Wet weather gear

philsalliss

Know that the weather is going to get progressively worse and wet can anyone suggest some reasonable priced wet gear for cycling to work. I cycle most days and am really enjoying but with the wet weather coming don't want to stop

craker

How far do you travel, how much money are we talking?

Commuting in bike specific clothing makes a big difference, lycra gets wet but doesn't get heavy.

Have you got mudguards? Most of the time water will be coming from the road.

Overshoes next. I don't mind being wet but wet feet are not at all pleasant.

Depending on how heavy the rain is, I just wear something windproof to keep the chill off, however I rode home in a downpour yesterday in my new DHB waterproof (£60 ish from Wiggle), it's heavier and less compact than some, kept me more or less dry. I've never bothered with waterproof trousers.

philsalliss

It's 7 miles so not to far. Don't mind getting wet going home but would prefer not to be putting damp kit back on again on way home. Have got some winter overshoes and a think waterproof louis garneau jacket that I got from evans.

I'll def get mudguards but don't have have fittings on my bike so I would think my choice is limited. Ideally just want some sort of cheap over suit that I can pull over normal kit if heavy rain. I have motorbikes and have an oversuit that I can wear over normal kit so something similar woud be good.

The Rookie

The trouble is you aren't working hard on a motorbike, wear anything like that while cycling and instead of getting wet from rain you sweat like mad which is worse.

I wear normal MTB shoes, MTB water resistant (not proof) shorts and a base layer T-shirt, when it rains I use a wind proof top to stop it stinging and making me cold, but still get wet, but at least I don't sweat.

tootsie323

My commute takes me xcountry, so I use a hardtail XC MTB. No guards - I have broken more than one in the past simply by falling off! For me, a fast-wicking top is sufficient - I'm going to get wet anyway and, as I wear a backpack (with a rainproof cover when needed) a rainproof jacket just retains the sweat I generate (the bteathable mesh trapped aganist the backpack). All I really need are better shorts for the rain - otherwise not a problem.

Having said all that, your route may be totally different, and none of the above is relevant at all! But I would stress not going overboard on waterproofs if you are likely to sweat. If it's all road, mudguards are a big bonus.

EDIT: asterisked part says " f a s t w i c k i n g" - obviously too close to a censored word (or two).

Kieran_Burns

The key things to remember are:

Skin is waterproof
It's not getting wet that is the problem, it's getting cold
Don't bother putting anything waterproof on your legs, at most tights, or 3/4s
Mudguards are your friend

Basically get a breathable jacket that keeps you slightly warm. I use the old eVent jacket from Wiggle (good for down to 0C in the Winter as well)
Overshoes are great if you don't have winter / waterproof shoes (I have both for the really cold days)

You *need* mudguards when it turns wet as:
You
Your drivechain
Your bike
Everyone behind you

...will suffer if you don't have them

The key to wet weather riding is staying warm, not dry and water conducts heat far more quickly than air. So keep yourself a warm layer against the skin.

Oh, and hand dryers at work dry lycra REALLY quickly

mr_eddy

In my experience mud guards are the best and only real option. I have tried lots of different water proof clothing options and they all let water in or have some other issue - Guards will keep the road water off and the rain coming down should dry pretty quickly.

Initialised

I'm with KB on this one, until it get too cold (routinely less than 10C) don't worry about anything but mud guards and overshoes. Even if it feels cold when you set off you can easily warm up in 5-10 minutes. So if you overdress you either have to slow down to reduce sweat output from soaking you from within or strip layers off mid ride which also slows you down.

As it gets colder add knee, arm and leg warmers, base layers and longer 3/4 or full tights.

Once it's cold add a decent soft shell jacket, it'll keep you warm and the worst of the wet off.

In my experience good neoprene overshoes will get you through a winter or three (if you avoid walking and never ride flat pedals in in them) and cost around £30. I've used ProRace and Endura.