While riding through a rather heavy downpour I got the thinking about waterproofs, as you do. After a while I came up with a 'design' that seemed to overcome some of the inherent problems with normal waterproofs ... in reality what the gears in my head dreamt up was pretty much a cycling cape I know they rate somewhere around -5 on the 'cool stakes' and they may suffer with blowing about and flapping around but I'm sure something could be worked out with a little thought.

So, has anyone ever actualy tried riding in some kind of cape / poncho?

I have one and have used it for commuting. It has 2 loops underneath that you put your arms through so it keeps it from blowing around at the front. It actually works fairly well. Comes up short at the the back if you try to wear it over a backpack.

Some sort of chest strap might be nice to keep the back under control a bit... maybe.

EDIT:
It's fine on the road but I think off road where you might need to be a bit more agile then it could be a bit unwieldy. I'll bring mine along on the weekend.

I've used one before, they do require the use of mudguards and or the avoidance of dog eggs!

How about modifying a army surplus one? No idea how but it could be an interesting experiment.

I found this brilliant cape in the states made by six moon designs, it doubled up as tarp tent and I think it was made from cuben. Hence I never bought it as it cost shed loads but I really liked the idea!

I took a decathlon poncho hiking in Mallorca this spring to use as a poncho and tarp in case of rain. Was lucky enough to not need it but it was light enough to not regret carrying it.

I found this brilliant cape in the states made by six moon designs, it doubled up as tarp tent and I think it was made from cuben. Hence I never bought it as it cost shed loads but I really liked the idea!

That'll be a Gatewood cape, very nice design. I didn't realise they'd started producing them in cuben ... about $150 in Silnylon I recall.

How about modifying a army surplus one?

I reckon this is on the cards now I've learnt to use a sewing machine

I can fall off from snagging baggy shorts on the sticky out bits of my bike, never mind a cape.... Sounds lethal.... Count me in

No Capes!

Far too low-tech to catch on. Built-in air con and electronic humidity-profile modification is the future.

Edna says:



and she's right

s8tannorm wrote:

I found this brilliant cape in the states made by six moon designs, it doubled up as tarp tent and I think it was made from cuben. Hence I never bought it as it cost shed loads but I really liked the idea!

That'll be a Gatewood cape, very nice design. I didn't realise they'd started producing them in cuben ... about $150 in Silnylon I recall.

How about modifying a army surplus one?

I reckon this is on the cards now I've learnt to use a sewing machine

You'll regret it!
Not all changes are fashion led some things disappear because they aren't as good as what follows: Ordinaries, capes, blankets, camping quilts

Capes are better than anyother waterproof top arrangement purely in term of keeping you and your stuff dry. They shed water away from you rather than on to your legs. They remain breathable when n wetted out. The prevent any backpacks etc from getting soaked and don't require unkitting to get waterproofed up. You can sit down on a dry surface and stay sheltered.

Totaly fashion led.

Theyre a bit of a cerfuffle on a bicycle though

Joshvegas wrote:Capes are better than anyother waterproof top arrangement purely in term of keeping you and your stuff dry. They shed water away from you rather than on to your legs. They remain breathable when n wetted out. The prevent any backpacks etc from getting soaked and don't require unkitting to get waterproofed up. You can sit down on a dry surface and stay sheltered

When it rains heavily I don rain pants to keep dry legs. Unkitting? Any rain gear shouldn't by packed in the deepest abyss of a bag, especially not in the UK.
Some membranes are breathable when completely wet on the outside, eVent for example.
Actually they work better if wet on the outside and even more so with a bit of wind, as this facilitates evaporation on the outside of the fabric and thus the sweat gets transferred through the membrane more easily.
On a bike you'll soon get out of the saddle, be it because of a climb or a technical descent. Just imagine that with a cape
How about getting drenched arms and arm pits riding agains strong winds. Beeing made of SilNylon or Cuben you upper body will get damp from sweating just with any cheap rain jacket.

Weight wise, well my rain gear, top and trousers weighs in at 290 g.

Even when hiking in the mountains they are rather rubbish and dangerous. I've witnessed friends hiking in the lakes with a cape, he got thrown about by the wind. Then a couple in capes on a steep col in the Mercantour. She had to take the cape off because the terrain was slightly technical and she was very uncomfy in that garment

If one sticks to the low land gravel and road it may be a different story.
If one hikes the Appalachian trail it will make sense.

Best place far a cape on a bicycle: in town...

I have a lovely fluorescent Carradice cape. IMHO a cape is fine for riding when your position is fairly static but I wouldn't want to wear one off road riding. Up and down off the saddle, weight shifting, tree snagging etc would all be a PITA.

Me & a mate tried one once paired with some swimming goggles when we got caught in a monsoon whilst riding mopeds in Thailand...
Let's just say it didn't keep us dry but did produce some interesting photies