How many of you use rain gear and/or mudguards on your road bikes (if they have that option)

Besides going full out on rain/waterproof gear and mudguards, what would you rate as most important?

waterproof top?
gloves?
shoe cover?
mudguard?
waterproof shorts?
helmet cover OR a shower cap under helmet?

I've read waterproof items are great at keeping water out but also great at making you sweat with no way of venting the 'hot air', some suggest Neoprene is another option...

I'm asking for opinions because I'm new to riding and don't have any of the above, all my cycling clothing are daytime dry and some reflective night time dry riding.
At most, I'm only planning to ride 1-2hrs in rain....and only light-ish rain, not thunderstorm downpours

I had a quick look at reviews etc, theres so many available but at $$$

Fenders

I always use a bicycle with fenders in the rain. There's usually not much reason not to, the weight penalty isn't all that big and the supposed aero penalty pretty much doesn't exist. They keep everything far cleaner.

Might depend on the condition of your roads, though. Riding on wet roads without fenders here often means getting covered in grime.

The one drawback is that it's hard to pull off a good "fenders" look with modern bikes. I've dodged that issue by having multiple fendered vintage bikes.

As far as waterproof shoe covers go, the important thing is that you have waterproof leggings that come down over the shoe cover. Otherwise the shoe cover will be somewhat ineffective.

Only a cycling cap, glasses, and wool base layer.

fenders... getting water on backside is the worst

Castelli Gabba range is probably the top of the line stuff simply because it doesn't keep the heat in while keeping you mostly dry. It's expensive stuff and there are a few cheaper competitors but it's hard to go past the original Castelli stuff. You could also look at the Castelli Perfetto jersey for warmer weather. While we are talking Castelli you can also look at the nanoflex arm and leg warmers and bib shorts. The fabric is not completely waterproof but it does repel water.

I live in a sub tropical climate and keeping dry during the occasional bit of rain is nice but using a cheap foldable rain jacket keeps me dry only until I start sweating like a pig (which can happen within minutes). In very cold temperatures that's not as much as a problem but as you live in Hong Kong I imagine you'd want to avoid those types of rain jackets.

Shoe covers would be essential for extended rainy riding otherwise you will end up with shoes full of water.

It depends on how dry you need to be.

You are missing the most critical factor in wet weather riding: temperature. I'll ride all day in the rain when it is 75-80F or more without any protective gear. Drop the temps down past 50F into the 40s or even 30s and you really need to start thinking (more like experimenting) with clothing if you want to last more than five minutes on the road.

Do yourself a favor and wait till roads are dry, if possible. If you are " new " to cycling it is more important; you will have a nasty surprise when your wheels go out from under you on a wet road. Commuters need to ride in the rain. Recreational riders who have the option to wait until the roads are dry will have fewer accidents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boshk

How many of you use rain gear and/or mudguards on your road bikes (if they have that option)

Besides going full out on rain/waterproof gear and mudguards, what would yourate as most important?

waterproof top?
gloves?
shoe cover?
mudguard?
waterproof shorts?
helmet cover OR a shower cap under helmet?

I've read waterproof items are great at keeping water out but also great atmaking you sweat with no way of venting the 'hot air', some suggest Neoprene is another option...

I never deliberately ride my pristine carbon fiber Specialized S-Works in the rain, but I have a quality beater Specialized Diverge Elite road bike, with fenders and 30C tires for that.

I try to keep dry but just accept getting wet.But I take particular care to keep my feet dry…shoe covers and wrap-around Gore-Tex overshoes. Plastic bags are also a cheap alternative. If under about 50⁰ F, I also carry rubberized or neoprene "waterproof" gloves. Many consider riding in freezing rain the worst of conditions.

Not on your list, I wear a billed baseball cap under my helmet as a “canopy” to keep my eyeglasses relatively clear with occasional swipes with a finger. Also any items a I carry as cargo that I don’t want to get wet I pack in plastic bags, e.g. wallet, dry clothes.

I too don’t ride in drenching rain, but avoid, or wait it out. One year I did and got so wet that I developed an abscess “down there”; off the bike for at least a week, and developed a side effect of the antibiotic. So while according to the Velomanati, “Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.”, you may well get a bad ass.

indoor trainer with netflix, that is how i ride in the rain

Water getting on you from above is one thing. This can't be avoided. Water hitting you from the ground that's got dirt, grime, oil, and whatever else, can be mostly avoided with a good set of fenders, preferably long mudguards.

Shoe covers are necessary too if it's a heavy rain or lots of standing water. There will be spray from the wheels that will get on your shoes, regardless of fenders.

You'll get wet everywhere else. Just makes sure you have good moisture wicking baselayer to take the water away from your skin.

A good jacket to keep your core from getting too soaked.

That's about it.

Velotoze

If it is warm, anything which keeps the rain out will make you sweat. if ti is cold, keep the rain out. Singling out One piece of gear seems pointless. If my head is soaked but my feet are dry, I am still losing a lot of heat and am uncomfortable.

When I used to ride every day, I made a loose rain hat like a pharaoh's hat out of polyethylene film, which wasn't so tight that it made me hot but kept all the rain off my heat. I sometimes wore a rain cape (poncho) but found it was only a sail, not a water barrier. Nowadays I have a cheap, light rain shell which is better but not perfect (nothing is.)

In Really bad weather, (just above freezing and raining) I wore full kayaking gear---sweat like a pig but I wasn't cold so I didn't die. That's important, to me and to my wife (because she has life insurance on me.)

I tried neoprene socks and gloves, but found the wind went right through them so they didn't keep me warm. I'd suggest full shoe covers and also making sure the are tall enough that water simply doesn't run down the tops as smarkinson notes.

Basically, riding in the rain, you are going to get wet, from rain or sweat. They only real question is health. If it is warm, so ... you are wet. If it is cold, you Must keep warm.

Please do not be sacred off by waters60---riding int he rain is a different discipline, but not an inherently dangerous one. Please research some of the other "Riding in the Rain" threads here, which deal with the risks and the mechanics of riding int he rain, i.e. stay off of paint, metal grates, manhole covers, Never ride through puddles, try not to lean the bike much, and Brake Early.

Great advise guys, thanks.
The indoor trainer and Netflix was good.....and yes, I guess deliberately going out to ride in the rain is a bit.....stupid

looks like fenders might be worth investing in when I get caught out in the rain.

I've never understood why rain and getting wet is such a bit deal -- it's not like most people get worked up about taking a shower in the morning.

I ride in anything and it rained today as it has been practically every day for awhile. If you ride a lot in the rain, most people like fenders, but they are not essential.

As has already been mentioned, temperature is important. If you ride in cold rain, I'd recommend a lightweight waterproof breathable layer (don't use a shell designed for something else -- you'll burn up). The issue with neoprene is that it's only comfortable when it's cold -- you'll burn up in warm rain and you can't shed it and stuff it in a jersey pocket when it's dry. If you ride in light rain, you may be able to get away with something that is water resistant. The advantage to at least keeping your torso dry is that I find you lose a lot less heat through conductive transfer.

DISCLAIMER: I'm a Gore-Tex product tester so you might take my words with a grain of salt.

Light rain jacket and shoe covers.


Biggest PITA is cleaning all the grit off the bike afterwards.


Getting wet isn't that big a deal.


ETA: I'd probably run fenders if I could. But I'll still ride without them.

You should try the latest rain jackets made from Goretex Active Shakedry. It's really the first waterproof breathable material that actually lives up...breathable enough for activities as aerobic as cycling and running.

Shouldn't this comment be moved over the the "Sweat" thread?

This is some crazy fear-mongering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006

Water getting on you from above is one thing. This can't be avoided. Water hitting you from the ground that's got dirt, grime, oil, and whatever else, can be mostly avoided with a good set of fenders, preferably long mudguards....

A long-ago thread described that kicked-up road water as including liquified road kill (for those who like riding in the rain.)

No he's right. Everybody in the PNW dies every winter.

1. Lights. Making it easier for others to see you and for you to see the way.
2. Some kind of shield to protect your eyes/glasses from water; making it easier to see.
Could be the bill of a helmet or baseball cap.

3. Fenders. Keeps you and your bike clean(er).
4. Apparel based on temperature and your personal preference. Totally waterproof
jacket will block out rain; but may make you sweat too much.

Some weeks I died 10 times, once in the morning and again at night, back when I commuted daily. Crazy stuff. Be warned

But seriously, it's all about the temperature. I found the 50-60°F range the toughest because it wasn't cold enough to go full-on waterproof but it was cold enough that I didn't want to get too wet. Always a tough balance. 32-45°F rain is easy in comparison, so long as you actually stay dry.

Full-size mudguards. Not the little "filth prophylactics" as Bike Snob refers to them.

I will usually avoid riding the first big rain of the season: Sacramento drivers lose their minds and forget everything they knew about driving in the rain since the previous winter. And just as much of a hazard: all the oil that rises out of the asphalt during the first rain.

Other than that, use your head, wear wool, cover your feet, and ride on.