rain gear...for your bike

[miller.ma]

Hi,
I was wondering what people's experiences have been with rain and self-supported touring in the great outdoors.  Does anyone use a bike cover or tarp to protect your vehicle while you're keeping dry in a tent?  Has anyone had problems on a long tour with rusty parts/cables or anything of that sort from riding in too much rain?
Just curious...
Thanks

[wanderingwheel]

I use a bike cover every night and I can't imagine any reason not to.  If not a bike cover, than at least a well anchored tarp.  It's also a good idea to put a plastic bag or something similar over your saddle and possibly your handlebars as well.  Keep the chain well lubed and the bike covered at night and you should not have any problem with rust.

Sean

[Don]

When my wife and I tour we take a tarp along.  At night we tie it over the bikes.  It not only keeps them dry, but also makes it harder for anyone to take any parts off or steal the bikes themselves.  The tarp is nice because it can also be used as an additional shelter in camp when it is raining for us as well as the bikes.

[pmspirito]

I find a bike cover is just one more thing to carry and to have to deal with.  I do cover the seat with a plastic bag.  I ride an EZ-1 recumbent with a big foam seat.  When it gets rain soaked it stays soggy almost all day. I do use a Krytonite lock at all times and at night add a cable thru each wheel and to the u-lock.

[Jake]

Reference the EZ1 with soggy seat, I also have an original EZ1, Rans Stratus, and Rans Screamer and have solved the soggy seat from rain and sweat by using Saran (sic)wrap around the foam cushion under the seat cover. I sweat heavily, and in south Alabama that is a significant issue for the foam seat cushions. Also, I coat the underseat, frame, and chainstay areas with WD 40 (water dispersant)and then after the rides I use a hose without a pressure nozzle to rinse off the bike, dry it, and reapply the WD 40.

[cidhandyman]

Its a good idea to at least use a small tarp to cover the bicycle.  I will share this tip with you.  I often look for used tents at resale shops for 5 bucks or less.  I found one recently that I cut the main tent fly off of.   It is the same silicon based tarp material used in many of the lightweight tarp shelters by Go-Lite and mentioned in Ray Jardines lightweight backpacking book.  You can very easily cut the material to the desired shape and for little or no weight in the corner of one pannier you have an affordable bike covering.  I would also highly recommend a plastic bag for any leather saddles to protect them from the elements.

Happy riding.

Julian

[Don]

My wife and I have leather saddles and we got a couple plastic shower caps to put on them when it rains and at night.  The work really well with the elastic holding them over the saddle.

[bktourer1]

I find a cheap plastic shower curtain makes a good cover.  Thin enough to pack and large enough to cover the whole bike and use as a tablecloth, ground cloth or tent vestibule.

[Peaks]

Well, we started with a tarp, but didn't use it, so we shipped it home.

At night, we tied a plastic shopping bag over the seat, and another one over the handlebar bag.  

When it rained, then the frame and everything else got wet.  And, everything got wet when we rode on rainy days.

[Gregw]

I agree with Road Warrior, on my cross country I used a shower cap over the Brooks saddle and a leaf bag over the handlebars. You know, things get wet on tour. I use White Lightning chain lube which is wax based and I did get a little chain rust. Since then I switched to a stainless steal chain and no more problems. I really like the wax based lubes, they are so much cleaner.
Greg