2026-06-19 17:56 UTC
@Steffi@toot.wales rain cape (bike-specific poncho) works well for falling rain, less well if it's blowing sideways or if you're just riding fast into it. My #umbrellaBike is a bakfiets with rain canopy on top, which gives good frontal coverage, combined with a rain cape and wool pants for most of the winter. A front rack with a large crate and backpack rain cover stretched over it gives similar protection for your knees/pantlegs to not get soaked. Breathability beats rain pants above ~freezing.
Replies (2)
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@enobacon@urbanists.social 2026-06-19 18:00
@Steffi@toot.wales I'm in Portland, Oregon rain. The key thing with a rain cape is how you hold the front in your hands over the handlebar. That space between your arms is the tent that keeps your lap dry, but now you can't see your e-bike screen, maybe mirror, shifter etc. It depends on the bike and cape. Mine has wide flat handles inside the front corner, some just have thumb loops.
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@Steffi@toot.wales 2026-06-19 18:03
@enobacon@urbanists.social I've just been browsing through your #umbrellaBike posts. That does look neat! I get what you mean about capes being good for just falling rain. Here it does tend to be a bit breezy too, although I can usually choose more sheltered routes.