Bike kit that functioned better than I expected in torrential rain.

[Globalti]

In anticipation of the heavy rain forecast for the Prudential Ride 100, I fitted my seldom-used Crud Roadracer guards to my Roubaix:

http://road.cc/content/review/33843-crud-roadracer-mk2-mudguards

This was the first time I had ever used them for a long ride in very heavy rain. They were easy to mount even on a "racy" frame, noise free and stable and they kept my bum acceptably dry all the way round. Looking at the ride photos I can see that some of my fellow riders were also happy as quite a few seemed to be sitting on my wheel enjoying the spray-free ride!

First time also in heavy rain for the also seldom-used Castelli Sottile Due rain jacket:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-sottile-due-rain-jacket/

This is an incredible garment; well-made, snug fitting so non-flap, lightweight and folds up the size of my fist yet it kept me acceptably dry even in rain so heavy I was inhaling drops! Okay, there was a little condensation where it covered my bare arms but it really did keep the rain out, to my utmost surprise.

Finally, just before the ride I fitted a pair of Veloflex Corsa "Open Tubular" (i.e. clincher) tyres:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/veloflex-corsa-23-clincher-folding-road-tyre/

These are actually a few grammes heavier than a Michelin Pro 4 Service Course but they have a thread count of 320 and look superb, a really nicely made tyre in super supple sticky rubber with a fine cross-hatched tread. Pumped up to 110 they ride smooth, silent and fast. On the previous Wednesday my (usually faster) buddy and I knocked 30 seconds off our usual one hour hooligan ride - maybe I had just got the training right but the fact that my buddy spent far more time than usual on my wheel tells me they might just be faster. In the apocalyptic rain on Sunday they felt super-grippy and secure and I didn't have a moment of concern on wet polished corners. OK, I punctured but many others did thanks to the grit being washed into the roads; that's not the fault of the tyre. Removing and fitting to my Ksyriums is easy and refitting can be done by finger pressure, with or without the assistance of talc to lubricate the sticky rubber.

Thought others might like to know.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I had a £5 cycling waterproof jacket from Aldi - was brilliant. I had Giant Defy official GIant Defy Mudguards (£29) - amazing, a new set of Northwave overshoes (£17.99) which still let water in (from underneath probably) but did the job.

Was certainly a wet one

 

[geekinaseat]

I picked up a gilet a few days before, I was very impressed. Ok I got wet (which I was expecting) but the point was I didn't get cold (or too hot) whilst on the ride. When the sun finally came out it packed into my jersey pocket perfectly. I can see myself using it whenever the weather is less than perfect as it is so flexible. It's a black endura one with mesh panel on the back.

My Gatorskins survived without a single p******* and weren't too twitchy in the wet either

The dhb glasses from wiggle were also really good in both the rain and variable sunny spells with the red/yellow lenses installed
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-pro-triple-lens-sunglasses/

 

[ColinJ]

I finally managed to break my Cruds by riding over some big twigs which got flicked up by my wheels. The guards are designed to snap rather than stay in one piece and jam the wheels (with the distinct possibility of sending the rider over the bars) so I am not complaining.

I went out for a ride yesterday and got caught in a storm on the way home. That is the first time in about 5 years that I have had cold, mucky water spraying up my back on a ride and I did not like it! Replacement Cruds will be fitted soon ...