Been thinking about investing in a decent raincape. I know we've discussed before.
Wondering if Edinburgh's wind should be the deciding issue...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Raincape: aye or nay?
(24 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Hoods are non-ideal for where you want some head movement, in possible wind, where providing a funnel for water ingress would be counter-productive. A tight-fitting-to-the-neck cape coupled with a firmly-fitted broad-brimmed waterproof hat might work. Or a cape-hood held on tightly by putting a swimming cap over it, though that might hamper the ears.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I've seen crowds of them used to great effect in China but the rain was torrential and the wind was non-existent. I think here it tends to be the case that wind is constant and rain intermittent.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Hmm yes, that would worry me a bit. And a bit difficult to know whether it actually would be a problem without actually getting one and trying it. The thin plastic ones are probably more likely to act as sails?
Posted 9 years ago # -
Carradice sometimes have seconds on eBay might be worth checking for a cape there.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I had one when I were young but I would far have preferred a modern jacket. I remember still getting quite sweaty in it as well. I can't think of any great advantage unless you want to stick out from the crowd.
Of course if you can get a cheap one you can always make up you own mind. And if you don't like it, it could be put to other uses (small tent, changing facility for the beach, bike cover ...)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Not for me, personally I prefer a jacket and trousers. But don't let any fashion faux pas prevent you for wearing one. I would wonder how stable they would be on a windy day.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'm thinking it would be less sweaty than a rain coat and trews? I've pretty much given up wearing waterproofs on the bike, but there are some days when it would be nice not to have to plan to change at work.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Posted 9 years ago #
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Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh I've been namechecked in the poll!!!
:o)
I find mine handy for short journeys on the Brompton if I'm in work clothes. The cape lives in the bottom of the bag so I don't need to think about having it with me. I can't think of an occasion I would use it on the road bike.
It does make signaling more tricky (I wonder if a better quality one would have a bit more space). I don't think the hood really restricts my view to the rear (but I have dodgy peripheral vision on that side anyway and need to get my head fairly far round regardless of what I'm wearing on it).
Posted 9 years ago # -
Not cheap, but I wore a Barbour stockman's coat all winter and would thoroughly recommend it as a cape alternative.
Bearable in warmer weather if you're not going quickly, and sleeves mean no indicating problems.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@SRD the Brooks cape in the EBC sale? I think still hot unless you wear summer shorts and t-shirt underneath?
The rain cape has a long history perhaps its time has come around again?
Posted 9 years ago # -
I
hadwas made to try a rain cape when I was riding my old ten-speed to and from secondary school. This was in the days when panniers were a) deeply unfashionable and b) impractical, and c) deeply unfashionable. Rain capes are not well suited to rucksackery, as I discovered on my first attempt.I remember using it exactly twice before deciding that a waterproof jacket and wet jeans was preferable to faff and the relentless scorn of people at school.
Nowadays I might be a little more bloodyminded (er, torpedo?!), but still tend to default to the wetsuit approach of thin insulation that will dry out quickly later on. If I were touring, say 50-100 miles a day, and there was a full day of rain forecast, a cape mightn't be a bad idea, but panniers might require some weatherproofing themselves.
Of course, a recumbent bike is quite cape incompatible, and I now have waterproof covers for my big panniers and a waterproof hat.
Posted 9 years ago # -
If it's raining that hard I'll get the bus!
Posted 9 years ago # -
@cc I'll do just about anything to avoid getting the bus on a rainy day.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I have a good reason to say No.
My mother put me in a yellow raincape - with superman logo - when I was maybe 7 or 8 years old.
I learned that week (I think my tears meant it went in the bin after a few days) that while my mother had my best interests at heart, she was a touch naive about just how much comedy value my chums at Gilmerton primary would take from that one clothing item.
The memory gives me the heebie jeebies - I dont think I have quite recovered from the embarrassment in the 40 years since................
Posted 9 years ago # -
Gosh, when I was little I think a superman logo would have rescued pretty much anything from teasing. I remember always having the same drab blue raincoats that I hated, and which my mother forced me to wear even if 'no one else has to'!
Children can be so cruel.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Do we need a rain cape trauma support group? I had a bright yellow oilskin hat and coat set that might let me participate.
Posted 9 years ago # -
No one believes this but when I was in infant school the government did away with putting the clock back one winter. It was pitch black in the morning and we were issued with white hats with a little red bulb on top, activated by pressing a button. Fortunately the cars in the village had all gone to work before we walked to school age 5
Posted 9 years ago # -
Is now down to sixty six quid clickety click
Posted 9 years ago # -
Another online place had the green one in small for £66 last week, but it is gone! So brown it is. I'll have to wait for Christmas to try it out though.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Will probably be dry anyway until xmas
Posted 9 years ago #
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