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
Apologies, but I wasn't being as rude or disrespectful as you think: on this side of the pond, "my arse" is tagged on the end of sentences to express incredulity, as in "A dope free TDF? My arse!"
You are, however, more than welcome to kiss my arse should the occasion arise, but bearing in mind the biblical weather we're having, a brisk rub-down with a damp copy of the Sporting Life would be prefered!
@Nate
We had this chat awhile ago. Was it Marcus who watched the rest of the breakaway leave him behind because his HRM told him he was already at his limit? Or was it Marcus who lambasted some poor buffoon who made this excuse? How often do you think JENS looks at his HRM? And is it at or beyond threshold that he shouts "shut up legs."? Just asking...
@RedRanger
Are you standing beside a black helicopter?
@the Engine
nope, just an old ass 727
@frank
My Cateye wireless dofer has a habit of randomly turning itself into a V-Meter for no apparent reason. One minute all is well and then the screen lights up every liquid crystal, then it switches off, then it asks for units and then it goes back to the factory default anything from 10 minutes to three days later. Both my Cateyes do this and it isn't the batteries so from time to time a big V decal is all there is.
I always meditate on Rule #5 - I side effect of sciatica (I'm slowly getting better thanks for asking) is that it demands Rule #5 compliance 24x7.
Tomorrow I am going out with gleaming white bar tape, a correctly placed hat and properly tensioned shoes and I will not return until I have communed with the Man With The Hammer.
@meursault
I'm nearly 50 and this may as well be in Cuneiform - I'll look at it again tomorrow and see if I can pick my way through it.
@The Engine
Un-install then re-install Strava. First time I installed it I could never get a GPS signal. I still have trouble getting a signal now and then but once I get the signal it works just fine. Sometimes I think that the problem is my impatience.
Using an HTC Desire S
@RedRanger
You're in Tucson aren't you?
@Steampunk
I'm sure @Marcus will turn up and remind us of his opinion.