Biking in the rain.

Posted by: chaz

Biking in the rain. - 08/23/08 07:22 AM

I just got my bike out of the shop yesterday and didn't go riding cause it was raining. Now it's gonna rain some more and I'm gonna go get drenched. I have no rain gear so it should be a cool ride. I need to break in the new bottom bracket. What rain gear (low to mid budget) do you recommend? I plan to add a rear rack and possibly paniers so I can carry stuff but want to keep it light. I used to ride a road bike and never carried more than a small seat bag with stuff to fix a flat. Your comments are welcome........
Posted by: TomD

Re: Biking in the rain. - 08/23/08 02:08 PM

I rode my touring bike-actually a converted mountain bike-in the rain a few times. I didn't have fenders, but they are a good idea. I think you can get relatively inexpensive plastic ones for both front and back.

I had racks with panniers and put my stuff in plastic bags. Other than that, I wore a Goretex running suit as rain gear. This was an early generation fabric, so it wasn't all that great, but it did keep me mostly dry. I also had leg and arm warmers. You can get shoe covers, which I didn't have, to keep your feet dry.

Just keep in mind roads can be quite slick, even after the rain stops. I crashed once when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to jump on the brakes to avoid them. I wasn't touring, just riding on the street. I wound up with a big patch of road rash on my thigh that took about two weeks to heal.
Posted by: altadude

Re: Biking in the rain. - 08/23/08 02:26 PM

I have been an avid bike commuter for over 18 years-rain/shine/winter/snow-coldest I ever rode was minus 20deg F (did it for bragging rights)...........

enough about me, now about you-what do you think about my biking? (Joke!)

Seriously, fenders make a BIG difference and stopping time/distance are increased.....and eyeglasses can be a problem.........but with the right rain gear and careful riding you can ride in the rain.........more of a mental thing........than a real physical thing.........

If you commute you need a place to dry off and to put your wet bike clothes.......

HTH
A
Posted by: chaz

Re: Biking in the rain. - 08/24/08 06:50 AM

I don't have to commute because my work is all over this area and I work out of my truck. It would be hard to carry lumber, tools etc on my bike even with the largest panniers I could find. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I know fenders would shed some of the water, but I was thinking of basic (caught in the rain) rain gear. Just thought someone might have suggestions on brands/costs. I've checked out bike nashbar and they have several types. Right now I'm trying to get seat time and work up to training for a century. I may not actually do the century but want to be in shape for it. I don't currently own a road bike so I don't think I'll try doing a century on my hybrid. A road bike is in my future though.
Posted by: chaz

Re: Biking in the rain. - 08/24/08 07:10 AM

I'm hip to crashing in the wet. I personaly have not had the pleasure of your experience but was riding with several people when one of them went down trying to avoid a manhole cover. We were making a sweeping left turn and one guy kinda twitched his direction strait to avoid the cover sending him down and sliding into the curb onto the sidewalk. Didn't really seem that dramatic but bent his bike, tangled him up in a wheel (also bent) and was bleeding all over the place. To my recolection, he just joined the group and was not far from his house.
Another time, (I like telling stories) when Lemond was racing. My wife and I drove to nashville to see him in an exibition race. Between races it rained slightly and the course was wet. When these guy's came barreling down a hill and tried to turn at the bottom, several went down and went sliding into the crowd. Of course they were pros and were picked up, put back on the bikes and given a shove. Racing on wet streets, with tires inflated to the max, and trying to make fast turns at the bottom of a fast hill. A combination for disaster. But, I still don't mind riding in the rain. Maybe I'll carry a trash bag. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: mugs

Re: Biking in the rain. - 09/01/08 07:57 PM

I have a PVC Jacket that I use ina pinch, but I prefure my convertable jacket to carry instead. Either way you drench yourself from the inside, but not as bad with the convertable Maybe try scoring one of those tyvek jackets that they hand out to every one before a cool morning start on a marathon or some charity rides. I have found that with bike wear you get what you pay for. Best of luck on you search.
Posted by: Trailrunner

Re: Biking in the rain. - 09/02/08 09:35 AM

Just like hiking, sooner or later you're going to get wet, either from internal sweat or external leakage. Don't fight it. Resistance is futile. You can be wet and still warm. Just keep moving.

Exceptions: Very short rides and very cold temps. Of course if it's very cold it won't be raining, it will be snowing and that's another animal.
Posted by: alanwenker

Re: Biking in the rain. - 09/02/08 11:08 AM

Rain gear - yes if it's cold enough. Anything cheap will do. However, I can't say enough good things about fenders. If you ride in the rain they are worth their weight in gold and then some. In addition to fenders, a mud flap is also worth the weight and cost. I got mine here.
http://www.velo-orange.com/fenders.html
Posted by: nimby

Re: Biking in the rain. - 10/05/08 09:22 AM

OK, so you beat my minus 6 degree record (I did not know the temp until I got to work and someone was horrified that I had biked in that. My eyes water in the cold and my eyelashes were freezing to my glasses).

Fenders are well worth whatever the weight or cost. Only the tips of my shoes ever get a bit of spray from the edge of the fenders. I just upgraded to an oversized Marmot Precip and am very happy with the increased comfort (love those pit zips) over the second hand get-ups I had tried. I got a pair of coated nylon rain pants second hand (but new) and after one use (it finally rained here) I may spring for a breathable pair if anyone says they will actually breathe during exertion. I don't think any modifications I had planned will make much of a difference in the coated pants.

I have a Bell Metropolis helmet with rain shield that I like, but the hood on the precip is large enough to go over the helmet. The rain shield stays on for the season once I put it on, since it is difficult to get on, and it makes the helmet hotter than I like in nonrainy spring and fall temps.
Posted by: Earthling

Re: Biking in the rain. - 10/16/08 12:22 PM

Riding in the rain sucks if you enjoy biking on regular days when the weather is nice. That said I did a considerable amount of foul weather riding in my day. One Winter I commuted 10 miles each way to work in the snow and slush, right alongside traffic on a 2 lane road. Looking back now that was'nt foolish, it was downright dangerous and I'm lucky I did'nt get killed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Zefal fenders with mudflaps, check!

Helmet with rain cover, check!

Shoes with overboots, check!

Decent waterproof insulated gloves, check!

Wool long johns with poly shirt and pants over, Check!

Light breathable jacket and pants set from Nashbar, check!

Head examined, dang! I knew I had forgotten something before I left home! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

A) there is no way around sweating if you are riding a bike, especially in foul weather, so get used to it.

B) it can be extremely dangerous regardless of the traffic load on the streets you ride.

C) Get wet weather tires for your bike from nashbar. They make a difference in your traction!

I spent well on a few thousand dollars during my biking days and it was all a good investment to my enjoyment of riding. I did a few roundtrips across America, and on the Eastern Seaboard amongst all the rest. Now I have only a few touring books left on my shelves after giving away the bike stuff due to a bad back.
Posted by: Sleddoggin

Re: Biking in the rain. - 03/30/09 02:57 PM

Usually when it's raining, I still go out and ride - with my dog. We use trails though, so not much danger of car traffic. Most times I'll just wear shorts and T-Shirt, then take a nice warm shower when I get home. ;-)
Posted by: junial007

Re: Biking in the rain. - 01/25/10 07:29 AM

Hi

in rain biking is full of excitement ,you can get fun by biking in rain .
I love bikikg
cheers!

College Comforter
Posted by: chndlr04

Re: Biking in the rain. - 05/04/10 08:08 PM

i have a poncho rolled and tucked under my behind the seat water rack(for 3 bottles) and i wear goretex jammers. i dont bother wearing my glasses when it rains.

tip for emergency helmet rain cover, find a good sized shower cap, i got mine at the dollar store.