I am telling you right now this is some kind of "market research". Mods, delete if you feel this is innapropriate, but at the same time I feel like this is a service to fellow commuters (cause I know I've been wanting one for LONG).

I am probably going to import bike ponchos and was wondering if such a thing would interest you commuters.

The cost would be around 40 $CAD. The poncho is the Agu Track, which seems to be one of the most popular models available in europe. Here's a pic of the navy color one:


It's also available in black, red, green, orange, light blue and pink. There is also one for kids, in red. They are one-size.

The poncho is usually used on shorter rides by the dutch, usually around 20-30 minutes. It is not meant to replace the rain suit used on longer rides, but is much more convenient to put on and off and to store.

This one has a hood, a front pouch and hand straps to prevent the cloth from lifting and to keep the legs dry.

Link for more details and colors:
https://www.agu.com/en/?pag=22&prod=553&img=658#

I like that one, I paid 30 bucks for a rain cape off of campmor but I like this one better.

$40CAD Loony? Isn't that around US$150, at this point?

It's a really interesting comment, and I suspect a lot of people with shorter commutes would be well served by one.

However for me, even basic rain jackets often feel like sails. The problem with rain is that it is often accompanied by wind. Although I suppose on a 20-30 minute ride it wouldn't be so bad. The hand straps are a nifty feature, but I would think the legs would still get wet if it was windy or higher speeds were attained. Of course, they'd be more dry than with just a jacket...

Ka_Jun I consider 1 CAD to be 1 USD (largely true these days).

M_S I don't know yet how much coverage this specific model has. I have a few on order to try out for me and friends, and I will get back later with more info on this. Of course you are more subject to lateral water, but it's a compromise, as you say, between a jacket (no coverage at all) and a suit (full coverage).

I finished testing the Track poncho. These are pretty cool. The material seems sturdy enough for everyday use. It has a hood, snaps on both sides to make arm holes when not in use on the bike, arm "straps" to keep the front from flapping in your face with the wind. It also has a front pocket that's pretty big and you can roll the hood under the collar if you don't wanna use it. The collar is high enough to keep the rain from getting inside. Very well made piece of gear all in all!

I have tested in from light rain to a heavy thunderstorm.

First impression: it's much cooler than a rain suit! Riding in 35C heat and 100% humidity was a much more pleasant experience than the rain suit (which feels like being in a Ziploc bag).

Second impression: you get stares from everyone!

It behaves very well in your typical rain. I'm impressed that rain doesn't get in much, if at all, from the sides (except in high wind).

When is it very windy (like a heavy thunderstorm), it's pretty much like a sail and it can become harder to pedal if you're on the wrong side of the wind (and it happens to never be the one we are on). Most of the time, it's not much of a problem.

I haven't tried it yet with drop bars while riding, but I tried to sit on one bike with it and I think there might be a problem with the fabric getting stuck if you don't have fenders. Considering almost everyone who do city rain biking has them, it's not much of an issue. Hand positions with the staps with drop bars feel strange at first, and I had to try a few to get one that felt comfortable. You could probably not use the drop position with the cape, depending on the width of your bars.


I will post pics when I can manage to get someone to shoot me using it.

I am currently discussing with the export manager at Agu to get these in Canada (can sell to the US no problem). I will also be importing suits, pants, etc. They also have winter wear that seems nice that I'm looking into. Stay tuned.

Questions, comments?

CAD and USD are just about equal right now. $40 CAD = $39.112 USD

I have the J&G cape made in Oregon:
https://www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html

I'm still on the fence about rain capes vs rain jackets & pants. If you're in a downpour, a full rain suit will provide more coverage and be less annoying. my biggest problem with a rain suit is that you get really hot and sweaty unless it's cool outside... even if you open the zipper vents.

If I knew I was going to ride a long distance in the rain, and it wasn't too hot, I'd wear the full rain suit. For short distances, and when the weather is warm, a rain cape can be very nice and convenient.

The J&G is well made and offers high visibility. There is a tie to go around your waist (to keep it from blowing up and over you), and a two loops for your hands. There is also a cinch cord at the neck so you can keep the rain out. I wear a helmet cover with it and stay dry from the waist up (except for my face). Here are the downsides:

• Your legs and feet will still get a little wet, but of course fenders help with that. The cape provides some coverage for your legs, but you might want shoe covers.
• The cape can make headwinds even less fun than usual.
• The wind can cause the cape to sink between your arms, allowing water to pool there until it flows down to the top tube and maybe onto your legs or feet.

Despite the shortcomings I still use my cape for commuting in the rain. My commute is only 4 miles, and on the way home the last bit is quite a climb. I don't get nearly as sweaty riding up that steep hill in the cape as I do in a rain jacket. Unless it's a total downpour, the cape will keep my legs reasonably dry as well. The cape is also very convenient to put on when it starts raining mid-ride. You just throw it over your head and your done! It's light enough and compact enough that it pretty much stays at the bottom of my pannier most of the year (unless I'm wearing it of course).

Sean

I think I'd just as soon get wet or wrap a plastic bag around myself.

I have a similar German, bike-specific poncho, with the elastic straps and whatnot. These sorts of things are very airy underneath and yet protect from all but a wind-droven rain (and even then just the lower legs get wet).

If I hadn't already received mine as a gift a few months ago, I'd have been in the market for just such a poncho. I cannot get drenched while commuting as I need to go right to work, and these sorts of imported bike ponchos are just the ticket. Kudos for trying to make 'em available to us commuters -- finding them in the USA was a hassle, and personal German connections are how I got mine. Good luck.

I own the Campmor rain cape and love it. At first I thought it was flimsy but it really isn't. The only thing that bothers me is that it doesn't drape down enough so my legs get a bit wet in the windy rains. Of course my thighs stay dry, but I'm wet below the knees during most rains.

I'd consider another model if it was a bit longer than the Campmor. So, I answered yes to the poll, even though I prefer the high vis yellow color of the Campmor.

i have the same one and i wear my backpack underneath which is sort of a problem sometimes because i have to always pull the thing down in the back...it keeps me mostly dry though...i dig it

I'm looking for the rain cape that has loops(?) around your hands that gives coverage when holding the handlebars. the rider looks like a triangle when viewed from the side or profile view.

my campmor one has thumb loops for creating a canopy over the legs, works pretty well

I'm looking at a Campmor cape but really I don't notice a huge problem riding with my wool Zip T shirt and rain jacket. If its warm out I just get wet, towel off then change my clothes and go to work. Cold, wet and windy is where you need protection. I've found wool shirts help wick moisture and they keep my temperature regulated plus they don't stink after sweating in them. My commute is only 18 miles RT so I don't think it would matter what I wore as long as I can stay warm. A little water won't hurt even if I am soaked and have to wring out my clothing. Thats why I have a change of work clothes at work.

I'd buy one, but it never seems to rain here. We've had only two days of rain this year.

We ride in German made Jeantex rain capes in my family:

https://www.jeantex.com/

Only the German version of their site seems to work properly. The couple of models that we have can be seen on those pages:

https://www.jeantex.com/cgi-end/gross...TNR=54405-gelb

https://www.jeantex.com/cgi-end/gross...4412-mandarine

I generally carry a rain cape along at all times, as well as a rain cover for luggage. A hood on a rain cape is for me a must. While, generally, Campmor should be praised for providing the rain cape option for US riders over the years, their cape is second-rate in quality compared to Jeantex.

Interesting idea; I'd like to try it sometime. Price point is reasonable, too.

I have a rain suit, sorta. It's one of those cheapo thin plastic things, but it's better than nothing when caught in a downpour. It only has two vents in the back (not made for cycling), and those tend to get plastered flat in the rain, so I sweat like mad in it. Also, since it's so thin, I'm always worried about snagging it on something and tearing a hole. I carry it in one pannier, but most times, I just lump it and get wet.

My commute is 28mi RT, so I don't know if a cape would be good, but if it keeps me cooler than the rain jacket, I'm all for it. I like the look of that Jeantex model, looks HEAVY and thick! The one from BicycleClothing.com looks good too. Add a pair of water-resistant leggings or rain pants, and you're all set.

Let us know!

I use a german made rain cape I bought when I lived in Germany, and I find it far superior to any other rain gear I've used because it has so much more ventilation. On my old mountain bike, I could hook the thumb loops around the thumb shifters and then have my hands free - it was kind of like being in a tent. Another advantage was that I could take it off and put it on (carefully) while I was on the bike - this was convenient for those days where it keeps raining intermittently.

It is not aerodynamic, although this disadvantage was far outweighed by the advantages of good ventilation and easy on/easy off.

I voted no because of the hellacious winds we get with the rain, way too much for a poncho.

Those look nice too! How much did you pay for them? It might be an interesting further import.

That cape seems pretty cool. It would be nice if it were available in that traffic-vest lime green color (that color that can virtually be seen from the space station) for maximum visibility in adverse visibility conditions.

I just saw this, voted "yes" on the poll, but I already have one, too.

My limited experience with it is that it is similar to a pedestrian using an umbrella. If you're not going too far, too fast, the rain's not too hard, and the wind isn't blowing too hard, it's great, and keeps you dry and ventilated. Too much speed, distance/time, too much wind, or just too much rain, and you're going to get wet.

I was about to order one of these from the UK, but will wait a minute.
How's your order going? I'll take one in black, please.