GCN Tech Show: Do you really need a winter bike?

In the studio this week Alex Paton is joined by Manon Lloyd to discuss the finer points from the world of cycling tech. The main talking point this week is whether or not you should be using a 'winter bike' during those months when conditions are at their harshest.

What we mean by a 'winter bike' is a typically cheap and cheerful alternative with lower spec components than your preferred normal ride. It is a bike that can be used and abused through winter, so perhaps doesn't matter if you don't look after it so much. It would have cheaper parts to replace and perhaps heavier winter training tyres. There would also be mudguard mounting points for full coverage mudguards to keep you as dry and therefore warm as possible.

• Read more: The best ways to get your bike ready for winter

This is a topic that divides Alex and Manon, with Alex claiming that a winter bike is a redundant concept if you can fit clip-on mudguards to your summer bike. The cost of getting a winter bike and keeping on top of the maintenance isn't any cheaper than riding your preferred ride through winter and replacing the more expensive parts, he argues.

Alex also adds that a winter bike can remove a lot of the joy of riding, especially if you are transitioning from a premium bike with mid to top-tier components. In the depths of winter motivation is hard to come by so riding a poorer quality bike that is less comfortable, heavier, and lacks premium features is perhaps not going to inspire you to get out of the door on a dark, wet winter's day.

• Read more: Cycling on a budget: how to spend your money wisely

Manon, however, does like the idea of a winter bike. She suggests the best way to make this work is when you upgrade to a new bike, just keep your old one and demote it to your winter training bike. She also adds that a winter bike needs less specific attention and can take more abuse without the need to care for it as much as you would with your pride and joy.

So what do you think? Winter bikes - great idea of complete waste of time? Let us know in the comments below.

Hot and spicy tech

There have been some interesting tech developments over the past seven days. Here's our pick of the best.

Princeton CarbonWork Wake 6560 Evolution wheels

The brand that sponsors the Ineos Grenadiers has dropped a brand new version of the Wake 6560 wheelset. They are claiming that the new rim profile and spoke pattern make this the fastest wheel they've ever made, while also being stiffer and lighter than the outgoing model. Something of note is that these wheels will be available in both rim and disc brake models, which bucks the trend of most brands.

• Read more: Princeton CarbonWorks claims new Wake 6560 Evolution is ‘the most important wheelset we have ever launched’

Wooden gravel bike

Italian company Ornus has released a new gravel bike this week with the frame made out of Ash wood. The complete bike is reported to weigh nine kilos and the frame alone comes in at 1.8kg. The brand is offering the bike in three builds starting at €6,800 and topping out at €8,300.

• Read more: Marginal grains: Check out this new wooden gravel bike from Italy

Your comments and bikes

Rounding off this week's show we take a look at Comments of the Week and the Bike Vault. Alex has been in the firing line for his video on hookless rims with a large portion of you seemingly unimpressed by the new technology.

In the Bike Vault this week the duo are as picky as ever. If you're looking for a 'super nice', getting the bike set up on point is crucial. This week a Specialized Roubaix fell foul of the strict rules by having the wheels misaligned, the cranks in the wrong position and the bike leaned up against a wall. Take note if you're entering the bike for future consideration!

Watch this week's GCN Tech Show in full above or on the GCN Tech YouTube channel.