Soggy racers, I need a little help
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Soggy racers, I need a little help
Living in the desert I dont have to worry about rain to much(like once or twice all spring/summer) the races in nor-cal this weekend look to be in for some bad weather, what do you change for crits in the rain? More air, less, different tires or just run what ya brung?
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A little less air will help with traction.
Since you're doing crits, I would recommend taking corners on the inside. If someone loses it on a corner they will take out everyone outside them.
Since you're doing crits, I would recommend taking corners on the inside. If someone loses it on a corner they will take out everyone outside them.
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Little less air if you're going to do it.
Personally, I don't race Crits in the rain. There are lots of races, no one pays me to do this, its not fun for me, and the added danger makes it an easy decision. So I'd ask, why do you want to do it?
About the only way I think I'd race a crit in the rain is if it was part of an omnium, and I was doing well in the overall.
Personally, I don't race Crits in the rain. There are lots of races, no one pays me to do this, its not fun for me, and the added danger makes it an easy decision. So I'd ask, why do you want to do it?
About the only way I think I'd race a crit in the rain is if it was part of an omnium, and I was doing well in the overall.
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Originally Posted by jrennie
Living in the desert I dont have to worry about rain to much(like once or twice all spring/summer) the races in nor-cal this weekend look to be in for some bad weather, what do you change for crits in the rain? More air, less, different tires or just run what ya brung?
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keep your fingers away from the brake levers while cornering.
If you need to slow in the corners, slow first, take your fingers away from the levers, and accelerate out. If you brake in a corner you're much more likely to slide if it's wet, especially if there are things like paint stripes or manhole covers.
And if you flat and get a neutral wheel, don't count on it having the same traction as the ones you brought-- I found that out the hard way last summer.
If you need to slow in the corners, slow first, take your fingers away from the levers, and accelerate out. If you brake in a corner you're much more likely to slide if it's wet, especially if there are things like paint stripes or manhole covers.
And if you flat and get a neutral wheel, don't count on it having the same traction as the ones you brought-- I found that out the hard way last summer.
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Originally Posted by DrWJODonnell
Rain? Attack. No one likes to chase in the rain.
Thats the plan for the next rainy crit. Off the front or out the back - but I'm not playing the wait for someone else to crash in front of me so I can go to the hospital and wreck my frame/wheels/helmet/face game again this year
#9
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I did that in my first crit you know. I also went down after skidding on a manhole cover. Went from being off the front to being off the back in 5 seconds
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Originally Posted by DrWJODonnell
Rain? Attack. No one likes to chase in the rain.
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Originally Posted by timmhaan
yep - rainy day races often turn out to be really fast. someone will attack so it might as well be you.
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Yep, rainy crits break up really fast, which is safer anyway. But, you might as well be the one in the front and not the one off the back or chasing.
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Originally Posted by TheKillerPenguin
I did that in my first crit you know. I also went down after skidding on a manhole cover. Went from being off the front to being off the back in 5 seconds
I try not to go so hard in the corners and keep my bike as upright as possible. "Hanging off" works well, but not too well if you need to pedal through the corner. Other than that, standard crit racing tips apply.
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Originally Posted by TheKillerPenguin
I did that in my first crit you know. I also went down after skidding on a manhole cover. Went from being off the front to being off the back in 5 seconds
Stay in front!
#15
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Originally Posted by TheKillerPenguin
I did that in my first crit you know. I also went down after skidding on a manhole cover. Went from being off the front to being off the back in 5 seconds
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1