I've posted about my Carradice cape elsewhere on Bike Forums. I use it more in warmer weather, preferring a jacket in cold weather. For short hops, the cape and rainpants are fine. For longer, the pants are too hot, and I use spats. I use other spats, as the Carradice spats were too frustrating; the zipper is microscopic, and it didn't stay closed. This was LOTS of fun when attempting to get the spats on in the dark when raining. So...the cape gives increased airflow, some form of lower protection is suggested, and fenders are a MUST.

Strong preference for jacket and pants. I tried a poncho for a while after seeing them in widespread use in Vietnam, but I think it is far inferior in general.

Poncho pros:
- Quick to get on and off
- Cooler

Poncho cons:
- Dosen't keep legs dry
- Still get wet from road spray (even with good mudguards) at anything over 15km/h or so
- Flaps around in the wind
- Loose ends can get caught on seat if elasticated, or can fall away towards wheel (never got it caught in the wheel)

Fine for short tropical downpours when cycling at walking speeds amongst many other cyclists. No good at all for commuting at speed in city traffic.

What other spats are there?

Tony

I have the J&G cape (one of the Oregon companies) and it appears to be nicely made. I've only used it once...mainly just to try it out since it wasn't actually a downpour (just a heavy drizzle). For my commute the aerodynamics thing isn't a big issue. I do have a big uphill climb on the way home, so it was nice to have the ventilation. I can tell it will be cooler than a rain jacket when the weather warms up.

I have only two concerns about the bicycle cape/poncho: One is that my lets got a little wet after wind sort of created a funnel at the front of the cape that made the water run right down between my legs. Maybe I just need to experiment with it a bit more though. There is a cinch in the back that I might just need to tighten up to make the front more taut. The second concern is that in the event of a crash the handlebars might get caught up in the cape or the cape's straps that go around your wrist... potentially making the crash worse. I think it's kind of a remote fear, but a possibility I thought about when the cape got a little tangled around the bars. On the flip-side a bright yellow cape certainly attracts attention... even more attention than a bright yellow jacket. So that's kind of nice when it comes to commutes in rainy and foggy weather.

You certainly have more freedom of movement with a rain jacket and pants, but I think I will enjoy the cape more in the Summer. Rain jackets and pants get really sweaty in warmer weather, and I think that is why I wanted to give the cape a try. Also it rolls up and packs small so you can keep it in your bag for those unexpected downpours. For winter commutes I will probably continue to wear my jacket since it provides warmth as well as rain protection.

Sean

Softshell jacket (that actually has a hood). Once I went that route nothing can compare.

On the other hand, I am in strong favor of a cape and might add comments.

- Keeps your hands and handlebars dry as well.
- Protects any equipment you might have on handlebars.
- Can be put just as well over thin and thick layers of clothing including formal jacket, overcoat etc.

Issue of legs comes up only in strong rain with strong wind and can be largely taken care of with spats.

The most effective way of keeping ends under control is to sit on the cape.

In my experience, great for commuting in general.

This is another instance where once again I choose vanity over function. The poncho and rain cape are great, but I would prefer not to be seen in them. I like using my rain jacket because its slips on and off without fuss and looks good to boot.

Fox Fluid rain jacket stays in my trunk.l Works great for me. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Jackets/product_84381.shtml

I can see your point but the Campmor rain cape with hood works for me. I wear it under my helmet. I can move my head fine and I don't have to snap on my helmet rain cover. Visibility is good.

I used to use a rain suit, for years. Now that I have tried a cape, I will never go back. Yes, the wind is a problem, but I tend to wimp out at really windy days anyway. I just use the cheap 50 cent variety I get at the dollar store: folds small, easy to carry when I don't know if i will need it, and keeps me from sweating a puddle. and if it gets torn or lost, or I give it away to some wet homeless person, no great loss.

I'd want some kind of cape that could be hooked down. I bought a cheapo non-bike specific rain cape once thinking it would be handy to keep stowed in my pannier. It billowed like a huge sail in the wind, and made it impossible to shoulder check when changing lanes without pulling the cape down.

I know both the Carrdice and the Campmor have hand loops and a seat loop on them, to help hold them down.

Aaron:)

The J&G cape has a waist strap that holds the back of the cap against your lower back, but I find the thumb loops have too much slack, and in wind or brisk riding, the front of the cape does two unfortunate things: it forms a pocket between your arms that funnels rain down onto the top tube, and it lifts off your hands leaving them exposed.

My temporary solution (that works reasonably well on my flat bar bike, but not so well on drop bars) is to pinch a bit of the front hem under my pinky and ring fingers as I'm gripping the handlebars, leaving my middle and index fingers free for the brakes. That still means my gloves get a bit wet. I'm planning to try to rejig the thumb loops to somehow make them work better, but I haven't figured that out yet.

I have the same frustration with the J&G cape. I don't know if all capes have the same problem (sounds like some might be elasticized in the front) or maybe it's because the material is so light it is easily blown around. I haven't tried really cinching up the back, which might reduce some of the slack in the front. And yes... the front loops do seem to have too much slack. I'm going to get a couple of pinch stops from REI. I'm not sure what they are really called, but most rain jackets use them on straps that you need to cinch up or loosen frequently. Those should help with the slack on the straps. Maybe an elastic panel for the front as well.

Sean

You could try tying a knot in the loop to make it smaller. It helped on my J&G rain cape.

OMG! The mental image!!

It would be truly complete if your rain cape was red and white striped...

That was my first thought, but then I figured some cheap pinch stops would allow me to quickly tighten and loosen the straps, making them a bit easier to manage. I just recalled I have some of those on a jacket. I never use them on the jacket, so I think I'll transfer them over to the cape.

Sean

I tried out my J&G cape (the first of the Oregon companies mentioned above) but with mixed results. It's nice and light and not too sail-like, but there's no good way of keeping the cape draped over the front handlebars except clutching it with your fingers (there are loops for you thumbs but they're so loose that they don't keep the cape anywhere near the handlebars. Part of the problem may be the one-size fits all philosophy; I'm tall, and there just doesn't seem to be much material up front.

On the upside the material is light and clothlike; I've been carting it around in my bike bag all year in case of downpour. And the helmet cover works great. I think there may be ways of making it work, like tightening up the thumb loops or adding velcro loops to the front hem, to go around the handlebars.

And waterproof pants are like riding in a plastic bag. The rain cape, combined with fenders, keeps one dry and cool.

The next best thing to a rain cape is a good jacket and a pair of Rainlegs. Rainlegs protect the parts of the legs which are exposed to rain but don't cover the hamstrings and butt, so you have ventilation.

I hate rain pants. Seriously. They feel like the sauna suits wrestlers wear while exercising to make weight.

I really like rain capes - ponchos. The best I have ever had were the ones I bought in China that are used for moped riding. They are heavy-duty and have a clear panel in front so that your light can shine through it (the cape/poncho goes over the front of your handlbars. I will try to post a pic sometime.

The longer the cape is better.

I have seen some capes that have loops for the hands and feet. I am not sure how needed it is for feet, but it would be beneficial for the hands (like the Campmore model), although I have never been lucky enough to have this style. I even went so far as to contact my friends in England where I thought they would have them for sure after seeing all those fellows in the movies riding around with capes and bowler hats.... but "not anymore"

Capes keep you cool and dry. My problem with rain suits and jackets is that I got soaked from my own vapors that got trapped inside the suit. Yup, Gortex too. Capes/ponchos don't have that problem.

If you want to stay really dry and clean, then I recommend using legging gators with your cape/poncho and you will be in for a nice ride despite the rain.

Went out in a spring downpour with my Carradice 2 weeks ago. My riding partner was wearing his as well - and we both commented on how relatively pleasant it was - we did about 15 miles in the rain and road mist, then it started to dry up for the rest of the ride. We did fight a headwind - so we were fighting the capes - but we were dry and not riding in a sauna...

I like the duxback cape - its heavy - but it stays put on the bars. I'm cutting the hood off of mine - just a bucket that collects water - and while it is useful when I ride around town without my helmet - it doesn't fit over mine.

I like the hand loops too - but find that with the duxback I don't always need them.

I use a jacket and let my legs get wet. Wet legs are never a problem unless it's really cold (like less than 50*F). I only use the jacket if it's really raining hard or is cold. The vented jacket is relatively dry. I'm pretty wet at the end of my commute even if it's 60 degrees and sunny, so if it's raining it's not that much different.

+1 I am not sure how to get rid of the hood and still have the cape effective, but I sure agree that the hood does no good what-so-ever. To small to get over the helmet comfortably, and it sucks having it under the helmet.

Left over the back, it fills with water.

Maybe cut holes in the hood to let the water drain? I dunno. It would be good to hear some clever ideas.

http://thirdwave-websites.com/bike/gandarmes.jpg

I have a Carradice ProRoute and I love it. rain capes here. I've augmented my kit (because how geeky can one be?) with a helmet rain cover from MEC, and I ignore the hood on the cape.

http://thirdwave-websites.com/bike/r...-cover-mec.jpg

I don't wear a helmet very often so have not run across the issue. However! I do wear hooded rain jackets at work and have to wear a hard hat. On a couple of my jackets I have cut the hood partially in half and made a tall collar out of it, that I can tuck up under the rear of my hard hat to keep the cold rain from running down my back.

Aaron:)

one of my ride partners has the old orange carradice duxback and just cut it off. bold, for sure - but with a helmet cover it keeps him dry.

Great post, Ed. Isn't that a great pic of the French dude floating along that charming French street on his bicycle enveloped in his dry cape. Wow, makes you want to stop and have a small cup of strong coffee at some petite bistro and watch the bicycles go by.

Aahh, France. What a lovely and cool place. And they have rain capes. And they have lovely people. And they have great bicycling. And they have good food. Viva la France. Love it.

I was just thinking of a hypothetical product like this. But in my imagination, it would extend all the way down over your shoes. I think with the back totally open, sweat wouldn't be an issue, and that way your whole leg would be protected. Hmm....

(I wonder why the white rainlegs are 4 pence more?)

Steve

Is it just me, or does he look totally dry? Anyone see any rain?

Steve

Hey, man. It's France. The cape is a fashion statement circa 1961. The dude is putting out the dapper.