Rain

HowItsMade

Any suggestions on how to prepare to face the rain? Equipment and gear wise.

Got my first road bike back in April, and fully prepped for cycling in nice weather after building up to spd cleats and shoes, bib shorts and a jersey but finding myself unprepared for rain.

I know there's no way of keeping myself and the bike clean but can anyone advise me on what's best to invest in first from past experience?

Worst thing i've found is the stained bib shorts and wet shoes, i've no problem with the bike getting filthy as i enjoy cleaning it so thinking of investing in overshoes first.

Zen0

Mudguards.

Gerry

I find washing bib shorts regularly is a good idea, rain or not. Otherwise, yep get overshoes, and mudguards.

Beasty

Don't fall into the trap:





As already mentioned, mudguards, overshoes and a lightweight rain resistant cape - ideally something you can fit into your back pocket. Can't really do much more.

Lumen

Mudguards are for the weak.

Dress properly and don't cycle into a puddle you can't see the bottom of

ted1

Lumen wrote: »

Mudguards are for the weak.

Dress properly and don't cycle into a puddle you can't see the bottom of

Mudguards are a common courtesy to the cyclist behind you.
And do save you from getting soaked, long after it's stopped raining. Unlike going commando which recycles the ground water to soak you and the person behind you

Hunterbiker

A breathable rain jacket that is cut for cycling, with a longer tail will help.
Overshoes
If you can't bear mudguards then you can get an ass saver butin fairness you can get some pretty small clip on mudguards and they do keep crud off you and the bike and stop you spraying people behind you

Tenzor07

Turbo trainer.

robyntmorton

1. Overshoes
2. Packable rain layer
3. Mudguards
4. New bike (you never need a reason)
5. Look up Rule V, see the rain, smile and get out there.

HowItsMade

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Turbo trainer.

mainly commuting! won't get far with the turbo trainer haha

HowItsMade

right, seems like mudguards are the way to go, thanks.

As for winter cycling do most people just bare through with shorts or would it be worth investing in full length bib shorts? not sure if they'll be restrictive or not.

smacl

HowItsMade wrote: »

right, seems like mudguards are the way to go, thanks.

As for winter cycling do most people just bare through with shorts or would it be worth investing in full length bib shorts? not sure if they'll be restrictive or not.

As a cold blooded wimp I go with long legs, base layer and decent winter jacket in the cold months. Also neoprene over shoes, winter gloves, and thin beanie under the helmet. HTFU is for the young bloods and masochists, warm and comfortable suits me way better.

Cee-Jay-Cee

HowItsMade wrote: »

right, seems like mudguards are the way to go, thanks.

As for winter cycling do most people just bare through with shorts or would it be worth investing in full length bib shorts? not sure if they'll be restrictive or not.

You will need full length winter bibs if you intend to cycle through the winter.

Wishbone Ash

ted1 wrote: »

Mudguards are a common courtesy to the cyclist behind you....

On a winter club ride certainly but in other circumstances, I don't really get this. If someone wishes to draft me on a solo ride/commute, then they must be prepared to pay the price - otherwise just back off or overtake.

To me common courtesy is applying the parking brake at night at traffic lights to avoid burning the eyes out of the motorist behind - a courtesy very few other motorists show to me.

Arcade_Tryer

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

To me common courtesy is applying the parking brake at night at traffic lights to avoid burning the eyes out of the motorist behind - a courtesy very few other motorists show to me.

Do you drive Formula 1?

Canis Lupus

At least a rear mudguard. Nothing worse than a freezing line of water hitting your crack for the length of your ride.

petethedrummer

Dress to stay warm, you'll never manage to stay dry.

Macy0161

HowItsMade wrote: »

As for winter cycling do most people just bare through with shorts or would it be worth investing in full length bib shorts? not sure if they'll be restrictive or not.

They shouldn't be any more restrictive than bib shorts, but obviously depends on how they fit you.

Not sure if it's backed by research or it's a cycling equivalent of "bro-science" but the normal advice is to cover the knees in cold weather.

C3PO

I would go for "Raceblades" or similar rather than full mudguards - I use them all year round on the commuter and take them on and off the training bike as required during the winter!

HowItsMade

Just hit the Order button on a set of Crud mudguards and dhb overshoes from wiggle, hopefully they do the job til next pay day...

gwakamoley

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

You will need full length winter bibs if you intend to cycle through the winter.

I find a pair of cheap leggings over or under my bib-shorts work well without having to fork out for expensive full length bibs...but maybe I'm just looking for my full length bibs in the wrong place!

ted1

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

ted1 wrote: »

Mudguards are a common courtesy to the cyclist behind you....

On a winter club ride certainly but in other circumstances, I don't really get this. If someone wishes to draft me on a solo ride/commute, then they must be prepared to pay the price - otherwise just back off or overtake.

To me common courtesy is applying the parking brake at night at traffic lights to avoid burning the eyes out of the motorist behind - a courtesy very few other motorists show to me.

So you cycle in the city? I wouldn't call lining up at lights as drafting. Or going along a cycle path

Sinbad_NI

Leg warmers are handy for the cold mornings and can be removed easily if it's warmer later.
I use them nearly all through winter, only needing the tights maybe for a month or so if there's a really cold snap. Hadn't gotten that cold these last few years.

Azza89

+1 on avoiding a cool stream of water to the backside, it's not the nicest but then I still haven't bought mudguards so it doesn't bother me too much

C3PO

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Leg warmers are handy for the cold mornings and can be removed easily if it's warmer later.
I use them nearly all through winter, only needing the tights maybe for a month or so if there's a really cold snap. Hadn't gotten that cold these last few years.

Knee and arm warmers this morning ... as well as shoe covers ... where did the summer go!!

Bloggsie

win the "follow summer around the world jackpot" and cycling in sunshine all year round, no need then for mudguards overshoes rain jackets etc.

Rule V, check the weather and dress accordingly and just go for it, you are going to sweat, perspire or gently glow so staying dry either way is not going to happen.

Fian

HowItsMade wrote: »

right, seems like mudguards are the way to go, thanks.

As for winter cycling do most people just bare through with shorts or would it be worth investing in full length bib shorts? not sure if they'll be restrictive or not.

Lidl/aldi occasionally do unpadded tights which are great for winter - wear them under your shorts. They are basically nylon tights like women would wear under a skirt, but they are opaque and don't look like women's tights. They may be polyester rather than nylon.

rtmie

I put one of these Topeak defenders on my bike last winter. Lads in group spin said it was angling the spray directly in their face and would I mind taking it off as no mudguard was better!
Must get race blades or equivalent for this winter.

HowItsMade

crud raceblades came today and dont fit my giant road bike running 25mm tires, not impressed.

RobertFoster

HowItsMade wrote: »

crud raceblades came today and dont fit my giant road bike running 25mm tires, not impressed.

I'm in the same boat. Have to run 23mm on my winter bike.

Macy0161

Raceblades (XL I think) fit my Giant Defy with 25mm GPSII tyres anyway.

tomasrojo

Zen0 wrote: »

Mudguards.

A mudflap on the front mudguard is very helpful too. (I've said this many times, I know.) Reduces spray to the lower legs, shoes and chain to practically nothing, if it's long enough. And that spray is where most of the filth that ends up on your legs, shoes and chain come from.

I get away without overshoes since adding a mudflap. I do wear hiking-style shoes though, which are pretty waterproof to begin with.

plodder

Surprised nobody has mentioned suitable eyewear. I'm down the country sans my usual cycling glasses, and got caught out badly on Sunday. Was wearing normal sunglasses that fogged up, couldn't see a thing and were letting the rain in from the sides. It was so bad I had to stop, wade through a field of wet grass to get shelter which meant the new overshoes I was wearing let in a load of water. :rolleyes: