capes?

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

hi all,

rain capes. does anyone use them or have any thoughts? the reason i ask is, i sweat and sweat loads. which when i'm mtb ing is fine because i'm in full cycling regalia. i'm starting to commute soon on long commutes, minimum of 20 miles either way. i don't mind carrying two lots of kit (cycling & civvies). but i remember old school capes which are open underneath. do they help to keep the build up of sweat down with being fully open at the bottom? on my brommie i have full guards.

cheers
shaun

 

[wilko]

I haven't seen anyone wearing a cape for years. I guess with advent of waterproof clothing they have become a bit obsolete, plus they do flap around alot! But I would imagine they are less sweaty than your average waterproof kit.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AVENIR-WATER-...hing?hash=item3ca46ec276&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

i have reasonably expensive waterproofs (£250 for top n bottom) bib tights (which are great in winter) but if you cycle in all weathers then you're going to get wet, either cold n wet from rain or hot n wet from sweat. just looking at my options that's all.

 

[Davidc]

There are some things from the cycling past that I regret the passing of.

Capes aren't one of them.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

?????

 

[lazyfatgit]

OK for short trips, but absolutely nae use in the wind.

if you fancy trying one, Lidl have them cheap this week.

 

[Davidc]

Just googled it to see if anyone still sells them.

I'm stunned, amazed, gobsmacked even.....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&...ports&hvadid=2390851136&ref=pd_sl_2hhwtahp0_b

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

 

[danphoto]

There's a cheapo yellow Lidl cape in the panniers of the trailer tug which has certainly kept me dry on several occasions when caught out by heavy rain this "summer".

Works well for me as a standby on shopping runs, but I'm by no means convinced that it being open bottomed actually makes it any cooler than a relatively cheap waterproof jacket would be.

Mine cost around £7, so why not try one and see how you get on?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

dan,

so have you been as sweaty as normal? i did get a lidl one today (£5) and only tried it for 10 mins. bought it as an emergency type thing to sit in the bag. i will try it out tomorrow on a decent ride. the thing about the lidl one is it does not look like a breathable material. the more expensive ones do. do you find it fiddly to use or just stick it on and go?

 

[mr-marty-martin]

race capes these days are jst like a light water proof jacket

like this

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=8141

that was just the first link i pulled out, you can probalys get them cheaper than that...

 

[danphoto]

Breathable it certainly is not, but for the use to which I put it (i.e. shopping trips pulling the trailer) it does the job. I still get sweaty but I don't get soaked from head to foot.

 

[mr-marty-martin]

you refuring to my link? there for racing to stuff in your back pocket or when your out on a ride, so there lite enough to take with you without hinderance an dont get wet...

 

[lazyfatgit]

Yes, but he's asking about a tent with thumbs loops which keeps all of you dry, unless you get splashed from underneath.

 

[Velorum]

I have wondered about this

A wax cotton poncho from Carradice.

 

[andrew_s]

I do have one which I used to use.

A reasonably heavyweight material flaps and blows about less than lightweight.
You need to use the waist tie and thumb loops, otherwise the cape could blow over your head and blind you.
You still get a sweaty back where the cape lies against you.
Even in calm weather, there was enough extra drag to knock my speed down from 19mph average to about 17.5
Watch out it doesn't cover your lights.

Summary: OK for gentle riding when it's not very windy

I use a normal waterproof jacket now.