One approach toward evaluating the braking capability of a bicycle in wet weather involves riding tests in which the stopping distance of the bicycle with wet brakes is measured from a preselected initial speed. The results of some domestic and foreign riding tests of this kind are reviewed. It is found that the amount of water available at the brake surfaces, above some small minimum, is not significant. There are some sparse data that suggest that the manner of wetting (e.g. hose, through or rain may affect the test results but this evidence is questionable due to the uncharacterised influences of other test parameters.
Abstract