Meghan54
Lifer
- Oct 18, 2009
- 11,684
- 5,222
- 136
fwiw…I commuted for >6 years almost exclusively on, first street-ed mtb’s (high pressure slicks from Conti, I believe—or Michelin—forget the brand, rear view mirrors that fit handlebar ends, etc.) and “graduated” to road bikes within a year of bike commuting.
Tried quite a bit of rain/foul weather gear from Cannondale/Pearl Izumi/Trek/etc., all of which sorta worked. Best gear I found, tho, was made for motorcycles…mostly bought Honda stuff because was what local dealer sold and good fit and price. Still have the Honda rain suit (pants & jacket).
The motorcycle rain gear worked much better than the bicycle centric brands did…like knees never weeping/leaking, pants long enough to keep tops of boots covered, better/more water resistant closures around any/every body part opening like wrists, neck, etc.
Same with cold weather gear…more effective stuff from the motorized side of riding. Shouldn’t be surprised tho given m’cycle gear is designed to work at much higher speeds than bikes typically achieve.
Re: e-bikes. For me, would seem a nice acquisition except for the initial cost. But still have nightmares vis a vis Schwinn’s first battery powered bike back in the late ‘90’s. Ungainly due to huge battery wedged into main frame triangle and its huge weight penalty (battery scaled down flooded lead acid type…f’n heavy). Total weight of bike was north of 60#. Hope the batt tech has improved.
Tried quite a bit of rain/foul weather gear from Cannondale/Pearl Izumi/Trek/etc., all of which sorta worked. Best gear I found, tho, was made for motorcycles…mostly bought Honda stuff because was what local dealer sold and good fit and price. Still have the Honda rain suit (pants & jacket).
The motorcycle rain gear worked much better than the bicycle centric brands did…like knees never weeping/leaking, pants long enough to keep tops of boots covered, better/more water resistant closures around any/every body part opening like wrists, neck, etc.
Same with cold weather gear…more effective stuff from the motorized side of riding. Shouldn’t be surprised tho given m’cycle gear is designed to work at much higher speeds than bikes typically achieve.
Re: e-bikes. For me, would seem a nice acquisition except for the initial cost. But still have nightmares vis a vis Schwinn’s first battery powered bike back in the late ‘90’s. Ungainly due to huge battery wedged into main frame triangle and its huge weight penalty (battery scaled down flooded lead acid type…f’n heavy). Total weight of bike was north of 60#. Hope the batt tech has improved.
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