Wet weather Gear

thegodplato

Just wondered what is best to commute or be out at the weekend with in case it rains. I've only got a Altura waterproof jacket at the moment but wondering about pants and overshoes. Overshoes concern me as they don't seem to block off the hole in the base of my shoe - is that right? With all this rain we're having I think mudguards will help too!

farrina

Speaking generally I can say from long bitter experience that when it rains, irrespective of what you are wearing you get wet eventually!

Cycling is a compromise between getting wet on the outside and getting wet on the inside and equilibrium is usually met when you are wet inside and out.... but warm and muggy on the inside. Of course if you stop you freeze....

If you are commuting then keeping your speed deliberately slow to ensure that you do not overheat on the inside is one method. It always been a balancing act - think winters day riding up steep hill sweating profusely with effort only to freeze on the descent.

If you are a commuting cyclists then there may be a place for over trousers but I have never found them satisfactory. Personally I find my legs in a decent pair of tights look after themselves. It tends to be the extremities e.g. feet hands and head that suffer.

Overshoes are good - they rarely keep your feet entirely dry but they can keep things bearable. They normally have a hole in the bottom to allow for the shoe plate to clip to the pedal Of course if you are feeling flush you could always splash out on a pair of Sidi Hydro shoes which are designed for winter riding

Mudguards are an absolute must (I have one of my bikes with them permanently fitted) not just for you, but for anybody else you are riding with.

Regards


Alan

bobtbuilder

farrina wrote:

Of course if you are feeling flush you could always splash out on a pair of Sidi Hydro shoes which are designed for winter riding

Does anyone have personal experience of these? Are they better than a standard pair of Sidi's & overshoes? If so, how??

Cheers,

Rob

jamienorton

Ive just got in from a 15 miler in what can only be described as biblical rain. And only had a merino base and a summer jersey on my upper body, and can honestly say i was warm and comfortable. My bottom halfs another story, baggy shorts were useless, and my feet were soaked to the bone.

farrina

jamienorton wrote:

Ive just got in from a 15 miler in what can only be described as biblical rain. My bottom halfs another story, baggy shorts were useless, and my feet were soaked to the bone.

Baggy shorts (shudder) sounds like a recipe for raw thighs and frozen kn****ers

Just wait until the temperature is 10 degrees colder ... at least the crossbar will stop your knees knocking together

Time for some overshoes and proper tights me thinks.

Regards

Alan

jamienorton

farrina wrote:

jamienorton wrote:

Ive just got in from a 15 miler in what can only be described as biblical rain. My bottom halfs another story, baggy shorts were useless, and my feet were soaked to the bone.

Baggy shorts (shudder) sounds like a recipe for raw thighs and frozen kn****ers

Just wait until the temperature is 10 degrees colder ... at least the crossbar will stop your knees knocking together

Time for some overshoes and proper tights me thinks.

Regards

Alan

Yep it wasn't fun (actually it kind of was), although i set off in nice weather just got caught out. Got tights on order, and overshoes and decent socks will be ordered when payday comes.

alihisgreat

Could be worth looking at the Sportful NoRain gear -> the shorts just got a glowing review http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/clothing/shorts/lycra/product/review-sportful-norain-thermal-bib-short-12-46561

DrLex

Left field alternative?