Contents

Cycling in the rain - general information

• Mudguards
• Safety in the rain
• Protecting a parked bicycle from rain
• Caring for you bicycle after wet rides

Rainwear

• Rainwear in everyday life - commuting by bicycle to work
• Rainwear for more sporty cycling

 

• FAQs

Cycling in the rain - general information

Mudguards - the most effective protection

It’s also usually pretty simple to attach mudguards to mountain bikes that don’t get ridden off-road much. Many frames already have mudguard eyelets for this purpose, or you can buy one of the many clip-on mudguards available. With full-suspension mountain bikes, it’s more difficult to fit mudguards because of the suspension, especially at the rear wheel. Here, small plastic mudguards especially for the fork have become popular. These keep mud and water away from sensitive parts such as the fork seals – and your face. Many racing bikes now have discreet eyelets for fixed mudguards. For racing bikes without these eyelets, light and streamlined mudguards are available which use rubber fasteners to connect them to the fork and seat stays. If you prefer a sportier look, you can mount a plastic mudguard under the saddle. These aren’t as effective as a fixed, full-length mudguard, but do keep off a large amount of splash water and at least prevent saddle foam from getting soaked during short downpours.

Safety in the rain

Riding during rainfall or on wet roads requires a more cautious riding style. Poor visibility can be compensated for by equipping your bike with a powerful lighting system and installing reflectors: there are a vast number of bright, easy-to-install battery-powered lights available. Additionally, having reflective elements on your clothing (especially on your feet) helps you to be seen. However, none of this is any substitute for knowing how to ride responsibly and safely in wet weather. When it rains, you must assume that the road is much more slippery than usual. Particular care should be taken when riding over road markings, drain covers and cobblestones. Riding through puddles can also be dangerous: it’s often impossible to see potholes or other obstacles through the water.

Protecting a parked bicycle from rain

Caring for your bicycle after wet rides

Water is the natural enemy of every bicycle - it seeps into all the cracks, rinses grease out of bearings and accelerates the corrosion of metal parts. It’s therefore especially important to take good care of your bike if you ride regularly in the rain. Particular attention should be paid to the chain and cassette, as they are particularly exposed to the elements. Clean the chain regularly by pulling it through a cloth moistened with degreaser and clean the cassette with a brush to knock off any resilient muck. After you’ve cleaned the chain of all dirt, it still has to be oiled. It’s best to apply a drop of chain oil to each link of the chain on the inside, move the chain a few crank turns, let the oil work its magic for a few minutes and finally wipe off the excess with a cloth. The more often you spend a few minutes maintaining your drivetrain, the longer and better all your bike’s components will do their job.

Rainwear

Rainwear in everyday life – commuting by bicycle to work

If you use your bicycle as your main daily mode of transport, it’s important to be able to get around even when it’s raining. With the right equipment and clothing, you can keep preparation time to a minimum and still arrive dry at work. Here are a few little tips to make this easier for you:

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1. 1. 1. Mudguards are cheap and highly effective. If you want to ride regularly in the rain, you absolutely must have them.
      2. Your journey to work shouldn’t be a race, so a shower at work isn’t a necessity. However, having a place where you can easily change undisturbed makes life much easier.
      3. If you don't have room to dry wet clothes during the day, bring a change of clothes if rain is forecast.
      4. Always have a set of dry clothes at your place of work. If you don't have enough room for a complete outfit, some dry socks will work wonders.
      5. Even if you get cold and wet, don’t let it spoil your day. Remember, it's just water and everything dries eventually.

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Ponchos – easy-to-use, but still a bit of a compromise

The simplest way to stay dry on the bike is with a rain poncho. It reliably protects the entire upper body and parts of the legs from rain. The good thing about a poncho is that you can put it on quickly over your regular clothes without sacrificing any freedom of movement. However, the baggy fit also means that they quickly start to flap around in strong wind or at higher speeds, thus becoming a bit of a parachute. Ponchos are therefore particularly suitable as an emergency solution and for riders who ride at a more leisurely pace.

Rain jacket – almost indispensable for commuting

If you regularly ride your bike in the rain, a rainproof jacket is essential. Since people usually ride more gently while commuting than when doing sport, rain protection can be prioritised over breathability. Decide whether you need a hood before you buy: if you always ride with a helmet, you are probably better off with a jacket without a hood in combination with a helmet cover. Helmet covers not only protect against rain and wind, but also keep your head warm on colder days. In addition, you retain full all-round visibility, which is restricted by hoods.

Rain trousers and overshoes – protection against splash water

Special jeans and chinos for commuters are available with a water-repellent coating that allows precipitation to drip off. However, if it’s really pouring, you’ll want rain pants. These are designed with side buttons or zippers and are quickly put on over normal clothing. You should be aware, however, that the water that no longer soaks your trouser legs will now run down to your shoes. If you get rain trousers, consider buying overshoes, or at least wear a pair of more water-resistant shoes. Many overshoes are available in highly-visible colours or with reflective details – because your feet are practically always moving when cycling, this equals a great plus in safety.

Rainwear for sporty cycling

For normal everyday cycling, you’ll probably want to wear your normal clothes and not go to too much effort to stay dry and comfortable. However, when riding more energetically, for sport or for competition, there are other things to consider.

Rainwear for mountain biking

Clothing for mountain biking is generally cut loosely to offer the best possible freedom of movement. When it rains, the forest gets not only wet but very muddy, which poses additional challenges for clothing. Rainwear specially designed for mountain biking must not only be able to withstand rain, but must also be resilient to mud, easy to wash and robust.

Rainwear for road bikes

Rainwear designed for road bikes is cut for aerodynamics: a closer fit equals less material flapping around and therefore less energy lost. In addition, this clothing must be extremely breathable – it wouldn’t be very helpful if the rain rolled off you, only for you to drown in your own sweat instead. Another issue on the road bike is the cold wind, which can quickly chill you when your clothes are damp from sweat. Decide what’s more important: for intensive training or racing, the breathability of the clothing is more important than for long, less intensive rides where you won't sweat so much.

Jerseys

Jackets

If you regularly ride in cold temperatures and rain, you need the right jacket. Softshell jackets are made of different layers and combine the advantages of fleeces and rain jackets. They usually contain a breathable membrane and are good enough for most rainy rides. Hardshell jackets are designed for the worst conditions imaginable. If the prospect of hours of rain and low temperatures doesn't stop you from getting on the bike, then this is the one for you. By using modern fabrics and membranes, hardshell jackets are waterproof but still breathable. Jackets that fit into a jersey pocket occupy a special position. They are not only water-repellent, but also windproof and can be truly invaluable in the event of a sudden thunderstorm. They are also very practical for spring or autumn, when the temperature can vary dramatically. For rides in the mountains or on the coast, where the weather can change at the drop of a hat, they are indispensable companions.

Cycling shorts and trousers for rainy rides

Overshoes

Most road bike shoes are designed for summer temperatures but can be used almost all year round in combination with the right overshoes and socks. Thin latex covers that protect against rain and improve aerodynamics are ideal for racing (although not particularly durable). For long training rides in winter, robust neoprene overshoes are better as they keep both the water and cold out. Overshoes don't work so well on mountain bikes, as you have to get off your bike more often and can get them dirty while walking. There’s a selection of waterproof or at least water-resistant shoes available for mountain biking, with which you can walk through muddy puddles without worrying.

Gloves

All-in-one rain suits for mountain biking

FAQs

Does a bicycle rust after a ride in the rain?

In short, yes. Bikes aren't made of sugar and can withstand getting wet – however many of their parts are made of steel, which rusts when it’s exposed to rain for longer periods. Aluminium is less sensitive but can also corrode. Salty sea air or rides on roads that have been salted can accelerate the rusting process. The chain can be especially sensitive; after a very wet ride you should clean and re-grease it to avoid permanent damage. For bicycle storage we recommend a dry, covered room or fabric cover.

What can you do if you wear glasses and want to cycle in the rain?

Ironically, glasses often make it more difficult to see when cycling in the rain. If rain accumulates on the outside or the inside mists up (especially during energetic riding or cooler weather), they prevent a clear view of the traffic. Caps or hoods prevent raindrops from reaching your glasses at all. Racing cyclists often wear minimalist cotton caps with a small visor, while mountain bike helmets with visors are also popular. Fogged lenses on everyday glasses, on the other hand, are more difficult to combat, as they result from a lack of ventilation. Many sports glasses have special air vents on the lenses or frames. In combination with a hydrophilic coating that allows water to roll off, it’s much easier to maintain a clear view.

Are there special tyres for riding in the rain?

Yes, practically all companies offer special tyres with enhanced puncture protection for riding in bad weather. Rain washes small glass splinters and sharp stones onto the road, ensuring that this debris gets stuck to your tyres. Thicker tread and sidewalls together with extra puncture protection layers prevent sharp objects from working their way through the tyre to the inner tube. There's nothing wrong with riding these tyres all year round, although many riders prefer a lighter, faster tyre for summer riding. For mountain bikes, there are special tyres available with extra coarse studs for particularly muddy conditions. Here, too, these are only worthwhile if you ride a lot and always require the optimum equipment. All tyres benefit from being run with slightly lower pressure than usual when it’s wet, as this increases the contact area with the ground.

Is breaking distance longer when riding in the rain?

Yes, if the bike is equipped with conventional rim brakes, the brake pad will take a little longer to skim the water from the braking surface and grip the rim. This doesn’t happen with disc brakes, and they are undoubtedly the better braking system for wet conditions. Regardless of the brakes used, however, all tyres have less grip on wet roads, which extends the braking distance and time.

At what point is a garment considered waterproof?

The so-called ‘water column’ is often used to test the water permeability of a garment. To determine this, a garment is subjected to increasing water pressure until a third droplet permeates the fabric – at this point, the water column of the garment can be measured. Depending on the standard, textiles are waterproof to 800 mm (EN 343:2003 Class 1), 1300 mm (EN 343:2003 Class 2) or even 4000 mm (EMPA Switzerland). ‘Waterproof’ can therefore mean different things, depending on the standard used. Fortunately, practically all clothes available on the market that are called ‘waterproof’ are perfectly sufficient for everyday use. If you want to wear a garment for sport, also think about its breathability!