tips please for winter road cycling.

[Backonmybike]

I found it hard to decide which light to get or to decide how many lumens I needed. On my local bike shops advice I bought a Mactronic 500 lumen light. I find that strenght good for totally unlit country roads except for some downhill stretches where during the day I pedal downhill at up to 50kpm but with this light I am not comfortable going over 40kph and freewheel. Overall I am happy with 500 lumens as a beginner I need a good hill behind me to push the light to its limit.

 

[hopless500]

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

If you're rural, as we are, slicks are bloody useless in the winter. Go for touring type tyres with a bit of tread. Unless you want to say hello close up to the road. And I bought a Cree light a couple of years ago. Would not necessarily be needed for urban situations, but is brilliant for dark narrow country lanes with potholes the size of small ponies, and drivers thinking they have the lanes to themselves.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

If you're rural, as we are, slicks are bloody useless in the winter. Go for touring type tyres with a bit of tread. Unless you want to say hello close up to the road. And I bought a Cree light a couple of years ago. Would not necessarily be needed for urban situations, but is brilliant for dark narrow country lanes with potholes the size of small ponies, and drivers thinking they have the lanes to themselves.

I find drivers not to bad round here at night, but in heavy rain they forget other road users are on the road, get more close passes in the rain than at night.
As for slicks and rural, well I ride plenty of rural roads never had a problem with my gatorskins last winter, ice well thats a different issue.

 

[hopless500]

I find drivers not to bad round here at night, but in heavy rain they forget other road users are on the road, get more close passes in the rain than at night.
As for slicks and rural, well I ride plenty of rural roads never had a problem with my gatorskins last winter, ice well thats a different issue.

The roads here are appalling - narrow lanes, potholes, broken road surfaces (as in most of the surface is awol),mud, gravel and slicks don't mix well.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

The roads here are appalling - narrow lanes, potholes, broken road surfaces (as in most of the surface is awol),mud, gravel and slicks don't mix well.

same here re: roads, but 700x23c/700x25c road tyres (GP4000s or durano pluses) are not an issue...

 

[mjr]

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

There's a point in changing tyres for ones with a better compound. Durano and GP4000s are frequently suggested for road bikes but I've not tried either (no road racer). Also treat each corner like a downhill and avoid breaking in the corner itself because you need to be managing the grip (or lack thereof) without complications, and remember you can't see what potholes are under puddles or mud so avoid if you can and go careful if you can't.

Lumens are bunk and light marketing in the UK is a disgrace. Look for the German-standard lux measurements. Like http://mashing53.wordpress.com/2014/10/14/the-freedom-of-infinity/ says "Instead of simply vomiting photons in a cone shape, [lights that adhere to the German StVZO lighting regulations] use carefully shaped reflectors to place them on the road ahead." About 30 lux seems OK for me to see on unlit rural lanes at 15-20mph sustained speed. I've not tried but I suspect 20 lux would limit me to 15mph. I remember struggling along country roads with Everready Frontguard http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-R...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item3a991c1ceb clones and I'd be surprised if they were 5 lux... anyone know?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@hopless500 & @SatNavSaysStraightOn and you think they are any better here, the council here have decided its better to top dress perfectly good roads and not repair those that need it, there is one down hill bit I won't even go down its that bad.

 

[wisdom]

As all of the above really but for me the most important thing is to continue riding.Dress for the weather and enjoy the rides .

 

[hopless500]

@hopless500 & @SatNavSaysStraightOn and you think they are any better here, the council here have decided its better to top dress perfectly good roads and not repair those that need it, there is one down hill bit I won't even go down its that bad.

Crazy isn't it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Crazy isn't it.

Totally, and it gets worse, earlier this year sections of the most frequent road I ride, was resurfaced ok not the whole carriageway but even to make it quite nice, then 2-3 months later they top dress it, yet a mile and a half away there was a small sink hole about 1 ft deep and 6-8" across, and this section of road about 1/10th of a mile does need to be repaired, and there are worse.
To the best of my Knowledge I have done it 383 times coming home, and 290 going out.

 

[cyberknight]

If you're rural, as we are, slicks are bloody useless in the winter. Go for touring type tyres with a bit of tread. Unless you want to say hello close up to the road. And I bought a Cree light a couple of years ago. Would not necessarily be needed for urban situations, but is brilliant for dark narrow country lanes with potholes the size of small ponies, and drivers thinking they have the lanes to themselves.

Not really , as stated before slicks offer more tread in contact with the road, i ride slicks all year around on unlit country lanes and have no issues .Maybe you should be looking at your tyre choice and riding style ?
The only time i would use the subway is for snowy /icy conditions although for ice the only thign that will keep you upright are studded tyres.

 

[hopless500]

Not really , as stated before slicks offer more tread in contact with the road, i ride slicks all year around on unlit country lanes and have no issues .Maybe you should be looking at your tyre choice and riding style ?
The only time i would use the subway is for snowy /icy conditions although for ice the only thign that will keep you upright are studded tyres.

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. 28 slicks on our roads don't work. A small amount of tread does.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. 28 slicks on our roads don't work. A small amount of tread does.

And there's me on 23c slicks on rural lanes and mud baths for all of last winter, and the winter before except for 1 day

 

[AllanC]

Only thing I could add to the above messages is to use lower gears than you would normally do in warmer weather, this has the effect of increasing your pedaling cadence which in turn helps you stay warm.

On the tyre front in winter time I can't see past Bontrager hard case tyres, although, they have served me well on commutes to and from the city and on winter training rides. I do respect the Schwalbe's mentioned above.