Need Help with Christmas Present for DH

[Blueberry]

All-

Apologies for posting here, but where else could I get such good advice??

DH just got a new job, and he will be able to bike commute every day (and plans to do so rain or shine). Yay!! One less person depending on a car to get to work... We're in NC, so we rarely have really brutal weather. However, he will need rain gear. He has a rain jacket, but I want to get him a cycling specific one (his regular one needs replacement anyway) and some rain pants.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 for men versus the touring jacket? I'm thinking the touring model might be preferable for commuting because the fit is looser. I'm also thinking of going ahead and getting the hood.

Also - most importantly - I can't find the rain pants in stock in a medium anywhere!!! Anybody have any ideas??

I would also welcome suggestions if you think there are other rain clothes out there for the guys that would be preferable (I don't think Burley is still making them, but could be wrong...)

Many thanks,

CA

[Grog]

Such a wonderful spouse you are!

I don't know about other commuters, but I personally cannot handle a hood when I'm on the bike. I have yet to find a hood that doesn't get dangerously in my line of sight when I make a shoulder-check (which even people with mirrors will have to do before making a turn). In poor weather (i.e. rain) it's even worse.

I'm sure that more experienced, real commuters may have different opinions though!

[Blueberry]

I'm not sure I quite deserve that, but thanks I got to pick out all of my Christmas presents, and I'm getting spoiled too

Thanks for the feedback on the hood - I was thinking this one might be OK because it goes under the helmet and seems less obtrusive. How do you keep your head dry without one?? A rain cover for the helmet??

FYI he's also getting a new front wheel for his Bike Friday - he loves his generator light, but we wanted to get a lighter wheel for him for the really long rides with lots of climbing

CA

[mimitabby]

try REI for rainpants!

[SouthernBelle]

What about one of those helmet covers??

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=4222

[Velobambina]

The Showers Pass hood that TE sells is perfect. It velcros to the Showers Pass jacket and keeps your head/neck dry.

How about GLOVES for rainy/cold weather (I'm looking for some, too). LOL

Neoprene shoe covers to keep his shoes dry and wool socks to keep his tootsies warm. How about portable wipes so he can clean up his bike? Folks overlook how messy it can get, riding in the rain. Waterproof backpack? Fenders?

[Blueberry]

He has PI Amphibs - I've heard they're pretty good in cold rain - haven't personally tried it yet

He has a waterproof messenger bag, and fenders for his 2 bikes he would commute on. As far as shoe covers - he has the PI ones, but I suspect he'll be riding in Goretex shoes and using clips/straps.

Portable wipes are a good idea - especially since our bikes live in the house

Hmmm.....

Thanks for the feedback on the hood Which jacket do you have - the 2.0??

We'll be up in your neck of the woods this weekend (Manasses, but we rarely stay there for long - we venture into the city...)

[Starfish]

He has PI Amphibs - I've heard they're pretty good in cold rain

I have amphibs and love them...but, I will say, if it is really raining and wet, the backs of the legs are not protected from the wet. At least my PI Amphibs only have the wind and rain proof stuff all down the fronts of the legs.

I think if I was commuting in wet weather often, I would want some kind of full rain pant.

I'm a true weather weenie, though. I wear my amphibs well into June, and wore them one day last July.

[Blueberry]

Heehee. That's what I get for not being specific. I'm planning to get him rain pants - he does have amphib tights, but what I was thinking might be good in cold and wet are the amphib gloves - any opinions on how waterproof they are??

[divingbiker]

I commute every day and never wear rain pants. If it's a cold rain, my PI thermafleece tights are plenty warm, even when wet. If it's warmer, then I just wear regular tights or shorts. I've got several pairs of (cheap) rain pants--my dog walker shops thrift stores and brings me tights and pants--but I'd rather just wear the fleecy tights.

I've got the Showers Pass hood, but seldom wear it either. I've got a Sugoi helmet cover, and I'll wear my buff (or balaclava if it's cold) and that works fine. If I didn't have the helmet cover, I'd probably wear the hood more, I suppose. I like the helmet cover because it covers the visor on my helmet and keeps the rain off my glasses, sort of.

[Meaux]

Not to steal from the originator of this thread, but I'm looking for a decent alloy wing bar for DH for around $70. Any suggestions? I'm looking at the FSA Wing Pro. Thanks!