Handling changes at low temperatures?

[marciero]

While it's interesting to note the effect of cold on pressure (it drops!), I'd be curious about the isolated effect of cold. Yes, grip is reduced but if you are not riding near the limit that is not going to be noticeable. I think I tend to ride more conservatively in the extreme cold. I would guess, and it is only a guess, that the effect on handling would not be noticeable. Might the tires feel "harder" or even slower? Possibly but these are ride attributes more than handling.

[charliedid]

Everything changes.

[verticaldoug]

I tend to think roads in the winter are dirty, more sand/salt to pick up on the tire. Plus the road surface may or may not have a slight frost or other slickness. This is usually evident if it was very cold and then warm air comes in, condensation can form. All these little things I think have a larger cumulative impact than air pressue.

[merlinmurph]

Road or dirt? If you're riding on a good surface, why not add more pressure anyway?

[NHAero]

I'll start with more pressure the next time. My Topeak D2 SmartGauge lasted about 30-40 uses before it became a random number generator so I am relying on the pump's gauge.

What I think I noticed was a difference on initiating turn-in, a sloppiness/hesitancy/then oversteer. The latter may have been operator-induced! And it all may be in my imagination. As others said above, I was not riding hard or pushing at all, in fact, I put flat pinned pedals on so I could ride in warm enough boots. And I rode easy to avoid sweating and getting cold later in the ride. It was interesting post-ride to see how my peak HR was >30 bpm lower than the previous ride, and how even it was during the ride, showing me how I managed my output.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by NHAero

650Bx38 Gravelking slicks run at about 40-42 psi tubeless (at least, in the basement). I wonder if they cool down enough to have the pressure drop and that affects the handling. Nothing major, it just felt a bit different.

For sure.

[ctcyclistbob]

Originally Posted by Mike Bryant

Just wondering if grease in the headset (especially), bottom bracket, wheel axles, etc. might affect handling in cold weather. Most Shimano users are aware of slower shifting in cable actuated “brifters” in the cold.

Yes, my thoughts too on the headset.

[NHAero]

Food for thought, thanks. Next time I go out in cold weather (<20F, say) I'll stop and check that stuff. Certainly the Dura Ace 9120 shifters did not seem affected.

Originally Posted by Mike Bryant

Just wondering if grease in the headset (especially), bottom bracket, wheel axles, etc. might affect handling in cold weather. Most Shimano users are aware of slower shifting in cable actuated “brifters” in the cold.


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[marciero]

Originally Posted by verticaldoug

I tend to think roads in the winter are dirty, more sand/salt to pick up on the tire. Plus the road surface may or may not have a slight frost or other slickness. This is usually evident if it was very cold and then warm air comes in, condensation can form. All these little things I think have a larger cumulative impact than air pressue.

While not wanting to diminish the effect of pressure, I'd add to this the bulk of cold weather clothing, which affects road feel/feedback and likely influences perceptions of handling. My extreme set up for hands includes high loft down mitts underneath a thick outer mitt. Its like a different bike. The rest of your body being bulked up also influences riding sensations to some extent.

[NHAero]

I certainly was layered up, and was wearing Thinsulate gloves that weren't made for cycling.

Originally Posted by marciero

While not wanting to diminish the effect of pressure, I'd add to this the bulk of cold weather clothing, which affects road feel/feedback and likely influences perceptions of handling. My extreme set up for hands includes high loft down mitts underneath a thick outer mitt. Its like a different bike. The rest of your body being bulked up also influences riding sensations to some extent.

[nmrt]

Speaking for myself, I am not that "agile" while riding my bike when I have multiple layers in the cold. I feel constricted when riding in the drops, my finger do have have dexterity when inside thick gloves -- my braking suffers. But then if i remove a few layers, and also remove the gloves, I feel my bike and myself become alive again.