tips please for winter road cycling.

[Dogzodiac]

It will be my first time on a road bike cycling through Autumn and winter. So far i have only cycled in dry warm weather (just been lucky with timing). I know plenty about how to dress as i do a lot of hiking in all seasons, and wind proofing, rain-proofing and ventilation are very important, but when it comes to lights and lumen brightness, (I live in the countryside) I have no idea. I understand about been seen, but been able to see in front of me I'm unsure.
Also my tyres are slicks, but unless im wrong, what is the point of tread on such narrow tyres. Im curious as the country roads are wet now most of the time. Is there any point changing tyres for winter

 

[cyberknight]

Slick tyres offer more grip on the road as you have more rubber in contact with the surface, the only thing to beat them is when its icy are studded tyres if you have the clearance on your frame to use them.
At this time of year look out for patches of diesel, wet leaves, drain covers and lines in the road as these can be very slippy at this time of year .In winter you need to be aware of ice patches especially in shaded sections , generally riding in the tyre track of the cars is safer as they are liable to have swept some of the hazards away and also gives you a good position to weave in or out to avoid hazards .
As for lights , it all depends on your budget as you can get perfectly servicable lights like the xml t6 for under £20 that are light enough to ride on unlit lanes or you can spend hundreds .
To be seen on unlit lanes reflectives work best , i use a gilet with reflective bits that is a bright colour along with a helmet with more reflective bits and wrist slaps .

 

[cyberknight]

http://bikewinter.org/node/20
http://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/technique/seven-tips-to-beat-snow-and-ice-this-winter.html

Also try to keep your bike clean (ish) as the salt /grit on the road can eat components , if you have one bike then ride it but many have a "winter " bike that is cheaper to keep maintained by using lower spec parts, my winter bike uses sora/claris .
Mudgaurds !, keeps you and your bike that bit cleaner .

 

[cyberknight]

This is my OMFG its snow/ ice bike .

 

[jazzkat]

^ great advice
I have always found that it's mostly about keeping warm.

 

[cyberknight]

^ great advice
I have always found that it's mostly about keeping warm.

Indeed , the OP says he knows about dressing so i left that one .Knowing how to dress is an art as one big thick layer is less effective than a few thinner layers as you can regulate your temperature more easily by zips/taking off layers as needed .
Hands and feet are my biggest issue as i have raynaurds so i have to be careful, last winter i invested in proper winter boots as even though i have good overshoes i still ended up with cold feet .Good gloves are a must and i even have some poggies although i did not need them last winter as it was not that cold .

 

[User16625]

The biggest issue for me is to stay dry. I find waterproof clothing gets you just as wet through sweat. I dont think its possible to stay dry when its raining.

 

[dr snuggles]

Some excellent advice all round for somebody who's looking to ride through their first winter.
I agree about the waterproof's but I tend to make sure I have layers that will keep me warm when wet rather than spend my time worrying about staying bone dry. A good softshell is vital for me.

 

[Dogzodiac]

Thanks for the advice. There is no way I expect to stay completely dry in wet weather. As with hiking, the biggest problem is staying warm and dry. Even if its a dry day but cold, wrapping up causes problems. So regulating body temperature is vital. If i start to get hot and think i will start sweating I stop what im doing or slow down. better that than work up a sweat get wet then catch you death of cold when you finally finish moving because you can not dry off in the warm sushine. I always take a spare layer and change if I do get wet from sweat

 

[biggs682]

dry and warmth make riding easier no matter what

 

[Dibdib]

All good advice. I'd just add perhaps experimenting with tyre pressures - slightly lower pressures (just -5psi or so, not much) will give you a slightly bigger contact patch which can help with greasy roads.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs M]

Some excellent advice all round for somebody who's looking to ride through their first winter.
I agree about the waterproof's but I tend to make sure I have layers that will keep me warm when wet rather than spend my time worrying about staying bone dry. A good softshell is vital for me.

Totally agree. I invested in a Gore soft shell which I wear with a cold weather base layer and short sleeved Jersey. Most important, for me are warm gloves and socks, Seal skins have proven to be a good choice. I also wear a thin hat under my helmet and a buff round my neck, can pull up if really cold. Don't care what I look like as nobody can recognise me anyway, lol.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm going to go against the grain on the tyres front.

On a dead smooth road then a smooth tyre has the advantage with the greater contact area. whether it is wet or dry.

On rough chipped lanes however, I think that there is some advantage to having some tread as this digs into the surface and provides some mechanical advantage.

I have grabbed this from the Schwalbe UK website:

"A slightly serrated surface on the tire tread can have a positive effect on tire grip, as it creates micro interlocking with rough asphalt."

My own experience these past couple of years having run Marathon Supremes and latterly Marathon Deluxe:

...the Supremes have virtually no tread and the Deluxe have an inverted tread and without a doubt the Deluxes track much better than the Supremes on rough tarmaced lanes. They feel much more secure to me in the current slippery wet weather than the Supremes ever did.

 

[dr snuggles]

Totally agree. I invested in a Gore soft shell which I wear with a cold weather base layer and short sleeved Jersey. Most important, for me are warm gloves and socks, Seal skins have proven to be a good choice. I also wear a thin hat under my helmet and a buff round my neck, can pull up if really cold. Don't care what I look like as nobody can recognise me anyway, lol.

Always struggled with cold feet. Just invested in some northwave celsius boots and seeing as you totally agreed with me then I'm going to buy some seal skins on your recommendation.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Changing your road tyres for winter or 4 seasons road tyres will help. Winter tyres do have more grip than other tyres, they are simply a different compound. I run with Schwalbe Durano pluses during the winter months and their grip is stunning.

As already mentioned, avoid any metal work in the roads, paint also offers much less grip as well, corner more slowly with less lean into the bend and watch for oil especially on roundabouts and junctions.

When it is icy, cycling on ice is no different to driving on it. Don't accelerate or decelerate harshly, don't accelerate or brakes on bends, avoid changing gear on bends, and one extra, don't lean into bends...

Plus give yourself more time, expect to be slower and don't worry about being slower. Winter cycling is about getting there safely rather than getting there quickly.