In our privileged stables of bikes, it ranks towards the bottom of the heap as Bike #2 or lower, but the Rain Bike is no slouch. This is, after all, the bike we rely on in bad weather, trusting it to carry us safely through what typically amounts to the most dangerous conditions we ride in. Provided you ride year-round, you likely ride this machine more often than your Number One – assuming you live in an environment that isn’t a tropical island (I’m looking at you @gianni) or classified as a desert. It follows, then, that this is a machine to be curated with great care and several factors should be kept in mind when selecting the machine for this wet and dirty work.
The first consideration is the material. I hope I’m not spoiling anyone’s fantasy by pointing out that rain isn’t actually made of the sweat falling from Merckx’s guns as he pedals high up on Mount Velomis; it is mostly water, mixed with some acids and other crap. Rain water can cause certain kinds of materials to become compromised in one way or another. Steel, for example, is particularly prone to this through rusting. Calfee’s bamboo frames might be susceptible to becoming soggy – I’m not sure. For a bike which is to be ridden primarily in wet conditions, choose a durable, non-corrosive material like titanium, aluminum or carbon.
The second consideration is the components. Here’s the other news flash about riding in the rain: the roads are less pristine than they are in the dry. Road grit gets in your drivetrain and on on your rims, acting like coarse sandpaper to accelerate wear. Since you’ll be replacing some parts more often than on a bike ridden in the dry, this is a bike for which to get economical about gear selection; you aren’t going to want to replace your full titanium Super-Record cassette and chain after it wears out in 1/3 the time. The shifters, brakes, crankset, and derailleurs don’t have to be greatly affected provided you maintain the bike in the style of a velominatus, but the wheels, bottom bracket, derailleur pulleys, chain, cassette and freehub will certainly feel the strain. Anything that moves, has a bearing, or lets water in is a candidate for accelerated wear.
Third, this has to be a bike you’re going to love riding, not some beater that gets abused and you tolerate throwing your leg over. As much as riding in Rule #9 conditions is badass and an invigorating experience, it does get a bit tiresome when you ride in the rain every day from October to March (or May, for you Pacific-Northwesterners). If your position isn’t right and if the bike isn’t a pleasure to ride, it’s not going to make getting cold and wet any more enjoyable.
Lastly, this bike will be taking abuse, so remember that your safety is entrusted to this machine in conditions when visibility is low, stopping distances increased, and road surfaces slick. Maintain this bike more diligently than any other machine; check the brake pads and rims for dangerous wear, check the metal bits for rust and cracks, and keep a close eye on the chain and cables. Resist the temptation to spray it down with the garden hose as the pressure can lodge the grit deeper into bearings and other nooks and crannies on the bike. After each ride, clean the braking surfaces carefully, wipe the chain down (or, better yet, use a Cyclone with soapy water to get the grit out from in between the links) and always use a wax-based lubricant to keep the dirt from sticking to it more than with traditional oil-based lubes.
But most of all, remember that the best kind of ride is the one you’ll be able to do again; stay safe and ride carefully. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/LVV Rain Bike/”/]
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I built up a rain bike a few years ago - kitted out a steel frame with some shiny gadgets and gizmos. How much do I ride her? NEVER. For while I tried to sell her to a deserving home, no one wanted her - nobody understood the concept of a steel frame with carbon cranks. I couldn't bring myself to part with that part of me that went into building her up. And then it hit me, my #1 is just like my VMH - bike #1 so fulfils me I can't ride another. I just can't. In the same way my wife fulfils all of my needs in a partner, so does bike 1 in my needs for a ride (no pun intended). Bike #2 is like Angelina Jolie to me a piece of art to admire and covet, but that's it.
So I ride bike 1 in rain, hail, sun, wind and I would in snow but it doesn't exist in Western Australia. Bike #2 adorns the garage wall at home, people admire it and some actually appreciate it, but she just can't hack it in the real cycling world, well not to me anyway.
I'l try to upload a picture of the rain bike - excuse the rule breaches, it pre-dates my Velominati awakening.
Oh and mudguards/fenders? Over my dead body will they EVER go on my bike, one or two. I'd rather ride alone than in a group that enforce them.
@minion
Do I know you?
I love all this banter of the pros and cons of #1 vs #2 bike... For those lucky enough to have a #2 bike they want to ride as much as #1 I say maybe there should be a #3 for hot days or wednesdays or whatever day is deemed not rIght for #1. I prefer to ride my #1 (the only road bike in my garage) in all weather. I keep it clean and maintained and if something wears out its a good reason to upgrade. I will say that being from Texas riding in the rain usually means that you are caught out in a storm that produces high winds, several inches of rain per hour and proba le hail that would strip the paint off your trusty steed. Keep bring the reasons for N+1... Its all about the bike!
@frank
this made me pi$$ myself laughing at work .....damn i hate when ppl look at u awkwardly (well...more than usual) ....
@brett
FIX MY LIGHT YOU CUNZOR
Nah kidding it's not broken. It is fucked, but not broken. But you're the biggest bike fashion victim here - and you're against the idea of a rain bike? How long do you hold onto MTBs before you shift em on?
I have a rain bike that weights a good 3kg more than my #1. To me it feels wrong to ride #1 between April and August, mostly cos #2 has lights, EPMS, spares all ready to go, and if I'm riding round in the dark (which I am) the heavier wheels don't care if I hit stuff as much. When the winter clothing starts to be left at home, #1 comes back out. That and I like screwing around with bikes, so having 2 means I'm having twice as much fun.
@minion
Have we met?
My current mtb is going on 2 years old now.
Not against the idea of rain bikes at all, but would rather not mollycoddle a No.1, especially if it's carbon or alloy. I guess this is my rain bike, although I only really ride it twice a week for about 15 minutes each time. I'd rather enjoy a longer ride on a bike that works well and isn't a compromise. If the rain bike is not a compromise, then you've spent too much money on getting it close to No.1, which kinda defeats the purpose.
Yeah, given the choice - an aluminum, titanium, or hell - even carbon - might be the choice for the rain bike. Even so, steel bikes hold up fine. My rain rig is a 1997 Ibis Hakkalugi 'cross bike and after 15 years, still rolling strong. Steel frame and fork - as nature and Grant Petersen intended...
Training rides may be semi-entertaining without fenders. Commuting without 'em gets old really fast - bike, ass, and messenger bag coated with wet, nasty, road grit - upon arrival at work. Much joy and suffering to the horror of co-workers, who already think you're insane.
No thanks kids. I'll break a few rules and run fenders in the rain. Be the Fred, Embrace the Fred...
Timely, Frank. My S1 went from #2/Rain Bike status to #1 with the death of the Look 595. I got the S1 for the same reasons you describe: bombproof, weatherproof, and cheap. Mine's got Shimano 105-5700. Black. Easton Vista SL wheels. Conti UltraRace tires (23's), and some weird-as-shit bar made by Control Tech that screams, "Fuck if you will get in the drops on these bars." Totally V-shaped. Got the bike on e-Bay for $1100 US. Spent about $300 to change out 175 compact for 172.5 53x39, cables and housing, Fizik bar tape (black), chain, and cassette. FYI, I've got a part-time gig at my big box LBS, so I ain't payin' full retail. Gives me the opportunity to buy more with less.
I like the bike. We're still dating. Not in love, but quite comfortable. However, I will relegate her as soon as the next bike pornstar arrives and gives me wicked carbone.
@brett
Oh that's right you're Australian you don't ride in the rain or you'll melt.
I like having a back up bike or 3, and get my money's worth out of all of them. If I had 2 identical #1 bikes, I'd be a bigger idiot than I appear to be.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
You hear anything back about the warranty on your LOOK frame?