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Cape/Poncho

Posted: 02 Apr 2019 13:53
by Neil Compton
Hi, Just wondered if anyone has used a Cape/Poncho and if so what their experience was like? And any recommendations?

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 02 Apr 2019 18:51
by petemarshall
Used one often on tours, kept everything including bike and panniers dry 😁
Also particularly good as portable toilets for women on the roadside.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 02 Apr 2019 21:27
by CakeStop
Keeps legs dry but downsides but hard work if it's windy and hides bar mounted lights and map / garmin. Personally I'd rather have wet legs.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 10:48
by Neil Compton
petemarshall wrote:
02 Apr 2019 18:51
Used one often on tours, kept everything including bike and panniers dry 😁
Also particularly good as portable toilets for women on the roadside.
Can you remember what the make of it was Pete?

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 10:54
by Neil Compton
CakeStop wrote:
02 Apr 2019 21:27
Keeps legs dry but downsides but hard work if it's windy and hides bar mounted lights and map / garmin. Personally I'd rather have wet legs.
Aye, there are always pros and cons unfortunately.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 10:59
by petemarshall
No idea of the make and this would be over twenty years ago. Since the late nineties, when decent waterproofing arrived on breathable jackets I switched to a paramo jacket for touring.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 11:09
by George
I tried one in my youth. It had all the aerodynamic qualities of a parachute. Handy, I suppose, if you want to ride a few minutes to work at 10mph and arrive with dry clothes. I don't think I'd choose to use one under other circumstances, however.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 14:06
by AlanW
I used one for a while when commuting, great at keeping you dry until:
a) its a headwind
b) you need to do a hand signal

Needless to say it went on ebay shortly after the initial purchase!

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 15:45
by Oscar
I still have one if you would like it. Free to a good home.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 05 Apr 2019 12:31
by Neil Compton
I wouldn't use one for cycling to work but I thought one might be okay for when I go away. I don't mind getting a bit wet but when I'm riding all day and camping I want to stay as dry as possible especially if it chucks it down all day. I have a waterproof jacket that's not too bad but rain gets in eventually and obviously it doesn't stop your hands and feet from getting wet.

Some of the really good jackets are out of my price range but taking on board what folks have said, getting a good jacket sounds like it would be the better investment.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 05 Apr 2019 12:31
by Neil Compton
Oscar wrote:
04 Apr 2019 15:45
I still have one if you would like it. Free to a good home.
Thanks for the offer Oscar. I'll have a think on it.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 05 Apr 2019 18:01
by Dave Cox
I've not used my cape for some years although I keep it for the Eroica Britannia to roll on top of my Carradice saddle bag on the Carlton Flyer recycled from Sutton Coldfield tip. I last used it on the Brompton where it kept me and the bike dry. However my friends in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Affiliated Group a Cycling UK/CTC off-shoot use them regularly in heavy rain. It's the touring tradition I think. But for me Gortex jacket with overtrousers in really poor conditions keeps me fairly dry and warm. And I can still use the mirror, lights etc.and cope with traffic.

The other problem is that a pool of water builds up in your lap and then runs down somewhere you don't want when you stop.

Re: Cape/Poncho

Posted: 08 Apr 2019 11:16
by Neil Compton
I think i'll just stick to a Jacket. :)