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why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:10 am
by PawPaw
that's the question. probably been addressed multiple times, but I am questioning the conventional reasons, those being:

- rain washes glass and sharp stones to the shoulder.
- more sharp stones carried onto road with mud.
- tires are softer and more prone to glass penetration.

the first two sound plausible, but not so much the third.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:14 am
by hosko
A forth possibility would be that the rain prevents you from being able to see the glass as clear as a dry day, so instead of riding around it, you hit it.

Maybe...

why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:18 am
by kb
My guess is surface tension of the water on the tire lets small objects adhere for longer.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:59 am
by Comedian
kb wrote:My guess is surface tension of the water on the tire lets small objects adhere for longer.
Yep...I'm plus one on that!

I also think that the water acts as a lubricant for the glass to cut it's way through.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:44 am
by il padrone
Yep, sharp fragments stick more when your tyres are wet.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:38 am
by mitzikatzi
Comedian wrote:..snip..

I also think that the water acts as a lubricant for the glass to cut it's way through.
+1 :shock:

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:28 pm
by PawPaw
I raised this topic because we were talking with some Uni of Qld racers yesterday after Nundah Dome, and they said 7 A graders had punctures either riding over or during their crit race. We also had punctures in our races. Never seen such a large cluster.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:43 pm
by jules21
mitzikatzi wrote:
Comedian wrote:..snip..

I also think that the water acts as a lubricant for the glass to cut it's way through.
+1 :shock:
+ 2 that's my guess

why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:30 pm
by MREJ
It always seems that there is more rubbish on the surface somehow.

why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:34 pm
by Kenzo
Comedian wrote:
kb wrote:My guess is surface tension of the water on the tire lets small objects adhere for longer.
Yep...I'm plus one on that!

I also think that the water acts as a lubricant for the glass to cut it's way through.
this comedian tells the truth...

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:34 pm
by Mulger bill
kb wrote:My guess is surface tension of the water on the tire lets small objects adhere for longer.
Not an issue with my Gators in the wet. The sideways sliding action in the turns scrapes the carp off :mrgreen:

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:10 pm
by DavidL
jules21 wrote:
mitzikatzi wrote:
Comedian wrote:..snip..

I also think that the water acts as a lubricant for the glass to cut it's way through.
+1 :shock:
+ 2 that's my guess
That is what would have allows a chip of quartz to slice through my tire yesterday where as in the dry......

- David.

why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:48 pm
by Yagan
Water acts as a cutting lubricant. When cutting any rubber it can be hard dry. Add water and knife of scissors go straight through. When cutting conveyor belt I used to use spray and wipe. The moisture makes a massive difference. Where dry rubber will roll over a stone or glass. If your tyres are wet the glass will go straight through. Try it with a old tube and scissors and see for yourself.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:14 am
by elStado
Hrm. I don't notice any difference with punctures wet or dry, as I never get them. Schwalbe Marathons here.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:57 am
by trailgumby
Mulger bill wrote:
kb wrote:My guess is surface tension of the water on the tire lets small objects adhere for longer.
Not an issue with my Gators in the wet. The sideways sliding action in the turns scrapes the carp off :mrgreen:
Yep, them goldfish are pesky critters. Although you'd think they'd make a nice snack. Maybe the 'gators are fussy about thin sharp bones. ;)

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:41 pm
by master6
Water is to rubber, as oil is to metal.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:07 pm
by wombatK
Yagan wrote:Water acts as a cutting lubricant. When cutting any rubber it can be hard dry. Add water and knife of scissors go straight through. When cutting conveyor belt I used to use spray and wipe. The moisture makes a massive difference. Where dry rubber will roll over a stone or glass. If your tyres are wet the glass will go straight through. Try it with a old tube and scissors and see for yourself.
+1. Another example: watch your windscreen wipers bump and screech if you turn them on with a dry windscreen. Or compare dragging a squeegee across a dry window v's wet window. That's why wet roads are the puncture fairies' playground.

Cheers

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:41 am
by greyhoundtom
Well there you go.............another good reason for not riding in the rain or on wet roads. :mrgreen:

Gee you guys have certainly made me feel better about being a wimp for not riding during wet and cold Melbourne winter days.

At least now I can stop using the "my CF frame will melt in the rain" or “my CF frame might crack when it is really cold” excuse. :lol:

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 11:17 am
by master6
greyhoundtom wrote:Well there you go.............another good reason for not riding in the rain or on wet roads. :mrgreen:

Gee you guys have certainly made me feel better about being a wimp for not riding during wet and cold Melbourne winter days.

At least now I can stop using the "my CF frame will melt in the rain" or “my CF frame might crack when it is really cold” excuse. :lol:
You might be the worlds best tyre changer ght; please dont be offended by my suggestion.
I have seen lots of people change tubes on the roadside, and I cringe in 90% of cases. The vast majority of people are hopeless. Last week was a typical case. My mate punctured, and I bit my tongue while he changed tubes. Five km down the road "i've got another flat" he moaned. I was not surprised.
Time to bring out one of my spare tubes for him. This time I gave my tongue an easy run, and insisted on doing the change myself. Some people might call me a smartarse; honestly, I am more comfortable being modest, but what do you do? Stuff all your spare tubes and get the cab home?

View the bit of wet weather as an opportunity to polish your tube changing game :D

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 6:40 pm
by wombatK
master6 wrote:I am more comfortable being modest, but what do you do? Stuff all your spare tubes and get the cab home?
Just another case of the "give them fish" v's "teach them to fish" argument ? Sure, the latter is lots more difficult, but
in the long run, it's more effective. Is it worth thinking of the next wet weather puncture as an opportunity to
work on some teaching skills ? And carry some good quality glueless patches to fix any pinch-flat problems etc.,.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 6:56 pm
by master6
wombatK wrote:
master6 wrote:I am more comfortable being modest, but what do you do? Stuff all your spare tubes and get the cab home?
Just another case of the "give them fish" v's "teach them to fish" argument ? Sure, the latter is lots more difficult, but
in the long run, it's more effective. Is it worth thinking of the next wet weather puncture as an opportunity to
work on some teaching skills ? And carry some good quality glueless patches to fix any pinch-flat problems etc.,.
Are you the politician with "wayward" Cabcharge Vouchers"? :D

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:08 pm
by wombatK
master6 wrote: Are you the politician with "wayward" Cabcharge Vouchers"? :D
Wish I were - then I'd never have to walk home if my teaching efforts
failed :D

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:03 pm
by tomdex
master6 wrote:
greyhoundtom wrote:Well there you go.............another good reason for not riding in the rain or on wet roads. :mrgreen:

Gee you guys have certainly made me feel better about being a wimp for not riding during wet and cold Melbourne winter days.

At least now I can stop using the "my CF frame will melt in the rain" or “my CF frame might crack when it is really cold” excuse. :lol:
You might be the worlds best tyre changer ght; please dont be offended by my suggestion.
I have seen lots of people change tubes on the roadside, and I cringe in 90% of cases. The vast majority of people are hopeless. Last week was a typical case. My mate punctured, and I bit my tongue while he changed tubes. Five km down the road "i've got another flat" he moaned. I was not surprised.
Time to bring out one of my spare tubes for him. This time I gave my tongue an easy run, and insisted on doing the change myself. Some people might call me a smartarse; honestly, I am more comfortable being modest, but what do you do? Stuff all your spare tubes and get the cab home?

View the bit of wet weather as an opportunity to polish your tube changing game :D
Perhaps you could explain what 90% of people do wrong (or could do better!) when changing a tube on the roadside?
Forgive me, but your comment proves that you are an 'arrogant smartarse' and not willing (or able) to tell your 'mate' where he could improve his skills...............

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:20 pm
by master6
tomdex wrote: you are an 'arrogant smartarse' and not willing (or able) to tell your 'mate' where he could improve his skills...............

W ait A while. I gave him a demonstration on June 10 ,2012. That was three months ago. :D

As they say, W ait A while.

Re: why more punctures on wet roads?

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:27 pm
by slipperysucker
Reminds me of a visit to W.A. They were slow, and unhelpful. $2 a day is about their value.