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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@frank
I've actually started just showing time, elapsed time, speed & distance on my 500's main screen when I go on the longer rides. I'm still recording HR & cadence, but I don't see those 'till I get home and sync it to Strava. This way, I have the best of both worlds: less distraction, AND the gathering of all related information.
Speaking of Strava... Does anybody know why I'm unable to post comments to the Velominati club page?
Rain bike... hah! I've spent my adult life positioning myself to eliminate the need for one. So far so good.
@frank
Put 'em up on the site, mate. Quit hogging 'em.
@All
I have a small Fizik EPMS and a Garmin 705 that I'll sell at a bargain price to anyone with the stones to post up in public that they want 'em. They're flotsam and jetsam left along the trail to Mt. Velomis.
$200 for the Garmin, $10 for the EPMS, you pay the freight.
@frank
Nice Spinal Tap clip and reference - did I mention my Chorus cassette goes up to 11?
And I have to say you inspired me to check out rain bike/#2 bike again this morning, and I've decided she will get out more. So good job!! As you say getting back on No.1 will remind me of why #1 is #1
... and also while I'm on it - the seized threads - I seem to remember being told not to use carbon seat posts on steel frames for the same reason - that can't be right though, surely?
Can anyone let me know how to post a photo to the avatar?
@Steampunk
You're getting awfully mouthy, mister "I'm peaking for 200 on 100". What you don't know is I am paying @Rob to throw you in the locker and put you back in your place, Pedalwan.
@Giles gravatar
@frank
Not mouthy"”truthy. What's wrong with what I said?
That's mouthy.
@frank
Tis Galvanic Corrosion, Wiki that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion ...
It's why I strip my bikes down every six months, degrease, grease and rebuild, also helps the wrenching skills stay in check.
@Xyverz
Inspired. I was thinking of mounting it on chain stays and seat stays, but that is gloriously simple. Screen 1: Time of day. Screen two: Speed, HR, distance, and Ride Time for intervals. Switch to screen two on Tues/Thurs, the rest of the time its all feel. Love it.
@RedRanger
I'm behind on everything because there's this website that eats up heaps of my time. Still aiming to race this year, probably starting in July or so. We'll have to see. CX for sure.
@frank
A Dutchman, Dr Snellen, is credited as the creator of the modern eyechart. Keeping with the metric theme, 6/3 vision would be equivalent to 20/10.
I'm not an ophthalmologist, just a sucker with really bad sight. Not knowing anything the doctor told me last week brought me to wiki when I returned home, and that's about all I can remember.