Buffalo Buff

...is awesome! No splash from the tires at all. Dunno if it's because of how skinny and slick the tires are compared to my Trek 4300's tires, but they just don't kick up water on me. The downtube blocks all the water from my front tire hitting me, and my clip on seatpost rack blocks any splash from the rear. I checked the bottom of my rack + commuter bag and it was completely dry after my commute, so I'd be good even without it.

Just mind blowing. Ran through puddles at over 20 mph and nothing. Roads were completely saturated. Can't even go half that speed on my MTB and stay dry.

bikemig 

I thought this was the way it usually worked when riding in the rain:

gregf83 

Not my experience nor the experience of anyone I've ever seen riding in the rain. Must have been a light rain. Or maybe you have 'magic' tires.

TransitBiker

Depends on the tread, i suppose.

- Andy

mgw4jc

I am also on a road bike with no fenders and have a similar experience, but only for wet roads. If it is raining or the roads are really wet after it just stopped raining, the water goes from tire to down tube to feet. And if I turn the front wheel at all, the tire spray then goes straight to one foot.

For the back tire though, yes, my seat tube mounted rack acts as a fender. I'm sure the bottom of the rack gets wet, but the contents inside the bag are usually fine.

bmthom.gis

He said he was going through puddles at 20 mph....

I prefer taking it slower in the rain, too.

I've been caught out before on both my commuter and road bike in the rain, and I got wet. Been in downpours, light drizzle and steady rain. I finally have fenders - haven't been in the real rain yet, but it has been nice on wet roads not getting splash back. I still think in the actual rain, I will probably still get wet. Just how it is.

wphamilton

Without fenders I'll get the back stripe and soaked shoes on my road bike. The down-tube doesn't block it since the wheel is moving back and forth, aiming the spray at my feet.

What kind of tires are these? What size? Was there a big wind?

tarwheel 

Fenders aren't just to keep water from spraying on you. They also keep your frame and drive train much cleaner. Personally, I would much rather ride with fenders on wet roads -- and I've ridden in the rain many, many times without fenders.

kimpw

What is this sorcery? My experience has always been: wet saddle, wet back, dirty drivetrain.

tjspiel

In my experience it is "sort of" true.

My road tires don't pick up and throw nearly as much water as my winter tires with knobbies do. The down tube does block spray coming off front tire when I'm going straight. When I turn, my feet will get splashed.

A rack is definitely enough to keep spray off my back but after riding in the rain without fenders I will find grit on the back of the seat tube and in the front derailleur (from the back tire).

Parts of your bike will stay cleaner with fenders but fenders do catch and deflect some spray back down on to your bike that would have otherwise been thrown clear (to the poor sap behind you).

spare_wheel

I use fenders because I don't want the be the @#$%*% @#$%@# who sprays diluted dirt, plant/leaf muck, feces, and urine into the faces of my fellow commuters.

ratell

You are, however, probably spraying anybody who has the misfortune to ride behind you. You should get fenders...

scroca

Don't turn your front wheel.

noglider 

I suspect @Buffalo Buff is actually Jesus, and his tires roll along the top of the water.

Or he's really Buffalo Bluff.

InTheRain

I get a pretty good soaking if I'm caught in the rain with my road bike. I avoid commuting in the rain on a fenderless bike. Many of the road bikes that are being sold today can easily take full fenders... especially those that have disc brakes. Maybe it's a different kind of rain we have here in the Pacific Northwest?

fietsbob

Mudguards, cycle rain cape , I'm good, you do what you please.

Now get back to work ~ !

AlmostTrick

I always cursed the times I got stuck riding in the rain without fenders. Getting wet from the sky isn't too bad, but taking on all the road slop sucks. Maybe I just need a set of Magic Jesus tires?

yankeefan

Commuting on a bike without fenders? You should have your BF membership revoked!

bikemig 

+ 1. Best theory yet to explain the OP's experience,

TransitBiker

- Andy

DiabloScott

Well, now that this thread's gone off the deep end - I submit my fender video:

https://vimeo.com/107396856

noglider 

That was fun, @DiabloScott.

joeyduck

I like the magic tire theory.

Ive never been as fortunate, good for you buffalo.

wolfchild

Too good to be true.

wolfchild

Water puddles can sometimes hide some very nasty surprises. Riding a skinny tires road bike at over 20 MPH through deep water puddles is asking for trouble, I mean you can't even see if there is some big nasty pothole hiding under all that water.