ilewis365

Hi all,

Just started commuting to work via bicycle to avoid public transport during this time. I've got a caught a couple of times in the rain recently and don't have changing facilities at work.
I've been looking at rain covers for my bike, i've seen the two products below on the market? Has anyone got any experience or reviews?

The two products i am looking at are:
- "Veltop Urban Light"
- "Dryve".

I appreciate that they look a bit silly, but if they're practical it might be worth it.

Thanks for your help!

pdlamb

Hmm. First off, if your workplace has toilets, especially a handicap stall, you've got a changing facility.

These covers look like they'd be a sail in any wind, and a drag if you ride at speed. If your commute is 1-2 km, and it's rarely windy when it rains, they might work. Any kind of cross wind will leave you soaked in a heavy rain.

But if you try one, please do let us know how it works for you!

BobbyG

https://newatlas.com/dryve-bicycle-rain-cover/33620/
https://www.veltop.eu/en/models-bike...le-e-bike.html

ilewis365 Welcome to bikeforums. I don't think either of those will keep you very dry. And they will probably catch any wind and cause instability (or worse).

I think if you search bikeforums for rain advice (just do a google search and add "bikeforums.net" to the search) you will find the general concensus is that a rain jacket and rain pants are your best bet.

Sure, they may cause you to heat up and perspire, a little, but the better rain gear has more breathability.

Also, a long (LONG!) front fender, that tucks under the front wheel and has a flap that skims the pavement will go a long way towards keeping you dry....road spray is real.

Personally, I prefer a cycling rain "cape" rather than a jacket. The cape provides more breathability, but then I commute in bike clothes and change.

Speaking of changing...I know you said you don;t have changing facilities at work...but if you have a bathroom, you have a changing facility. Before this Covid virus quarantine, I regularly cycled to meet friends for lunch on Sundays wearing my bike clothes and changing into street clothes in a small stall in the bathroom.

The bottom line is this: Not everything works for everybody. Research on your different options and decide what may work best for you. And be prepared to try something else if your first course of action isn;t panning out.

Congrats on hopping on the bike and sticking with it, I know it can be difficult at first, but you may end up enjoying it enough to stay with it even when public transportation is safe-ish again.

Here is my experience with rain riding:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...e-musings.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1141223-diy-rain-
cape-1-2-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...0-success.html

Booger1

If you ride in the rain,your going o get wet......I just try and limit it tothe edges.....Keep the core dry.

wphamilton

Those covers will help in light rain but your lower legs and arms will still get soaked. But light rain isn't the problem right? Wear a water-resistant rain shell, waterproof overshoes. And for sure install some fenders.

tomtomtom123

If you wear a rain jacket and pants over normal clothes, I don't see why you need a changing room. When you take off the rain jacket and pants, what else do you have to remove other than the shoes?

I have waterproof low cut hiking boots/shoes which stay dry inside unless it rains very heavily, then the drops tend to get past the rain pants and into the top of the shoes, but you can wear waterproof booties for the shoes.

GeneO 

can't imagine those bike covers would be a good experience.

Rain jacket, fenders and rain overpants - depending on the temperature you will probably sweat. Jackets with pit and back vents help a lot.

rumrunn6

as it's been said of Coah Belichick. if it works, it's brilliant

rumrunn6

scooter fenders!



but to be truly effective I'd want closed sides