is it me or are the roads super slippy at the mo?

700c wrote:

I'm doing the 'coast to coast in a day' in June and I know that Hardknott and Wrynose will be a huge challenge in this respect. I am not sure if it is even possible to get up those on a 34X25, let alone without the wheel slipping issue (though if that starts on a 30% incline I know it would finish me off). I am reluctant to change gearing to something like 34 X 28, which would compromise my riding in every other respect, so may have to embrace the 'walk of shame' for a few hundred yards!

I did the C2C in a day this year and had to walk Hardknott and Wrynose, on 34x25. First time I've ever had to get off and walk on the road. Lots of people had 28s, but I'm sure plenty of the people who got up it without walking didn't. I had a bit of wheelspin but it wasn't that that literally stopped me in my tracks- just too steep for me!
I've managed 25% on the same gearing before but this was that bit more!

Jimmy Ray Will wrote:

I noticed the change a few years back, but since then the roads around here have been consistently slippery as heel when salted.

I think the challenge is additives mixed with the salt to ensure it sticks to the road better... the only challenge is that it is slippery as hell for two wheeled vehicles and horses.

Makes you wonder if the councils who have started using molasses have actually done any research, any risk assessments? I would have expected the roads to have dried out weeks ago with the lack of rain, and many of the ungritted back roads have. The problem is the main routes and more so those on bus routes or industrial parks, which aren't drying, they are just accumulating more and more oil, and getting more and more dangerous.

Re: 700c I did that ride and used 34x27. I trained hard on 34x25 so I could literally find an extra gear come the big day. I don't see how it would compromise your riding to switch to, say, 12-27 instead of 11-25. There's nothing begging for an 11t on that route. Having to walk would compromise my riding!

lookmanohands wrote:

YIPPY ITS RAINING HEAVILY

Good isn't it, might actually be able to ride round corners tomorrow!!!!

700c wrote:

Goldfever4 wrote:

700c wrote:

Cridge wrote:

I'm running Gatorskins, they are 23's and they are impeccable, I have dropped the pressure down to 85 but the only slip I get is uphill (out the saddle) and hard on the brakes - I won't buy a different tyre, yes the roads are more slippery than usual but I can only tell because those I ride with keep slipping and that's on a multitude of tyres?

can anyone recommend a tyre that does not skid going up steep-ish hills when out of the saddle? or is it completely unavoidable?

I'm really struggling with this at the moment, but to be honest the same problem affects me during summer as well when the gradients get above 15% or so

I posted a topic on here before about this and consensus was my technique was poor - which I've tried to work on this by not pulling on the bars, keeping weight back etc, but still get the slipping..

What gear are you in? Sounds like your gear is quite high, cadence low, and consequently you're putting a lot of pressure at an early part of the pedal stroke.

I'd say you have 2 options, one cheap and one not so - even out the pedal stroke / put your arse back further, or get a pizza dish

Thanks all, for your responses. Gearing is 34X25 at the lowest. Inevitably when the road gets really steep my cadence drops (that could be addressed in part by fitness, I accept) - and hence I feel the need to stand up just to keep momentum.

I think the fact that I don't get this on a mountain bike would suggest either or both gearing and traction are the problem.

I'm doing the 'coast to coast in a day' in June and I know that Hardknott and Wrynose will be a huge challenge in this respect. I am not sure if it is even possible to get up those on a 34X25, let alone without the wheel slipping issue (though if that starts on a 30% incline I know it would finish me off). I am reluctant to change gearing to something like 34 X 28, which would compromise my riding in every other respect, so may have to embrace the 'walk of shame' for a few hundred yards!

Couple more thoughts:

-I've read that Gatorskins aren't the grippiest tyre. Maybe try a Continental GP 4 seasons? Similar tyre but supposed to be an improvement (I use the Gators too)
-Have you thought about adjusting the saddle backwards a bit (i.e. putting your weight further back when in the saddle)?
-I can't see any reason why moving to 12-28 would impair your cycling as much as walking would! (reiterating the point made by someone else)