Cycle cape

[deeferdonk]

I reckon that a combination of jacket and (to be made) skirt will perform better and be more easily and quickly deployed than a cape or a jacket and overtrousers, and be more convenient and packable. The skirt can be used as a small groundsheet when camping, a bench cover etc. and be equally effective as waterproof clothing on the bike and off. It might take overcoming a psychological barrier using it in town - especially in the bright orange material I have got to make it with.

Would this do the same job as a jacket +skirt? : cycling ponchos from decathlon - which seems to be a halfway house between jacket and cape?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/cycl ... FMQAvD_BwE

[Carlton green]

I reckon that a combination of jacket and (to be made) skirt will perform better and be more easily and quickly deployed than a cape or a jacket and overtrousers, and be more convenient and packable. The skirt can be used as a small groundsheet when camping, a bench cover etc. and be equally effective as waterproof clothing on the bike and off. It might take overcoming a psychological barrier using it in town - especially in the bright orange material I have got to make it with.

Would this do the same job as a jacket +skirt? : cycling ponchos from decathlon - which seems to be a halfway house between jacket and cape?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/cycl ... FMQAvD_BwE

To me the Btwin city 100 cycling poncho (also from decathlon) looks even better, is cheaper, and is more suitable for additional uses. Just need some hand protection from the rain and cold.

A poncho worked ok for me on my Mixte but I’d have doubts about it on a traditional gents bike, the ‘horizontal’ top tube and poncho probably not working well together. Traditional cycling capes have evolved into their current form for reasons.

[freiston]

I reckon that a combination of jacket and (to be made) skirt will perform better and be more easily and quickly deployed than a cape or a jacket and overtrousers, and be more convenient and packable. The skirt can be used as a small groundsheet when camping, a bench cover etc. and be equally effective as waterproof clothing on the bike and off. It might take overcoming a psychological barrier using it in town - especially in the bright orange material I have got to make it with.

Would this do the same job as a jacket +skirt? : cycling ponchos from decathlon - which seems to be a halfway house between jacket and cape?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/daytime-n ... 82m8781354

I've changed the url to point to the cape I think you mean (the original url took me to "Cycling Jackets").

It looks similar but not quite the same - a lot more material (baggy) in the "skirt" but shorter down the leg at the sides. The wrap-around skirt is straighter and longer, with the "slit" at the back. I'm keen on the jacket and skirt solution because it allows me to use my existing favourite rain jackets (a Galibier Courchevel with pit zips and a Galibier Tourmalet - a light and simple jacket). Also it means that I can wear the jacket by itself, as a windjammer or down the pub when cycle-camping.

[deeferdonk]

I reckon that a combination of jacket and (to be made) skirt will perform better and be more easily and quickly deployed than a cape or a jacket and overtrousers, and be more convenient and packable. The skirt can be used as a small groundsheet when camping, a bench cover etc. and be equally effective as waterproof clothing on the bike and off. It might take overcoming a psychological barrier using it in town - especially in the bright orange material I have got to make it with.

Would this do the same job as a jacket +skirt? : cycling ponchos from decathlon - which seems to be a halfway house between jacket and cape?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/daytime-n ... 82m8781354

I've changed the url to point to the cape I think you mean (the original url took me to "Cycling Jackets").

It looks similar but not quite the same - a lot more material (baggy) in the "skirt" but shorter down the leg at the sides. The wrap-around skirt is straighter and longer, with the "slit" at the back. I'm keen on the jacket and skirt solution because it allows me to use my existing favourite rain jackets (a Galibier Courchevel with pit zips and a Galibier Tourmalet - a light and simple jacket). Also it means that I can wear the jacket by itself, as a windjammer or down the pub when cycle-camping.

Not sure what happened to the link -seems to work for me. Not quite the one i linked to but think that is just the Hi-Viz version of the one i was looking at, so same difference.

Interested in your solution but i can't think how a tighter and longer wraparound garment would interact with both pedalling movement and the top tube, maybe less of an issue depending on your bike geometry. Please keep us updated in how it works for you.

[freiston]

It might be some time before I get the opportunity to try it in the right weather conditions. I've tried the skirt (the heavy rubberised one - I still haven't got round to making a lightweight version) on the bike stationary, with me leaning against the kitchen worktop and pedalling backwards. It isn't tight due to the wrap-around (about 6" overlap) and allows for a lot of movement - I can certainly mount the bike but not as easily as without the skirt.

With the "slit" at the back when seated on the bike*, the material rests on the top tube and falls either side, over and covering the legs. When standing, the hem comes about four inches above my ankle but when pedalling on the bike, about six inches below my knee (rough guess). The material towards the back hangs either side of the back wheel and looks like it could easily rub the spokes but not get caught up - it will need some proper testing before being used in earnest. The material will need some weight and some length to stop it just working backwards over the top tube towards the waist. The material I have is a waterproof coated (sil or poly) nylon heavier than tent or tarp material with some "stiffness" to it but, when made into the finished product, will still pack smaller than any waterproof overtrousers that I have. I will definitely test the heavyweight one before making a lightweight version.

* The bike I tried it on is a Shand Tam "adventure/off-road tourer" type bike with a sloping top tube. The other bike I'm likely to use it on is a Brompton - and I suspect it will perform much better on the Brompton due to the much lower frame tube and the smaller wheels being more out of the way of the material. It might be that the skirt is a write-off for the Tam but ideal for the Brompton.

If it ends up being a bad idea for cycling, I might just still go ahead and use it for walking - I can't see any problem with that and much easier to put on and take off quickly than overtrousers.

[Stradageek]

When I checked the Stratton looked very similar to my Raleigh Compact (photo below) which is basically a rebadged Bianchi / Carnielli Graziella (Italian bike). I quite like my Compact but the aerodynamics of it are all what would expect from an ‘up-right’ bike; mostly I don’t go fast enough for the uprightness to be of any importance. I’d be very pleased to discuss these 20” wheel bikes on a separate thread - sharing knowledge and experience is good.

Hi Carlton

I am a fan of 20" wheeled bikes (and so are Brompton, it now seems) and you are correct, my Stratton is the same Italian beastie as your Raleigh compact.

I treasure this bike because it is incredibly manoeverable and very sprightly, despite it's weight, due, I think, to the super-rigid rear triangle which transmits all the pedal power to the rear wheel.

I'm so fond of it that I've upgraded it way beyond it's original £20 purchase price. It now boasts alloy wheels, a front dynohub and a rear hub brake. All these upgrades used second hand parts. I'm especially proud of the rear hub which is a combination of a 1980's SA dynohub, with the dynamo replaced by a 1934 SA hub brake mechanism.

My only fear is that if the pedals or BB ever fail, where will I get the necessary Italian threaded components?

Nice to hear that someone else shares my obsession

Cheers Stradageek

[JohnR]

My only fear is that if the pedals or BB ever fail, where will I get the necessary Italian threaded components?

SJS? https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/search/?ter ... %20bracket

[Paul Smith SRCC]

Does anyone know if cycle capes are still available? I want one for commuting as it rains heavily and frequently here.

Carradice have a Duxback version

[Dynamite_funk]

Decathlon ponchos are fantastic. Pack down small, are well sized, have a hood that goes over a helmet with plenty of room and have nice feature like slightly elongated panel that covers your hands when riding. They also have loops for your legs to keep it from flapping about. Can’t complain about them at all, we have one for each of us in the family. With Decathlons returns policy being so good it is worth giving them a go in any case.

I have also had the Carradice waxed one - good for when it is blustery as it is heavier as it’s waxed cotton but isn’t particularly hi viz

[freiston]

Interested in your solution but i can't think how a tighter and longer wraparound garment would interact with both pedalling movement and the top tube, maybe less of an issue depending on your bike geometry. Please keep us updated in how it works for you.

I managed to give the heavy skirt a test yesterday. At first it worked surprisingly well though did rub a lot on the (low and sloping) top tube, keeping a few inches below the knee at the top of the pedal stroke. Due to the "slit" and approximately 6" overlap at the back, the skirt covered the back of the saddle but hung either side of me and didn't go into the wheel. There was quite a bit of wind here too with some strong gusts; when I was riding directly into the wind, it blew the skirt back along the top tube and against the seat tube - this reduced the rubbing significantly - not just on the to tube but also of my knees rubbing the underneath of the skirt. I was feeling quite optimistic by now but then I turned a bend and the wind hit me at a different angle and blew the skirt over one knee and beyond the other so that the material was across my waist/belly and to the side of me, offering no cover at all. I tried pulling it back but the wind made it fruitless.

I still haven't tested it on the Brompton and I'm still optimistic that it will work much better, with no top tube to hold the material up.

As far as other bikes go, I'm back to the drawing board but I will be looking at rain legs, which I'm not familiar with.