Originally Posted by
mister
Where I live, it rains a lot (over 46 inches since October '15). I don't like riding in the rain. When it rains, it's also cold. Getting to work soaked, freezing, and with a mud stripe that looks like I crapped myself does not do wonders for my mood. I also hate the grit and grime that gets caked all over my bike from riding in the rain. I mind the rain less if it rains on my way home. Plus, the rain makes life a little less safe.
One word:
FENDERS.
Get either
SKS Longboard or
Planet Bike Cascadia; those are the ones with the best coverage (that aren't super-expensive -- they should be about $45 on sale). And yes, you really do want the longest fenders you can get; the dirt-bike-style ones that clip to your seatpost are mostly useless.
I have 26" ATB Cascadias on my old-MTB-turned-commuter-bike, and I only get wet from the water falling from above, not dirty from stuff splashing up from below.
Originally Posted by
Tundra_Man
Temp - Riding in the rain is a lot more enjoyable above 40 degrees. From about 39 down to 32 if it's raining hard it can turn into a hypothermia risk. I'll still ride, but I have to be aware and make appropriate preparations.
I like the rain when it's above 65 (or maybe 70) and I can just wear my shorts and shirt and get wet. I also like it when it's really cold and I can wear my rain jacket and pants without getting too hot. What sucks is the 45-60 degree range, when it's too cold for getting wet but too warm for rain gear. (I have a relatively-inexpensive
Novara Express jacket and pants; maybe if I had shelled out $300 for Gore-Tex my opinion would be different.)