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30 Dec 2015
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Easily removable layers.
How much of a PITA is it to remove thermal and waterproof liners out of a riding suit ??? A big one.
It depends where you're riding though. If you're in a constant temperature then leaving your waterproof liner in your jacket isn't a big deal.
If it's hot then having your liners in is paramount to torture and in some places rain comes and goes every 20 minutes making it just annoying.
A two piece rain suit is best in my opinion. It gives you flexibility and is easy to remove or fit in a hurry and is easily stuffed somewhere in close reach.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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30 Dec 2015
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R.I.P.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
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Getting in and out of gear has not been mentioned much until Ted's comments above. Kind of a big deal, IMO. It really can throw riders off their game.
I just found out ... again ... how big this can be. If you ride everyday, constantly, pretty much year round, then you get used to going through all the moves of prepping and doing pre ride stuff: changing gear, adding/subtracting layers, getting correct gloves on, donning rain gear. All becomes routine and pretty easy after months of practice.
But if you're not used to doing it ... I think we can get "out of sync" with it and it becomes more difficult.
IE: This morning I got on my bike in rain for 1st time this Winter. I got everything wrong. I was rushed. (bad idea) Been a month since I was even on the bike (big house projects going on) and ages since riding in rain.
It was like I forgot how.  It was also COLD (40F, cold for Northern California anyway, light jacket weather for some!)
My gloves were wrong (Summer, vented), wearing Jeans, thinking it wasn't raining that hard (it was). Fogging shield (did not take time to treat it before). Result? Wet gloves, wet jeans, Cold, fogging shield. Misery ... but it gets worse.
Since I was just doing errands I didn't even have my rain gear in my tail bag. Ages since I needed it. I normally Always have it on board. Not this day. (lots of reasons why not!)
Mentally I was totally discom-bubaluated by all this ... so much so that it affected my riding. Distracted. Not focused.
I caught this in time and was able to block out the rain and COLD and focus on RIDING smooth.
Finally got around fine and after 3 hours getting on/off the bike 10 times, doing all kinds of errands ... I finally started to get into the head space to handle the rain, adjust the gear, flip on heated grips and be a bit more comfortable ... and ride BETTER. (most important thing!)
So ... the more you ride (everyday is best) the easier it will be to deal with gear changes, weather challenges and re-learn how to be comfortable on the bike ... and to RIDE SAFE and WELL no matter how crazy things get.
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31 Dec 2015
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle England, UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
Easily removable layers.
How much of a PITA is it to remove thermal and waterproof liners out of a riding suit ??? A big one!
A two piece rain suit is best in my opinion. It gives you flexibility and is easy to remove or fit in a hurry and is easily stuffed somewhere in close reach.
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I would agree 100% with this. I ride in England for the most part, so I tend to wear a Goretex jacket and trousers 99% of the time, what with our frequent sunshine  When I travel to sunnier climes (i.e. anywhere else) I love my Companero suit. It's not cheap, so that's a down side. It will last a long time (fingers crossed), so that offsets some of this. I have to store the 'outer' jacket and trousers, so that takes some room.
I've used it in torrential rain - no ill effects at all. I was in Florence last year where the storm was so bad, I rode through a foot and a half of water for what seemed like at 1/2 mile getting to my stopping point, trees had been cut down by lightening and there were widespread power outs. It was some of the worst rain I've ever had. My bum felt a little cold where the water had pooled on my seat, but it wasn't wet. No where else even felt chilly!
I've ridden in Morocco in August at 43* C - the mesh suit (the main part with all the armour) was wonderful  On the move, I managed to stay alert and the airflow was amazing
I would buy this suit again in a heartbeat. If you can live with having to find some storage space, it's easily (for me) the best set up for all eventualities. The best bit? In Germany, you can buy it with or without a TT logo
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31 Dec 2015
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Endurodude
I would agree 100% with this. I ride in England for the most part, so I tend to wear a Goretex jacket and trousers 99% of the time, what with our frequent sunshine  When I travel to sunnier climes (i.e. anywhere else) I love my Companero suit. It's not cheap, so that's a down side. It will last a long time (fingers crossed), so that offsets some of this. I have to store the 'outer' jacket and trousers, so that takes some room.
I've used it in torrential rain - no ill effects at all. I was in Florence last year where the storm was so bad, I rode through a foot and a half of water for what seemed like at 1/2 mile getting to my stopping point, trees had been cut down by lightening and there were widespread power outs. It was some of the worst rain I've ever had. My bum felt a little cold where the water had pooled on my seat, but it wasn't wet. No where else even felt chilly!
I've ridden in Morocco in August at 43* C - the mesh suit (the main part with all the armour) was wonderful  On the move, I managed to stay alert and the airflow was amazing
I would buy this suit again in a heartbeat. If you can live with having to find some storage space, it's easily (for me) the best set up for all eventualities. The best bit? In Germany, you can buy it with or without a TT logo 
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I just googled the price.
Nearly £2000... That's more than my bike cost.
Nice if you can do it though... It does make a big difference to be comfortable and dry on a bike. Changes the whole experience. Being too hot to breath or shivering and wet through is the perfect way to ruin your day and even trip..
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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31 Dec 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I just googled the price.
Nearly £2000... That's more than my bike cost.
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This is only true if you buy it in the UK, which I didn't
Between the exchange rate (€ to £) and buying it in Germany, I paid quite a bit less than that. Even factoring petrol to get there I still came out ahead!
There are, however, many ways to create the same principle: mesh armoured jacket with something waterproof over the top, something like that mentioned above. Cheaper ways, too!
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