Riding in the rain

chris_bass

I have recently swapped from a mtb to a road bike and I'm completely sold on it! However, now our nice dry weather seems to be behind us how dangerous/scary is it riding a road bike in the rain and on wet roads? Any tips for staying upright? I do t wanna have to switch back to the mtb if I can avoid it!

rc856

On anything but descents, I don't think I do anything differently.
According to Sheldon Brown, a bike tyre won't aquaplane like a car so as long as you have decent tyres on, I would say just to keep the speed down a bit on descents.
Brake gently and before you get into the turn, not while you're turning etc.

Oh...and read all the other good answers on the thread 'riding in the wet' which is just below

Scrumple

brake early and softer...

petemadoc

Just be aware that your brakes become a LOT worse when everything is wet!

Bozman

Lay off the front brake and use the back more but you'll need to brake earlier as well.
Watch out for the usual suspects, manholes, white lines and diesel.
The first rainfall in weeks has made the roads generally as greasy as hell, i ended up sideways a couple of times this morning after just feathering the brakes.

Scrumple

oh - don't brake whhile you are turning, or trying to go anywhere with the front wheel less than straight!

Buckled_Rims

I find a shower or drizzle more scary then rain. I think it's just the thin layer that mixes with diesel and oil that lies on the road, rather then the full washed away with rain effect.

I hate man hole covers, white lines and gutters that soon collect grit. Just take it easy. Hopefully disk brakes will appear on road bikes in a few years time