Is it dangerous to cycle in the rain?

[Auntie Helen]

I don't mind riding in the rain/snow, it can be more fun sometimes - particularly rear wheel fishtailing in the snow. I think the extra wheel on my bike may make rather a difference to my feeling about cycling in bad weather, however.

 

[Will1985]

I don't mind riding in the rain/snow, it can be more fun sometimes - particularly rear wheel fishtailing in the snow. I think the extra wheel on my bike may make rather a difference to my feeling about cycling in bad weather, however.

Alright for you to say Helen! Is it easy to stack it on a trike with ice on the road?

 

[TimP]

It is, of course, exceptionally high risk to cycle in the rain if you are a wicked witch and melt on contact with water.

Oh and three wheels in the snow - I didn't take the 'cheetah out when we had the dump earlier in the year as my crotch would have ended up acting as a snow plough.

 

[palinurus]

It's more hazardous, but if you take this into account it shouldn't be more dangerous.

When it rains I take the corners easier, since I have less grip. I try to avoid painted stuff in the road anyway but especially when wet. Brakes won't be as effective so brake earlier and if the forecast is for rain best have some lights on you.

I also avoid puddles where possible, in case there's a big hole underneath (not so much of an issue if you know the road)

 

[Greenbank]

Definitely! It's not just Sod's Law that means you get p*nct*res in the rain - there's no penetration without lubrication!

Indeed. It's all to do with friction.

To see for yourself, get an old inner tube and a sharp knife. Make sure everything is dry and try and cut the inner tube; even with a sharp knife it's quite hard work.

Now wet the inner tube and knife edge, it'll slice right through the inner tube with much less effort.

That's why you tend to get more punctures in the wet.

If you avoid the obvious problems; white lines, manhole covers, puddles (as you say, they may be hiding deep potholes) then it's no more dangerous than when dry. In really heavy rain then it may help to turn on your lights to make you more visible.

 

[HF2300]

Now wet the inner tube and knife edge, it'll slice right through the inner tube with much less effort.

That's why you tend to get more punctures in the wet.

I've got tyres round the outside of my tubes!

 

[norwichcyclist]

Thanks for the advice. I wish I maybe had made it more clear that I wanted to know how dangerous it was on a road bike compared to the normal experience of riding a different bike (currently a mountain bike for me) in the rain which I have been doing quite happily. So if any of you would wish to edit your comments taking that into consideration then please do. The question on the poll should have been 'is it dangerous to ride a road bike in the rain?'.

I know my route very well. I have lights which have been a must because in the winter the country roads have no street lights.

 

[goo_mason]

No more dangerous on a road bike than a MTB in the wet / rain.

I've only fallen off once in the wet, and that was three years ago cornering too fast on a cambered bend on a cyclepath. I'd only been cycling for two months at the time, so wasn't as clued up about riding & road / path conditions then

 

[fossyant]

Road bikes are no more dangerour. I prefer to be riding my 23mm road bike tyres in the wet than my Off Road MTB 2.1's I'll tell you..... the MTB tyres squirm on tarmac. On the loose stuff, then that's a different answer.

Alot depends upon rubber compound. Mich Pro Race's are excellent any weather, but a bit racy for some. I've got Conti Grand Prix 4 seasons on my commuter - slightly heavier than my Pro Races (for 'p' protection) but very grippy in the wet.

 

[Theseus]

No, in fact I would suggest that on a road it is safer to be on a road bike than a MTB regardless of the weather, but then a road bike is normal experience for me and I would find the grip of MTB knobblies on a road to be insufficient.

 

[Greenbank]

I've got tyres round the outside of my tubes!

Err, the same goes for the tyres as they're made of similar stuff.

 

[norwichcyclist]

No, in fact I would suggest that on a road it is safer to be on a road bike than a MTB regardless of the weather, but then a road bike is normal experience for me and I would find the grip of MTB knobblies on a road to be insufficient.

Yeah, the knobblies were holding me back so I opted for some schwalbe tyres that were more suited to the roads.

 

[4F]

Your father in law is talking out of his backside. I have the same problem with my father in law

 

[Auntie Helen]

Alright for you to say Helen! Is it easy to stack it on a trike with ice on the road?

I don't know anyone who's ever done it. However my husband managed to roll his trike in the snow - but we were messing around doing doughnuts so that was fair enough. No injuries or damage to bike!

 

[garrilla]

The poll appears quite conclusive.