Is it dangerous to cycle in the rain?

[Keith Oates]

I doubt there have been many times when people slide or fall due to going too fast on wet roads, there is usually another reason such as oil on the road etc. that makes it slippery as the rain spreads it over the road surface. The comments about wet white lines are of course very true and care is needed. Should you ride the bike in the rain, of course you should it's just another level in the experience of cycling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[threefingerjoe]

I agree with nearly everything here, especially the white lines and wet leaves.

One thing that I'd like to add, is that the Kool-Stop brake pads have a little "squeegee" on the leading edge to wipe the water from your rims. They work pretty well in wet weather.

 

[snapper_37]

and those stupid mini roundabouts...and kerb stones can be nasty!

+ 1, had a couple of offs on those

 

[skrx]

One thing to watch out for in the rain is that road markings like white lines, zig-zags, etc can become very slippery. So you might want to avoid them.

Also, tram tracks and level crossings. I've almost come off in the wet when I tried to turn (slightly) as I went over a level crossing -- the big metal plates between the tracks were slippery.

 

[skrx]

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.

Do I need to do anything after using disc brakes in the wet?

Whenever the ground is wet my tyres flick up mud, silt and grit and some of it lands on the brake discs, I can hear it rubbing against the pads.
I've thrown some water at the discs if they're still covered in mud when I get home, but nothing more than that.

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Cycle in the rain regularly - on a MTB with commuting tyres - not experienced any problems, just exercise caution, and have to stop to clean my spectacles a few times...

 

[monnet]

Do I need to do anything after using disc brakes in the wet?

Whenever the ground is wet my tyres flick up mud, silt and grit and some of it lands on the brake discs, I can hear it rubbing against the pads.
I've thrown some water at the discs if they're still covered in mud when I get home, but nothing more than that.

To be honest, I've no idea. I would imagine that disc brakes would be less affected. Then again, I'm I dyed in the wool roadie who's not ridden a flat bar bike for close on 20 years so I'm probably not the person to ask (or answer)!

 

[goo_mason]

To be honest, I've no idea. I would imagine that disc brakes would be less affected. Then again, I'm I dyed in the wool roadie who's not ridden a flat bar bike for close on 20 years so I'm probably not the person to ask (or answer)!

That's one thing I miss about riding the MTB - the sheer reliability of disc brakes in all weathers. Rain ? Still stop you as if it was dry. Even after over a year on the road bike, I still sometimes forget that braking's a different kettle of fish in the rain and get a fright when I haul on them and still keep skelping along for a bit (and that's with Koolstop Salmons too !).

I never did anything to my disc brakes after a wet ride. I just did a spot of light braking as I was pedalling along to clear any crap off the rotors / pads if I could hear them rubbing.

 

[jimboalee]

Only if you keep your eyes closed.

 

[bikevigilante]

All weather- rain

If you are going to cycle in all weathers I would strongly advise buying a bike with good disc brakes, my previous bike was ok but now I have a Giant XTC with Hydraulic discs - these are awesome, you can stop on a pin.
One thing I did learn - I am training for the North CTC and Great north Bike ride so am doing a lot of work on my road bike, last week I was caught in a heavy shower - my slick tyres slid all overthe place, they were lethal when I braked

 

[jimboalee]

Best brakes in the wet are:-

Shimano Nexus Roller Drum.

These are the only brakes that are greased to improve their performance.

 

[Theseus]

Shimano Nexus Roller Drum.

+1. My sturdy steed has them fitted (Ridgeback Nemesis). You know it's time to re-grease when they start to judder.