Originally Posted by
phillyrider
Steel wheels are not a problem in the rain. Wet trolley tracks are...I've spent the past 2-3 months getting over a broken elbow. I ride steel rims in the rain, in the dark, and in the light snow - yet somehow survive.
Like most things you figure out stopping distance & speed. It's what helmets are for...
Or railroad tracks on a frosty morning! The rail is iced but the surrounding pavement is not.
I think it's safe to say that wet steel rims do not brake as well as wet aluminum ones, but I agree with Philly, good use of the eyes and mind can keep you safe.
It takes a moment when braking a wet rim for the brake pad to squeeze away the water on the rim surface. After it does this, the pad is bearing on mostly dry rim surface. I've noticed such a delay on aluminum rims as steel, but it seems to be longer for steel. You need to brake sooner.
As in a lot of other topics, negative aspects can become exaggerated out of proportion. I usually think this is done by people who only have hearsay to go on.