kps88

I know some or most of you know how that feels (at some point anyway); how scary going downhill can be at 30+ MPH. While I realize I am new to road cycling, I never thought I would be this scared of downhills. I just feel like if I go too fast my bike will just lose control and I am done for. I ride a 2012 Secteur Comp Apex with Conti GPS4000S tires and Vuelta Corsa Lite rims. Is it the bike too?? I know many of you have Spec Roubaix bikes and the geo is the same. So could that twitchy feeling/not having control be the bike along with my fear? It really messes me up with group rides because I aleady lose space during hill climbing, but downhills also causes lost space. Any advice?

RT

Practice and repetition at speeds you are comfortable with. Over time, you will see your speed increase without discomfort. A wreck at 30+ is bad, but so is a wreck at 5+ (I tested this recently coming out of a red light). It still hurts, but with less road rash.

generalkdi

Find a hill that is safe and that you know very well and go down again and again. Stay relax, if you hang too tight on your handlebar it won't feel safe!

valygrl

Be patient with yourself, don't ride faster than you are comfortable with. Descending skill will come in time, it takes practice. Meanwhile, don't crash.

Inflate your tires correctly. Not maximum, correct PSI.

Descend in the drops, you'll have more control and better braking. Brake before corners, not in them. Corner with your outside foot down, with a lot of weight on that foot.

Ask for advice from the other riders in your group, they may see something about the way you are riding and be able to lend insight.

gregf83 

Hopefully, experience will help. It's hard to offer advice as I've been riding bikes all my life and don't recall having fear going downhill. I occasionally think about what would happen if I went down, but logically on a straight, high-speed, downhill there is very little that will cause you to crash. Most crashes occur while riding in a group and are due to interactions with other riders. Going downhill there isn't the need to be as close so the probability of having an issue is low.

On the other hand I've always found activities where there is some risk of death exciting.

svtmike

Lots of good advice so far on technique. Some specific equipment recommendations--

I personally find GP4000S to be relatively uncommunicative -- I get a better feel from a higher tpi 25mm tire (I use Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX).

SwissStop Flash (blue) brake pads are very progressive and fade resistant. They feel almost weak at low lever pressures, but they have prodigious stopping power and don't grab suddenly.

99Klein 

Ask for advice from the other riders in your group, they may see something about the way you are riding and be able to lend insight.

This^

kps88

Funny thing is I am fine hitting 30 mph on a slight decline mashing. but when its a hill...oh boy! I fell going 3 mph (if that), gotta nice little scratch on my knee. I cant imagine 30 mph.

kps88

I think gripping tight is an isue too, so I have been trying to be a bit more relaxed.

kps88

I have tried the drops and I actually feel less stable (odd??). I weigh 188-190 and my back is 110 psi and front 100 psi. I think that is good, but maybe not.

Good idea about asking other riders. Will do just that. thanks!

kps88

the Conti's are 25mm. I dont really have any experience with other tires, so not sure if that could be the reason...maybe it is.

I have Kool Stop blacks as my brake pads. Supposed to be the best...are they?

kps88

I think part of the issue is age. I am 42 and have ridden a bike on road fast since my teen years. I did a lot of MTB riding in the 90's, but not much since. I was never fearful prior. I used to love going as fast I could downhill on rocks and other debris (MTB riding), but maybe having two kids, wife and a bit of age has mellowed me??

ursle

Rode for years without a helmet, first time I wore one the thing I noticed the most was how much better I could see at speed, my head was held still aerodynamically, and the added mass seemed to dampen my eyes, the second benefit was no more sun on the noggin..
Anyway, is your helmet secured properly and centered, do you wear sunglasses are they loose, also, most(new) riders I see have their seat to high.

merlinextraligh

Once you know you can stop the bike under control if you need to, a lot of that fear should dissipate.

Go out by yourself, away from traffic (bikes or cars) and practice stopping.

Get a little speed, and brake to a stop. Push your weight back on the bike and apply the brakes firmly but smoothly.

Then repeat, adding a little speed each time.

Once you know you can stop under control, you should have less fear of the speed.

svtmike

I think it's more a function of the rubber compound. I feel much more confident with the cornering of the Vittorias, especially at speed.


I haven't tried them. I know I like the SwissStops better than Shimano pads for descending.

merlinextraligh

It feels less stable because you're not used to it, and the hoods, or tops are more in your comfort zone.

It's a matter of physics that you're more stable in the drops because of the lower center of gravity. Once you practice descending in the drops it will become second nature, and it will feel less stable descending sitting up.

kps88

good questions, yes I wear sunglasses. They are snug. They are riding glasses made by Bolle. They seem just fine and have no issue with being loose. Helmet is a Giro E2 (MTB helmet). I took off the visor and use it for road cycling, but seems just fine. Its snug and does not move around. Its old though, I bought it in 2005 and is barely used. Was thinking of getting another.
Seat height doesnt seem to be an issue. If anything, it was a bit low.

kps88

On hills? Should I go over 27-30 MPH to practice this?

kps88

I have heard great things about those tires. I actually thought about getting a set and using them both between a certain number of rides, but figured maybe just wait till I need new ones.

I also have SwisStops that originally came on my Apex brake calipers, but removed them for the KoolStop. I know its pretty easy to switch out, so I think I will try the SS for a few rides now that I am familiar with the KS.

Byt the way, I only have 427 miles under my belt. I started first week of April and go 1/2 days a week. Biggest ride has been 56 miles (avg. 16 MPH with hills..not bad I guess). I normally ride 25-40 miles on my trips. But will be off for the Summer soon (Teacher) and will ride 4-5 days a week, so maybe with more experience will be less fearful and more confident.

merlinextraligh

Yes. Someday you are going to have to stop on a hill. You need to be comfortable with doing so.

Start at a slow speed that you are comfortable with, and gradually increase your speed.

The reason 30mph downhill feels more scary than 30mph on the flats is the sense that the bike is running away from you and you can't stop.

Once you know you can bring the bike to a controlled stop, that aspect of the fear is gone.

kps88

\
OK, makes sense. I will certainly practice downhills (with little to no traffic and I do have places for that) in the drops.

kps88

"running away from you"...now that I understand. Exactly, I guess it feels like I can't stop because I am going so fast and downhill. Just need to get more confident stopping and feeling more control of the bike.

OK, the advice has been great from all. Thanks!!

Seattle Forrest

Bring your bike to a trusted mechanic and have it checked out. Knowing that everything is to spec and won't come apart while you're going down the hill at speed will give you some peace of mind.

Like Valygrl suggested, ask other members of your group to watch you head down the hill and share their thoughts on your posture and technique.

Like Merlintraligh suggested, practice stopping at speed going down hills. Knowing you can do it when you need to should make a huge difference in your confidence.

Also, the drops really are the best place for your hands to be on a descent. You have the most control over the bike here.

Practice on shallow hills, and slowly ramp up.

Will Goes Boing

Well it's completely normal for you to feel that way because A) You're in lycra, so if you go down at 30+ mph you're guaranteed a hospital visit and some nice skin grafting, and B) You've got less than an inch of rubber contacting the ground on a bike that weighs 15-20lbs so stability is non-existent.

I've dragged knee around corners on my motorcycle at 80+mph on the race track and never felt as sketchy as I have felt going 30+mph on a road bike in a straight line. I don't think it'll ever feel "comfortable" or "safe".... it's always going to be scary but I think at some point you learn to deal with it.

merlinextraligh

This is a gross overstatement. I've crashed a number of times at 30mph plus, and none of them led to a hospital visit. Heck, I've crashed at 30mph plus, taken a free lap, and finished the race.

Certainly you want to have a healthy respect for the consequences of crashing descending, but it's not like every crash is necessarily going to be debilitating.