wet weather gear?

[Merlin]

Hi,

I'd like to know, for those who commute on their MBs: what sort of wet weather gear do you recommend?

I've only just got my bike going, and as it happens I'm going on holidays for a month at the end of this week. When I get back it will be wet season here in Darwin. It won't be cold [it never gets cold here] but it will be wet pretty much through till March.

Any tips would be appreciated...

[SirJakesus]

Plastic front and rear mudguards are fairly cheap, easy to install/remove and will keep a lot of wet road grime from getting slung up on you from the tires.
A cheap poncho and rain pants would work well to keep you dry from the rain and inevitable splash from motorists. Get some good BRIGHT lighting on your bike too. Visibility will be reduced for the cagers so your chances of becoming a hood ornament during a rain storm will increase. If you have old rim brakes it may be time to get new pads as your brakes won't work as well when wet. If they're already taking a lot of effort to stop the bike you're going to have trouble once they're wet.
Try to insulate any electrical systems on your bike from the water. If you're running a happytime engine (Zbox for aussies) you may want a new gasket and some silicone glue to seal up where the wires come out. An engine with a dead mag is only going to slow you down on your long pedaling commute back home.

Just ride her easy when its wet out there. Don't do quick maneuvers or hard braking or you'll find yourself on the pavement very quickly. Watch out for road paint and anything metal on the road such as sewer covers or drainage grates. They'll be as slippery as ice. If you have to ride over them don't turn on them, keep the bike as upright and stable as possible.

Good luck and safe riding!

[jmccrury]

Fenders are definitely a must and they are now on my list of things to add to my bike. I had my first ride in the rain this past weekend. I didn't know it was supposed to rain so I had no rain gear, no fenders, and like sirjakes said, the brakes won't work if they are worn. I was soaked and I wrecked my bike.

[Bigwheel]

Get some good old rain gear in a bright color like orange or yellow. Bicyclists have to avoid regular raingear and buy expensive "breathable" products because if not they will get to work smelling like a locker room. Because we as MAB riders don't require that type of effort we can use conventional, and cheaper, rain wear that will easily fit over our clothing. You may need to put a band on your lower right leg so that the bell of the pants do not get caught in your front sprocket though.

Fenders are the first thing I would buy though because they keep the splash to your body a minimum in the front and rear. Also a pair of clear glasses of the safety variety help with your vision.

[bluegoatwoods]

Cheap rain gear is very helpful, like some of the posters above have said. Also get yourself one of those reflective vests like road workers use. For that matter, I wear one almost all the time. (other than short, local rides) Good lights are important not only because of the poor visibility, but because cars use poor visibility as an excuse to decide that there are no bicyclists on the road. You see what I mean, the jerks actually try LESS hard in bad weather conditions. And they'll come screeching up behing you and scare you nearly to death. Good, good lights and other visibility enhancement is very important.

[HoughMade]

Hats off to you hard core MBers. My wet weather gear consists of a set of keys to my Pontiac and a fast run to where it sits in the driveway.

[ibdennyak]

Hats off to you hard core MBers. My wet weather gear consists of a set of keys to my Pontiac and a fast run to where it sits in the driveway.

Good one Hough. Guess that would be my sentiments too. My question is....what is your maximum safe speed in the Pontiac.

[HoughMade]

Good one Hough. Guess that would be my sentiments too. My question is....what is your maximum safe speed in the Pontiac.

I'm going to plead the fifth on that...let's just say that I like to make good time.

[Bigwheel]

After walking the aisles of Interbike the past few days in Vegas and seeing just about everything there is to see in regards to bikes and accessories the one thing that stood out to me was the lighting. Some very different ways of achieving the same goal for sure. But the dare I say lightbulb that went on in my head was that because weight it not an issue on MAB's why not load up on the lights and really make yourself visible? Reflective surfaces also help alot and can be used liberally to good effect.

While at first a glowing bike might be somewhat distracting to motorists as my wife pointed out when I was discussing this with her this a.m after a time I think other road users would come to recognise it for what it is and be more apt to act accordingly? In the meantime let's all work to get our glow on because it really is the best way to be seen out there. I am sure you have all gone by bikers at dusk or in the dark that are not properly addressing this and wonder how they are going to make to home alive?

After I get a chance to sort through all the business cards I picked up at various booths I will get back here with some links to some of the products that caught my eye. Unfortunately I had problems with my camera at the show so I didn't get any pictures out of the many that I thought I had taken.

[echotraveler]

plz do...i would like to see some pics


Here in Puerto Rico we have something called "La carta del Ciclista" it's a law that allows the use of Bicycles in the street with cars...they are supposed to leave you a whole lane...lol....but in turn you Are obligued to wear a reflective vest...there are other things you most do...but reading about laws in the usa i'd say we have the best ones.

im pretty interested in rain gear, because its rainy in the tropical forest....hehehee

thanx for the tips