Pinging BentMikey

[thewrinklyninja]

Mikey quick question on recumbent winter commuting tyre choice. What do you use on a 26/20 configuration for winter commuting/cycling. I ride a Bacchetta Giro 20 which uses a 559 rear and 406 front wheel. Using Conti Sport contacts front and back at the moment.

Cheers

 

[Amanda P]

I'm not BentMikey, but I do use a 26/20" recumbent for commuting.

I also run Conti Sports contacts in summer, but for heavy touring or winter commuting, I have Schwalbe Marathons.

 

[BentMikey]

Hello mate! I tend to use the same tyres all year round, but then I'm riding in mostly urban conditions. When I still had a 26" on the rear, I had Stelvio Duranos all round. Now a 28-406 Durano up front, and a 23-571 Ultremo R (i.e. 650C) on the rear wheel.

 

[thewrinklyninja]

Thank people. All my winter riding is on roads and coutry lanes. Used Conti Ultra Gator Skins on my upright last year but unfortunately they don't make a406 size. Will check out the durano's and probably give them a try. Had a couple skids in the dry on the Sport Contacts to not very trusting of them at the mo.

 

[silverbow]

I see you recumbent peeps talking winter tyres and was wondering what it is like riding a recumbent on icy/slippery roads?

I use the Mountain Bike during any seriously icy conditions during winter, I can handle most things including light diesel (a real problem here due to the number of HGV's, Vans and tractors). This is all achieved by staying fluid on the bike and shifting my weight to maintain balance. Is this easily achievable on a recumbent? it just looks like it may be a bit difficult. Please tell....

 

[BentMikey]

Not really an issue for me as I tend to stick to busy main roads that are well gritted. Mostly, staying upright on any bike in slippery conditions is about being smooth and keeping peak forces low. I don't think weight shift will have much more than a second order effect - balance is primarily achieved via steering.

 

[silverbow]

True, balance during usual cycling is maintained using steering, as we all know it's the 'wobble' that keeps you vertical. But I'm not talking usual, I'm talking when tyres lose adhesion. Shifting body weight moves centre of gravity to make the bike respond.

So can anyone here ride their recumbent is icy/slippery conditions? Just curious.

 

[BentMikey]

See Newton's laws of motion - physics prevent what you suggest you do. When your tyres are slipping, what are you using to shift your centre of gravity?

 

[silverbow]

Not sure how we got here, but! I have a mass (I am not a fixed shape), the bike has a mass and so does the planet I'm on. The bike and myself are not floating in zero G... as you say refer to Netwon.

 

[Amanda P]

I think I know what Silverbow's getting at.

Once your tyres are slipping, there's nothing against which to push to shift your centre of gravity. But when you're riding across a sheet of ice, where you think you may slip, what do you do?

On an upright bike, you avoid twitching the steering to balance.

Instead, you wiggle your hips, shoulders head and/or knees to shift your centre of gravity and keep yourself upright.

On a 'bent, you can't so easily balance with your hips. But I find myself balancing with my shoulders and head in situations when I can't twitch the steering (ice or a very narrow path).

Actually, the substance on which I most often slip (on any bike) is probably reflective road paint. Very slidey when wet.

 

[BentMikey]

I think you're testiculating - when it gets slippery, you can weight shift all you like, with no realistic effect despite what you might think. When your tyres are sliding, either you're balanced and are lucky enough to stay that way across the slippery bit, or you're falling over.

 

[BentMikey]

On an upright bike, you avoid twitching the steering to balance.

Instead, you wiggle your hips, shoulders head and/or knees to shift your centre of gravity support point and keep yourself upright.

FTFY. When you lean one way and the other, what's being moved is the support point - i.e. as your tyres aren't a knife edge. Your centre of gravity isn't being moved by the leaning, your tyre contact point with the ground is. The effect is very small though.