Rain Cape Choices
 

I'd like to get a rain cape so I can commute in the rain... In the summer I don't mind getting wet on my way home, but I'd prefer to stay dry in the fall and on my way into work.

I'm considering these:

http://www.cyclechic.co.uk/shop/rain-cape-p-78.html

http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/epag...ts/clot36-0002


I think the Carradice ones seem kind of expensive for nothing terribly special, but I'm willing to be wrong if other folks have experiences otherwise.

Anything else I should be looking at?

I've never used one, but these are made here in Oregon:

http://bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html

I used capes like that when I first started cycling, and they are very useful *when there if little or no wind*. However, they are borderline dangerous if the wind picks up and blows the cape into your face while riding. Also I don't recommend a rain coat with head cover, that also tends to get into the way.

55 pounds sterling is about 90 USD. I could get a sail for my kayak for the price of these bike sails. I would be very leery of all that plastic flapping around on a moving bike.

Have you decided against a rain coat?

Campmor has one for $35

FWIW the 90$ one is made of oiled cotton...the cheaper ones are some kind of vinyl/plastic i'm sure.

I'm not 100% sold on the idea, but from the discussions i've read it seems like a good choice for me. My other option would be a jacket and pants i suppose.

I don't particularly like biking in jackets though. When its warm out I just get wet.

If the campmor one is long enough I think it looks good. The Cyclechic one looks plenty long ...they say its unisex (i could care less) but i suppose the model could be a very small person.

I was going to mention J&G too. I have their helmet cover and the pants. The helmet cover eventually had water on the inside. Not much, it was actually refreshing. It wasnt too hot but it was noticeable and the occasional droplet of water was nice. The pants I only wore once or twice.

I plan on getting their raincape someday. Perhaps next year before the wet season.

I have been quite happy with Jeantex Munchen, much nicer than Campmor. Recently, I've ordered Jeantex Regensburg but have yet laid my hands onto it. The Oregon one seems to be meant for use with rain pants. Not much of a point there for me. Waxed cotton is more pretentious than meant for serious weather. The Cyclechic looks OK but worrisome is the lack of statement on material and brand name that would allow to search for an independent opinion. Maybe you can get more out of them through a direct correspondence.

I have a generic no name, well, it probably had a brand name once upon a time, (I have had it since 1981) nylon rain cape. When I sold my bike in '85 I kept it. I used it a lot back in the day. Now I roll with a J & G rain jacket.
If I were to use a cape I think that I would probably go with the J & G cape, based on the quality of their jacket.
I have heard nice things about the waxed cotton capes---I would think that it would weigh more than my nylon one does.
Just my .02

I have a Carradice like the second one you linked to. My opinion is that it was a little overpriced, and it's pretty bulky to pack compared to anything made of nylon, but I have found that the heavy fabric works very well for a cape. It doesn't flap, and it doesn't stick to my arms with condensation. It does get condensation, but it seems more comfortable despite that than any jacket I've worn. This is likely true of any cape, but I was surprised to see how dry it kept my upper legs. They aren't covered by the cape, but they're in its shadow. I tend to ride with the hood tucked down inside and rely on a helmet cover to keep the water mostly off my neck.

The heavier fabric of the Carradice might wind up being an advantage; I hadn't thought of the advantages of heavier fabric as compared to nylon.
I quit using my nylon cape because of the flapping/sticking issues.

I have the Campmor and it started leaking after a half dozen uses. Didn't pick the J&G model as it seems short as heck.

I bought a vinyl one from ebay, made out of hte same stuff rain poncho's are made from, which, while it's hot as heck, isn't much of a problem because it's so spread out and open air is under you.

This is not the same model, but similar to the one I got. I'd ask if there's an attachment to the bike--mine has a clip to afix the front to my handlebars (it's on the back side of the long, front cape section). This clip helps keep it from blowing out of the way.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Unisex-Poncho-Bi...item3360d49fb9

I'd also consider the Carradice model, even thought it's more money. It looks like a better design.
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php...&product_id=66

I've got the J&G rain cape. And while it's well made, it's not long enough. You're constantly making sure it covers your hands, and doesn't fold up on itself at your butt. I'm gonna go with a waxed cotton one next time. I'm willing to spend the money to get something of nice quality and good function.
The principle of a rain cape is nice though. You stay relatively cool while riding with one, though you do look a bit odd.
-Gene-

Just a couple thoughts on cycling rain capes.

1. Be sure the cape does not block your lights.
2. I think a cape with finger loops (or something like that) is better than one with a clip that attaches to the bike (watch for ponding between the hands/arms).
3. An inner waist belt for the back will help keep the cape from sailing.

I have a cheapo Monkey King nylon bike cape from ebay that I use for heavier rain and it has problems on the above three points (but only cost $8.)

I have an Eleven81 rain cape. Wrist straps keep the front from flapping. Waist ties keep the back from flapping. The front end of the bike is completely covered and stays dry. $25. I love it. No help for the feet, though.

I've got a waxed cotton Barbour jacket and I can attest that it does work beautifully in serious rain. Mine was a hand-me-down, so maybe that makes it less pretentious?

In all seriousness, I'd be interested in a Bobbin cape if it was available in a more noticeable color than run-me-over-green. The cotton breathes well in Florida's insane humidity, and it's much quieter in the rain than synthetic fabrics.

I have a J&G rain cape. It's a little on the short side for me (6' tall), but plenty big for my wife (5' 4"). I'm also on a road bike -- if I was sitting more upright, the cape would probably be long enough.

The edges flap around a bit, which can let some rain in. And the loops for your hands are really long, so the cape can blow off your hands entirely. But it never flies up in my face. I've worn it in winds gusting up to 40mph or so -- it wasn't exactly fun but I didn't feel like it was dangerous.

It keeps my upper legs pretty dry, but my lower legs get wet. Not a big problem if it's warm enough to wear shorts or roll my pants up to the knee.

That CycleChic rain cape looks a little unusual, in that it has holes for the hands to stick out. Most capes drape over your hands and the bars, which (if the cape is long enough) will keep your hands dry.

On the other hand, it does hang down around the legs more than a normal cape, which might block some spray from cars.

I've been using the J&G cape for like 3 or 4 years now...no complaints, I like it better than a jacket for commuting.

Hmm, in many, many moons I have never had one blow up in my face on a windy day...haven't those that you have used had hand grabs and a waist tie?

Center for approp transport in Eugene sew some, will expand the pattern to make bigger sizes.

the cape doesnt blow back if you put your hands thru the loops provided , for that purpose..

I found this on ebay and it looks pretty good. Not bottom of the barrel, not too expensive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Agu-Track-Poncho...361374987#shId

SJS Cycles sells them too.

I've got a $2.50 vinyl Coleman poncho from Big Lots that's served me pretty well for a several months now. For $2.50, it's hard to beat. A waist strap, like on the Made in Oregon capes, would be nice to keep my tail from blowing around in the wind, but I'm happy with what I've got for now at that price.

Zaphod, love your screen name. :)

Too bad he doesn't have two heads.
-Gene-

How do you know he doesn't?

I've used the Campmor cape for four years of commuting in spring/summer/fall. My feet and lower legs do get a bit damp during long and heavy downpours. I prefer this to getting soaked with sweat anyway, as I do when I wear anything with more complete coverage. In the winter, during cold weather (<40F), I avoid this issue by instead always wearing a gortex shell (with pit zips) and bringing along breathable rain pants to be used when needed. The "breathable" gear does not vent well enough for cycling, of course. In the cold weather, I prefer warm sweat to cold rain. Neither the cape nor rain pants is a good solution during melting snow, which I experience pretty often.

The Campmor cape has thumb (wrist?) straps and a waist/leg strap in the back. It does not flap much, even during high winds. I do use caution during high side winds, since I do have more of a wind profile than with a rain suit. There is more wind drag from a cape than a rain suit at all times. The increased drag does slow me down some, but I prefer to be a lot more comfortable over a bit faster. Be warned-- the increased drag would likely drive performance-oriented riders nuts. It is easier to take off and put on a cape than a full suit, so I can more easily put it on/off and on/off during those common periods of intermittent rain. This reduces the drag penalty somewhat.

The hood is well cut, so I can wear it under my helmet without obscuring vision, even when looking over my shoulder. I only use the hood below 50F, since it is quite warm.

The Campmor cape is lighter and more compact than some other options. In fact, in spring/summer/fall I just leave it in my commuting bag all of the time. I'm always prepared for rain and I'm not a slave to weather forecasts when leaving the house in the morning.

Finally, I'm a high-visibility rider. The Campmor cape is bright yellow exactly when I need it most, during overcast days when drivers have rain-covered windshields.

I haven't had any issues with leaks of my cape, nor the two capes I bought for my wife and son. I can imagine some seams leaking, though. This is an inexpensive product, so I doubt the seams are taped. If I did experience leaks, I would probable just seam-seal them with the sealant mix I use for my ultralite camping gear.

I have never tried any other cape, since my Campmor meets all of my needs. It will not last for decades, like some of the more expensive options. I'm sure there are other good options out which I haven't tried.

Well I finally made a purchase today. I bought the Carradice Pro-Route cape.

DotBike.com has them for ₤24 + ₤11 shipping to the US of A. ₤35 = approx $55. Not a bad price considering Peter White sells em for 65 plus shipping.