Road bike brakes just dont work in the wet...

Secteur
Secteur Posts: 1,971
edited May 2011 in Road beginners
...do they?

And I have Salmon KoolStops fitted!

No mishaps, fortunately, but I think I annoyed a few drivers who were stuck behind me on the small country steep downhill lanes locally, where I had to take it very slowly.

Comments

  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Do what everyone else does and don't cycle when its raining.
  • furrag
    furrag Posts: 481
    Swiss Stop FlashPro greens seem to work better for me than the Kool Stop salmons I've found.
  • I am the god of hell fire
    I am the god of hell fire Posts: 326
    I would agree that Swissstop pads are good in the wet

    But on the other hand I went through 2 sets this winter!!!

    At 20 quid or so a set

    Which is OK to have good braking in the wet

    Which isnt OK as the Ultegra pads they replaced lasted 3 winters and were less than half worn

    But the Ultegras didnt actually stop me in the wet

    No easy answer
    Besides the Sunday papers and a mug of tea when its raining LOL
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I've used various regular brake pads and never had an issue. You do know that you need feather the brakes to clear the rims of water before braking properly don't you?
    More problems but still living....
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    amaferanga wrote:
    You do know that you need feather the brakes to clear the rims of water before braking properly don't you?


    No.

    I literally have no technical knowledge of bike-riding.

    All I know is what I have picked up from my own trial-and-error on the bike in the last 3 months!

    I'd ask more questions, but I fear I might out myself as a complete simpleton! (for example should you change the back gears only when not "pressing" on the pedals? when I do this is makes a big cranking noise, versus silent shifting when I'm not pressing)
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    You do know that you need feather the brakes to clear the rims of water before braking properly don't you?


    Even so, they're lousy. Although because of reduced amount of grip between the road and tyre, that's probably a good thing. Excellent brakes and hard on the brakes and no traction = not good.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    There were too many words in your title....

    Road bike brakes just dont work. :)

    Well they do.. but not compared to a pair of formula rx mtb disc brakes! Took the MTB out for the first time in ages today... had a little surprise when I first applied the anchors - luckily I didn't crash!
    Simon
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    The more you ride in the wet the better you'll get.

    As to gears - only change when you pedal but ease the pressure off slightly as you do so.

    If you can still get Richard Ballantynes Bicycle Book - get a copy
    Invaluable stuff in there.
  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    cougie wrote:
    The more you ride in the wet the better you'll get.

    As to gears - only change when you pedal but ease the pressure off slightly as you do so.

    If you can still get Richard Ballantynes Bicycle Book - get a copy
    Invaluable stuff in there.
    The original is out of print, but Amazon have the 'New' version here
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • gixxerboss
    gixxerboss Posts: 87
    If it helps i use 1 wet weater pad and 1 dry pad at the front and back, and they work a treat and we have some steep hills in Cumbria. i purchased them from wiggle cant remember what they are called.
    <a><img></a>
  • furrag
    furrag Posts: 481
    gixxerboss wrote:
    If it helps i use 1 wet pad and 1 dry pad at the front and back, and they work a treat... cant remember what they are called.
    Always Ultra?
  • Alibran
    Alibran Posts: 370
    ShutUpLegs wrote:
    Do what everyone else does and don't cycle when its raining.

    I moved to Spain so I don't have to cycle in the rain :lol:

    I've never had any luck with road bike brakes in the wet. My most frightening experience was flying across the A30 at 25mph when I braked on the downhill approach, and nothing happened.
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    We holiday not far from Malaga, and I have been debating how I will cope with a week off from cycling in July - the thought of hiring a "proper"* bike crossed my mind - perhaps you could offer some advice? Or perhaps offer a local guided cycle tour?!


    * we sometimes hire a single speed strictly to go along the prom, but no kit and no helmet, plus we keep off the roads.
  • Alibran
    Alibran Posts: 370
    Where do you stay, Secteur? We're not actually very close to Malaga city, but within Malaga province.

    We've only just moved where we are now, so I don't think I'd be much of a guide - I'm still finding routes myself - but what I can say is that you need to make sure you're fit for hill riding. I used to fly up everything Cornwall could throw at me, then came here and had to start getting off and pushing!

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