Advocacy & Safety - need guidance on tires / wheels for safety

Hi - took a really bad fall recently the day after just changing to lighter wheels (from mavic open pro to campagnolo) and tires (from grand prix to diamante pro)... i was going around a corner in dry conditions at about 20mph and the wheel just slipped out from under me.

i wouldn't have thought this would matter - but does anyone have any advice for me? a bit afraid to go out again with the same equipment...

thanks!

Was there gravel or sand? Bumps? Tap the brakes? Tires had enough pressure?

Thanks for the reply...

no, actually on pavement - on a trail... was a pretty big curve but others behind me didn't have any problem... tire pressure was good, and it was the first time out with the new tires / new wheels... any thoughts? does a much lighter set of wheels affect stability?

Hmm... not sure what to say, really. I haven't had my tires just slip out from under me for no reason at all. I've gone out on a short ride with a rear tire that was way too low, and it felt pretty squirrelly on any corner; I've had a close call when my wheel skipped over a bump and the rear briefly skidded sideways a few inches.

Of course, they say that if you haven't crashed, you ain't ridin' hard enough. :p

Next time, take the turn at 19 mph!

Mold release agents still on the tire, perhaps?

You might have worn them off of the center ridge, but I bet when you leaned into the turn, you had nothing but mold release on the tire's contact patch.

Gotta take it easy when riding on fresh rubber. ;)

I don't think the lighter wheels would be the cause, but different tires and new tires may be it. Some tires have harder rubber compounds that can effect traction. Do the research on the tires manufacturers web site and see if there is a difference.

That is why I go slow on curves and corners.
No Falls.

That is why I go slow on curves and corners.
No Falls.

now that you said that, its going to happen your next time out....

The road forum guys will probably know more about equipment of this type than we will.

That is why I go slow on curves and corners.
No Falls.

Definition of "go slow." Without said definition, this statement serves little purpose and makes little sense.

-Kurt

Definition of "go slow." Without said definition, this statement serves little purpose and makes little sense.

-Kurt

Agreed.

Slow is an ambiguous term; thus, your statement is not scientifically sound. :p

"Slow enough".

How's that? ;)

Definition of "go slow." Without said definition, this statement serves little purpose and makes little sense.

-Kurt

Go Slow Means No Falls.