Hi Viz or Regular color on jacket?

[Boats313]

Originally Posted by guiri

Dirt is not a problem as I will ride mostly on the street and like you said, I could always clean it.

Hi Viz it is. IF available in whatever jacket I find 'cause the size is going to be a problem.

Any suggestions for a waterproof jacket (preferably one that is well vented so I can use it all year round)
that accomodates huges guts and HOPEFULLY that doesn't cost too much?

Thanks

Unfortunately, I have found that a well ventilated jacket is not going to be water proof. Unless they start using drysuit style zippers, every vent is a place for water to enter. I bought what was called a water proof jacket and it is for a light shower. But for my normal 40 minute ride to work in a heavy rain it leaks at all of the "waterproof" zippers. The fabric itself is fine. In a crosswind it is even worse, gets right under the flap on the main zipper, runs down the front and into my pants. And in the heat it is just a little too warm.

My next jacket will be 2 jackets, one for the nice summer weather and another for the winter. Or I'll just add a cheaper rain jacket to the top as needed.

[guiri]

Yeah, I SHOULD get a white helmet as it's hot as hell in the summer here in NC but dammit, I just can't stand the white color. I may have to draw the line there.

However, the helmet I'm getting has an led light in the back so that should help.

Thanks

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

I think it’s a personnel choice, hi viz might be marginally safer. I like black or gray myself

Me too. HV gets dirty fast, and cleans poorly. I am not convinced it helps all that much. People cut off fire engines all the time, and they are hardly low viz.

Jim

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by guiri

Yeah, I SHOULD get a white helmet as it's hot as hell in the summer here in NC but dammit, I just can't stand the white color. I may have to draw the line there.

However, the helmet I'm getting has an led light in the back so that should help.

Thanks

I've had both. The black and white are not all that different in heat transfer. Remember there is an inch of high density insulation so any absorbed heat from the color will still be blocked. Better is to find one with good ventilation. Your head is 98.6° and most heat comes out of your head.

Jim

[Xeraux]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Me too. HV gets dirty fast, and cleans poorly. I am not convinced it helps all that much. People cut off fire engines all the time, and they are hardly low viz.

Jim

Yeah.

If you're running any kind of windscreen they can't see anything other than that and your headlight anyway. If they're behind me, I really don't care because I'm probably pulling away from them, anyway.

If you want to really increase your visibility, get some good, bright auxiliary lights.

[acejones]

Originally Posted by Xeraux

Yeah.

If you're running any kind of windscreen they can't see anything other than that and your headlight anyway. If they're behind me, I really don't care because I'm probably pulling away from them, anyway.

If you want to really increase your visibility, get some good, bright auxiliary lights.

Can't argue with lights for sure. I'm still wearing Hi Via and white. I want every advantage I can get even if it is perceived.

[guiri]

Originally Posted by acejones

Can't argue with lights for sure. I'm still wearing Hi Via and white. I want every advantage I can get even if it is perceived.

THINKING it's better for you is not a bad thing either.

Auxiliary lights ARE coming up and the bike I got has some kind of lights
on the luggage which will most likely be on all the time
so that should be good.

How dirty does the hi viz get on regular roads? Exhaust, dust and what not?
The last thing I need is something getting filthy and really showing up
AND being hard to clean.
Not only am I lazy and a procrastinating mofo, if it's hard to clean, it probably
won't even happen.

For a clean look, I would assume a grey or brown would be the best color?
My bike is grey or silver by the way. Helmet is black and although black is
slimming, I don't there's a black out there that'll make ME look slim and I'm not
all that big on black stuff anyway.

[JimVonBaden]

Road grime and time.

Jim

[guiri]

Damn, that's pretty crummy looking.

So, how do you clean it and how long did it take to get that dirty
and is this on regular paved roads?

Defeats the hell outta the Hi Viz when it's like that, huh?

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by guiri

Damn, that's pretty crummy looking.

So, how do you clean it and how long did it take to get that dirty
and is this on regular paved roads?

Defeats the hell outta the Hi Viz when it's like that, huh?

Not mine, nor riding gear, but I have seen some similar. It can be partly cleaned, but over time they look similar.

Jim

[guiri]

Boo, boo, that sucks.

So, black, grey or brown if I don't want to wash or clean'em.

Are these even washable or do they lose their waterproof properties?

[abnslr]

Looks like the old-school nomex firefighters' turnout gear -- after a few fires...

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Road grime and time.

Jim

[p0diabl0]

Originally Posted by Boats313

Unfortunately, I have found that a well ventilated jacket is not going to be water proof. Unless they start using drysuit style zippers, every vent is a place for water to enter. I bought what was called a water proof jacket and it is for a light shower. But for my normal 40 minute ride to work in a heavy rain it leaks at all of the "waterproof" zippers. The fabric itself is fine. In a crosswind it is even worse, gets right under the flap on the main zipper, runs down the front and into my pants. And in the heat it is just a little too warm.

My next jacket will be 2 jackets, one for the nice summer weather and another for the winter. Or I'll just add a cheaper rain jacket to the top as needed.

I got a Tourmaster Transition 2 this black friday from cycle gear and have ran it through the rain a couple of times now - no issues. It's main thing is having vent scoops which open via zippers, but the zippers are protected when closed. Here's hoping it stays waterproof.

[NoVa Rider]

I'm a hi-viz fan, and wear a yellow helmet. But truth be told, the helmet is the highest point on the bike, so from a visibility perspective, that's what I'm concerned with most. And more important than that, especially for night riding, are reflective panels on the suit, and I use some red reflective tape on the helmet. Really helps to be seen at night.

[acejones]

I found the easiest way to clean this stuff is take it in the shower with a nylon brush and detergeant of choice. Unless you're a pig, it doesn't get that dirty.