Does anyone still use a cape

[Richard of York]

Got soaked in a torrential downpour yesterday, NW of York. Had decent jacket and overshoes and sheltered under big broadleaf trees for 15 mins but could hardly have been wetter if I'd jumped in the Ouse. Haven't used a cycle cape for decades but struck me that a cape might have been more effective yesterday. Winds where only light to moderate. Does anyone still use one? Thoughts?

[Grandad]

Saw a review of one a few days ago. Very traditional with an added hood big enough to accommodate a helmet. £120!

[mjr]

Yes. £15 "Brickmate" lightweight "hill horn" pattern one, intended for brickies I think, so make your own thumb loops. Nice and dry and cool underneath, great in hail because it doesn't hit your body like in a skinny showerproof, terrible in high winds, second least aerodynamic thing I have ridden in. Probably better to add a belt to it in high winds and forget about draping it over the handlebars.

[Oldjohnw]

I do. Only when touring as it covers my saddlebag etc. You need thumb grips otherwise either you, or it, or both, will take off.

[jb]

I use to sweat profusely under them but a breathable one would certainly be better in heavy rain as they also keep most of your bike dry.
Wind-less rainy days are hard to find round here though and I got fed up of walking into cafés looking like some colourful spaghetti western character.

[[XAP]Bob]

Just got a poncho - worked pretty well in the wheelchair once I'd worked out the best way to configure it.

A cycle cape would do much the same I imagine be long enough to cover the legs, taper in at the sides so it didn't get caught in the wheels, and still have protection round the back....

[mjr]

Canadian video review... But not really fair until the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9ePnZtpciM

[mjr]

I got fed up of walking into cafés looking like some colourful spaghetti western character.

If it is a cafe or pub used to cyclists and walkers, they are probably used to it, possibly with a long coat hook rack that drips over tiles or mats, but it is worth remembering that a cape or poncho is far bigger than a jacket and a bit more cumbersome when walking. Doorways of modern buildings often seem a bit small for caped visitors!

I dump mine into my basket when I leave the bike if possible (stopped raining, or dryish route to the cafe) in the hope it will drip dry enough before I return. No one has yet fancied stealing a huge wet rag! A mesh bag would also work. If it doesn't dry, putting a wet cape on is not as awful as donning a wet jacket because most of it is not touching you.

[Jdsk]

I saw one in use two days ago,

I've never worn one on a bike. I have worn groundsheet capes on exercises.

Jonathan

[tatanab]

The cape lives on top of my saddlebag, its rightful place. A proper heavy Rotrax cape (like the old Lillywhite and Lewis Capes) that sits around you and does not crack and flap like a sail in the wind, it was available in several different lengths. It is not often needed, but on a wet tour with days of rain it is invaluable because you really keep dry and if chilly you create a micro climate inside it. Add a pair of knee length spats. These days I use a waterproof "flat cap", but decades ago I would have complemented the set up with a sou'wester. All my 50+ years of cycling I have always had a cape, but for urban commuting I would find a waterproof jacket and over trousers more suitable.

[slowster]

I've been having similar thoughts recently since seeing a recent review of a cape on the CUK website, which I presume was/in the CUK magazine:

https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/revie ... o-cyclists

I had a 13 mile ride home last month in steady - not torrential - rain, and my jacket and hat kept me dry and comfortable. I was warm enough that I was not too bothered about my polycotton shorts being soaked, but my casual trainer type shoes with a Goretex lining literally filled up with water that had to be poured out when I took them off.

That CUK review reminded me that they were just the sort of conditions like yours, in which years ago I would have worn a cape and spats, and been even more comfortable. I also remembered that - providing the conditions are suitable for a cape, i.e. not very high side- or headwinds - I liked the sense of protection and shelter when riding in a cape.

[jb]

When I had the Cape I would only use it I had to go out in torrential rain, and for that it was excellent. I took it on tour once round Ireland, it was my only waterproof, and there was a lot of heavy rain. It was good when cycling but problematic when map reading or wanting to get at anything. One problem was rivulets of water running into the paniers if you tried to get something out.
You could squat down in the road pull your head into it and read a map in the dry but lord knows what passers by thought.

[colin54]

I got two of these Poncho's from Aldi two or three years back (one as a spare, they were £8.99), from the clearout bin of their unsold specials lines.

It keeps the worst of the rain off it's a nylon fabric backed with something or other and taped, it has a clear pvc window either side of the hood which isn't very useful. It could do to be longer at the back and have a waist tie, it has thumb loops for cycling.
It's best feature though, are the 'hand out arm slits', if you don't mind getting wet arms (unless you've already put on a waterproof jacket) and hands these are very useful,
enabling signalling, preventing the pond from forming if the cape is draped over the bars and stopping wind getting underneath at the front.The front of the cape just sits on the crossbar (top tube !).
I'm almost tempted to buy a carradice waxed cotton one and get someone to sew this feature in, it transforms the usefulness of a cape, for my needs any way
I've had effective results with one of those old style, thigh length hooded walking cagoules, mine's a second hand
Sprayway Gore-Tex one, which I've re-taped once, but has become less effective as it's delaminated in recent years- it's probably 30 years old and cost a mate of mine 2 quid at a car boot. I used it for 4 years at work when I was litter-picking before I retired. You see similar second-hand, on ebay for instance.
Having a two way zip is important for a cagoule it makes it easier for pedalling. I think Rohan were still making that style of coat, at least until quite recently, Sprayway, Berghaus etc all used to make them I believe.
I've given up on overtrousers, too much on and off faff for me.
I've started using a Paramo smock, but it's too warm and bulky for summer use, downpours etc, which is where a cape
comes into it's own.

[simonineaston]

I've just added a traditional saddle-bag to my tourer and have found an inexpensive & bright yellow plastic cape from a previous venture. I've never worn it but now we are entering the last few years of our stay here on the planet and the weather is going bonkers, I figure it's a great idea to pop the cape in the bottom of the saddle-bag.
Y'day, I went for a ride and struggled to get my water-proof trousers on, half-way round. Now so old that I'm paid the state pension, I find hopping about on one leg less easy than I have before and am also cursed with an undiagnosed shoulder soreness which makes the application of trouser awkward & painful (appointment with GP on 24th inst.).
Then, having wobbled, hopped and cursed, I noticed that I'd put them on back-to-front and also that it had stopped raining... it maybe that a cape is simpler to deal with...

[jb]

I'd respectfully suggest that you try the cape out before you need it. Better than fumbling about in a shower trying to put it on right ways round.