NyoGoat

My only bike is a CAAD10 105, that I purchased two years ago. I am trying to ride year round and I keep getting nervous about winter riding and maintaining my bike. I ride it to commute into work, and there is snow and ice and salt on the roads. Am I going to destroy components on my bike?

topflightpro

Just be sure to clean and lube it regularly and you should be fine. If you are really worried though, it might not be a bad idea to pick up an old beater off CL for winter commuting.

Bike Gremlin

Won't be destroyed. Good lubrication and maintenance go a long way. I'd be more worried about winter conditions causing a slide and a crash. Does that bike take knobby, and even studded tyres? I doubt it.

Makes sense, for that reason alone, getting a cheaper bike that takes proper winter tyres and mudguards.

PepeM

Just slap some fenders on it. I like the Portland design works ones.

gregf83 

Having just broken my second set of SKS fenders I ordered a PDW set. Hoping they'll be more durable.

PepeM

They are. I have plastic fenders on two of my other bikes and there is no comparison really. They are much more expensive but the durability and better looks makes it worth it in my opinion. Easier to set up too. The only downside is that they limit me to 25mm tires, but I can live with that for a few months.

San Pedro

In relation to this; how much snow are you guys able to ride in on your regular tires on your road bikes?

CliffordK

I highly dislike riding in snow & ice. Fortunately I can usually stay home if there is too much ice/snow. Otherwise, I'd probably choose some kind of fat tire MTB with studs.

Winter riding is hard on a bike It should survive, but you will chew through chains and other components quicker than normal. And, if you're riding on slippery conditions, perhaps a greater risk of crashing.

I've seen photos of top of the line aluminum frames with salt damage. It is unclear how deep it goes. It is likely better than steel, but less durable than other bikes.

Anyway, I'm happy to be on a dedicated winter bike. Old Titanium Litespeed Frankenbike.

budgetbike

I would suggest a dedicated winter bike as well for same reasons as above.

NyoGoat

So what i'm hearing is: There is risk of frame damage, but the risk is small if I wash it. There is risk of wear and tear, and it might be more cost effective to own a second bike to put the greater wear on less expensive components

PepeM

I think washing (and/or fenders) are way more cost effective, but people love having multiple bikes so they will justify the 'need' for a 'winter bike.'

PepeM

I don't 'train' outside if the roads are icy or covered in snow (not very often here) but I do commute through both. A couple of inches are not an issue on regular tires as long as you take it easy.

mcours2006

If you plan to commute with your aluminum bike it's fine. You're not going to damage the bike, it will age the bike and its components more quickly, especially if you have to deal with salt.

A set of fenders, preferable ones with a long mudguard on the front, will go a long way in protecting the drivetrain and headset, as well as keeping your feet less wet (notice I didn't say more dry).

Ideally, you should give it a good wash after each ride in the rain or snow and let it drip dry indoors, and then wipe down the drivetrain. You may have to oil the chain more frequently if you ride in wet weather.

I don't know if your bike has enough clearance for 35mm, but if you deal with icy or hard-packed snow at all you might consider getting a set of studded tires, preferably on a second set of wheels. But I'm guessing that the CAAD10 does not have clearance for more than 28 mm tires.

A second bike would be more ideal for your purpose.

mcours2006

How did you break your fenders? I broke mine in a end-over crash.

gregf83 

The first one broke near one of the support struts. The most recent break was when I decided to slide off the path and get intimate with some Blackberry brambles.