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/”/]
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@frank
Bummer.
@Giles
11 on the front of the cassette... Good... Good, I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon. Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
@Giles
I had a carbon seatpost "freeze" with my steel Baum. I was too scared to mess with it too much so took the bike back to Darren Baum - framemaker extraordinaire. He said it can happen and recommended an alu seatpost going forward. I removed myself from the room before he took to my frame to remove the post...
@Marcus
Finish Line Fiber Grip to create separation of carbon from steel and also creates friction to hold the post. Also use Fiber Grip to mount 3T carbon bars to 3T alloy stem.
@RedRanger
Having hung out at Casa de Frank, you people (myself included) eat up a shit ton of his time (and Merckx bless him for it). But don't feel bad; he loves it.
@frank
My Merckx, you are overthinking this. The beauty of the 200/500 is that it's so small you press the start button, stuff it in a jersey pocket, forget it's there and ride on feel. Then pop the data on Strava when you get home to prove to yourself the wisdom of this approach. End of.
@sgt
Reports of how the Orange Sunshines established a rain-repelling high pressure dome while you were in the PNW recently are conspicuous by their absence.... So?
@frank
Rarely even use the other screens on my 500, Speed, ride time, time of day & distance covered are on the main screen and that's basically all I look at.
@frank Garmin problem solved? http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tech-news-k-edge-announces-new-mount-for-garmin-edge-computers
@Nate
I would feel it in my jersey pocket. Jersey pocket No.1 -- one tube, one CO2, one valve, one tyre lever, spoke wrench. Jersey pocket No.2 -- no smart phone, small phone or no phone. Jersey pocket No.3 -- keep empty or carry extra water, sustenance. Data is left behind you anyway. Data that matters is still ahead of you and don't record that either.