Commuting in Rain

[Quillfred]

Now with the price of gas spiraling up and my love of riding also spiraling up, I am wondering if I should subject my newish Trek 1500 WSD to the wet Seattle weather, or if I should get a "beater".

The majority is the commute is on a paved trail. So mud shouldn't be too much of an issue.

My concerns are premature rusting and possible brake failures. I don't see myself on a comfort as I love to hunker over the tube on straights.

Thanks in advance.

Carole

[go get em]

I think it is always a good idea to have a another bike for rainy days. The guys I ride with call it the "blue day bike". Unless you are really knowledgable on maintenance(which im not) and have the time to clean it up really good when back from your ride(I never have time) I would definitly use a beater bike. Just my opinion.

[pkq]

Your bike is aluminum, which doesn't rust. But you'd have lots of water, grit, and grime in places you really wouldn't. I'd vote for a beater bike.

[Veronica]

I commute just about every day - rain or shine on my road bike. Granted we don't get as many rainy days as you do in Seattle. Once the first rain comes I put my fenders back on and change my tires back to 27s. I use my lights when it's raining.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/bike/ramb/ramb-w-fenders.jpg

This is my bike ready for winter riding.

V.

[newfsmith]

I understand your concern for your bike. Yes, wet weather is hard on all the bearings even if they are "sealed". In this case sealed does not equal water-tight. On the other hand, in spite of naming and giving personalities to all of my bikes, they are machines to help me. If your new bike is the apple of your eye and you want to keep it pristine for as long as possible, get a beater. Maybe a second-hand road bike if you can find one to fit you. If you are prepared to add 20 minutes of bike maintenence after every wet day ride, why not use your bike? 5 years ago I bought a new steel bike in October and rode it all winter. Yes, by spring I needed a new chain and cassette, but I didn't have to replace the bottom bracket until last year after roughly 6000 miles (I broke 2 computers in that time). I replaced the head set bearings 2 years ago. I still get a kick out of that bike, partially from all the quality time we have spent cleaning and tweaking, partially from all the memories, but mostly because it still rides like the day I got it, even if it is a little more battered.

[nuthatch]

Veronica, what kind of fenders do you have on there? I've got quickie mtb fenders on my commuter right now and they don't really do the job - I like the length of the front fender.

[Veronica]

Veronica, what kind of fenders do you have on there? I've got quickie mtb fenders on my commuter right now and they don't really do the job - I like the length of the front fender.


They're Edge fenders - classic plastic. Thom painted them white with Krylon paint. A half a water bottle screwed onto the bottom gives you and your bottom bracket even more protection from spray. Fenders don't go that far down because they need to be flexible to go over bumps and curbs.

V.

[nuthatch]

Very innovative - thanks for the details!