How does the wind effect?

sirmol
sirmol Posts: 287
edited July 2014 in Road general
Over the last year or so when out in cross winds (Not overly strong) I sometimes feel the bike and I shifting slightly and a slight worry that I might fall. I'm 6ft 13stone so not light weight and i currently ride on a Spec Allez. I'm considering getting a carbon bike and was wondering if others have felt this and if so, is it amplified on the carbon? Weight would suggest it would do, but you never know if people know something I don't about stiffness or something that stops it from having a further effect :?
Cheers

Comments

  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    It will happen on all bikes. More obvious on deep wheel rims, but even then, you are presenting the biggest cross section to the wind.

    You will get used to it.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • opus25
    opus25 Posts: 36
    I used to feel them on a 10kg Alu bike when I was 87kg and still do on a 7.4kg Carbon bike at 70kg, both with shallow rims. Never felt like I'm about to be swept away, though.

    Now I live at 4,000ft-5,000ft and it's hilly but relatively open so I'm always open to strong winds from one direction or another. At 6ft 2 I present a pretty big target. If I feel it's a particularly strong crosswind, I might adjust my weight and lean into the wind a touch but wouldn't say a carbon frame makes them any worse.
    Felt F3 Di2 (2013) : Moser Speed Sora (2012) : Cruising the roads of China
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    As above - all bikes will be affected. Riding with a strong crosswind is just a skill that has to be learnt. Learning to anticipate the strong gusts (look out for gaps in hedges etc.) is important as well as how to lean the bike ever so slightly.

    Bigger, heavier riders will generally be better at dealing with crosswinds than skinny little lads like myself.
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Rather than material makeup of bikes you have to worry much more about tube profiles on the bike. Larger flatter surfaces will naturally catch the wind more, but saying that, I think most of the fear is in your head. I used to have a thing with riding in the winds, but have recently just got on with it, and it appears to be fine although it can get hairy some times.

    Just keep loose and don't panic!
    My London Road
  • stueyboy
    stueyboy Posts: 108
    marcusjb wrote:
    .... Riding with a strong crosswind is just a skill that has to be learnt. ......

    Like these guys !! (start at 45 seconds)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8qgjyqibwY
    Apologies for horrific backing music
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Sirmol wrote:
    Over the last year or so when out in cross winds (Not overly strong) I sometimes feel the bike and I shifting slightly and a slight worry that I might fall. I'm 6ft 13stone so not light weight and i currently ride on a Spec Allez. I'm considering getting a carbon bike and was wondering if others have felt this and if so, is it amplified on the carbon? Weight would suggest it would do, but you never know if people know something I don't about stiffness or something that stops it from having a further effect :?
    Cheers

    I had this issue when riding my Trek Madone 2.1 (aluminium) fearful of even the slightest crosswinds, as you said it felt like the bike was being blown from under me.

    I changed my frame to a Scott CR1 (carbon) all the same kit and wheels and that was much better, can still feel the crosswinds but they hardly touch the bike at all.
  • earthvspace4XTuUWcX
    earthvspace4XTuUWcX Posts: 322
    A bikes geometry will also determine the affects of cross winds, in general a bike with larger trail and/or longer wheelbase, will be more stable.
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    stueyboy wrote:
    marcusjb wrote:
    .... Riding with a strong crosswind is just a skill that has to be learnt. ......

    Like these guys !! (start at 45 seconds)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8qgjyqibwY
    Apologies for horrific backing music
    I had that remounting problem myself once. Cycled up hill to the antenna at the top in strong gale force winds fighting the whole time to stay upright. Stopped for a few moments at the top and then couldn't remount the bike. It looks comical in the video but I could not work out a way to keep the bike in place and swing a leg over it without being blown over.....and I'm not a lightweight. I weighed about 90kg at the time and was riding a 11kg bike. It was pretty wintery and snow was blowing UP the slope on my left, across the top of the hill and back down the other side without appearing to land. I had to walk about 1km back down the hill to find some shelter where I could remount.
  • sirmol
    sirmol Posts: 287
    Cheers guys :)
  • damocles10
    damocles10 Posts: 340
    To be honest the wind is a real B~~TCH...I have deep sections and a cross wind can push me sideways. There is also a sense that the bike is in a speed wobble when I am pushing it..I don't like it.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Material of the bike doesn't matter. Wind cares not if you have carbon, alu or steel frames.

    If its stormy weather with really strong gusts - then don't go out. Getting blown across the road is dangerous and there will be other debris around too.

    If its just windy then HTFU and ride.
  • sirmol
    sirmol Posts: 287
    cougie wrote:
    Material of the bike doesn't matter. Wind cares not if you have carbon, alu or steel frames.

    If its stormy weather with really strong gusts - then don't go out. Getting blown across the road is dangerous and there will be other debris around too.

    If its just windy then HTFU and ride.

    Wind might care in the sense of having more or less of an impact on your bike due to the weight - Hence the reason for the question.

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