Being a passionate bike ride lover is not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. If you’re in the biking world for quite some time you’ve probably heard of Trek, a popular bike manufacturer.
But, if you are new to all of these cycling activities, you can find here more about Trek bikes. One of the FAQs among bikers is whether Trek bikes can get wet.
Although Trek bikes are waterproof, there are some points of precaution the manufacturer suggests. These bikes are designed to withstand rainy weather but some parts of them could get damaged if you don’t know how to properly maintain them.
So, in today’s topic, we decided to find the answer to the mentioned question, and get into more in-depth details regarding Trek bikes. We will cover some basic information about Trek bike types, as well as share some tips and tricks for easier rainy day bike rides.
Table of Contents
Types of Trek Bikes
Trek bikes can generally be divided into two groups: regular bikes and electric or e-bikes. Considering this, here are the lists organized by bike types:
Regular Bikes
- Trail-Shredding Mountain Bikes
- Lightning-Quick Road Bikes
- Stylish City Bikes
E-Bikes
- Electric Hybrid Bikes
- Electric Road Bikes
- Electric Mountain Bikes
Are Trek Bikes Waterproof?
People who ride their bikes daily are often exposed to various weather conditions. The warm, dry, and sunny weather may be the most wanted weather among bike riders, but it seems that a little rain can’t be that bad.
Trek bikes have a longstanding tradition in the bike industry and are high-quality proven. So, are Trek bikes water safe? The answer is yes. The manufacturer emphasized that their electric bike collection is designed to withstand washing and rainfall.
But, there are some points of precaution the manufacturer suggests. The pedal-assist system of electrical bikes with its components can bear different weather conditions such as rain and snow. Submersion of the pedal-assist system and its components are not recommended for water exposure and may void your warranty.
Non-pedal assist components like derailleurs, shifters, and wheel hubs are the same as the ones on a standard road bike and should be treated as them.
If you travel by bike a lot during tough weather conditions, the Trek’s Fat Bikes line may be a good choice for you. Fat bikes can give you the ability to explore different places in various seasons easily.
Dunes, drifts, snow, and sand shouldn’t be the problem anymore. We assume the same applies to rain conditions for this bike line. The fat tiers of this bike will give you incredible traction and control that will enable you to overcome different road obstacles.
No more off-season with these Fat mountain bikes.
Tips for Bike Riding In the Rain
If you’ve read our article all the way to this paragraph, that means you really want to ride your bike on a rainy day. So, having that in mind we prepared some useful tips for you regarding a rainy day bike ride.
Use Fenders
Although a few drops of rain will ruin neither your bike nor you, the water debris still can spray water from the road all over you and the bike.
Bearing that in mind, you should consider placing fenders on your road buddy. The fenders will keep the rain off both of you, and enable a more pleasant ride.
Use Lights
Riding a bike in nice weather conditions is risky, and riding it during rain is much riskier. You need to consider different types of vehicles and deal with raindrops on your face – not so simple you might agree.
Visibility is a big problem when riding in the rain. That’s why it is mandatory to have your bike’s lights turned on. In some countries, the lights on bikes are even required by law.
The front-facing white light that’s bright enough, and that can be seen at least 500 feet (152.4 meters) away, will do the job. This light should be aimed straight ahead.
You will also need a red tail light that can be easily seen from about 500 feet or 600 feet (182.88 meters). One more light you should add is a blinking light on your helmet, rack, handlebars, or pannier bags.
Lower Tire Pressure
A lot of experienced bike riders adjust their tire pressure so they match road and weather conditions. Some experts say that depending on pavement type there needs to be different tire pressure.
On new pavement, tires can feel great at 100 psi, but if you’re dealing with rough terrain, tires might roll faster at 90 psi. When it comes to wet conditions, you may want to run your tires 10 psi less than usual for better traction.
It’s quite logical, a bit lower tire pressure allows more of the tire to come into contact with the road, resulting in a better grip for your bike.
Slow Down
Riding a bike in the rain can seem powerful, but it doesn’t mean you should speed up. It’s quite the opposite. You should avoid fast speed when you’re riding your bike in the rain. The same applies when there is no rain – don’t rush!
Rainy weather can really be tricky and leave you less time to properly react in the moment. This is especially true for e-bikes since electric bikes have pedal-assist and power-on-demand functions that can maintain average higher speeds in all weather conditions.
So, whether you ride on an e-bike or a conventional bike, you should take it slower.
Break Early
During your cycling session, you should aim to break early to avoid any potential accidents. This applies to all weather conditions, with a special warning on rainy and slippery road terms.
You should think in advance, so you don’t encounter any unpredictable situations that can cost you your safety, well-being, and even life. So if you decide to ride your bike in rainy conditions take extra precautions.
Don’t Lean Into Corners
When the rain pours, avoid leaning into corners. As tempting as seems, it can be very dangerous, because you could lose control over your bike and slip into the road. Instead of leaning, start to gradually break as you come toward a corner.
You might want to choose a line that will let you turn without leaning and keep as much of the tire on the road as possible.
Watch Out For Slippery Spots
When the rain encounters the roads it makes oils and gasoline come to the road surface. The once familiar asphalt can become unpredictable. Also, you need to be extra cautious for slippery spots on the road.
Avoid puddles or standing water at all, but most of all, watch out for “rainbow” puddles since they contain a lot of slippery lubricants and fuel. Watch out for lane markers that can be especially slippery during rain.
You should also avoid any metal grates and covers, as they can be like ice. One more thing to be avoided is debris. Also, avoid painted lines.
Fallen leaves can be a slipping hazard. So make sure to avoid them as well.
How to Dress for Rainy Day Bike Rides
If you do mind a wet face during a rainy bicycle ride, which is inevitable, it’s great to know that other parts of your body won’t need to become soaked. Knowing a few tips on how to dress for a rainy day bike ride can be helpful sometimes.
- Have a Rain Jacket – A good waterproof rain jacket can help a lot. It would keep your core dry and warm, and provide a more comfortable ride during rain. The Velocis Stormshell Cycling Jacket is one of those extra coverage jackets that provide dry cycling sessions.
- Have Waterproof Pants – Consider buying tights or pants that are water-resistant. These pants should protect you from being soaked during your cycling.
- Have Biking Gloves – Having gloves during any bike ride can be helpful, especially when it’s raining. The biking gloves provide you a better grip and control.
- Have Some Shoe Covers – If you don’t have cycling shoes, the shoe covers will do just fine. Most of them can be stretched over work shoes and sneakers. If you’re wearing boots, buy shoe covers that are a size or two over the ones you usually use.
- Don’t Forget Fenders – As we mentioned earlier, consider investing in bike fenders, as they can really protect you from getting muddy and wet.
Bike Maintenance After a Rainy Ride
After you successfully finished your rainy biking session, you should consider doing the next steps to keep your bike well-maintained after rain.
- Clean Your Bike ASAP
- Wash Your Cycling Gear
- Take Care of Chains
Bottom Line
Riding a bike is so much fun, especially for outdoor-oriented people. Rain can sometimes try to ruin the comfort during your bike ride, but it really doesn’t have to.
Although there are numerous tips for safe bike riding during the rain, riding in the rain can be dangerous.
So, if you can, avoid any rainy bike rides, and if you choose to ride a bike despite rainy weather, make sure to take safety measures and don’t rush.
