I could’ve sized up and compensated with a flat-out stem to achieve a similar stack height.
So, what makes the perfect winter bike for me? And why did I choose this Cannondale? Well, there are a few key reasons. Let me break it down for you.
paying a fair price for a bike that gets dirty on every ride
First off, I didn't feel like spending lots of money on a bike that would get dirty on every ride I went with it.
The most important thing is that I just want to ride my bike regardless of the weather conditions without stressing about cleaning the bike thoroughly afterwards. I want to ride a bike in the winter that I can put away with minimal cleaning without feeling like I didn't give it enough attention. It doesn't necessarily have to keep blinking, I’m okay with parts wearing out and don't want to dig too deep into my pockets to replace parts after one or two winters.
a 1x SRAM apex mechanical groupset is cheap and easy to maintain
The Cannondale Topstone Apex 1 comes equipped, as the name suggests, with an SRAM Apex groupset. This 12-speed mechanical version strikes the perfect balance between affordability and low-maintenance reliability. Exactly what you want for a winter bike.
Being a gravel bike, the Topstone originally came with an 11-44 cassette, designed for off-road versatility. However, I swapped it out for a 10-30 cassette, which is much more suited to road riding and my typical winter routes.
The single chainring setup adds another layer of simplicity, reducing moving parts and making upkeep even easier. This is a huge plus when dealing with the wear and tear of winter conditions.
Hydraulic disc Brakes are essential for dirty and Salty Winter Conditions
There’s no denying that hydraulic disc brakes are the most reliable choice for harsh winter conditions compared to rim brakes.
First off, they provide significantly more braking power, which is incredibly helpful when you’re dealing with frozen fingers. The overall effectiveness of disc brakes in wet, dirty, and salty road conditions is leagues ahead of rim brakes.
Rim brakes, on the other hand, tend to get really messy on the rims. Accumulated dirt and grime can easily wear down your rims, and frankly, I’d rather replace disc rotors than rims or wheelsets. Plus, with disc brakes, fixing a puncture keeps your hands much cleaner.
Another advantage is that disc brake callipers are easier to clean since there’s more space around them, especially with fenders attached. Disc callipers are also simpler to maintain. With rim brakes, if you don’t clean and dry the callipers properly, they can start sticking over time.
That said, disc brakes aren’t without their quirks. After they’ve fully broken in, they can get noisy. There’s the infamous “chalkboard squawk” some riders actually claim to enjoy in off-road conditions or traffic. Then there’s the occasional ting ting ting ting sound that comes and goes randomly. Personally, I don’t find these noises particularly bothersome. Especially since winter roads around here are pretty quiet, at least I’m not annoying others too much.
a wide tyre clearance easily fits a set of Continental Grand Prix 4 Season 32mm road tyres
Since the Topstone is a gravel bike, it boasts generous tyre clearance, allowing for the use of both wide knobbly tyres and slicks. This versatility is a big win for winter riding.
With rim brakes, you’re often limited to tyres no wider than 28mm. In winter, when roads are wet, dirty, and often even a tad slippery, I prefer the added comfort, grip, and control of wider tyres. And the flexibility to pair them with fenders.
On the Topstone, I can easily fit 32mm road tyres. My go-to choice for winter riding is a set of Continental Grand Prix 4 Season. These tyres strike a perfect balance. They’re fairly fast, provide excellent grip even in low temperatures, and are remarkably puncture-resistant, thanks to their Vectran Breaker layer, which boosts protection against cuts and punctures. Last but not least, they’re exceptionally durable, making them ideal for the demands of winter riding.
dedicated Fender mounts win over all the clip-on Fender options
The purpose of fenders, or mudguards, is straightforward. They suppress spray from your wheels, preventing it from soaking you and keeping you warmer and drier during wet rides.
That said, fitting fenders to your bike can sometimes be a headache. One of the main reasons I switched to a gravel bike for winter rides. Because, my Topstone offers generous tyre clearance and dedicated fender mounts, making it far easier to fit fenders properly compared to fiddling around with clip-on options that are often more hassle than they’re worth.
For my Topstone, I went with this set of SKS Bluemels fenders.
These fenders feature a construction of thin aluminium between layers of plastic. Their sturdy stays ensure they remain securely in place without any issues of rubbing when paired with my 32mm tyres.
The real advantage, though, lies in the dedicated fender mounts on the Topstone. Unlike fenders that attach to your quick releases or clipped on your frame, these mounts provide a solid connection. Not only does this mean they’re more stable and won’t scratch your frame, but also that you can easily remove your wheels. Whether for fixing a puncture or for maintenance, it can be done without any hassle.
how to quick-clean your winter bike after a wet and dirty ride
Now, the thing with this winter bike equipped with fenders is that while they keep the dirt off you, you have to ask yourself: if it’s not ending up on me, where is it going instead? And the answer is simple. Onto your wheels. Your fenders might protect you, but your hubs, rims and drive train often bear the brunt of it!
So, even if you’re not in the mood to clean your entire bike after a wet and messy ride, at the very least, take a few minutes to rinse off your drive train and discs, but also the hubs and rims! Then simply dry the parts with a cloth. Then, let your chain run through an old towel, remove stubborn clumps of grease, and drop lubricant onto each link of your chain when the chain looks and feels dry. Wipe away excess lubricant before you pick up your bike for the next spin.
Neglecting this tiny bit of a 5-minute maintenance routine significantly leads to accelerated wear and tear.
Furthermore, after a couple of rides and quick cleans, also your winter bike needs a proper bath and some love.
