Is it dangerous to cycle in the rain?

[norwichcyclist]

Yeah, to be quite honest. This is my first post and I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. I wouldn't have run the poll for 3 days if I'd have known. I am most happy with all your comments.

I wasn't too alarmed when I heard their feedback and views. I thought I'll take my precautions and ask people who ride all the time. My wife was a bit more weary understandable but I will reassure her, she doesn't wish any harm to come to me.

I will be buying a road bike and I can't wait. 6 months on the MTB on the road has been punishing.

The upgrade was going to be either a road bike or a hybrid. My wife wants me to get a hybrid cos she thinks it's safer but I want the road bike cos I have to ride it every day!

 

[4F]

My wife wants me to get a hybrid cos she thinks it's safer but I want the road bike cos I have to ride it every day!

Road bike every time. You could suggest that if your wife wants to choose your bike then you should choose all her shoes and handbags for the next year

 

[norwichcyclist]

Road bike every time. You could suggest that if your wife wants to choose your bike then you should choose all her shoes and handbags for the next year

I shall put that too her.

 

[4F]

This would be my suggestion, that should swing it.

 

[Greenbank]

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.

In general, MTB knobblies will often have less rubber on the road than slick road tyres.

(However, this is dependent on tyre pressure, tyre wear, etc).

I commute all year round on a road bike with slick tyres (except in snow and ice when I drag out the studded winter tyres). Never have any grip related problems.

 

[4F]

Who voted yes, bonj was that you ?

 

[marinyork]

Cycling in rain is perfectly safe as long as you leave enough time to slow down and are cautious on corners. Infact I'd say even cycling on snow and ice on fatter tyres isn't that dangerous if you get into the right mindset.

 

[TimP]

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

Trike on ice:
I've left the road after a short icy descent, I finished up in a field having failed to make any impression on my direction of travel at the next corner and ended up bouncing straight up and over the verge.

 

[HJ]

Of course it dangerous, you might melt!!

 

[HJ]

The upgrade was going to be either a road bike or a hybrid. My wife wants me to get a hybrid cos she thinks it's safer but I want the road bike cos I have to ride it every day!

Tell her it is not the bike which makes to safe, it is the way you ride...

 

[HF2300]

Err... Joke? Or am I missing yours.

On topic, I voted no more dangerous as well, for the reasons others have said.

 

[Randochap]

The question on the poll should have been 'is it dangerous to ride a road bike in the rain?'.

Someone has already pointed out correctly that MTB tyres are not suitable for riding on pavement, especially if the pavement is wet.

I'd go further and say that as a road bike is designed for fast, safe riding, due to its geometry -- lower bottom bracket, etc. -- a road bike is all-round safer to ride on the road. Stands to reason.

Of course, there is always the variable of individual bike handling skills, which could make an experienced rider safer on any velocontraption than an inexperienced rider on the optimal machine.

The tips so far, such as avoiding road markings, have been very useful.

It's impossible to hydroplane a bicycle road tyre and the less "tread" on a bicycle tyre for asphalt the better. Asphalt is "reverse tread."

Wear bright clothing whatever the weather and, of course, spare no expense on lighting for night riding.

 

[monnet]

I would add (unless i've missed the point skimming through the previous 5 pages) that riding the day after riding in the rain can also bring problems if you don't clean the bike properly. In the wet your rims will get covered in road grease and brake block residue (the blocks themselves will also pick up road grease) which, if not cleaned, can have a fairly dramatic impact on braking. This problem is generally worse in winter.

 

[Black Sheep]

Just stay off the white lines.

my knee and elbow agree.

 

[Theseus]

Also .... I am sure I read somewhere that there is less rolling resistance for a slick tyre on a wet road than a dry one although it goes up again if it gets too wet. So, not only are you safer on a road bike than an MTB, but you will also be faster in the wet than in the dry.