Rain bike?
10-17-02 | 07:48 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Agoura Hills, California
Rain bike?
I normally ride a nice DeRosa Planet to work. Will riding in the rain hurt the bike? I have only recently started commuting on a semi regular basis. I have noticed several references here and there to "rain bikes". Should I avoid the rain or get my own "rain bike"? Any advice/experience would be appreciated. Thanks
10-17-02 | 09:18 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: mass
Water deteriorates everything, brakes wear out quickly and dirt gets into the shoes and ruins rims, bearings get water in them and the shifting system will get dirty and require more maintenance. I ride all year and in all types of weather, I keep my long distance bikes and racing bikes as clean as possible, if I get caught in the rain, I clean and maintenance them before any problems arrise. I commute to work most of the time and have a commuting bike which is built up on a 26" mountain bike platform, I used all LX and XT mountain components because they are more tollerant to dirt and water. Commuting really is hard on a bike, why would you want to put your prize ride through that, I ride my good bikes to work in good weather, but I try not to use them as a work horse.
10-17-02 | 09:21 AM
#3
You can find beater bikes all over the place. Garage sales are a good place, also local kids might want to sell a bike to upgrade theirs.
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10-17-02 | 09:43 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
Dont confuse a beater bike with a junk bike. You need a nice enough frame and some good enough components.
MTB hubs are good, and dont stint on the BB and headset. Avoid thin-walled rims, they will wear out, and make sure they are built up properly. Winter commuter bikes take a hammering and need to be strong.
Full length fenders, which fit closely to the tyres will keep almost all the dirty water and road grime off you and the bike.
Water can conceal potholes and you want to avoid punctures, so use tyres a little wider than a racer. 28mm are standard for a fast commuter bike. Tyres and fenders need clearance at the frame and brakes.
You can use a cyclo-cross, light touring or touring bike, or a roadified MTB (but you cant get close fitting fenders). In the UK, some shops sell cheap winter training frames just for this purpose.
MTB hubs are good, and dont stint on the BB and headset. Avoid thin-walled rims, they will wear out, and make sure they are built up properly. Winter commuter bikes take a hammering and need to be strong.
Full length fenders, which fit closely to the tyres will keep almost all the dirty water and road grime off you and the bike.
Water can conceal potholes and you want to avoid punctures, so use tyres a little wider than a racer. 28mm are standard for a fast commuter bike. Tyres and fenders need clearance at the frame and brakes.
You can use a cyclo-cross, light touring or touring bike, or a roadified MTB (but you cant get close fitting fenders). In the UK, some shops sell cheap winter training frames just for this purpose.
