cycle and cyclist waterproof ( a cape..;-) )

[531colin]

I like a cape with a tie to go round your waist. They all used to have them, lots dont now. Without a waist tie the back of the cape fills up with air, you have to pull it down - often in some conditions - or you cant see over your shoulder, and the back of the thing can blow over your head, believe it or not! An unusual, but exciting, occurrence! For all that, I prefer to carry a modern lightweight cape to a heavy one, and put up with no waist tie. I suppose I could attach a tie, really, if it was that important!

[AMC]

Hi AMC. Josie Dew thought of this idea a long time ago.

Yes, I remember that now you remind me. Maybe she has one big enough for herself and the little one these days?!

[AndyB]

If I can take this a little off-topic - does anyone know of smaller capes, for children? I reckon it would be just the thing for my lad (5) on the back of our tandem.

[Millhouse]

I have a carradice cape, it ties around the middle and has loops for the hands/wrists. High visibility and keeps me dry. If you can get to the factory (more of a workshop, very interesting like going back in time) they often have seconds at a knockdown price. My 'second' had a slight oil mark.
AndyB if you pm me I may have what you are looking for, free of charge.

[beachcomber]

My first cape was a hand me down from grandad. Came with spats and a Southwester. Yellow oilskin material. Never ever wore the hat

Bought capes again whilst touring France some years back. Rain all day every day. Soaked through our 'waterproof' jackets. Got the capes from Decathelon. Reasonably cheap as I recall. Only down side they are very heavy and dark blue. Not great for riding in poor visibility. Very waterproof though.

For Christmas I got a new Carradice cape. Yet to put it to use.

I would normally only bother with a cape for touring or rides around town and to work when I could wear ordinary clothes and not get over heated. My legs were usually kept dry except on the worst days, so I didn't have to faff on getting over trousers on and off past my work boots.

Capes are good for touring, giving you a ground sheet for sitting, wind break,sun shade(if you're lucky) bike cover. On the camp site I find a cape great for the walk to the toilet block especially in the middle of the night. Easier than putting on a jacket in a tent.

Down side is riding into a headwind.

Why do certain cyclists still call rain jackets with sleeves capes?

[ziptony]

thanks everyone for input......

the rotrax i couldnt find and the carradice looked great but i didnt get round to finding the price before i had to shoot off but im guessing pricey...will look again now

another advantage im thinking of a cape over jacket and trousers is....

in the strongest of monsoons ive been caught in, in the last 3 summers, waterproof jacket and trousers eventually give in to the onslaught of rain which in turn induces the cold and then miserabledom...i got to that stage on a motorbike last year in Scotland and don't want it this year on a cycle...

i'm thinkin a cape not being completely in contact with the body would be more effective in keepin the body warm and dry which goes back to the aforementioned micro climate allowing continued cyclin...and walkin around in/sittin on also when stoppin at places as mentioned...

see the point about the Urm not necessarily being a cape....

maybe we will have a heatwave and drought this year and ive got nothin' to worry about...lol

so decathelon do a good cape but don't have the sense to make it visible?.... bit odd in this age of H and S....pity cos i quite like their affordable stuff

[ziptony]

carradice at 37 quid....anyone know how much the rotrax one is?..both look good

use as a portaloo sounds interesting too

just picturing the scene now.....

car drivers waving at you cos they think you are smilin' at the side of the road sat in your cape when in fact you are actually squeezin'....

[McVouty]

"'spats' - waterproof covers just to the legs below the knee - but you can't get them now".

Outdoor shops sell very similar things, although they call them gaiters.

[tatanab]

anyone know how much the rotrax one is

Ask them - 12 Bath Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO19 5EU 023 8043 4168 last time I bought one it was about £50.

"'spats'

available from Carradice or Eager Sport, see Cycle magazine.

[thirdcrank]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2912&hilit=

That's my take on capes. Incidentally, whatever happened to daveg? (And as a footnote, I did eventually manage to give my cape away but it was on offer for a long time )

[millimole]

I have a couple of lightweight capes bought from Lidl a couple of years ago. On sale at the same time as good cycling trousers that cover the tops of your shoes. Ahh, Lidl the purveyor of sensible cycling gear at sensible prices from countries where cycling is ..... er....... normal!
The biggest problem with capes is, as has been said, wind - not just headwinds, but side-winds too. (Tail-winds can be interesting, if you ever get one!)

[jawaka]

Without a waist tie the back of the cape fills up with air, you have to pull it down - often in some conditions - or you cant see over your shoulder, and the back of the thing can blow over your head,

I had the same trouble(a jeantex), so gave mine to a charity shop. Also I felt that with it looped on the bars it seem to impede steering and I didn't feel I had the same control.

[531colin]

. Also I felt that with it looped on the bars it seem to impede steering and I didn't feel I had the same control.

LOOPED ON THE BARS?????????????

YOU ARE GOING TO KILL YOURSELF!!!!!

THOSE LOOPS ARE FOR YOUR THUMBS That way you can control the cape and bike separately.

[Mick F]

........ Incidentally, whatever happened to daveg?

I met him and his mates at Camelford on their LEJOG a couple of years ago. They were friends of "Mrs Doubtfire" and were planning a repeat trip the following year.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=209
Not been heard of since 2008.

[rjb]

I can speak from experience about not looping the thumb loops over he bars. I started cycling as a teenager in the mid 60's. After getting a soaking on one wet ride the older members of the cycling club recommended a cape to me. I duly purchased one and had it tucked behind the saddle with spare tub inside. The first time i put it on i was out for a ride with my pals. I was the only one with a cape and had never used it. After putting it on there was a general discussion about what to do with the loops inside. Someone suggested hooking them under the brake levers which i duly did. All was well until i came to a sharp bend and realised too late that i was not going to get around because the cape was pulled tight and was restricting any more turning of the bars. I went straight over a pavement and into a hedge. Fortunately the only damage was to my pride as my pals all fell about laughing. I never used it again