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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From today's Guardian: Here comes the rain: why we secretly love it when it's wet
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/20/why-we-secretly-love-rain
Obviously the UK is not actually a nation of dedicated rule niners, but we can but dream.
On the subject of mudguards, and I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but did you notice the mudguard eylets on Tom Simpson's bike in the museaum at Oudenaarde during your recent pilgrimage. I think mudguards are most useful when it has just been raining, rather than when it actually is. It's depressing getting a wet arse and filthly bike when the sun is now shining.
@scaler911
Good point! Fenders are nice for some bikes/conditions, but also a massive pain when changing flats, flipping the bike up to wheel it down a narrow hallway (mine hang inside my house, in a narrow hallway) or putting them in a workstand that cradles the BB area.
Ah...right! Mudguards are good & smart on a commuter. I got confused - a rain bike & a commuter are not the same thing. I sometimes use my commuter, which has full mudguards, as my rain ride bike. It doesn't rain here all that much so I can pretty much work around it. If I lived somewhere along the lines of the PNW I definitely would be in a different situation.
@frank a little harsh Frank - you can gladly sit behind me in the rain while I dont' wear fenders if you like - I did ride here in PDX for 2 years without fenders, and then decided to give in and put them on the bike.... and despite my Lanterne Rouge status on here - I did get a leaders jersey this year.... ;)
@frank
When I was 15 or 16 I heard a story at a training camp from a national team mechanic who, along with all the other team mechs, midway a super rainy stage race, ran out of lube. They used bacon grease and it apparently worked well for the situation they were in. Being young and impressionable, soon as I got home, had mom fry up some bacon and lubed my chain with the grease. The next day, upon returning home from school, I found my complete drivetrain clean as could be and my dogs snout black and greasy as...a bacon lubed drivetrain.
@the Engine
I love that little light. But it's easy to take on/off, no? I prefer the look of the bike without, so I take mine off unless I need it. Its also small and easy to chuck in a pocket.
@brett
Only for your mountainbike, right? Not for the road bike, right? Don't make me come over there.
That said, it is unquestionably the most elegant EPMS around.
My "crappy" bike is a 16 lbs. SRAM Force equipped Cannondale Carbon Six. It is mounted on the trainer in the winter, gets ridden in the rain and in the Crit races. But I don't mind riding bike #1 (the LOOK) in the rain either.
@frank
It still sucks.
@Giles
One of the best things about riding another bike is how much it reminds you of the #1's awesomeness. I'll be on the Soloist or TSX and say to myself, "I don't know why I bother with the #1...this bike is perfect."
Then I get on the #1 and it is stiffer, lighter, more comfortable, climbs like a hot air balloon, corners like a downhill ski...and I say to myself, "Right. That's why I bother."
The contrast between bikes makes it all the more fun to ride them and reminds you of how they're different. Its a privilege to have that option. I don't feel like I'm cheating on #1 when I ride #3; I'm reminding myself of why she's my #1.
@Albert
Correct. Its hard to see, but I have one mounted on my seat stay. I like to keep the light on a point that is as far out as possible to buy myself a bigger swath from passing traffic. In winter, or on especially rainy/dark rides, I will also mount a flasher on my traffic-side drop on my bars. And, of course, a white flasher on the front.
Again, the best kind of ride is the one you come home from safely.