Wet Weather Commuting

[BrumJim]

So, November has arrived with vengeance, and I am looking for a winter solution.

My current steed is a road bike. No mudguards, no protection. My commute involves some canal tow-path, but even ignoring that, there are other parts where the puddles can get dirty as well as wet. If I commute through this stuff, I get the tell-tale line of mud up my trouser bottom, coat and rucksack. And the nice new bike gets dirty.

So what is the best answer:

Cycling trousers. Lycra, non-lycra baggy, or waterproof over-trousers?
or
Mudguards. The Crud Roadracer appears to be popular on here, or do I get a set that attach to the frame in a moutain bike style.
or
N+1 - get a cheap, second hand hybrid (<£100) and use that when the weather is bad, and don't bother to keep clean.

Thoughts?

 

[fossyant]

Guards (SKS) and cycling specific trousers - like Ronhill Bikesters if you don't want full on lycra. Waterproof over trousers - Aldi may have some left, or don't bother - usefull in torrential weather.

 

[dub-no-bass]

For the sake of the poor souls riding behind you, at least get a rear mudguard.
As for waterproofing yourself, it seems to be a choice between no waterproofs and getting soaked with rain or waterproofs and gettingsoaked with your own sweat. I suppose at least the sweat is a bit warmer..

 

[jonny jeez]

So, November has arrived with vengeance, and I am looking for a winter solution.

My current steed is a road bike. No mudguards, no protection. My commute involves some canal tow-path, but even ignoring that, there are other parts where the puddles can get dirty as well as wet. If I commute through this stuff, I get the tell-tale line of mud up my trouser bottom, coat and rucksack. And the nice new bike gets dirty.

So what is the best answer:

Cycling trousers. Lycra, non-lycra baggy, or waterproof over-trousers?
or
Mudguards. The Crud Roadracer appears to be popular on here, or do I get a set that attach to the frame in a moutain bike style.
or
N+1 - get a cheap, second hand hybrid (<£100) and use that when the weather is bad, and don't bother to keep clean.

Thoughts?

Jim, I'm in the same mindset..I think I'll go for the guards myself as they dont look to bad.

Expecting REALLY bad weather for the end of this week in London (and UK I think) and as it's the 13th tomorrow...with the addition of storm and flood warnings .....I shall be taking the car....NOOOOOOO.

 

[HobbesChoice]

...with the addition of storm and flood warnings ......

 

[fossyant]

Expecting REALLY bad weather for the end of this week in London (and UK I think) and as it's the 13th tomorrow...with the addition of storm and flood warnings .....I shall be taking the car....NOOOOOOO.

Wimp.............tis fun riding in gale force winds and horizontal rain.....

 

[Greenbank]

Mudguards will stop you getting dirty, and full mudguards will stop the water being flicked up onto your feet and transmission, but they're not going to do much to stop you getting wet when the water is falling from the sky above.

There are two paths you can take on grim weather cycling:

a) Try, in vain, to keep dry. Waterproof jacket and trousers, overshoes, etc.

OK for short journeys where you need to keep your normal clothes underneath dry, but anything more than 20 minutes and the water will find its way in through neck, waist, wrist and ankle holes.

More than 20 minutes, or shorter with brisker cycling, and you'll generate enough sweat that you may as well not bother with the waterproofs.

If you go for this option you'll also end up doing the Goretex dance every time it starts/stops raining, wasting lots of time.

Assume you'll get wet but dress to keep warm.

This is the way I do it; wet and warm.

Multiple layers of lycra or sportwool. Nothing "heavy" like cotton or denim. Base layer t-shirt under lycra jersey. Roubaix backed leg warmers (or knee-warmers) and arm warmers.

Long fingered gloves. Colder weather I'll use Altura "Waterproof" gloves (they'll survive for 2 hours before they're utterly soaked).

Rain-jacket and overshoes are optional to make it a bit more comfortable, but they mainly act as just another layer rather than for their waterproof qualities. I try to keep one layer in reserve just in case I get cold (there's nothing worse than wearing everything you have and still being cold), you should be comfortably warm within 10 minutes of cycling and have a layer (or two) in reserve.

 

[addictfreak]

My commute lasts around 45-50 mins. I have crudroadrace mudguards (winter bike), usually helly hansen base layer, cycling jersey, waterproof jacket and gloves, lycra bib longs (dry very quikly) endura overshoes. Keeps the rain out, but still wet inside due to sweating. I dont really mind getting wet, its the cold that gets to me.
However i am lucky enough to have drying facilities at work and showers etc.

 

[upsidedown]

Mudguards all the way. I've got a set ot Tortec full guards on and i hardly get any spray. Alternative is SKS Race Blades which take about a minute to put on or take off, will keep the worst off you and the bike.

If it's not too cold a pair of MTB shorts, if it's very cold then Bikesters.

A cheap hybrid will last about a week on a towpath before it dissolves.

 

[palinurus]

How much towpath?

Occasionally I ride the cross bike to work and I'll try and see how far I can get in the mornings without riding on a road (about 8 miles is my best legal attempt so far, with 1.5 miles of road). I don't do it regularly though- it's fun but messy as hell and involves a good 30 minutes of bike maintenance on my return (clean and lube)

Definitely mudguards, if at all possible full mudguards, but raceblades if that's all you can fit.

 

[johnsie]

I have a 50 minute commute and have just invested 90 quid in a pair of endura waterproof 3/4 shorts on the basis that waterproof overtrousers are a pain to don and undon(?), and skin drys quicker than fabric. Not sure yet what to do about footwear. I think overshoes might have the same problems as overtrousers. Anyone tried the waterproof sock route?

Wassail (okay i've got my christmas decorations up early!)

 

[BrumJim]

7 mile commute (well, probably 6, but I like to pretend that it is more).

1/3 on tow path. Most of this is on brick. Only two short sections on fine packed waste where puddles form. None on bare soil.
1/3 on roads.
1/3 through the park - occasional muddy bits, and one bit where lorries, etc are putting mud on the path, just by some major water/sewage works.

 

[upsidedown]

7 mile commute (well, probably 6, but I like to pretend that it is more).

1/3 on tow path. Most of this is on brick. Only two short sections on fine packed waste where puddles form. None on bare soil.
1/3 on roads.
1/3 through the park - occasional muddy bits, and one bit where lorries, etc are putting mud on the path, just by some major water/sewage works.

RaceBlades and the warm/wet option suggested by Greenbank then.

 

[BrumJim]

Thanks to all on here. Some very good advice. I know that I can turn to you lot in my hours of need.

Now off to write a list for Santa, I think.

 

[moolarb]

I have a 50 minute commute and have just invested 90 quid in a pair of endura waterproof 3/4 shorts on the basis that waterproof overtrousers are a pain to don and undon(?), and skin drys quicker than fabric. Not sure yet what to do about footwear. I think overshoes might have the same problems as overtrousers. Anyone tried the waterproof sock route?

Wassail (okay i've got my christmas decorations up early!)

waterproof socks don't work when it's really wet - they're OK at keeping the wind out and drizzle/splashes etc.

if it's raining hard the water gets in through the big hole at the top (you know, the one where you put your foot ) then your feet are in bags of water which is not pleasant

I only use them as an extra layer of protection underneath waterproof overshoes