downhill windy road help
I have a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Comp triple. Great bike. However, I have never felt confident going downhill on windy roads that weren't completely smooth. I always feel like if there is some bumpiness (gravel or those "wake up you are about to go into the opposite lane divots") and I am riding the brakes that I'm on the verge of losing control. I get the sense that the brakes are about to chatter locking up after losing contact with the road momentarily. I have felt this with other bikes so I think it is my technique more than anything.
Doesn't seem to matter if I'm using the drops or top of the bars, as soon as I use the brakes with road chatter I feel like "this might be the ride". Probably doesn't matter that I'm on a straight or windy road, I guess I just ride windy hills more often. Any suggestions? I'm not going super fast, maybe 30mph max. Anybody else have this experience? |
Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21604056)
I have a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Comp triple. Great bike. However, I have never felt confident going downhill on windy roads that weren't completely smooth. I always feel like if there is some bumpiness (gravel or those "wake up you are about to go into the opposite lane divots") and I am riding the brakes that I'm on the verge of losing control. I get the sense that the brakes are about to chatter locking up after losing contact with the road momentarily. I have felt this with other bikes so I think it is my technique more than anything.
Doesn't seem to matter if I'm using the drops or top of the bars, as soon as I use the brakes with road chatter I feel like "this might be the ride". Probably doesn't matter that I'm on a straight or windy road, I guess I just ride windy hills more often. Any suggestions? I'm not going super fast, maybe 30mph max. Anybody else have this experience? The solutions are to (1) use your brakes lightly and judiciously, (2) shift your weight back and get low on the bike (to aid with stability), and (3) avoid the bumps by looking ahead at the smooth portions of the pavement. (We tend to steer in the direction we are looking.) I'm sure others will chime in with more advice, but that's mine. |
The above advice but also get your weight off the seat (if you are coasting).
With your weight off the seat, your legs will be able to quickly act as shock absorbers. You'll be able to stop/slow-down better if you can move your butt behind your seat. Practice (get used to) doing this on a normal (flat ride). Also, try to take the lane rather than riding close to the right side of the lane. You'll have more space to maneuver and more options to avoid rough spots. Doing that entails checking traffic before the decent and takes some practice and experience. |
:)
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Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21604056)
I have a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Comp triple. Great bike. However, I have never felt confident going downhill on windy roads that weren't completely smooth. I always feel like if there is some bumpiness (gravel or those "wake up you are about to go into the opposite lane divots") and I am riding the brakes that I'm on the verge of losing control. I get the sense that the brakes are about to chatter locking up after losing contact with the road momentarily. I have felt this with other bikes so I think it is my technique more than anything.
Doesn't seem to matter if I'm using the drops or top of the bars, as soon as I use the brakes with road chatter I feel like "this might be the ride". Probably doesn't matter that I'm on a straight or windy road, I guess I just ride windy hills more often. Any suggestions? I'm not going super fast, maybe 30mph max. Anybody else have this experience? I almost never use my brakes, especially the rear one. I am always looking ahead to anticipate hazards. Stay off the drops unless you are clear of dangers which can hit with no warning. I almost hit a chicken once in farm country. Anyone can go fast on downhills; it is the climbs that separate the men from the boys. this does not mean that brakes are not important. Keep them well maintained but use them sparingly. Happy cycling. |
Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21604056)
I have a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Comp triple. Great bike. However, I have never felt confident going downhill on windy roads that weren't completely smooth. I always feel like if there is some bumpiness (gravel or those "wake up you are about to go into the opposite lane divots") and I am riding the brakes that I'm on the verge of losing control. I get the sense that the brakes are about to chatter locking up after losing contact with the road momentarily. I have felt this with other bikes so I think it is my technique more than anything.
Doesn't seem to matter if I'm using the drops or top of the bars, as soon as I use the brakes with road chatter I feel like "this might be the ride". Probably doesn't matter that I'm on a straight or windy road, I guess I just ride windy hills more often. Any suggestions? I'm not going super fast, maybe 30mph max. Anybody else have this experience? You sould almost never be “riding the brakes”. Brake harder when conditions are good (going straight, smooth pavement) and then let off them when thing are bad (cornering, bad road conditions). Sometimes you just have to make the best of less-than-stellar options, like if the whole road is bumpy and gravelly. In that case, brake as much as you can on the straight sections. Also, try larger tires at lower pressure. |
As others have pointed out, you should be in the drops and weight well back for safety. Personally, I can't just let-r-rip even on familiar descents. I've seen too many deer, dogs, cats, turkeys, chickens and squirrels turn suicidal to trust that one won't pop out of the roadside. I actually know folks who have been wrecked by all of above with the exception of turkeys. In truth, I'm probably no more likely to be able to avoid such at 35mph than I am at 50mph. I guess it's a mental failing but I can't see trying to overcome it at this point.
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
(Post 21604456)
As others have pointed out, you should be in the drops and weight well back for safety. Personally, I can't just let-r-rip even on familiar descents. I've seen too many deer, dogs, cats, turkeys, chickens and squirrels turn suicidal to trust that one won't pop out of the roadside. I actually know folks who have been wrecked by all of above with the exception of turkeys. In truth, I'm probably no more likely to be able to avoid such at 35mph than I am at 50mph. I guess it's a mental failing but I can't see trying to overcome it at this point.
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:)
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+1 on wider tires. Just going to 28 mm from 25 mm made a significant difference with road vibration and cornering. My 29er with 2.2 treads is a blast on roady downhills.
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Los of excellent advice. The only thing I would add is, if you're uncomfortable at 30mph, brake earlier and don't let your speed get that high to begin with.
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Thanks everyone. Anyone know if a Specialized Roubaix can accept 28s? It definitely can do 25s.
Why do wider tires help? |
Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21605718)
Why do wider tires help? |
Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 21604245)
The above advice but also get your weight off the seat (if you are coasting).
With your weight off the seat, your legs will be able to quickly act as shock absorbers. You'll be able to stop/slow-down better if you can move your butt behind your seat. Practice (get used to) doing this on a normal (flat ride). |
Just checked and I am using 700x23 Michelin Lithion 2 tires. I'm gonna try the 28s. Any recommendations? Gatorskins?
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I think a lot has to do with familiarity with the descent. I am very familiar with the ones here, every nook and cranny and scrape from plows. Not so much when I first rode but more so as I rode more. Now I barely break and pedal all the way down. You will get there.
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If you're uncomfortable, you are going too fast. Don't let your speed build up to the point of discomfort.
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Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21605778)
Lifting my butt off the seat felt much more unstable to me. I felt like my shoes were "floating" on the clipless pedals and I felt like I had less control. I must be doing something wrong.
For road bikes, most of the shock absorption is in your legs (some is in the tires). With your weight off the seat, your legs are active and can deal with bumps much more quickly. You really don't want to hit a bump at speed with all your weight on the seat. I have the habit of lifting my weight whenever I'm coasting. That way, if I hit a bump I missed seeing, I'm already dealing with it. |
A little googling says that you shout early able to put 28mm tires on a 2007 Roubaix. I have put 32mm on my 2017.
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Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21605778)
Lifting my butt off the seat felt much more unstable to me. I felt like my shoes were "floating" on the clipless pedals and I felt like I had less control. I must be doing something wrong.
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
(Post 21605723)
Mostly because you can run your pressure lower.
Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21605778)
Lifting my butt off the seat felt much more unstable to me. I felt like my shoes were "floating" on the clipless pedals and I felt like I had less control. I must be doing something wrong.
When you get to a corner, put the inside pedal up and push hard on the outside pedal. This loads the tires on the outside edge and pulls you around the corner. Use brakes sparingly in corners but don’t avoid using them if you must. Part of the reason people tell you not to brake in corners is because the tire’s footprint is smaller and thus the friction is less. The bike will slide out to the side more quickly and is harder to recover from. Body lean on corners is something else you need to think about. Bicycles have a high center of gravity. It’s located in your hips or a bit higher. You can’t lean into a corner like you would on a motorcycle because the wheels would slip out from under you. You want to lean over but you won’t be able to lean like a motorcycle racer. You have to lean the bike but lean “you” less. The way to think of it is that your bike isn’t the heaviest part of the system. You don’t really have to manage it’s momentum. You are the heaviest part of the bike and you have to manage your body’s momentum. If let your bike bounce around under you, your body will just keep going in the same direction it was going before...Newton’s Laws of Motion and all that.
Originally Posted by Symox
(Post 21605808)
Just checked and I am using 700x23 Michelin Lithion 2 tires. I'm gonna try the 28s. Any recommendations? Gatorskins?
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
(Post 21606195)
That’s only part of the story...and not the most important part. Wider tires have a large contact patch which means stability. Wider tires float over road irregularities while narrow tires either bounce off them (rocks) or knife into them (sand and soft spots).
. In my experience, going bigger without lowering the pressure on the road provides marginal benefit. The size of the contact patch has mostly to do with the pressure, not the size of the tire. The benefits you are describing for a larger tire will not be realized unless you lower the pressure. |
Originally Posted by Kapusta
(Post 21606693)
Well you’re certainly entitled to your opinion as much as anybody else, but I disagree.
In my experience, going bigger without lowering the pressure on the road provides marginal benefit. The size of the contact patch has mostly to do with the pressure, not the size of the tire. The benefits you are describing for a larger tire will not be realized unless you lower the pressure. There is also a practical limit to lowering the pressure and, in my opinion, most people are below that limit. A tubed tire will pinch flat if the tire pressure is too low. What many people don’t understand is that pinch flat is telling you something. The tube is pinched when the tire is trapping the tube between the tire and the rim. You are risking impacting the rim on the ground and the result could be a damage rim. Damaged tubes are fairly cheap to fix. Damaged rims are far more involved and far more expensive. However, in Symox’s case, going from a 23mm tire to even a 28 isn’t going to result in much protection nor in a significant decrease in rolling resistance. A 28mm tire is still a very narrow tire. |
I ordered some 700x28 gatorskins. I'll keep you posted - thanks everyone!!!
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