Staying dry on the bike

veganrun

Is there any such thing as waterproof cycling tights? When I commute to work on the hybrid in the rain I have a pair of baggy overtrousers that work but they would be no good on my road bike as they will start catching/rubbing on the chain. The hybrid has a chain protector thing that the road bike doesn't.

I've enough wet weather gear to keep me dry, except for my legs and feet. I'm looking some sort of waterproof tights or something. Also waterproof shoes or something would be good although I've not got clips or anything on the bike, just normal pedals.

strmin

Gore waterproof overtrousers and overshoes for me. Kept me dry even in heavy rain.
I don't think there is such thing as waterproof tights. I would be the first to buy if there was.

What Username Guidelines

First few winters on the bike for me were spent trialling lots of overshoes/waterproof trousers, etc. In the end, especially if no clips, I found a crap old pair of runners and swimming shorts were the answer. I got a decent Altura jacket thats lasted years and the bag has a waterproof cover.

I never found anything close to waterproof, maybe it was a budget issue, but personal experience was the more waterproof the trousers, the more sweaty I became. If you've a shower in work even better, but if not, just drying water off my legs with a towel was more comfortable than waiting to cool down, drying sweat off and dealing with wet-ish runners where the overshoes hadn't done their job.

helimachoptor

I also use the minimalist approach. Light shorts and a light cycling top. Have a drying room in work but it can't handle anything heavy duty unless it's in there for a couple of days

Tigerandahalf

You can buy clips or straps to tie around the end of your waterproofs. The clips are sort of like the hairclip a girl would wear. You just push it over your leg and it will keep the trousers away from the chain. You need the waterproofs to be that bit longer. You can always fold the waist down when off the bike.

The straps often come with yellow reflective detail.

Sweating is probably the biggest issue with waterproofs. You could probably consider below knee length mountain bike waterproof shorts. The thighs would be dry but not sure if wind would blow water back in.

homer911

The number of wet days we get on the east coast is fairly minimal that it doesn't matter too much.


What killed me last winter was cold feet - getting a shower when I got into work meant that I got chilblains for the first time since I was a kid..


Anyone any recommendations for overshoes? - like the op I have regular pedals and not contemplating clip-ins

Grassey

galibier mistral bibtights. were the business last winter in the rain. A bit too heavy for current temps though.

Macy0161

veganrun wrote: »

Is there any such thing as waterproof cycling tights? When I commute to work on the hybrid in the rain I have a pair of baggy overtrousers that work but they would be no good on my road bike as they will start catching/rubbing on the chain. The hybrid has a chain protector thing that the road bike doesn't.

The reflective ankle bands may work for the baggy trousers, aldi and lidl normally have them in the autumn. That's going to be the first of a few aldi and lidl recommendations from me...

If not clipping in, I'd look at hiking shoes or maybe some mtb flat shoes. I have cheaper (in the scheme of things) shimano mtb flats that are pretty warm and pretty waterproof (flap over the laces)

I've a few overshoes on order from ali to try, but they haven't arrived yet. I haven't found the brand ones to last any longer than the cheap ones - walking in them kills all of them, but that's unavoidable for me.

Aldi quite regularly have neoprene socks in their fishing gear - I've used them in the rain, but galibier fire feet were the business for me last winter. Cold days I had them, and then a pair of aldi rip off of seal skins waterproof socks (normally in their hiking gear) plus over shoes! I aim to stay warm rather than dry.

silverharp

I asked a similar question a while back and someone mentioned cutting down a pair of willies, as it happens I have a pair of old sailing boots which just go above a few inches above the ankle, I might dig them out. Ive been using sandals over the summer but they will be put away soon, nothing worse than a wet pair of runners

cdaly_

veganrun wrote: »

Is there any such thing as waterproof cycling tights?

Rain Legs do the job nicely. Rolls up into a belt so out of the way until the rain starts. Also works as slight insulation for the thighs/knees.

Also waterproof shoes or something would be good although I've not got clips or anything on the bike, just normal pedals.

SPD sandals work nicely. They get wet when it rains and they dry out as quickly when it stops. They work with ordinary pedals as they come with a plain insert in the cleat recess. I use them winter and summer...

Annie get your Run

I bought a pair of waterproof cycling socks in Aldi last year, best purchase I ever made, have been looking for a 2nd pair ever since! They don't keep your runners dry but they certainly keep your feet dry so the wet runners don't matter. I also bought a pair of overshoe covers in Sports Direct and they fit over my smaller runners for the very very wet days.

I find the Altura tights the best in the rain, they're not 100% waterproof but enough to stop you being cold and uncomfortable.

silverharp

waterproof socks, genius , will look on line for them , might be just the ticket

Kissy Lips

homer911 wrote: »

The number of wet days we get on the east coast is fairly minimal that it doesn't matter too much.


What killed me last winter was cold feet - getting a shower when I got into work meant that I got chilblains for the first time since I was a kid..


Anyone any recommendations for overshoes? - like the op I have regular pedals and not contemplating clip-ins

Mostly true but there was a stretch after the snow in March through April where it rained heavy and constant every day. Then it stopped and we had 4 months of sunshine. I just got the bus during the rain. I don't mind the rain, but I hate putting on wet clothes that haven't dried to cycle back home.

mrcheez

cdaly_ wrote: »

Rain Legs do the job nicely. Rolls up into a belt so out of the way until the rain starts. Also works as slight insulation for the thighs/knees.

SPD sandals work nicely. They get wet when it rains and they dry out as quickly when it stops. They work with ordinary pedals as they come with a plain insert in the cleat recess. I use them winter and summer...

hmm ... wouldn't fancy having the foot/toes exposed like that especially when the road gets slippy and you end up falling

dastardly00

silverharp wrote: »

I asked a similar question a while back and someone mentioned cutting down a pair of willies, as it happens I have a pair of old sailing boots which just go above a few inches above the ankle, I might dig them out. Ive been using sandals over the summer but they will be put away soon, nothing worse than a wet pair of runners

:eek::eek::eek: :pac:

cdaly_

mrcheez wrote: »

hmm ... wouldn't fancy having the foot/toes exposed like that especially when the road gets slippy and you end up falling

I've done that in sandals. Toes were not the problem...

Wintertime I add a pair of Sealskinz waterproof thermal socks. If they get wet (water will run down your leg) they're easy to turn inside out to dry before the return trip.

Macy0161

silverharp wrote: »

waterproof socks, genius , will look on line for them , might be just the ticket

It's still mainly for warmth - the rain will get in. What you have above them may delay that, and duration of spin.

07Lapierre

Human skin is waterproof!

monkeybutter

cdaly_ wrote: »

I've done that in sandals. Toes were not the problem...

Wintertime I add a pair of Sealskinz waterproof thermal socks. If they get wet (water will run down your leg) they're easy to turn inside out to dry before the return trip.

have you any pics of this setup?

Annie get your Run

Macy0161 wrote: »

It's still mainly for warmth - the rain will get in. What you have above them may delay that, and duration of spin.

So far, and I've had a fair few bad soakings since buying them, my feet have remained 100% dry in those socks, they are brilliant. Of course everywhere else is soaked through but dry feet is pure happiness .

cdaly_

monkeybutter wrote: »

have you any pics of this setup?

frayed knot.

Maybe as winter sets in...

veganrun

Someone in my club suggested these and said they were good.

Anyone tried them? Sorry about the link, I'm on the phone.

https://www.gorewear.com/uk/en-uk/gore-c3-thermo-bib-tights-100326.html?dwvar_100326_color=9908&cgid=gw_men_clothing_tights#start=6&cgid=gw_men_clothing_tights

Thud

veganrun wrote: »

Someone in my club suggested these and said they were good.

Anyone tried them? Sorry about the link, I'm on the phone.

https://www.gorewear.com/uk/en-uk/gore-c3-thermo-bib-tights-100326.html?dwvar_100326_color=9908&cgid=gw_men_clothing_tights#start=6&cgid=gw_men_clothing_tights

they don't have a pad, not sure if you need one or not

veganrun

Thud wrote: »

veganrun wrote: »

Someone in my club suggested these and said they were good.

Anyone tried them? Sorry about the link, I'm on the phone.

https://www.gorewear.com/uk/en-uk/gore-c3-thermo-bib-tights-100326.html?dwvar_100326_color=9908&cgid=gw_men_clothing_tights#start=6&cgid=gw_men_clothing_tights

they don't have a pad, not sure if you need one or not

Doh, didn't realise that!

Wishbone Ash

Kissy Lips wrote: »

.... I don't mind the rain, but I hate putting on wet clothes that haven't dried to cycle back home.

If I know it's going to be very wet, I just take dry gear for the commute home.

Stuff shoes with newspaper which will absorb most of the wetness during the day.

As has been said, it doesn't rain near as much as people think. I'd say 90% of my commutes are not wet.

veganrun

I got soaked again yesterday evening on a training run. I have a waterproof jacket and gloves so my top half was grand, it was from the waist down that suffered. I just had tights, normal socks and runners. I think I will have to look about some waterproof shoes or something and maybe just wear my pullover waterproof trousers over tights or something with some things around the ankles to stop them flapping about, but they are quite baggy.

rubadub

I have an e-biike, one of the huge benefits is that I can use cheap n nasty waterproof gear, which usually is truly 100% waterproof, rather than the expensive breathable stuff which is not. I have stuff intended for motorbikes/mopeds.

Just lower my speed a bit, as I would anyway in rain, and there is no sweating even in the "plastic bag" gear.

veganrun

I bought a pair of waterproof pullover trousers with shoe covers built in yesterday. They were about £15. Hopefully they will do.

Macy0161

I mentioned in the aldi thread, I used the over trousers from there on Friday morning to go to a meeting (so suit trousers) and they did the job. That time they also did over shoes for "normal" shoes. They also did the job, and kept the bottom of the trousers tight.

tomasrojo

If you already have proper long mudguards, a mudflap on the front mudguard makes a surprisingly large difference.

I more or less followed the instructions here:
http://phred.org/~alex/bikes/fendermudflap.html

If you're crafty, you can probably make something that doesn't look awful.

silverharp

i dont find any issues with not having a mud guard on the front, on the back i have a carrier so i just leave an old pair on rolled up waterproofs so i dont get in in the back and hair. i think its dumb though that they are considered an add on for commuter bikes

Canis Lupus

Annie get your Run wrote: »

So far, and I've had a fair few bad soakings since buying them, my feet have remained 100% dry in those socks, they are brilliant. Of course everywhere else is soaked through but dry feet is pure happiness .

I bought waterproof socks and they were great at keeping the water out.

Then when then water ran down my legs and got into the sock via that route they were great at keeping the water in.

Ditched em after that.

AndrewJRenko

silverharp wrote: »

i think its dumb though that they are considered an add on for commuter bikes

Mudguards aren't an add-on for commuter bikes. The problem is that most people don't buy commuter bikes - bikes with mudguards, rack, dynamo, kick-stand. They buy light hybrid bikes and then spray crap all over their fellow commuters and wear sweaty backpacks.

tomasrojo

I think a lot of people buy knock-off pseudo-sport/mountain bikes for about €300, so you don't really get well set up for commuting (or sport, obviously).

It doesn't help that proper mudguards (not ass-savers/filth prophylactics) are a bit hard to add on yourself. Harder than lights or a basket, for example.

tomasrojo

I was only noticing yesterday, though, how many more "Dutch" bikes there are around Dublin now.

Macy0161

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Mudguards aren't an add-on for commuter bikes. The problem is that most people don't buy commuter bikes - bikes with mudguards, rack, dynamo, kick-stand. They buy light hybrid bikes and then spray crap all over their fellow commuters and wear sweaty backpacks.

In fairness, I do think security of where you are leaving it comes into play too.

My winter bike does have full mudgards, rack, and I'm going to add a dynamo hub. However, for day to day commutes/ into town for meetings, I'm really not sure the work bike parking or drury street is that secure. In work in particular I've considered upping my locks to the top krptonite ones, but then I looked at what I was locking it too... So a dynamo hub replaces the headache of drained batteries, but is replaced by a headache about whether the bike is still going to be there!

The beater does have rack (really hate backpacks), and will be getting mudguards too in coming weeks (and rechargable lights).

CramCycle

This thread title is very misleading, I was thinking of peoples opinions on cycling home from the pub or a bag of cans on the Liffey.

SchrodingersCat

I've commuted by bike pretty much every day for the last few winters. As someone previously said, it doesn't actually rain as much as you think it would, in particular on the east coast. The most important thing for me with the clothes is that it has to be easily seen, preferably flourescent, for the dark mornings and evenings. Then warm, followed by waterproof.
The aldi jackets are good for waterproofing, but have poor breathability. Personally, i like the Dare2b jackets for about 50quid. Ski pants are good for the very cold days as they are designed to be waterproof and breath. Ski helmet for the very cold days too. I use bib tights the other days. I hate the awkwardness of shoe covers/socks. Instead, i would highly recommend the Northwave Artic series cycle shoes. They are pricey at 180e but one of my favourite purchases.

gman2k

I posted this in another thread, but meant to put it here.
Have these on order from Tredz, awaiting delivery
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Luminite-Waterproof-Cycling-Trousers-AW17_45085.htm