Biking in rain
 

All,

The rain is coming in Oregon. I started commuting by bike this Summer (~7 miles one way). I want to keep doing this all year long but not sure it's a good idea,

1. How to improve the visibility to others? I already have a safety flag (see pic attached)
2. What rain gear do you guys use?

Any input is welcome!

Tomhttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=479303

Strobe light - the brighter, the better!!!

Old-school self -- I use a USCG-approved life-vest Xenon strobe that uses One D-cell. It is zip-tied to my rear rack, facing aft. 50-60 flashes/minute.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa71ecfa4.jpg

My commute is on busy 55mph State highway, almost 12 miles each way. I ride within 4" of the fog line (white side line).

I did see a bike-commuter yesterday morning (right around sunrise) that had a very bright flashing LED headlight. I need to get one of those for the front, since right now I have nothing and people emerging from driveways or side streets tend not to see me -- they're looking for cars/trucks, not bikes!!!

Good rain gear helps a lot. I have a set of Frogg Toggs that are great for rain rides - but they are dark green, so I had to put reflective tape/decals on them. I also have some more traditional, cycling specific rain gear, a couple of Showers Pass jackets and a pair of fairly waterproof (technically water resistant) rain pants from REI (Novara, one of their house labels).

Also, truly waterproof shoes or boots are a must - and hard to come up with - I took a pair of Salomon high top hikers with elastic ties and applied a lot of coats of Snowseal and that worked pretty well - as long as I'm riding one of my bikes with platform pedals.

[QUOTE=tommyx;18193670]
1. How to improve the visibility to others? I already have a safety flag (see pic attached)
2. What rain gear do you guys use?
QUOTE]


1. Lights, lights, and more lights. My front light is the NiteRider 750 and back is either a Knog Blinder or Planet Bike Superflash Turbo
2. O2 Rainwear I have and use both the Basic and Nokomis jackets and Nokomis pants. They breath, keeping you dry from rain and your own sweat.

Recumbent Like Pictured, you just need regular Hiking rain gear like REI Carries , doesn't even have to be for bikes

Just get parkas with 2 way zippers , so you can open the bottom of the zipper to allow easy leg Motion .


I Happen to like the kind of Neon Lime Parkas that you would see Tow Truck drivers and Highway Roadside workers wear .

Busy Portland is Fatal to cyclists when they encounter a Truck turning over the top of them
and being so many Bicycles on the roads in that city,

one a year is about average. :eek:

be aware that you may be in a Blind Spot, for someone else .. at All Times.

Really? So this $5 one might work?

Red Ledge Vinyl Poncho - Men's - REI.com

In an emergency../ BUT Big Flat panel Ponchos will be Sail Like in the wind of any kind, including your velocity.

Be more invested ?.. Marmot Nano AS Jacket - Men's - REI.com

REI Rainwall Rain Pants - Men's 30" Inseam - 2014 Closeout - REI.com


upright Bike riders have different needs

Not cheap, but the best I have tried (and I have owned many "rain" suits):

Beta LT Hybrid Jacket / Men's / Shell Jackets / Hardshell (Waterproof) / Arc'teryx / Arc'teryx

Raingear - Back when I rode motorcycles, and went on a m/c vacation, I had invested in a set of DryRider gear. They worked very well. Elastic at the wrists and ankles so water couldn't get in (and I'd imagine that is even worse on a 'bent) Pants are really high-waist bibs (reminded me of fishing waders) After 20 years or so, I kinda 'outgrew' those for some odd reason :rolleyes:

Last year, I picked up rain pants and jacket from J&G Cyclewear ( www.bicycleclothing.com ) Looks to be well made. I just never got caught in the rain this year to try them out.

Biking in rain
 

Neon reflective vests are good in rain

Ask in the Commuting forum. They have all the answers.

My very bright rechargeable Chinese headlight has both a bright and dim strobe mode. I've used the dim strobe mode ad dusk, and on one bike path that has annoying low streetlights that reduce visibility rather than increasing it. I've never used the bright strobe mode, but I suppose it could be useful for those days where the sun is straight behind you. IT IS A VERY BRIGHT STROBE.

You're in Portland.

Check out Showers Pass.

A bit on the expensive side, but they have good rain gear. And, they have a Portland retail location.
https://www.showerspass.com

I've generally just used generic rain pants. Whatever is cheap. But, I do like jackets with good ventilation. REI also has some good bicycle rain gear.

Full Fenders. Much of what gets you wet in rain is tire spray, it's also a comfort issue, spray is annoying. And the best are indeed full fenders, thin fenders are okay but in heavy rain where you encounter frequent standing water it becomes clear just how much of a fashion statement the best looking fenders are, as opposed to a device that keeps water off of you. If it doesn't cover your wheel in a concave half tube & is just a flat strip of whatever, the spray will get past it in serious weather.

We're just moved from cold winter into windy wet spring.

I agree good lights are important. I have them turned on whenever I cycle.

I'm aware motorists can be somewhat impatient & frustrated in the rain & cycle more defensively, Christchurch drivers have a tendency to manoeuvre without indicating.

I wear a couple of base layers & fully expect to be soaked by reaching work/home when the rain is torrential.

I'd lose the flag. That's not a "safety flag" and won't do you much good. It doesn't stand out.

If you are going to use a flag, it should be hi-vis yellow.


Wear hi-vis yellow clothes.
Use lights.

Come on down to the Commuter forum. Quite a few veterans in there who have been commuting by bike for decades.

For summer rain I just wear quick-drying/moisture-wicking shirt, shorts, and socks. The shoes are skateboarding shoes - they're not advertised as waterproof - but I've ridden in rain a few times and they haven't been waterlogged or anything. So the approach for summer rain wasn't to avoid getting wet, but to dry up quickly after getting wet. On one of those rainy days, I stopped at a Target to do some shopping, and was completely dry by the time I was in the checkout line to buy my stuff.

Got a tip from veteran commuters to use a ziploc bag to keep my iPhone/mobile device dry if I insist on carrying it in my pocket for quick access instead of a pannier or backpack.

I guess I'll improvise as I go along as the temperature drops now that fall is in effect - sticking to the quick-drying + moisture wicking theme. I've got a bright yellow Pearl Izumi jacket and Novarra water-resistant cycling pants w/ reflective stripes that I haven't used yet because when I started commuting it was hot. I also have Novarra cycling tights to wear under either shorts or pants.

There's a long and active high visibility thread going in the Commuter forum. If you don't have lights, you should get those first. Reflective stickers, tape, etc. are useful low-cost add-ons but lights are the primary tool for visibility. Some people think bright colors alone would be enough but it's not as convincing to me as lights.

+1 And make a deep flap for the front fender. In Portland, cut down waterbottles are popular. I use the mylar or plastic graphic films of the '90s, making two sheets and taping the edges together with packing tape. Makes a stiff flap that will fold easily if you forget and set the bike less front wheel on it or wheel teh bike offf a curb, then pop back unharmed (and NOT break the fender).

Ben

Good point. Never thought about that. I thought the American flag is much cooler than the yellow one. I assume the green/orange ones should be as good as the yellow one, right?

Thanks!

Tom

Just ordered a rear fender,

Amazon.com: Planet Bike Hardcore Recumbent Bicycle Fender with Stainless Steel Hardware and Mud Flap (Rear, Black, 20-Inch Tires/50mm Wide)

Hope it is gonna fix my bike. The bike has a front fender, don't know why the manufacturer didn't put the rear fender on in the first place.

Tom

Will this one be same as the Planet Bike Superflash Turbo?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

I read the reviews of the SuperFlash Turbo and saw some complains about falling apart due to a design flaw. The PDW Radbot listed above seems as bright as the SuperFlash but doesn't have that kind of issue.

Tom



[QUOTE=Hypno Toad;18193869]

[QUOTE=tommyx;18198349]Will this one be same as the Planet Bike Superflash Turbo?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

I read the reviews of the SuperFlash Turbo and saw some complains about falling apart due to a design flaw. The PDW Radbot listed above seems as bright as the SuperFlash but doesn't have that kind of issue.

Tom



I'm sure sure either will be fine. I've had two Planet Bike rear lights over 6 years of daily commuting, year-round (~5,000 miles a year). Based on the price point, I'm totally pleased with this performance and will buy another.

[QUOTE=Hypno Toad;18198482]
And i have had 3 superflash turbo rear lights, 2 stopped working after a few months and the third one was too unreliable in cold.
The flaws in those lights seem to be the not high enough quality components for cold and the battery case that is too big. Lights just turned off every now and then.

[QUOTE=erig007;18198495]That's interesting, I ride in temps down to -20 F without issues. Sorry to hear you didn't have the same experience.

A flag with colours and patterns, like your American flag, has a camouflage effect ... especially if cycling in a built-up higher traffic area.

And yes, hi-vis yellow, green, or orange should work.

Found this kayak light when I was browsing. It'd be cool if there is something similar to this for bike :)


http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Signal-Po...k+safety+light

NiteRider 750 looks great, but the price is high ($99). What about the following head light? Do you guys think it's good enough? Thanks - Tom

http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Bike...ike+head+light


[QUOTE=Hypno Toad;18193869]

Found another light which might be comparable to NightRider 750 but much cheaper. What do you guys think? - Tom

http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Eyes-Re...0_SR160%2C160_

[QUOTE=tommyx;18199126]NiteRider 750 looks great, but the price is high ($99). What about the following head light? Do you guys think it's good enough? Thanks - Tom

http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Bike...ike+head+light

IMO the higher priced lights have advantages. For me, my LBS sells NiteRider, so I got a better price and if anything goes wrong the shop will support me. I'm sure the lower priced Amazon lights are fine. Just have a good bright light, that's what is important.

Just biked through the rain in the morning commute. Dressed in a light nylon camping shirt loosely buttoned, a plastic garbage bag and a reflector vest. I don't like wearing my rain jacket because it gets too hot and sweaty inside. Bread bags around my running shoes secured with my regular reflecto straps. Very light fabric baseball cap with visor to keep the rain from my glasses.

All my lights turned on.