Re: Canopy: To Cover Or Not To Cover? That Is The Question.

[Joseph C.]

I was walking to Lidl today when the Irish rain struck again. There is
nothing like horizontal jets of water to soak your trousers.

I am building up my funds to purchase my first e-bike kit and this
weather highlighted a major downside. Though it also got me thinking
about the benefits of having a canopy on your bike. I did a bit of
searching and came across this:
http://www.veltop.eu/index.php?produit_veltop_en

Has anybody got similar experiences with canopies? This design looks
good for covering the top half - but I fear your legs would be soaked.
What do you think?

 

[Rassy]

I don't know about the short ones for bicycles, but I have the long one on my tadpole trike. I really like it and expect I'll leave it on year around, since it makes a good sun shade on a nice day. with the side curtains on it does keep you almost totally dry, but you do loose some side visibility. It's not so good in high wind, say over 20 MPH, but I'm retired and just ride for pleasure and exercise so thats not a real problem.

 

[Joseph C.]

Rassy wrote:
I don't know about the short ones for bicycles, but I have the long
one on my tadpole trike. I really like it and expect I'll leave it on
year around, since it makes a good sun shade on a nice day. with the
side curtains on it does keep you almost totally dry, but you do loose
some side visibility. It's not so good in high wind, say over 20 MPH,
but I'm retired and just ride for pleasure and exercise so thats not a
real problem.


Yes, I did wonder about windy conditions. The recumbent covers seems
to offer much better protection.

It is quite pricey though, 300 euro (400 US dollars) would buy you a
decent enough bicycle.

 

[MadRhino]

Yes, I did wonder about windy conditions...

I can imagine, the canopy would need a tail and hand grips, to provide a mean of control when flying.
It wouldn't do much for your trousers anyway, but the small windshield might be interesting for long commuting.

 

[wheelbender6]

If I lived in Ireland, I think a canopy would be worth the money.

 

[Jeremy Harris]

I know they look a bit naff, but I still have one of these: http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/avenir-3m-scotchlite-item126969.html

Combined with a pair of waterproof leggings it does a pretty good job of keeping you dry. Mine has finger loops so that it covers your hands and the handlebars, which helps keep rain out of the switches and throttle. The only downside is that I can't see the "fuel gauge" meter or the bike speedo.

Jeremy

 

[MitchJi]

Hi,

VELTOP is composed of a windsceen, a canopy supported by arches plus two side protections.

Side protections = sail?

This design looks good for covering the top half - but I fear your legs would be soaked.

Rain Pants:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1088854_-1___

Cannondale Morphis Rain Pants ($90)
Wind, rain and all manner of inclement weather are beaten back by the dual-layer construction of these weatherproof rain pants. Traditional cycling shorts fit perfectly underneath.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1081188_-1___

Performance Ripstop Rain Pants ($50)
Wet and windy weather can put a real damper on your weekly commute. But with the complete protection of our seam sealed rain pant, you'll have no problem heading out for a ride when the rain rolls in.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1009983_-1___

Performance Nanaimo Seam Sealed Rain Pants ($30 - sale $13)
These cycling pants with fully seam-sealed, waterproof fabric provide complete protection when riding in the rain.

These look good:
http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Waterproof-Rain-Pants.html

Waterproof Rain Pants - ($37) are excellent for touring and commuting. When Mark Jackson, founder of J & G Cyclewear, was still running his bicycle shop, he created this line of rainwear to fill the gap between the cheaper, seemingly disposable stuff, and the more expensive waterproof breathable items. After much trial and error, extreme testing, and a lot of time under the garden hose (when there was no rain!), the result was rainwear that was to be the beginnings of J & G. These waterproof pants are extremely functional, rugged, and durable rainwear. Generously sized, they are designed to wear over shorts or pants, and will pull on over size 12 shoes. These waterproof pants are reflectorized at the ankles with 3M-brand reflective tape, which has a far greater range and angle of reflectivity than other reflective tapes.

http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html

Waterproof Rain Cape - ($46) is excellent for touring or commuting; in just a couple of seconds, you can slip it on over whatever you’re wearing, and you are protected from the rain. This rain cape is generously sized, for maximum coverage. Its four-piece design and construction give it very nice shaping and minimizes seams at the same time. It has a waist tie and hand grabs to keep it in place. The high collar has a drawstring and cord lock to adjust to your neck. For visibility it has a highly reflective 3M-brand strip on the back with a hang tab for a blinking light.

Too bad these won't work on a bicycle (nicer solution than waterproof pants - $110 - $140):
[youtube]rojEhURR3XY[/youtube]

 

[wojtek]

as an all-weather cyclist i would say almost half of the water in wet conditions are actually coming from below and another half from above

If it is raining cats and dogs, then normally there is also a strong wind with it - so it will be quite dangerous to ride with.. + this means a lot of side rain...

Jeremy's or Mitch idea is much better and cheaper :wink:

As I think waterproof trausers and good waterproof shoes are crucial. Also it sucks to cycle with glasses on! Best would be to use contact lenses. What i also do, is to put a baseball cap below the helmet with large peak to prevent rain coming to your face / eyes.

 

[Joseph C.]

wojtek wrote:
as an all-weather cyclist i would say almost half of the water in wet
conditions are actually coming from below and another half from above

If it is raining cats and dogs, then normally there is also a strong
wind with it - so it will be quite dangerous to ride with.. + this
means a lot of side rain...

Jeremy's or Mitch idea is much better and cheaper

As I think waterproof trausers and good waterproof shoes are crucial.
Also it sucks to cycle with glasses on! Best would be to use contact
lenses. What i also do, is to put a baseball cap below the helmet with
large peak to prevent rain coming to your face / eyes.


Yes, I think that you and they are correct. I have waterproofs, and I
will purchase some gaiters to give my shoes added protection. I am
also thinking of using a balaclava (one that doesn't give the wearer
the appearance of a robber!) with ski googles. If that doesn't go well
- the veltop is a good option. But it just shows you there are loads
of decent choices out there!