Tell Me About Rain Capes
 

Tell me about cycling rain cape. I'm looking at this one

https://www.cleverhood.com/products/...c-houndstooth/

Most of my commuting is on a fendered drop bar road bike, riding 17-24 mph with a backpack. A smaller part of my local riding is on an fendered Xtracycle cargo bike, grocery bags in the panniers, riding 15-18 mph. The weather is rainy, rainy, rainy.

Will a rain cape over normal clothes keep me dry? Compared to rain jacket + rain pants + booties? Will it slow me down (aero or otherwise).

I'm not familiar with cape but from what I've seen you can't get very fast with a cape, unless you're Superman.

I've seen few cyclist struggle to keep it in place while riding and it didn't look too convenient, I prefer to get wet.

But as I said, never tried it...

$239 for that? Holy freakin' smokes....

I've been using this one through 2 winters, http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/ar1.htm
Bought the Sou Wester locally , Grundens commercial fisheries foul-weather gear is sold world wide.
Grant had their cape made for RBW by them.
(I have 2 front Panniers one has the cape in it, if I'm not wearing it)

These are sewn, on order, in Eugene.. http://www.catoregon.org/cat-store/ lighter fabric..

they will sew up a 'hunchback' version, for backpack wearers.

those arm holes in the Posh-tweedy one are unneeded, You just flip the hem over your shoulder.
[ besides I think a Blending into the surroundings color is the Last thing I want on a dark wet ride]

the shape is different, but the cape does not make you wider, will it slow you down?, IDK.

My pace into a 'pineapple express' storm with a 30 knot headwind is not fast anyhow..

then the rain trousers come in handy.. wind blown rain..

Portland is sheltered, inland.

rain from above and my feet and legs are OK.( My Arms are an Awning.)

though going faster, YMMV..

My Bike has been set up with the Lights Lower so the cape does not cover them.
fork crown and Rear of rack.

I keep a cheap one in my pannier just in case, but if rain is in the forecast, I take a jacket. The cape doesn't do too well in the wind, so you'd have to slow way down from your usual pace. It keeps the upper legs dry, but not the lower legs and feet. It's good for cool rainy weather, but if it's above 65F, I'd rather get wet than hassle with the cape. I also wouldn't ride it in the dark because it covers my headlights.

I have one of these:

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

I climb hills on my commute, and I sweated with this almost as much as with my jacket (same brand, also made in Portland), on my arms and my back. It works, but I used rain pants with it as I go pretty fast down the other side of the hills I climb. Lots of road spray, even with my big fenders. I do a multi-modal commute and a jacket is more conveniant for me when putting the bike on a bus rack or just carrying stuff around.

My wife loves the raincape. It works well. In a full downpour full raingear and booties will keep you dryer, but the cape will handle most rain. The advantage is you don't need a place to change your clothes. You just pop the cape off and go to a meeting or shopping. It does catch more wind which isn't a big deal if it's mostly stop and go riding, but could be if you have longer stretches.

Carradice Pro Route has been around for years, available in hi-vis yellow.

$70 right in PDX:

http://www.citybikes.coop/parts/rainwear/

That Carradice looks nice!

Rain capes.... Ok... Where I start.... LoL

I did a lot of research before I bought mine and finally, after talking with fetzbob, I went with http://www.catoregon.org/cat-store/

i used it a couple of time thus far in the rain warmer weather. No doubt it will work wondering a in the winter time, for summer, it is a bit warm. I ordered ultrex because it wicks water and is waterproof versus the canvas which absorbs water and becomes heavy although it is from reusable material which I like. I bought mine for touring and needed it not to soak water in.

It works wonders. It is hot when used in the summer time. The wind, yes, is an issue and WILL slow you down. Think about it, the front basically is an awning over your body and legs. But it also acts like a wind sail.... But not in a good way. When I used it during heavy rain and wind, yes I did prevent cold rain water to come in but I was pretty sweaty after the ride. Guess that is better to be frank.

Te front will catch wind regardless if you are having a head wind or not. Just the nature of the beast.

Also the hand straps take a bit to get used to. It can limit signaling for a turn but you will get used to it.

Is it m favorite thing I use for cycling? No. Does it work? Yes. Is it hot? Yes. Does wind catch it? Yes. Is it water proof? Yes. Would I buy it again? Yes.

I'd buy the Rivendell because they have the rep of tweaking and re-design gear religiously until it works.

That, and because I'd get sick of people saying to me "The game's afoot, what, eh!" with the houndstooth one.

I'm in the minority here, I use the cheap $35 Campmor rain cape. Aerodynamically they suck, so riding as fast as you describe is out of the question, it's like pushing a kite in front of you. That being said, they work for keeping you dry and allow a lot of ventilation to reduce the heat and sweat. When I have used rain suits it was like a toss up, get wet from rain or sweat. Given the choice, it depends on the temps, above 50 F I'll take rain, below I'll stay warm and take the sweat. I like mine, it keeps me on the bike when it rains, and it is usually more comfortable than getting wet.

Marc

I have a cleverhood houndstooth. My feet get wet, on really heavy rain days my legs below the knees get wet and dirty. The hood fits over my helmet. I stay warm underneath the cape. I'm super visible given the 3M stitching. Given the choice between only wearing a showers pass outfit (pants/jacket/booties) and a cleverhood I'll take a cleverhood. If it's a downpour I'll wear the showers pass pants but only so I'm not getting the worst of the road grime sprayed on my pants.

Hey [MENTION=63590]jyl[/MENTION], I just noticed you started two such threads, a year apart.

I am wearing my Showers Pass jacket and just rode Citibike to Grand Central Station. It's dark and raining pretty hard. I'm on the train now to visit my MIL. Traffic is brutal, visibility is poor, rain is steady and fairly cold. I used a devil-may-care attitude and had a grand old time.

Yes, embarrassing. Apparently I'm both indecisive and forgetful.

Ha!