On my commute to work, I have ride accross 2 large railroad tracks. (each crossing has several tracks) Everytime I go over the tracks, I'm concerned about potential damage to my tires/wheels caused by heavy bumping over the grooves between the rails and the concrete poured between them. Is it something I should worry about? Thanks.

I've gone over rough RR tracks many, many times with my 10 yo Trek 5500. No damage has ever occured.

Now, if it were a Walmart bike... but that belongs on a different thread.

I'd imagine with a good quality, properly built bike a pinch flat would be the worst that could happen.

That's precisely why I like riding my cro-mo touring bike when commuting.... I can just hop over the tracks and not have to worry about the rims failing.

I failed to mention that my bike is Novara Randonee touring bike. So, I'm relieved now.

Yeah, the wheels on your Novara should be able to handle it, they're made beefier than regular road wheels. There's one track I have to cross on my commute where I do really have to hop it since there's an 8" groove between the concrete and the rail, and if I don't pull up it whacks it pretty hard. Mostly just don't want to risk a pinch flat.

Should be fine. I crossed a heap of them on my tour of Tasmania fully loaded (not to mention a heap of cattle grids -- which are much worse) without any problems. If you think railway tracks are bad, come and do some riding on Queensland "roads" for a while.

I cross a set of three adjacent tracks on my commute. Most days I get off and walk across. Being a heavy person, I figure riding across can't be good for my wheels.

If you're worried about damage to your wheels, the best stategy for crossing the tracks is to stand up (i.e., get off the saddle), hold the bars lightly in your hands, and let the bike "float" over the tracks.

Yes, buddy, be careful, there. But it's more about falling than anything else. In my neck of the woods,
those wooden boards around the tracks can be slippery in the rain.

i have a Specialized 04 Sirrus, and i just get off the bike and roll the bike over it. actually everytime i see some glass, wood, sharp pebbles or any debri, i just slow down and stand up to let the bike roll over, or i just hit the brake and walk it over it. before with my rockhopper, i didn't care, cuz the tires are beefy, but with the sirrus.. the tires are very thin, so i worry... plus my baby is almost 1 week old.

Yes, I think that's good strategy, I think. I also slow down at the same time. However, climbing the steep hill right after the tracks becomes little more challenging because I lose the speed momentum. On my commute, crossing the tracks is the only time I wish I was riding a mountain bike.

I cross one set of tracks that only has one track and i have found that i can unweight the bike by thorwing my weight upwards as i approach. I use enough speed to carry my bike across the tracks, and try to reweight it as i am coming down th other small decline on the other side. I haven't damaged a wheel yet