Winter Walking and Cycling

[robdrimmie]

Ziggy's and King St Cycle both have winter cycling advertisements and sales, and they both tend to have models in stock that are a year or two old that's heavily discounted. King St. especially has a really good sale every February or so (I bought my current bike there a few years back for close to 50% off because it was a two year old model, but brand new).

They both bias in favour of fat bikes for winter riding (uncharitably I think it's because they want to sell you a second bike, but also they are increasingly popular). Ziggy's leans towards well off marathon cyclists, King St leans a little bit towards weekend warrior hipster hydro cut cyclists. Black Arrow is fantastic for comfortable middle of the road commuters, and is the shop I'm most comfortable in (I feel like a bit of a poseur in the other two shops but also that's baggage I carry in myself, I've only ever had great service at all three). I'm sure Black Arrow has great winter options but I haven't paid as much attention to their sales cycles.

Almost any hybrid is going to support 38c tires, as would most cycle-cross/gravel bikes. In fact I think most come with them because they are a pretty good trade off between friction and traction.