Wet Breaks

Brego888

Im a bit of a beginner in long distance cycling having only taken it up since the start of the year. Did my longest run yet this afternoon at just over 52km.
Needless to say i was soaked to the skin as there was some really heavy downpours around the Wicklow area all day.

Which brings me to my question. On the last 3rd my breaks were practically useless due to the heavy rain on the roads. Quite dangerous actually. I had the front and rear brakes clamped fully on descents for fear of not being able to stop at the bottom. I did stop at a garage and dry off the pads and tyre rims but through the next big puddle it was as bad as ever.
Couldn't wait to get home and was delighted to see the next hill coming!


Any advice on how to manage this?
Or is it just proceed with caution as its unavoidable?
Im using a run of the mill Focus Variado road bike.

Dotsie~tmp

Some of the more expensive brake pads are better in the rain but you need to extend your zone of awareness much further in front and use more caution.

Jawgap

Assuming you're not talking kit-kats (:))......I'd recommend these brake pads....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42658

doozerie

I wasn't sure what to expect based on the thread title, and now that I'm in here I'd have to say I'm both relieved (appropriately enough) and disappointed.


(...but yes, better brake pads are probably what you need. Some of the Shimano pads I've found good, or green SwissStop ones, but there are quite a few other good choices too).

Brego888

Ah yes, my spelling error in the title

Well i suppose better breaks brakes look like the answer.
Id imagine mine are pretty basic.