Biking in the Rain

Charbert

I have a new Carbon bike I recently put together with all 105 parts that I would like to keep out of the rain.

My older Aluminum bike with carbon fork I want to use when I know it might rain on a ride so I can still bike and get a good workout.

I planned to put some wider (25's - 28'ers) on it for the rain, but I am not really sure what else I might need to do to make the bike perform better in rain? Is there a recommended type of brake style (disc) that would perform in rain better? Any suggestions as to what I might want to do to the bike to make it more water-proof.

As far as biking cloths, I just planned to wear what I normally do as I do not care if I get wet. Is there anything I should consider instead?

ayjaycee

I've read this twice and still can't work out whether or not it's serious!

Garry H

Don't do it! Stay indoors.

fat daddy

Full length mud guards ... Look crap, do wonders for keeping crap off you and the bike

Lights .... Other road users have limited visibility, stand out

Glasses ... Rain at 20mph kills your eyes

Disk brakes do help, but can squeal like a scared pig ... sometimes it's nicer to have quiet poor rim brakes

Cleaning bits, lube, rags, sheet to put your bike on when you get back, it's going to be filthy

chrisaonabike

Charbert wrote:

Any suggestions as to what I might want to do to the bike to make it more water-proof.

Gotta coat it in this stuff, surely.

pilot_pete

Charbert wrote:

Any suggestions as to what I might want to do to the bike to make it more water-proof?

Err, I think you will find your bike is already waterproof. Do you mean more weatherproof, I.e. less liable to suffer the ill effects of bad weather?

28mm tyres are a good idea, something more puncture prof is to be recommended too.

Guards are great, especially if you are going to ride in a group. Also consider fitting some home made mud flaps to your guards as guards generally won't stop following riders getting soaked by spray off your back wheel. A front mud flap helps protect your feet from road spray.

A decent set of lights is a must and I would personally have a backup mini flasher for the front and a second rear (mine is on my helmet).

The other thing is to make sure it is in good working order, as like punctures you want to avoid unwanted stops in the cold and wet. Since a mate crashed and had to wait some 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive I now carry a space blanket wrapped up in my saddle bag.

The rest is following the old adage that there is no such thing as bad weather, merely bad kit choice so make sure you have some decent winter clothing and appropriate winter footwear to keep yourself comfortable in the conditions.

PP

sloppyschleckonds

Garry H wrote:

Don't do it! Stay indoors.

Good advise

kingrollo

A peak cap (or cycling cap) under your helmet - keeps a staggering amount of rain of your specs.

Once your so wet - getting even more wet doesn't seem like a big deal !!!

step83

Waterproof socks, or overshoes, nothing worse than wet feet.

Garry H

Step83 wrote:

Waterproof socks, or overshoes, nothing worse than wet feet.

Apart from waterproof socks that are full of water.

SoloOwners

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Don't do it! Stay indoors.

Good advise

Hi. Dale from PA, USA here. Nubee.
I gotta say, unless you're doing a cross continent race or something like that...
Sloppy's right. Rainy days is what my indoor stationary bike is for. And my Eliptical. And my classic Marcy EM-1.

pblakeney

fat daddy wrote:

Glasses ... Rain at 20mph kills your eyes

Peaked cap unless your glasses have wipers.

godders9

I got caught in something of a mini monsoon yesterday and I'm glad I've got glasses and gloves on order because struggling to see whilst also struggling to grip the handlebars wasn't fun!

step83

Garry H wrote:

Step83 wrote:

Waterproof socks, or overshoes, nothing worse than wet feet.

Apart from waterproof socks that are full of water.

Touche

I have sealskins for winter usually get by OK.

fat daddy

PBlakeney wrote:

Peaked cap unless your glasses have wipers.

its sacrilege I know, but when its peeing down with rain, wearing an MTB helmet with a peaked visor is so much nicer than wearing a road helmet

pblakeney

fat daddy wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

Peaked cap unless your glasses have wipers.

its sacrilege I know, but when its peeing down with rain, wearing an MTB helmet with a peaked visor is so much nicer than wearing a road helmet

Rain is unpredictable here. Could be unexpectedly persistent, or unexpectedly non-existent.
Easier to put a cap in your pocket than a helmet. No, I won't wear a peaked helmet.

bompington

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

Charbert wrote:

Any suggestions as to what I might want to do to the bike to make it more water-proof.

Gotta coat it in this stuff, surely.

Oh my goodness, I want some of this. Preferably in industrial quantities.