Author Topic: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...  (Read 4114 times)

FuckRx

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preparing for the rainy season...
i'm using a mountain bike for commuting..
what's a good overall rain attire to use to keep me and my backpack somewhat dry?
i need something those mud flap things...what's a good one to purchase?

GuitarStv

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2013, 10:34:52 AM »
What kind of mountain bike do you have?  Disk brakes?  Front/rear suspension?

I have used these http://www.mec.ca/product/5024-720/planet-bike-cascadia-ii-atb-fenders/ with great success on an older mountain bike with no suspension.

FuckRx

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2013, 08:57:04 AM »
It's a Marin 29-er and it has front shocks and solid rear with disc brakes front and back.

Spudd

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2013, 09:24:43 AM »
What you want is fenders. I don't know of good fenders to recommend for a 29-er, but that's the keyword you want to google for.

To keep myself dry I use a raincoat. :)

capital

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2013, 10:25:56 AM »
The Cascadias are indeed good for keeping you dry, but check that you have fender mount points on your fork brace and legs, or that you can fit P-clamps. Another option is to get a solid fork swapped in for the winter, like the Surly Karate Monkey fork. If you are in a snowy climate, you may need to worry about snow clearance, as well.

When looking for rain gear jackets, keep an eye out for pit zips-- biking builds up a lot of body heat, and I haven't yet encountered a fabric nearly as breatheable as pit zips.

m8547

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2013, 05:15:55 PM »
Full fenders are great, and they almost completely eliminate spray from the roads. That means you only need rain gear to keep you dry from falling rain. I don't know if they make full fenders that fit MTB tires. it looks like they make a 29er version of the cascadia fender linked to previously.

You could try things like this:
http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2011/07/bike-fender-repositioning.html

Or get slick tires and regular full fenders. 700C tires will fit on a 29er, and you will be more efficient on roads with slick tires. Slick tires are fine in the rain (they are narrow enough to push water away easily. Car tires need tread to do so because they are wide), but all tires will have less traction on wet roads.
http://sheldonbrown.com/fenders.html

You can get backpacks made of waterproof roll-top dry bags, like this:
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/sealline/packs-and-duffles/black-canyon-boundary-pack/product
Look around for good prices since they can be expensive. If the rain is not too heavy, you might be able to use just a pack cover or trash bag to keep your pack dry.

Lights are essential for safety when it's raining. A front light is as important (or more important) than a rear. Get one that's water resistant or waterproof, rechargeable (or use rechargeable batteries) and had a bright continuous beam. Just about any good flashing light will do for the rear, and I'm always a fan of the Planet Bike Superflash (I think it's water resistant).

Freckles

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2013, 08:37:26 PM »
Would rain pants be overkill?  And something to cover your shoes.  And I don't know how much rain you get where you are but I'm in the Portland area so it's rainy/drizzly many, many days during the winter and spring.  Doesn't sound like overkill for me.

A baseball cap under your helmet if you wear one to keep rain off your face?

I'm ending with question marks because I'm trying to figure this out for myself.

Hamster

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2013, 11:31:22 PM »
In the northwest here. I think people vary a lot on what they like. Below are my standard commuting fare, but first one thing everyone agrees on: full fenders with relatively large splash guards as first defense. Clothes vary depending on the amount of rain (it rains constantly, but rarely rains hard around here) and temperature.

First thin wool socks, then I add zip on shoe covers. For legs, I rely more on insulation than waterproofing. Depending on temp, first I just use shorts, then as it gets colder, move to thin tights, then thick tights which are fairly wind/water repellant. I only wear rain pants if either a very short ride, or if very cold and very wet.

On top, I go from a long sleeved jersey, to a soft shell jacket, to a rain jacket with a lot of venting (pit zips, vented back 'cape', vented pockets and cuffs that can be loosened for airflow). Trapped sweat is worse than rain penetration in my book. I wear either a t-shirt or a wicking long-sleeved shirt under the jacket depending on temperature

Hands go from fingerless bike gloves to thin 'running gloves' to thin neoprene gloves. I've never liked a lot of insulation on my hands unless temps are way below freezing, which we rarely get here. It's more to protect fingers from wind chill. Head: a knitted hat under my helmet. When really cold, I add a neck gaiter and pull it over my nose as needed.

I always wear eye protection. Just bike glasses (clear in the winter), for my climate. I hear of people wearing ski goggles in colder areas.

Finally, if a rack and panniers are an option, you may like them a lot more than the backpack.

Freckles

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Re: need to outfit my bike better....another accessories question...
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2013, 02:12:50 PM »
I just saw something in another post that might help.

+10 points for riding in the rain! I have found the following items to be very helpful when it comes to riding in the rain:

Clipless shoes
Shoe covers
Good rain pants (I got a pair of Goretex on year-end clearance from REI that work great)
Helmet cover (not essential but is kind of nice)
Waterproof mitten shell to go over the regular gloves (allows the regular gloves to stay dry and not be soaked for a week after a ride in the rain)

I have no idea what "clipless shoes" are.  I guess I'll google.

 

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