Trying out a "cape"



P

Pinky

Guest
Well it is tippling here and a couple of weeks ago I bought one of those
cycling capes from the LIDL bike weeks offers.
So today I am dispensing with my Altura Nevis ( which is my second one) and
heading out to see what it is like with a cycling cape. Never used one
before so it might be interesting! Cycling on road in rush hour traffic I
will find out what it is like. Not much wind at the moment but coming back
home should be into a head wind according to the forecasts!
My comments will be on here in a couple of hours time -- I hope without too
many expletives

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
 
in message <[email protected]>, Pinky
('[email protected]') wrote:

> Well it is tippling here and a couple of weeks ago I bought one of
> those cycling capes from the LIDL bike weeks offers.
> So today I am dispensing with my Altura Nevis ( which is my second one)
> and heading out to see what it is like with a cycling cape. Never used
> one before so it might be interesting! Cycling on road in rush hour
> traffic I will find out what it is like. Not much wind at the moment
> but coming back home should be into a head wind according to the
> forecasts! My comments will be on here in a couple of hours time -- I
> hope without too many expletives

Capes are great if there isn't much wind (and provided you have good
mudguards) - they keep you dry and you don't boil in the bag. But in
windy conditions they can get... interesting. Useful hint: sit on the
tail of the cape. This stops it getting blown inside out. Also, if your
cape doesn't come with little tape loops to hook over your brake levers,
sew some in. This stops the front getting blown up into your face.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
Ring of great evil
Small one casts it into flame
Bringing rise of Men ;; gonzoron
 
So it was a good test and although I might use it for local riding when it
is raining heavily I doubt that I would take it with me on any long run. It
will be useful when I am walking round the village here in the rain --
better than a brolly.
So a few comments.
1. I ride everywhere with a bar bag -- spare tubes , repair kit, small multi
tools -- and lots of other junk -- I quite understand all about women's
handbags! So the cape didn't like it and it resulted in the front being
lifted too high. So I cycled today w/o bag.
2. I have butterfly handlebars and the tapes provided inside the cape were
not within reach. There was virtually no wind ( well a slight following one)
so no problem with it blowing up over me.
3. It was raining heavily and I had the hood up -- no problems with
visibility -- the hood had transparent panels at the side.
4. I felt more comfortable under the cape than when I am wearing waterproof
over trousers -- much better. I had my overshoes on to help keep my feet
dry. I must say it felt a lot "freer" under the cape than in my normal full
wet weather gear!
5. I still felt very warm underneath the cape and my upper body still
sweated a bit -- but it is a warm day and the rain was sheeting down.I did
have a long sleeved fleece top on over my short sleeved cycle shirt. In
retrospect it was a bad decision.
6. My inward journey ( returning home --- 20 miles in all) was still in rain
but not as heavy but a slight head wind. No problems with the cape.
7. I did feel that I was better protected from the wet spray kicked up by
speeding traffic and any gusts of side wind caused by large vehicles didn't
give me any problems.
8 I hate to mention it but I couldn't wear my helmet under the hood and I
wear it all the time normally!

As I said I have never used a cape before and my feeling is that its main
use will be just on very local runs in heavy rain -- and as a Poncho when I
am walking.

In any case it isn't suitable for use on a recumbent which I take delivery
of at the end of September

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

"Simon Brooke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> in message <[email protected]>, Pinky
> ('[email protected]') wrote:
>
>> Well it is tippling here and a couple of weeks ago I bought one of
>> those cycling capes from the LIDL bike weeks offers.
>> So today I am dispensing with my Altura Nevis ( which is my second one)
>> and heading out to see what it is like with a cycling cape. Never used
>> one before so it might be interesting! Cycling on road in rush hour
>> traffic I will find out what it is like. Not much wind at the moment
>> but coming back home should be into a head wind according to the
>> forecasts! My comments will be on here in a couple of hours time -- I
>> hope without too many expletives
>
> Capes are great if there isn't much wind (and provided you have good
> mudguards) - they keep you dry and you don't boil in the bag. But in
> windy conditions they can get... interesting. Useful hint: sit on the
> tail of the cape. This stops it getting blown inside out. Also, if your
> cape doesn't come with little tape loops to hook over your brake levers,
> sew some in. This stops the front getting blown up into your face.
>
> --
> [email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
> Ring of great evil
> Small one casts it into flame
> Bringing rise of Men ;; gonzoron
>
 
"Pinky" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> So it was a good test and although I might use it for local riding
> when it is raining heavily I doubt that I would take it with me on any
> long run. It will be useful when I am walking round the village here
> in the rain -- better than a brolly.
> So a few comments.
> 1. I ride everywhere with a bar bag -- spare tubes , repair kit, small
> multi tools -- and lots of other junk -- I quite understand all about
> women's handbags! So the cape didn't like it and it resulted in the
> front being lifted too high. So I cycled today w/o bag.
> 2. I have butterfly handlebars and the tapes provided inside the cape
> were not within reach. There was virtually no wind ( well a slight
> following one) so no problem with it blowing up over me.
> 3. It was raining heavily and I had the hood up -- no problems with
> visibility -- the hood had transparent panels at the side.
> 4. I felt more comfortable under the cape than when I am wearing
> waterproof over trousers -- much better. I had my overshoes on to help
> keep my feet dry. I must say it felt a lot "freer" under the cape than
> in my normal full wet weather gear!
> 5. I still felt very warm underneath the cape and my upper body still
> sweated a bit -- but it is a warm day and the rain was sheeting
> down.I did have a long sleeved fleece top on over my short sleeved
> cycle shirt. In retrospect it was a bad decision.
> 6. My inward journey ( returning home --- 20 miles in all) was still
> in rain but not as heavy but a slight head wind. No problems with the
> cape. 7. I did feel that I was better protected from the wet spray
> kicked up by speeding traffic and any gusts of side wind caused by
> large vehicles didn't give me any problems.
> 8 I hate to mention it but I couldn't wear my helmet under the hood
> and I wear it all the time normally!
>
> As I said I have never used a cape before and my feeling is that its
> main use will be just on very local runs in heavy rain -- and as a
> Poncho when I am walking.
>
> In any case it isn't suitable for use on a recumbent which I take
> delivery of at the end of September
>

I also quite like my cape(s) I use primarily them for utility /
commuting type riding, but have got one in my kit on the touring bike.
I feel as though I am less constrained with a cape - and as I wear
'normal' clothes for commuting (often a suit) the cape is more suitable.
Certainly the cape is cooler, while providing excellent protection, and
increased visibility (Re: Theory of Big)
The two big drawbacks from my perspective are difficulties with
signalling (and nose blowing), and not being able to see my mirror.
I've not found wind to be a major problem - but I tend to be fairly
upright anyway. And no - flatulence is not what I mean!
 
Pinky wrote:
> Well it is tippling here and a couple of weeks ago I bought one of those
> cycling capes from the LIDL bike weeks offers.
> So today I am dispensing with my Altura Nevis ( which is my second one) and
> heading out to see what it is like with a cycling cape. Never used one
> before so it might be interesting! Cycling on road in rush hour traffic I
> will find out what it is like. Not much wind at the moment but coming back
> home should be into a head wind according to the forecasts!
> My comments will be on here in a couple of hours time -- I hope without too
> many expletives
>
I bought one and used it in a heavy downpour the next day and the tapes
broke. They just seemed to be stuck on not sown. This was the only fault
I found with it. I also liked the way it folded into it's own pocket.
The cape I have had for years had reinforcements moulded into it for the
tapes.
Regards, Kenneth.
www.kmiles.co.uk
 
Pinky wrote:
> As I said I have never used a cape before and my feeling is that its main
> use will be just on very local runs in heavy rain -- and as a Poncho when I
> am walking.

I've used mine as a poncho when walking - it's great for wet days when
I'm camping. I never found it to be of any use for cycling, and that
was back in the days when I rode an upright bike.

> In any case it isn't suitable for use on a recumbent which I take delivery
> of at the end of September

Quite. I trust your new trike will fit into your kitchen for the
obligatory photos.

--
Danny Colyer <URL:http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/>
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine
 
"Pinky" <[email protected]> of wrote:
>Well it is tippling here and a couple of weeks ago I bought one of those
>cycling capes from the LIDL bike weeks offers.
Snap. And as I live in Manchester, it's seen quite a bit of use already.
Like others posting here I'm finding the ventilation much pleasanter than
wearing a waterproof jacket.

How does one signal while wearing a cape? It's impossible with hands
inside, but even with my hands through the cuffs and on the outside it feels
like I'm not making as visible as signal as usual. I did a lot of extra
left turns today in order to avoid trying to signal right.

Being of the very short persuasion, there's a lot of cape between my
shoulders and the tapes that go over the handlebars, so the cape naturally
forms a dish shape which collects water. The tapes can't be moved up
because then the cape would drag on the front wheel. I'm reluctant to make
the entire cape shorter, because the extra length is an advantage at the
sides and back. Are there any other ways to stop it collecting a pool of
water?

--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm
 
"Danny Colyer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
<snip><snip>
>
> Quite. I trust your new trike will fit into your kitchen for the
> obligatory photos.
>
Not a hope!
It will have to be assembled on the first floor landing of outside my flat.
My kitchen is tiny! But photos will be forthcoming -- preceded by cries for
help as I build it! At least I haven't got a partner to heckle me about the
mess I shall undoubtedly make!
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
 
in message <[email protected]>, Steph Peters
('[email protected]') wrote:

> "Pinky" <[email protected]> of wrote:
>>Well it is tippling here and a couple of weeks ago I bought one of
>>those cycling capes from the LIDL bike weeks offers.
> Snap. And as I live in Manchester, it's seen quite a bit of use
> already. Like others posting here I'm finding the ventilation much
> pleasanter than wearing a waterproof jacket.
>
> How does one signal while wearing a cape? It's impossible with hands
> inside, but even with my hands through the cuffs and on the outside it
> feels
> like I'm not making as visible as signal as usual. I did a lot of
> extra left turns today in order to avoid trying to signal right.
>
> Being of the very short persuasion, there's a lot of cape between my
> shoulders and the tapes that go over the handlebars, so the cape
> naturally
> forms a dish shape which collects water. The tapes can't be moved up
> because then the cape would drag on the front wheel. I'm reluctant to
> make the entire cape shorter, because the extra length is an advantage
> at the sides and back. Are there any other ways to stop it collecting a
> pool of water?

I am of the very tall persuasion, but in the days when I used cycling
capes they too collected pools of water. This doesn't seem to matter,
provided that when you dismount you carefully empty the pool /away/ from
your person...

Signalling in a cape, just lift the hem of the cape on the side you want
to signal and stick your arm out.

Contra Pinky, upthread, I always used my cape with a bar bag and found
this worked well and was convenient, but I always used it on bikes with
drop bars, which may make a difference.

Capes are, for the utility cyclist who doesn't expect to change clothes
on arrival at a destination, probably the most practical way of staying
dry and comfortable in heavy rain.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

I'm fed up with Life 1.0. I never liked it much and now it's getting
me down. I think I'll upgrade to MSLife 97 -- you know, the one that
comes in a flash new box and within weeks you're crawling with bugs.
 
Pinky wrote:
> My kitchen is tiny! But photos will be forthcoming -- preceded by cries for
> help as I build it! At least I haven't got a partner to heckle me about the
> mess I shall undoubtedly make!

Take pictures at every stage of the building process, then post a link
here. Then we'll all heckle you about it ;-)

--
Danny Colyer <URL:http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/>
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine
 
On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 14:08:56 +0100, Mike the unimaginative wrote
(in article <[email protected]>):

> I also quite like my cape(s) I use primarily them for utility /
> commuting type riding, but have got one in my kit on the touring bike.
> I feel as though I am less constrained with a cape - and as I wear
> 'normal' clothes for commuting (often a suit) the cape is more suitable.
> Certainly the cape is cooler, while providing excellent protection, and
> increased visibility (Re: Theory of Big)
> The two big drawbacks from my perspective are difficulties with
> signalling (and nose blowing), and not being able to see my mirror.
> I've not found wind to be a major problem - but I tend to be fairly
> upright anyway. And no - flatulence is not what I mean!

I find the cape to be absolutely excellent for commuting. It is amazing how
well it keeps me dry.

I think that the heavier the cape the better so it behaves itself in the
wind. I feel that if you get used to the cape moving around a bit in the wind
then it seems it doesn't effect the handling as much as you think. But it is
certainly true that with too much wind the cape can't be used.

I have resolved difficulties with signalling by sort of thinking through the
arm movement required whilst stationary and this seems to now work well
whilst cycling.

I don't use my mirror and I only use the cape on short-ish journeys of less
than 8 miles usually so I don't remember any nose blowing problems, though
it's true I can't see how I would blow my nose with the cape.

--
Patrick
My bikes: Moulton AM7 and two Moulton APBs, an R18 and a "mongrel"
Pic of R18: <http://patrickjames.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/R18.jpg>
 
Patrick James skrev:

> it's true I can't see how I would blow my nose with the cape.


What, it's not big enough you mean?

:)

Erik Sandblom
 
On Sun, 3 Sep 2006 00:22:18 +0100, Erik Sandblom wrote
(in article <[email protected]>):

> Patrick James skrev:
>
>> it's true I can't see how I would blow my nose with the cape.
>
>
> What, it's not big enough you mean?
>
>> -)
>
> Erik Sandblom

lol :)

--
Patrick
My bikes: Moulton AM7 and two Moulton APBs - an R18 and a "mongrel"
Pic of R18: <http://patrickjames.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/R18.jpg>
 
Upon the miasma of midnight, a darkling spirit identified as Simon
Brooke <[email protected]> gently breathed:

>Capes are great if there isn't much wind (and provided you have good
>mudguards) - they keep you dry and you don't boil in the bag. But in
>windy conditions they can get... interesting. Useful hint: sit on the
>tail of the cape. This stops it getting blown inside out. Also, if your
>cape doesn't come with little tape loops to hook over your brake levers,
>sew some in. This stops the front getting blown up into your face.

Oh - so that's where they are supposed to go? I put them round my
wrists - will know better next time!

I do like capes - keeps the rain off self and bike, as you say without
the "boil in the bag" effects of waterproof suits. Only problem is when
the rain is coming horizontally - your lower legs still get wet, though
that's not usually a major problem.

--
- DJ Pyromancer, The Sunday Goth Social, Leeds. <http://www.sheepish.net>

Broadband, Dialup, Domains = <http://www.wytches.net> = The UK's Pagan ISP!
<http://www.inkubus-sukkubus.co.uk> <http://www.revival.stormshadow.com>
 
Quoting Pyromancer <[email protected]>:
>I do like capes - keeps the rain off self and bike, as you say without
>the "boil in the bag" effects of waterproof suits. Only problem is when
>the rain is coming horizontally - your lower legs still get wet, though
>that's not usually a major problem.

In heavy weather I wear waterproof booties, which keeps the wet zone down
to a minimum. However on the E2E we stopped for lunch in wet weather at a
GBG-listed hotel near Rannoch Moor which was cold in the dining room - the
wet bits got very stiff and I had knee pain for the rest of the trip owing
to (foolishly) setting off without warming up thereafter. Be careful.

I also installed a zipper in my cape to allow handlebar-mounted lights
egress.
--
David Damerell <[email protected]> Kill the tomato!
Today is Second Saturday, August - a weekend.
 
Mike the unimaginative <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Pinky" <[email protected]> wrote in

>> 4. I felt more comfortable under the cape than when I am wearing
>> waterproof over trousers -- much better. I had my overshoes on to help
>> keep my feet dry. I must say it felt a lot "freer" under the cape than
>> in my normal full wet weather gear!

For utility cycling capes are my favourite. The LIDL one I recently
gought has a nice hood with a little peak which usually stops most of
the rain getting on my glasses. I think I'll improve it with a bit of
soft wire along the edge so it sticks out better. I cycle round the
town in my ordinary street/office clothes, and a cape keeps me dry and
unsweaty in the heaviest downpour.

>> 8 I hate to mention it but I couldn't wear my helmet under the hood
>> and I wear it all the time normally!

The statistics are a bit dubious. It's possible you might be safer if
you didn't wear it while cycling. I suspect it's at its best in the
bathroom. Soapy eyes, slippery surfaces, and plenty of hard porcelain
protrusions. The bathroom accident statistics are rather scary.

> The two big drawbacks from my perspective are difficulties with
> signalling (and nose blowing), and not being able to see my mirror.

I have a bar end mirror, and the LIDL cape has little velcro'd slits
in just the right place to poke a bar end mirror through. In lieu of
hand signalling I use exaggerated over-the-shoulder observations and
positioning. Lack of easy fast hand signalling, added to wet roads,
wet brakes, rain on car windscreens, and the general ignorance of car
drivers about the effect of wet roads on their braking distances,
means I have to negotiate some things, like big busy roundabouts, more
carefully, which sometimes means I just give up and walk round them as
a pedestrian.

--
Chris Malcolm [email protected] DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]
 
Steph Peters <[email protected]> wrote:

> How does one signal while wearing a cape? It's impossible with hands
> inside,

Reach down and out, and lift up hand outside cape?

> but even with my hands through the cuffs and on the outside it feels
> like I'm not making as visible as signal as usual. I did a lot of extra
> left turns today in order to avoid trying to signal right.

Get off and walk over?

> Being of the very short persuasion, there's a lot of cape between my
> shoulders and the tapes that go over the handlebars, so the cape naturally
> forms a dish shape which collects water. The tapes can't be moved up
> because then the cape would drag on the front wheel. I'm reluctant to make
> the entire cape shorter, because the extra length is an advantage at the
> sides and back. Are there any other ways to stop it collecting a pool of
> water?

I was thinking of a small drain hole attached to a tube going into a
water bottle.

--
Chris Malcolm [email protected] DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]
 
"Chris Malcolm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike the unimaginative <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "Pinky" <[email protected]> wrote in
<snip><snip>.
>
>>> 8 I hate to mention it but I couldn't wear my helmet under the hood
>>> and I wear it all the time normally!
>
> The statistics are a bit dubious. It's possible you might be safer if
> you didn't wear it while cycling. I suspect it's at its best in the
> bathroom. Soapy eyes, slippery surfaces, and plenty of hard porcelain
> protrusions. The bathroom accident statistics are rather scary.

This remark is uncalled for on a subject which is about capes!


I wear my helmet all the time. It is my decision and mine alone - I affect
no one else by that decision.

1. In winter it helps keep my head warm and dry ( with a cover on it)
2. At all times it is
:- a mounting frame for an extra "see me" LED white light.
:- a mounting frame for my "wing mirror" ( at 69 yrs my neck bones aren't
as flexible as they used to be -- I can look back over my lhs but not my
rhs!). I tried bar end mirrors and didn't like them at all. And with
"butterfly bars" they aren't a feasible options on my latest velo ( or my
next one either)
:- I also have a swing down visor which helps to protect my eyes (from
wind effects) which also suffer from the aging process.
3. I have worn a hat nearly virtually all my adult life when I go out on my
flat feet. I do not like cycling ( which I do daily) without a hat and I
find that baseball type caps and woolly balaclavas etc, extremely
uncomfortable and sweaty. Since I am hardly a speed freak I find the helmet
is cool in the summer and I do not sweat in it.
4. It is brightly coloured ( white) and also carries 2 small strips of
flashing red LED's at the rear for added "see me" at night ( or in
rainy/dark conditions).
5. It might, and I say "might" with due respect to the anti helmet brigade,
just help a bit in other areas.
6. Above all I feel comfortable , both physically and mentally, wearing it
and it does not give me any inclination to overcompensate by taking more
risks. Riding on road, which I do 99% of the time, requires high degrees
of concentration and awareness -- using all my facilities -- seeing ,
hearing, vocalising, and a lot of basic use of the sense of touch.

I shouldn't have risen to the bait but -- what the hell -- I did!
--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
 
Pinky wrote:

> "Chris Malcolm" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > The statistics are a bit dubious. It's possible you might be safer if
> > you didn't wear it while cycling. I suspect it's at its best in the
> > bathroom. Soapy eyes, slippery surfaces, and plenty of hard porcelain
> > protrusions. The bathroom accident statistics are rather scary.
>
> This remark is uncalled for on a subject which is about capes!
>
> I wear my helmet all the time. It is my decision and mine alone - I affect
> no one else by that decision.

it may be your decision, but It certainly affects others.
It makes some think that cycling is a dangerous activity and that those who
partake in it are somehow foolhardy.

It is also a vote for compulsion, as the more who use them, the more likely a
MHL will be introduced.

> I shouldn't have risen to the bait but -- what the hell -- I did!

I fell for it too :-(

I know I shouldn't have, but you were quite wrong on your assertion that no one
else is affected by your choice.

John B
 
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