LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4106

Talking about rain, btw, might I recommend some rainlegs?

http://www.rainlegs.co.uk

And if you use clipless pedals, some proper winter boots will go a long way to ensuring your comfort.

Barrie · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Putney

I was looking at those last night but thought they looked a bit gimmicky - quite tempting if they actually work though...

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere

I wasn't recommending by the way, just saying I had some non branded full tourer types and as I say they are pants. But having put them on I'm joyful that I can cycle in the rain without a soggy arse, which is a depressing way of spending the first few hours of the working day.

If I knew the brand I would tell you (to warn the others as it were) and most of you are lucky here that your LBS is not action bikes. Who I fear are not long for the world in Basingstoke, leaving me with no option but the h'interweb.

Barrie · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 1380 Location: Putney

Damn, forgot to check my tyres...

I guess I'll check the Evanses at Waterloo on the way home from work, Decathlon ASAP, and quite likely then order SKS of one flavour or the other online.

Thanks for all the info!

andyman · Joined: 05 Apr 2006 Posts: 1945 Location: Suffolk

UPDATE....

OK, just returned from my 53.16km ride, and have to admit it was only raining lightly for the first 10/15km, obviously the roads were wet. But I can confirm both my back and my feet/lower legs remained comfortably dry (i.e. some falling rain got on them but nothing from the wheels) Sol can confirm this Smile

(I should admit to the fact that I rushed to fit the front one and in my haste left it rubbing very slightly on the tyre, but after the rain stopped and the rub noise got to irritate, I stopped and adjusted in a couple of seconds and that was that. So although they can move slightly, its very easily remedied with no tools whatever)

Monty Dog · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 52

Raceblades are fine for riding on your own, but do very little to prevent spray in a group. The front guard doesn't do much to protect your lower legs / feet either - you'll need overshoes. If pedalling hard, apart from driving sleet, there's enough heat given out by your quads to stay warm so never seen the need for Rainlegs. That said, they are better than nothing for a close clearance bike. I find with full length guards they actually cake your drivetrain in more muck and so your bike needs more maintenance. I have a big box of used mudguards in my garage - clip-ons, raceblades, crud catchers, SKS - you name it, it's in there - but the only ones that get used are the raceblades

danceskater · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 47

I have a set of Race Blades too.
I put them on in the Fall and if I must go out in the rain.
Otherwise they stay in the closet.