How does it work?
AI Tire Recommendations
RideCast uses AI to analyze weather and road conditions, then recommends the optimal tire setup for your ride.
Tire Width
Wider tires provide more grip and comfort on loose or wet surfaces. The AI considers:
- •Current and recent precipitation
- •Ground conditions (wet, muddy, dry)
- •Temperature and frost risk
Tread Pattern
The tread pattern affects grip and rolling resistance:
Slick - Fast on dry, hard surfaces
File tread - Good all-round grip
Semi-slick - Fast center, grip on corners
Knobby - Maximum grip in mud and loose gravel
Tire Pressure
Lower pressure increases grip and comfort but may risk pinch flats. The AI balances:
- •Surface conditions (lower for loose/wet)
- •Temperature (adjust for cold)
- •Tire width (wider = lower pressure possible)
Studded Tires
When ice risk is detected, the AI warns about the need for studded tires:
- •Snow depth > 0 cm
- •Ground temperature below 0°C
- •Freezing rain (weather codes 56, 57, 66, 67)
- •Ice risk in shaded areas on gravel roads
Equipment Recommendations
Beyond tires, RideCast analyzes what gear you need:
Mudguards
Gravel roads stay wet much longer than asphalt. The AI checks recent weather history:
- •Below 3°C: Roads take 4-5+ days to dry
- •3-8°C: Takes 3-4 days to dry
- •8-15°C: Takes 2-3 days to dry
- •Above 15°C: Takes 1-2 days to dry
- •Melting snow = always wet
Rain Gear
The AI looks at precipitation over your entire 2-hour ride window:
NO: No rain expected
SHELL JACKET: Light rain, ≤2mm total
RAIN SUIT: Heavy rain, >2mm total
Perceived Temperature
We calculate how it actually feels when cycling at 20 km/h, accounting for wind chill and humidity.
Below 10°C: Wind Chill formula (NWS)
10-27°C: Steadman Apparent Temperature
Above 27°C: Heat Index (humidity effect)
Data Sources
- •Weather data: Open-Meteo API
- •AI analysis: Google Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite (OpenRouter)