Pacific Northwest - That's it, I've had it...

I can't stand NOT riding just because it's raining. I think I'll go crazy if I don't get on my bike soon.

First of all, I know about the "Search The Forums". But I wanted this from Seattle people who "know" rain.

My main concern is post ride bike maintenance. I fully understand the importance of wiping the chain down and lubing after a wet ride. What else do I need to worry about? I'm admittedly a perfectionist and I'd be willing to do anything to maintiain my bike to near "brand new" status.

Thanks!!!!!

I have found that the best bet for rain riding is to get a rain bike. Something cheap. Something with fenders and a single speed or fixed gear. The reason for the single speed is they need virtually ZERO maintenance. When I rode my geared bikes in the rain (with fenders) I still found an unexeptable amount of slud, gunk and crap getting all over my bike. Especially the rear derailer, fork and seat stays from braking sludge. YUK! I'd spend more time cleaning the thing then ridin' it! Just my 2 cents!

Call me a heretic if you wish, but I simply cannot clean my bike after every ride. I commute on it, so I'm leaving in the dark (6 A.M.) and getting home in the dark (7:30 P.M. or later). Adding another half an hour to clean the bike and lube the chain just isn't time I'm willing to spend.

That being said, I do religiously clean the bike and lube the chain every Sunday. I hose it off, then turn it upside down and run a degreaser over the chain and re-lube it with a teflon, water-proof lube. I've found this to be quite good enough for me. Your mileage may vary.

edffsizzle, aren't you the fella that was asking about gear for winter riding in Seattle, but didn't want to get fenders? yes, you ARE that guy!

dude, fenders. and a rain bike isn't a bad idea either.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/87125118_67c6cd2f0d.jpg
Get a rain bike: put fenders on it and some wider tires that you normaly ride on. There is no reason not to ride in the rain in the Pacific Northwest. The temp seldom dips below 50 when it's raining, so get a good rain coat and get ready for the Chilly Hilly in Feb.

Agree on the rain bike. Maybe this is a dumb question, but are today's cyclo-computers fairly water resistant? If not, or if you don't want to chance it, is merely putting a baggie over it ok?

Agree on the rain bike. Maybe this is a dumb question, but are today's cyclo-computers fairly water resistant? If not, or if you don't want to chance it, is merely putting a baggie over it ok?
Baggie should be fine...I don't think that all cyclocomputers are water resistant (not to mention that I have some fine vintage cyclocomputers on a few of my bikes which I KNOW are not water resistant :p ).

Metal cowboy, that is one fine looking bike! Is the Surly your rain bike?

EffSizzle, you can do it! Wiping things down after a ride is good, but having a devoted rain bike is better! I will go out to the garage the day after riding one of my bikes and even after wiping it down will sometimes see a little pile of fine sandy debris under the bike (I think it gets stuck on the mudguards, and falls off after drying). It's especially bad after a snow, because of the sanding from the plows. kpug505's got a great solution if you can handle a fixed gear.

East Hill

edffsizzle, aren't you the fella that was asking about gear for winter riding in Seattle, but didn't want to get fenders? yes, you ARE that guy!

dude, fenders. and a rain bike isn't a bad idea either.

Yes I was. But I was asking about winter gear in regards to staying warm, not dry. At the time I was strictly devoted to staying out of the rain, but my guess is that we're in for a wet one this fall/winter and I don't want to lose all of the "momentum" that I've built up from summer.

Agree on the rain bike. Maybe this is a dumb question, but are today's cyclo-computers fairly water resistant? If not, or if you don't want to chance it, is merely putting a baggie over it ok?

I have a Topeak Comp 140 cycloputer that never comes inside. It's been on the bike for 2 seasons now and the only times it didn't work perfectly were (1) when the battery died and (2) when it was below freezing outside. It has cadence as well as speed. I think I bought mine from Nashbar or Performance. They're relatively cheap, too, for a 'puter with cadence. Amazon has them listed at $30.20 right now.

+1 on the rain bike. Maybe a 3-speed for hills, but still low-maintenance? Which reminds me to do the weekly tune-n-lube on my Trek 830 tomorrow.

If you have full fenders with mudflaps (like buddyflaps.com) that hang down nearly onto the ground, very little muck will end up on your bike/drivetrain and you really dont need to clean it every day you ride. I spray mine off with the hose when its really bad (maybe once a week), shake it dry, drop some lube on it, and done. Takes a whole 5 minutes. Maybe one a month I will do a better cleaning. Either way, its time to grow up and ride in the rain...you aren't going to melt!

Either way, its time to grow up and ride in the rain...you aren't going to melt!

ROFL!!!! Wow, I need to grow up!

another vote for the rain bike

You have two options that will keep your bike in near new condition:
Get a rain bike or a stationary trainer.

Even with fenders, I eventually get "raisin bran", that decomposing leaf matter,on my frame. You can use any water in your water bottle to rinse your bike off before you take it inside. Then, it's mostly water dripping over everything, not everything you rode over. It's best to rinse the frame before the gunk dries.

OK, I finally did it. I went on a 60 mile club ride today in the pouring rain. My hands were wet and my feet were soaked. Other then that I guess it was ok. Next time I have the option of riding in the rain or not I will probably choose not to ride.

I gently sprayed down my bike, dried the entire bike, wiped down the chain and re-lubed. Back to new!!!

How did fenders work out?

How did fenders work out?

I didn't use any.

Oh. Well, there you go.

Oh. Well, there you go.

True.

Odd, but I love riding in the rain. As long as I can see reasonably well and my skin isn't clammy, I have a blast. Good thing, considering where I live.:D

I didn't use any.

If I ever end up on a group ride with you, you will get the benefit of me pulling your " I'm too lazy and cheap to put a set of fenders on my bike so the person behind me doesn't have to suck road sludge" ***** around.

OK, I finally did it. I went on a 60 mile club ride today in the pouring rain. My hands were wet and my feet were soaked. Other then that I guess it was ok. Next time I have the option of riding in the rain or not I will probably choose not to ride.

I gently sprayed down my bike, dried the entire bike, wiped down the chain and re-lubed. Back to new!!!

How many of us will it take? I rode my first Fall/Winter without fenders and, of course, had a miserable experience. The next year, on the advise of many others, I installed fenders -- long ones that nearly touch the ground. Amazing! I couldn't believe what a dumbass I was for not doing it sooner. It will greatly reduce the grime on your bike, your feet will stay near dry, your bottles won't be plastered with crap and neither will you. Go on, give it a try.

If I ever end up on a group ride with you, you will get the benefit of me pulling your " I'm too lazy and cheap to put a set of fenders on my bike so the person behind me doesn't have to suck road sludge" ***** around.

C'mon now, that was a tad bit uncalled for. I don't need anybody to pull me, I am NOT lazy, and I'm definitely not cheap.

The reason why I don't have fenders on my bike is because I have every intention of staying off of my bike when it's raining. I went on this group ride this past Sunday because the weather station called for a 40% chance of rain. I took my chances, I lost. I wasn't the only rider who didn't have fenders. I rode the back most of the day out of courtesy for the others. Nobody told me to hang in the back. I pulled a few times and everybody in the line was so wet that a little rooster tail to the face wasn't going to do anything more then what Mother Nature herself was already providing.

So, if I ever end up on a group ride with you, you will get the benefit of just being in my presence.

:beer:

Can I take this thread in a new direction of "How to best ride in the rain?" ?? I started riding in February 2007 and am glad to say I am fully addicted. I dropped 80 pounds and love riding. I too am frustrated by the short days (as much as the rain) and the challenge of getting my miles in. Here are my questions related to NW rain riding.
1. I get that I need fenders for my rain bike. Question is, which fenders? My rain bike is a Specialized Sequoia.
2. Do i need new tires? Ok, I can answer part of this - I need new tires, they are getting squared off. I am running 700X25c Specialized All Condition. What tires would NW folks recommend for riding in the winter, including size/width?
3. I want to start riding my commuter to the Sounder Train Station in Tukwilla, taking the train to Tacoma. I will need lights. What do you NWers recommend, given likelyhood of constant wet.
4. If I get fenders and buddyflaps, but also want a rear rack for paniers (?sp) later, is it a big deal to buy seperately, or is it best accomplished as a package.
5. What is the best rain gear, including booties for our weather in Seattle area?
6. Any tips for taking a bike on the Sounder?
When answering, please keep in mind that I love riding first, and am interested in reducing my carbon foot print only as a happy coincidence. I don't want to feel like I am riding a tank. Think light.
Thanks in advance.

C'mon now, that was a tad bit uncalled for. I don't need anybody to pull me, I am NOT lazy, and I'm definitely not cheap.

The reason why I don't have fenders on my bike is because I have every intention of staying off of my bike when it's raining. I went on this group ride this past Sunday because the weather station called for a 40% chance of rain. I took my chances, I lost. I wasn't the only rider who didn't have fenders. I rode the back most of the day out of courtesy for the others. Nobody told me to hang in the back. I pulled a few times and everybody in the line was so wet that a little rooster tail to the face wasn't going to do anything more then what Mother Nature herself was already providing.

So, if I ever end up on a group ride with you, you will get the benefit of just being in my presence.

:beer:

Fair enough, and I didn't mean to say you needed to be pulled. I have just been on enough group rain rides in the Fall/Winter of the Pac. NW, and like most, don't need drink/wash my face with road grime, that I would rather pull. Atleast what Mother Nature is hitting me with is clean. Now go do the right thing and buy some strap on fenders with mud flaps, cause around here 40% means rain.;)

I would love to get the benefit of your presence, just don't be OTB from only riding on the few "nice and sunny" days of the NW winters so that I can.:beer:

Even with fenders, I eventually get "raisin bran", that decomposing leaf matter,on my frame.

That should totally be the technical term for that! :D

What chain lube do you all use up here in the rainy PNW?

What chain lube do you all use up here in the rainy PNW?

I use Boeshield T9. Works great and lasts a long time.

Hey Charlie,
Congrats on the 80 pounds!

As far as fenders are concerned. I have found that there are plenty of options out there. I prefer a fender that is long and nearly wraps around the tire. I would also look for some that have a built in safety feature up front in case you get something that rides up your tire and gets stuck in there. It's happened to me and I nearly endoed over the bars. Does your bike have braze ons for fenders? Do you have clearance under your brakes? There is a bit of stuff to consider when looking for fenders! And I have never found a package deal with fenders and racks. I would also think that panniers on a bike to go on the sounder might be a pain. I'd get a waterproof backpack and keep my stuff with me.

Tires: I have found that until you get into snow or icy conditions tires kinda all perform the same in the rain. I actually like having a skinny tire with little or no tread pattern because it seems to cut the puddles quicker instead of floating or hydroplaning. But like I said......Snow and ice are a different story. Just be careful with leaves, those huge painted stripes for crosswalks and covered up storm drains. They will kill ya!
The Sounder. I am not sure about this one. I have taken it from Tacoma to Seattle a few times with my bike and it was no problem. Just look for the car with the bike logo and load up! However I dont know if you can go from Tukwilla to Tacoma. I dont think it runs that way unfortunately. I could be wrong.

Clothes. I say get REALLY good gloves. I have some Fox ones that I wear a wool glove liner inside of. When its really nasty I have a pair that have a rubber mitten that can be pulled over the fingers. They are really good. All I have for commuting gear is a rain jacket. Usually the only spot that really might get wet on me is the tops of my legs. Booties would be cool but I dont ride clipless so I am no help there! I really love wool! If it does get wet you will at least stay warm. I wear a wool flannel under my jacket and it works great!

Thats all I got!
Good Day!
Kelly D.


Can I take this thread in a new direction of "How to best ride in the rain?" ?? I started riding in February 2007 and am glad to say I am fully addicted. I dropped 80 pounds and love riding. I too am frustrated by the short days (as much as the rain) and the challenge of getting my miles in. Here are my questions related to NW rain riding.
1. I get that I need fenders for my rain bike. Question is, which fenders? My rain bike is a Specialized Sequoia.
2. Do i need new tires? Ok, I can answer part of this - I need new tires, they are getting squared off. I am running 700X25c Specialized All Condition. What tires would NW folks recommend for riding in the winter, including size/width?
3. I want to start riding my commuter to the Sounder Train Station in Tukwilla, taking the train to Tacoma. I will need lights. What do you NWers recommend, given likelyhood of constant wet.
4. If I get fenders and buddyflaps, but also want a rear rack for paniers (?sp) later, is it a big deal to buy seperately, or is it best accomplished as a package.
5. What is the best rain gear, including booties for our weather in Seattle area?
6. Any tips for taking a bike on the Sounder?
When answering, please keep in mind that I love riding first, and am interested in reducing my carbon foot print only as a happy coincidence. I don't want to feel like I am riding a tank. Think light.
Thanks in advance.

I use Dumonde Tech Lite. A bit pricey but well worth it.

I use Dumonde Tech Lite. A bit pricey but well worth it.
It's what my LBS sells, so I've been using it. A little goes a long way.

Get fenders! I'm just echoing what others have said, but your bike stays cleaner, you do less maintenance, you stay dryer and warmer, your tail-sucking buddies will be grateful, and it's just an all around better experience. our fickle NW weather demands it if you want to do any kind of regular riding outside of July-August.

plus, while some may disagree, the right fenders can enhance the appearance of the ride:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8199310@N04/sets/72157602234001431/