I'll be interested in what this thread says....I make the transistion from my hybrid to my road bike when roads are free of salt and gravel. As Darcy says, washing down the bike will keep it, but, for me, it is more a road condition issue.

Up here in the snowbound north they dump so much salt and gravel that the bike lanes and road edges get a thin cover of gravel and salt. My road bike won't handle that, but my hybrid just ignores those pebbles. If I take my road bike out too soon, I end up having to ride too far into traffic. Combine an unexpected bike lane position with, gee it is early spring, an unexpected bicycle and it is a recipe for an accident.

So, my indication for switching to road bike is when the salt and gravel are gone. Usually that is about this time--a good couple of strong spring rains. Of course, we got 8 inches of snow yesterday...so....sigh....we start the countdown over....sob....cry.....sob....