Winter brake effectiveness - steel wheels vs aluminum?
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Winter brake effectiveness - steel wheels vs aluminum?
My winter bike is a department-store MTB. I've put some better-quality canti brakes on it, but am still running the stock chromed-steel rims. In your opinion, how much improvement in braking would I get out of switching to aluminum / alloy rims, especially in wet conditions? It's gonna be a slushy winter...
Thanks!
-chris
Thanks!
-chris
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You're taking your life in your hands every time you go out with those steel wheels. In the wet, you might as well have no brakes at all.
But since new wheels will cost more than the bike is worth, you might as well buy new wheels with a decent bike attached to them.
RichC
But since new wheels will cost more than the bike is worth, you might as well buy new wheels with a decent bike attached to them.
RichC
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Training: 2002 Fuji Roubaix Pro (105 triple)
Commuting/Daytripping: 2001 Airborne Carpe Diem (Ultegra/XTR, touring wheels)
Commuting/Touring: 2000 Novara Randonee (Sora/Tiagra/LX, fenders, lights)
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Originally Posted by Rich Clark
But since new wheels will cost more than the bike is worth, you might as well buy new wheels with a decent bike attached to them.
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If you have a throw-away bike mentality, why not buy a dept. store bike with alloy wheels? Probably won't cost much more than a replacement wheelset.
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When i first read this, I thought it was a joke.... HAHAHA!! Dude, you need to get rid of those chrome wheels, you're gonna get killed.
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Sounds like a pretty unanimous opinion!
Thanks, all!
Thanks, all!
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When those steel rims freeze up from the water, just lower your seatpost enough so that you can reach the ground with your feet to stop...ala Flintstone style!
Either that or make one of those old 1900's foot brakes that puts pressure on the tire and not the rim.
Jay
Either that or make one of those old 1900's foot brakes that puts pressure on the tire and not the rim.
Jay
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I remember the excitement of steel rims in the rain....
it's not a nostalgia thing.
Alloy rims are so much better for reliable braking in the wet - this is a serious safety issue. Of course, how you spend your money is up to you
Cheers,
Ed
it's not a nostalgia thing.
Alloy rims are so much better for reliable braking in the wet - this is a serious safety issue. Of course, how you spend your money is up to you
Cheers,
Ed
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Al rim wheels are so cheap, there is no excuse for riding steel. My old mid-range sports bike had steel, I still ride it occasionally but its nowhere near as safe. Even really low-end junk MTB come with Al rims.
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Originally Posted by MichaelW
Al rim wheels are so cheap, there is no excuse for riding steel. My old mid-range sports bike had steel, I still ride it occasionally but its nowhere near as safe. Even really low-end junk MTB come with Al rims.
Anyway, thanks everyone for your help! I'm still new enough at this to have very little experience in bad weather... thanks for setting me straight!
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Maybe you can find someone that can hit those chrome wheels with a sandblaster. It will add an abrasive surface for your brakes to grab unto
BTW,nothing wrong with a department store or beater bike,especially when combined with salvation army clothing.
Regards.
BTW,nothing wrong with a department store or beater bike,especially when combined with salvation army clothing.
Regards.