Rain Gear Help
#26
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,160
Likes: 6,381
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
OK, thanks for aiding my reading acuity.
It's not a cycling specific jacket. Are the sleeves and back long enough?
It's not a cycling specific jacket. Are the sleeves and back long enough?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#27
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos, TX
Bikes: '89 Miele Azsora, '09 Motobecane 700HT
Haha, no worries. The back seems long enough, but definitely not cycling jacket long. The sleeves seem long enough as well, but I don't have a lot of rain riding experience, so that's all still to be seen. I'll definitely update the thread if my findings are good or bad.
#28
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
I go in the opposite direction. After spending dough on all sorts of rain gear over 45 years, and finding that it either leaks, or doesn't stay waterproof for long with normal wear and tear, I've given up.
I use garbage bags, where I cut out neck and arm holes. My best fit is with the "tall kitchen" size, though in the winter I might move to the large trash can size. These are cheap, stay waterproof, and can be disposed of after a few wearings (no need to wash). Best of all they roll small so they can be carried in a pocket for iffy days.
Of course they don't breath, so I dress on the cool side, and in the winter use layers that still insulate when wet like polar fleece.
BTW- I've tried cycling capes or ponchos, and they do work OK, but where I live fall and winter rains are often accompanied by wind squals and the higher windage of a cape can make handling dificult, and IMO too dangerous for riding in heavy traffic.
I use garbage bags, where I cut out neck and arm holes. My best fit is with the "tall kitchen" size, though in the winter I might move to the large trash can size. These are cheap, stay waterproof, and can be disposed of after a few wearings (no need to wash). Best of all they roll small so they can be carried in a pocket for iffy days.
Of course they don't breath, so I dress on the cool side, and in the winter use layers that still insulate when wet like polar fleece.
BTW- I've tried cycling capes or ponchos, and they do work OK, but where I live fall and winter rains are often accompanied by wind squals and the higher windage of a cape can make handling dificult, and IMO too dangerous for riding in heavy traffic.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#29
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,160
Likes: 6,381
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
FBinNY, thank you for showing how you think outside the box. I might just try that.
I find I can't ride with polar fleece. I get too hot. I prefer wool.
I find I can't ride with polar fleece. I get too hot. I prefer wool.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 448
From: Highlands Ranch, CO
Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel
I ride in a 2012 Columbia Titanium Omni-Heat, water/wind proof with full size hood that fits perfectly over my helm, and big pit zippers, paid $140'ish. This thing is toasty, and I can easily ride for 50 minutes in 28 F temps or rain wearing only a single long sleeve synthetic underneath, or just a t-shirt when it's in the mid-30's F.
#31
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos, TX
Bikes: '89 Miele Azsora, '09 Motobecane 700HT
Just an update: I've managed to find myself in rain (light) only once with this coat so far 
It kept me dry, but I became alarmed by two things: 1) With the sides cinched in, the top of the hood kept sliding down and blocking my vision as I was cycling. 2) When I looked side to side, the jacket would not move with me, so I had what were essentially huge blind spots. However, today I was browsing for some alternative rain coats (I had it narrowed down to the Marmot Precip and Minimalist) when I decided to mess with the fitment of my Vaporshell some more. Turns out, it has a recessed rear cinch that alleviates all of the issues I was having on my first ride. I just took a spin around the block and all seems to be well. I'll try to make another update on my next rainy ride. I'm looking forward to it, actually!

It kept me dry, but I became alarmed by two things: 1) With the sides cinched in, the top of the hood kept sliding down and blocking my vision as I was cycling. 2) When I looked side to side, the jacket would not move with me, so I had what were essentially huge blind spots. However, today I was browsing for some alternative rain coats (I had it narrowed down to the Marmot Precip and Minimalist) when I decided to mess with the fitment of my Vaporshell some more. Turns out, it has a recessed rear cinch that alleviates all of the issues I was having on my first ride. I just took a spin around the block and all seems to be well. I'll try to make another update on my next rainy ride. I'm looking forward to it, actually!
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