Cycling in the Rain! do you do it?

[ZakAttak]

Yes, 'cos I'm a badass! Actually, I prefer not to if rain forecasted for the day, however, if I'm out and it starts raining, well then, that's a different story.

[Malpiet]

My wheels dont allow me to ride it in the rain.

 

So thats a no from me!

[Mamil]

One 40k mtb ride in the mud and rain can set a person back whatever the LBS charges to replace the drive train - its good dirty fun but the noises coming from the moving bits on the bike just sound like money leaving my account.

[Skubarra]

Also, even on the road, it wreaks havoc with your bike. 

???? Interesting - have never experienced a wet tar road stuffing up my bike.

 

Don't mind the rain as long as it isn't cold as well (and I stay away from muddy trails)

[Halfdoesyn]

???? Interesting - have never experienced a wet tar road stuffing up my bike.

 

Don't mind the rain as long as it isn't cold as well (and I stay away from muddy trails)

My road bike is ALWAYS far dirtier after a wet ride. It picks up so much debris from the road and spray it's unbelievable.

 

Also, the wet will eventually wash away the lube on your moving bits.

[bikebloke]

seriously i have to ask ..what kind of shitty carboard bikes are you guys riding that dissolve into mush after one ride in the rain ...in europe (where most of your bikes are designed or built) you ride in rain most of the year and in snow sometimes also ,when you done you clean your bike oil chains etc - the bikes dont dissolve ,the bbs dont die bits dont need daily replacing etc

 

i have bikes that are 30 years old ,ridden and raced  in all sorts of weather and they are all still working perfectly and look good etc

 

seriously if you call yourself a cyclist buy a raincoat and htfu

 

 

(if you are in cape town i apologise if the conversation about rain is upsetting to you  )

[ByronH]

Love riding in the rain... one of my favourite things... very hard rain and hail is a different story, but love the rain.

 

especially on my road bike. On the MTB i am just weary of the mud stuffing up components so I would avoid the muddy patches if at all possible or cycle slowly.I paid my school fees at a very wet and muddy Van Gaalen race... ended up wasting my brakes.

[Prince]

Nope

[Skubarra]

My road bike is ALWAYS far dirtier after a wet ride. It picks up so much debris from the road and spray it's unbelievable.

 

Also, the wet will eventually wash away the lube on your moving bits.

 

Yes it gets dirty and would eventually need some lube - not exactly stuffing up imo  But also I am not one of those that are religious about keeping their bikes spotless.

[PhilipV]

Of course I ride in the rain. It's lank fun. 

Build up a singlespeed and never worry about drivetrain wear again. 

[Meezo]

I wish we had rain

[Halfdoesyn]

Yes it gets dirty and would eventually need some lube - not exactly stuffing up imo  But also I am not one of those that are religious about keeping their bikes spotless.

 

Ja "stuffing up" is not what I meant by wreak havoc. I was more referring to dirt getting in everywhere.

 

On fair weather days, I can go 2 or 3 weeks and then wipe down my bike, but after every wet ride, a clean is mandatory.

[EmptyB]

Rode in a massive thunderstorm on Monday...loved it!!

 

I won't deliberately go and ride my bike in a sloshy mud pit, what's the point.

 

We have enough good weather in SA to choose when to ride....

[Bateleur1]

When living in SA I avoided riding in rain as much as possible.  My attittude changed since moving to Germany.  I now have a mountain bike that is used as the bad weather bike.

 

I will still avoid riding in the rain with the road bike, but I also don't stress anymore if I get could in the rain then so be it and I continue riding.  Just need to clean the bike properly afterward.

 

When I expect rain on my commute I use the MTB.  It has disk brakes which perform better than the normal V brakes like the one on the Road bike and has better tracktion.  I also put on mud guards because I do cycle through forested areas and I have arrived home looking like I was dragged through a muddy compost pile.  The mud guards is a huge help.  Now if I cycle in rain I am pretty much only wet and the feet are a tad dirty from water spray off the road.

 

I have not experienced too much problem with my BB.  In three years and about 14 000 km on the road bike and 5000 km on the MTB I only serviced the road bike BB once.  I do however find that the headset needs to be cleaned and relubed after quite a bit of exposure to rain.  But a quick clean of the bike and chain and relube and we sorted for the next mission.

 

Oh and cycling in a thunderstorm could be bad for your health.  I rather take cover and wait for it to blow over.  Once got caught in a thunderstorm while cycling and had no place to take cover.  Had to do a 8 km TT with lots of praying until I could get under bridge for cover.  My bib had bite marks in it.

[HdB]

Unless it is a race, I don't go out if it is already raining. If it starts raining while already riding, its fine. Especially road - sure, the bike gets more dirty but nowhere near MTB, and much easier to do a quick chain clean than digging mud out of everywhere.

 

Some poor judgement this morning has reminded me to be a bit more careful on damp roads though - right shoulder, elbow and hip less happy with me currently.

[Sepia]

Road bike - try to avoid it.

Bike with discs and enough rubber - no problem, do it often and there is no such thing as waterproof cycling apparel. Water finds its way into everything.

 

Please wipe and dry bike afterwards.dry