Riding in the rain?

[Nooby1980]

I have a Merida Crossway 10 and have been riding for about 2 months now. There has been a lot of rain lately which has seriously hindered my riding and now motivation to keep going.
My question is, what gear do I need to be able to ride in the rain? Mudguards? Waterproof clothes? What other bike parts??? Please help!!

[trailgumby]

Mudguards are a great start as they will keep the spray at bay, helping you to stay drier and keeping the gritty spray from the road out of your eyes. My biggest pain point when riding in the rain is not so much getting wet (so long as I'm warm) but being able to see clearly. This is especially an issue when looking for traffic approaching from behind when I need to execute a line change say for a parked car.

Do you have end-of-trip facilities to shower and change? Do you wear lycra cycling kit or regular street clothes? As I used my commute for training and had showers, storage and change rooms I tended to wear lycra kit and not worry too much about getting damp.

The main point of my Ground Effect rain shell and shorts was to stop me getting drenched and keep me warm from the freezing rain, which it did very well, but keeping me dry it was not so good at. I'm not sure if it was damp seeping through or perspiration from the effort failing to be fully wicked away but I was always slightly damp when I got to the bike cage.

There is better quality gear out there than what I was using, but it does come at a price and needs care and attention. Others will chip in with suggestions shortly I am sure.

[Tim]

20% off all Showerspass gear at the moment.
Very good quality stuff.
I've had an Elite 2.1 jacket for several years and been very happy with it.
Free shipping to Aus on orders over $100.00(US).
https://www.showerspass.com/collections ... 7453944325

[g-boaf]

I have a Merida Crossway 10 and have been riding for about 2 months now. There has been a lot of rain lately which has seriously hindered my riding and now motivation to keep going.
My question is, what gear do I need to be able to ride in the rain? Mudguards? Waterproof clothes? What other bike parts??? Please help!!

I used just a clip in plastic cover that went in the back of the saddle rails. That kept the water spray from the back wheel off me in absolutely torrential rain.

A few people I rode with wore these:
https://www.pushys.com.au/castelli-gabb ... b-par.html

That was in conditions of like 0-5ºC, but riding very fast. I wish I had one of those, because...

I had a jacket like this (but the Gore version they mention) and it kept me somewhat warm, but when it got too rain soaked (and it started snowing), I was still shivering cold. I ended up using a lightweight Champion Systems wind breaker underneath my jersey, and then that rain soaked jacket over the top, that got me to the end without being too cold.

Unless you are riding where there is a risk of snow, I'd just look for something lightweight and waterproof and just wear different jerseys/layers underneath it to suit the conditions. It can be pouring rain and warm too - so anything too heavy you'll just cook.

The other thing riding in the rain is your riding glasses, go for ones with some ventilation otherwise they will fog up immediately when you stop. Spray coming off other peoples bikes is equally annoying when riding in the rain, and you don't want that getting in your eyes - it stings.

You can also get bib shorts that are fairly water repellant, Rapha does have those - but they come at an extreme price. Depending on your riding, it might be worth it.

[Thoglette]

Mudguards. The bigger the better. Especially on the front wheel (to keep your feet clean and drier)
After that it's all about your riding style and end-of-trip facilities.

If you ride slowly and upright it is possible to stay completely dry in most weather with a hooded rain cape.

If you're riding at a jogging pace (and going to be sweating anyway), pick something to stop you getting too cold and just shower/change at the end. I find that my hands; chest; feet and head get cold in that order. Gloves, gillet/wool/fleece, neoprene overbooties/wool sock &tape, beanie.

I'd further point out that if your ride is <10km you can probably time it to miss the worst of the rain - the BOM radar sites are your best friend here. On longer rides I tend to hide in bus shelters or similar to wait out the worst of the downpours and squalls.

[g-boaf]

Velotoze are the answer to keeping your feet warm and dry:

https://www.velotoze.com/collections/pr ... =809239023

They are unsuitable for normal shoes though.

[eeksll]

in Adelaide its rarely cold when raining. IMO its much more preferable to be cold when its raining.

In addition to the above, you will need to do a bit more maintenance on the chain when its wet. Wipe and lube more often.

[madmacca]

In addition to the other comments, I'd also recommend a cycling cap or visor on your helmet. With the right angle, you can keep the rain off your glasses, and yet still have vision of the road ahead.

[Lukeyboy]

People have wet weather gear? well bugger me.

[robbo mcs]

You have less grip in the wet. Generally you need to be slower and more cautious, especially cornering. Brakes do not work as well in the wet, allow longer to brake. Be careful of things on the road. Things that are not slippy in the dry can become slippery in the wet, eg leaves, twigs, painted lane markers, small patches of oil / fuel etc.

There are two schools of thought, either try to stay dry, or simply accept the fact you will get wet. If you are in a warm area it doesn't really matter if you get wet. If you are in a cold area, getting wet is not a good idea! Regardless, try and keep your feet dry. Nothing worse than soggy socks IMHO.

Remember visibility is worse in the wet, both for you and for car drivers. Harder for you to see things like imperfections in the road, or traffic. Significantly harder for cars to see you.

Having said all of that, riding in the wet is all about your state of mind. If you are positive and embrace the conditions you can still enjoy yourself.

[DavidS]

Get mudguards and always carry spare socks.

DS

[g-boaf]

People have wet weather gear? well bugger me.

Go ride here and then come back and tell me if you'd think the same way. Very much necessary on that day because it was raining so heavily in the morning and two, it got colder and colder until it started snowing. Then you go downhill for like 10 minutes or so at 60+km/h.

Here in Australia I've not ridden in anything like those conditions. Heavy rain yes, but not with temperatures getting down to 0ºC.

If you can at least stay fairly dry, then it's not so bad but if you are totally drenched, then it's really miserable.

[bychosis]

I recently put a marsh guard and an ass saver on my MTB prior to a muddy ride. Was surprised at the effectiveness at keeping me clean. I’ll probably use them next time rain is threatening my ride too. Cheap if you DIY too.

As above though, the best tip is watching the radar and not minding if you get wet a bit.

[Lukeyboy]

People have wet weather gear? well bugger me.

Go ride here and then come back and tell me if you'd think the same way. Very much necessary on that day because it was raining so heavily in the morning and two, it got colder and colder until it started snowing. Then you go downhill for like 10 minutes or so at 60+km/h.

Here in Australia I've not ridden in anything like those conditions. Heavy rain yes, but not with temperatures getting down to 0ºC.

If you can at least stay fairly dry, then it's not so bad but if you are totally drenched, then it's really miserable.

But this is Australia. But then again I do love riding in the rain

[kb]

People have wet weather gear? well bugger me.

Go ride here and then come back and tell me if you'd think the same way. Very much necessary on that day because it was raining so heavily in the morning and two, it got colder and colder until it started snowing. Then you go downhill for like 10 minutes or so at 60+km/h.

Here in Australia I've not ridden in anything like those conditions. Heavy rain yes, but not with temperatures getting down to 0ºC.

If you can at least stay fairly dry, then it's not so bad but if you are totally drenched, then it's really miserable.

But this is Australia. But then again I do love riding in the rain

In Melbourne I have a couple of rides a year around 0° and raining. Wind proof and good gloves are useful. Also don’t jump into a hot shower straight afterwards.

[RonK]

Riding in the rain and getting wet doesn't bother me unless it's cold.

But cleaning the bike after a wet ride is a pita.

[MichaelB]

I don't like riding in the rain, but it sometimes happens.

As per other comments - good mudguards, reasonable clothing (jack, base layer and booties) and attitude. Even with good stuff, you will end up getting wet. Eventually.

And newspapers to dry out the shoes.

[Kronos]

Where I live it doesn't get cold more so than just torrential downpours in Queensland so, I don't mind the rain, it's kind of refreshing actually. My biggest concern is not getting wet but being able to see, and being able to grip the bars. To which my answer is to go and buy a cheap set of fashionable Bolle safety glasses, some cycling gloves and be done with it. Ignore the "safety glasses hey" comments. If your work/gym has a shower that helps also at the other end. If you're going to wear a jersey and bib pants you can also get a cycling jacket, or you can wear plain clothes you don't care about and possibly a rain jacket.

You will want a shower regardless on the other end, you will sweat, be stinky and unpresentable, so factor that in if you're going to commute.

[queequeg]

1) If you commute all the time, get some decent permanent fixed mudguards. They will keep your bike clean, and stop you, funnily enough, getting sprayed with mud and grime from the road
2) Personal preference, but racks and pannier bags are ideal. Especially waterproof ones like Ortlieb. Nothing will get into properly closed panniers.
3) Clothing wise, it depends on the climate. In summer, why bother with wet weather gear? I wear a helmet cover to keep the water dripping over my eyes. I wear overshoes on my feet to stop them getting waterlogged, but I don't bother with wet weather clothing in summer or warm temps. In winter, different story. For that, I have varying levels of wet weather gear. My go to is the Castelli Gabba2 long sleeve convertible jersey/jacket, but for torrential rain, I have an Endura Gridlock 100% waterproof jacket. You will still get wet...from sweat, but you will be warm, and warmth is what you need
4) Gloves - again, keep the extremities warm. Get good gloves. No point riding if your fingers are so numb you can't pull the brake lever.
5 Oh, nearly forgot....Disc Brakes. If you ride in the wet, get Disc brakes. I used to go through brake pads on my previous bike as though they were made from chalk. One ride in the wet and I'd have to swap the pads. The rims on the wheels were ruined from the muck I used to ride in. Swapped to discs, no more stopping issues, and no more worn pads!

If you only have a carbon race bike...well, N+1 is the answer to that

[brumby33]

In just showery days I usually wear one of those AGU Ponchos like they do in the Netherlands, they keep you very dry up top, the front of them have hand straps under the flap so you can hold your handlebars and have you hands and most of you dry above the knees and some waist straps to tie to your torso to stop the Poncho from flapping around....the idea behind these is to allow air underneath to reduce sweating as you get from closed in wet weather gear https://omafiets.com.au/collections/acc ... roofponcho
They are very effective in general wet weather days, if it's heavier, I use my very light but waterproof motorcycle wet weather trousers that usually just slides over my normal clothes but like anything plastic...you sweat more but it takes the heaviest wet away from you and protects the socks but i always take a spare pair anyway. I do tend to shy away from riding in wet periods of constant rain if possibly but not afraid of getting caught in a wet arvo after work.
Talking of wet....holy moly...I just seen what Melbourne is about to cop this weekend....2 Months of rain in 3 days is expected down there....the biggest downpour since 2005 has been forcasted....that's almost biblical proportions...time to bring out the Ark. Anyway folks...stay safe in the wet conditions down there...don't forget the snorkle

Cheers

brumby33

[brumby33]

In just showery days I usually wear one of those AGU Ponchos like they do in the Netherlands, they keep you very dry up top, the front of them have hand straps under the flap so you can hold your handlebars and have you hands and most of you dry above the knees and some waist straps to tie to your torso to stop the Poncho from flapping around....the idea behind these is to allow air underneath to reduce sweating as you get from closed in wet weather gear https://omafiets.com.au/collections/acc ... roofponcho
They are very effective in general wet weather days, if it's heavier, I use my very light but waterproof motorcycle wet weather trousers that usually just slides over my normal clothes but like anything plastic...you sweat more but it takes the heaviest wet away from you and protects the socks but i always take a spare pair anyway. I do tend to shy away from riding in wet periods of constant rain if possibly but not afraid of getting caught in a wet arvo after work. Oh and the Vivente has full mudguards front and back and are very good in the wet and hydraulic disc brakes..so well covered there...loving this bike as a commuter!!
Talking of wet....holy moly...I just seen what Melbourne is about to cop this weekend....2 Months of rain in 3 days is expected down there....the biggest downpour since 2005 has been forcasted....that's almost biblical proportions...time to bring out the Ark. Anyway folks...stay safe in the wet conditions down there...don't forget the snorkle

Cheers

brumby33

[Nooby1980]

Thanks everyone. Is it a better idea to go to a bike shop and get them to install mudguards or is it easy enough to do myself? Also, any particular brand for my Merida?

[enduro2]

Nooby1980 ...

I'm in WA and ride all through winter right on the coast. Here it gets down to about 4'C in at around 5am when I am just about to head out on the bike, bib shorts, bare knees, three layers on the torso and no waterproofs. My best protective clothing item has been a Sportful Gore Windstopper Jacket and Sportful Gor, Windstopper full gloves and a cheapy scull cap. In my experience it's better to block the wind than try to stop the water coming in.

After a season riding in the rain, a noob will come to understand there is no hope of staying dry on a bike.

For anything above 15'C I rarely wear the jacket.

I've never bothered with front mud guards, an indispensable rear one is the Zefal Swan http://www.zefal.com/en/mudguards-road/ ... -road.html

I've had the Zefal Swan on my Merida Cyclocross for 6 years now and disappointed it won't fit on my new Merida Aero Roadie.

[Thoglette]

Thanks everyone. Is it a better idea to go to a bike shop and get them to install mudguards or is it easy enough to do myself?

Easily done.
PS - don't forget to clean the crap of your rear brakes and rear rim before the rains start. Roadgrime is greasy and will kill rear brake performance when wet.

[queequeg]

Thanks everyone. Is it a better idea to go to a bike shop and get them to install mudguards or is it easy enough to do myself? Also, any particular brand for my Merida?

It very much depends on the specifics of your frame. I had the bike shop do my because I didn't have cutters to trim the stays, and I had the challenge of having to route the stays around disc brake calipers. In hindsight, it would have been easier to use some probem solvers rathen than trying to contort the stays into shapes there were never meant to have.

I have a brand new set of SKS Longboards ready to go for my rebuild. After 6 years of sbuse, my old SKS Chromoplastic guards finally gave up, and since I am swapping over to TRP HY/RD Brake Calipers from the Avid BB7s (reliable, but very dated...and SRAM won't let anyone ship them to me anymore anyway!), so I have moved to the Hybrid Hydraulic brakes (as the frame is mechanical only). The new calipers are less chunky, so hopefully prove less of a challenge when it comes to fitting the mudguards.