Carradice Duxback Poncho - Opinions?

[Montclair BobbyB]

I just received mine in the mail, so I realize it's kinda late for opinions... but wanted to hear from others who own one of these ponchos.   I tested it on a short ride (a very short ride, since it wasn't actually raining, and the neighbors were giving me horrified looks...) It's very nice quality and it feels like riding a well-ventilated tent on wheels.

One thing I definitely noticed; either my head is too big, or the hood is rather short, barely covering my ears, but offering good peripheral vision (unlike most hoods). I was able to get my helmet to fit over the hood, so I think that works for me.   Question:  Do you find this hood effective, or do you just abandon it altogether? Does your face still get soaked using the hood?  Do you wear your helmet over the hood???

Also, with fenders and poncho do you find you still need additional rain protection (like shoes, spats, legs, etc.?)

I've been really disappointed with my GoreTex jacket and pants (hot and sticky), and I never really considered a poncho until I saw the Carradice.  I have to say I'm really impressed with the quality and feel.  Can't wait to really test it out (and turn the neighbors faces from horrified to envious).

Peace,

BB

"Rain just makes a good ride better"

[Ron Mc]

Without spats, your feet are going to get soaked - even with spats (and fenders) they'll get some wet.  And in a beating rain, you'd want leggings.  

Can't keep all the water out of your face, either, and some is going to run down your shirt.  

I don't face commuting on a bike in the rain.  It's been a couple of years, but from Germany I ordered Vaude Valdipino ponchos for me and my daughter.  

We use them for emergencies, and have used them a couple of times.  It takes up about 2/3 of the small sackville trunk

No offense, but both of them together were still half the cost of the Carradice.  

They're similar in that they're tent-like and cover the bars - there are hand loops inside.  

They're also made to go over a helmet, seem to have plenty of room, a drawstring closes them around your face, and they're cut for peripheral vision.  

Last time I went out in pending rain, though, I carried a Marmot light "pro" gortex rain shell, had to use it, and it definitely is more closed and sticky than the poncho,  I just wore it for a retreat partway home, and bypassed the hood.  

[Michael]

Can't say about Carradice.

But I have an el cheapo chinese poncho with a really huge hood and looooong brim. Long back to cover saddle.

I like it. Cool and circulating air underneath. I like it better than a rain jacket for that circulation.

Helmet over hood for sure. That way you can look back without the hood getting in the way.

It feels a little weird riding under a poncho. But sure love that cool air circulating. And you can toss back a flap for better circulation if the rain is very light or if it stops while riding.

I do get a little rain wet from lower shins down to feet.

So I bought some MUSA splats, but haven't used then yet. But that means shins still exposed.

I would like to try the Duxback leggings they make which covers shins and feet.

[Joe Broach]

BB,

Welcome to the poncho club! Can't speak to the duxback specifically, but in general...

I haven't found the hood on my Log House/Campmor cape very useful on the bike. I find a wool cycling cap more effective. I overheat quickly with the hood up. That said, I haven't cut the hood off because it's occasionally handy standing around off the bike, and it makes a nice neck baffle in back. If it's just totally pouring or sub-40 and raining, I'll pull the hood on; otherwise, I just overheat.

Anything beyond a light rain you'll need either shoe covers or waterproof shoes (or a change of shoes at the other end). I get away with jeans except in torrential downpours. In those I get soggy, but only below the knees.

The duxback seems great if a bit less packable than the nylon capes. I carry my nylon cape from Sep-Jun.

It definitely makes rainy rides more fun!

Best,

joe broach

portland, or

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[Tim McNamara]

My Duxback has been used sparingly (I just don’t like riding in the rain, period). They come in two sizes, long and short, and lo those many years ago when I bought mine from Rivendell all they stocked was the short. At 6’4” it’s not long enough and my butt gets wet the several times I have used it. I have the modern yellow Carradice poncho which is longer but have not had occasion to wear it. Aesthetically I like the Duxback better and know several people who have properly sized once; they are enthusiastic about them. When I have worn the Duxback I was surprised that the wind resistance penalty was not as bad as I expected, but have not used in it windy weather.

[Mathew Greiner]

Almost but not entirely off topic: There's an entirely entertaining documentary called "Bill Cunningham New York" about a fashion photographer for the NY Times who rides his bike around the city every day all week taking pictures of people on the street. He has done so for 40–50 years. He spends a few minutes talking about how to make a poncho from a trash bag and tape, saying, "You can buy these, but they get holes, too, and then you patch those with tape, so it all ends up looking the same, anyway." Different strokes, you know?

 

On Wednesday, May 28, 2014 9:58:29 PM UTC-5, Montclair BobbyB wrote:

[Patrick Moore]

Our rain comes mostly in the summer, and when I used my Duxback to commute 15-16 miles 1-way it was too hot. The Carradice nylon poncho wasn't as hot, but it was (at least, the model I had) was too tight to work well with drop bars. I went back to the cheap ($20) Campmor, which is both broad and light and works well enough in the wind. The Campmor also dries much faster than the Duxback.

Yes, you will get wet from the knees down in a downpour, and from the shoulders up if you don't have a hat, but shoulder to knee you stay dry -- again, even in a downpour driven by high wind. 

On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 11:33 PM, Tim McNamara <tim...@bitstream.net> wrote:

My Duxback has been used sparingly (I just don't like riding in the rain, period).  They come in two sizes, long and short, and lo those many years ago when I bought mine from Rivendell all they stocked was the short.  At 6'4" it's not long enough and my butt gets wet the several times I have used it.  I have the modern yellow Carradice poncho which is longer but have not had occasion to wear it.  Aesthetically I like the Duxback better and know several people who have properly sized once; they are enthusiastic about them.  When I have worn the Duxback I was surprised that the wind resistance penalty was not as bad as I expected, but have not used in it windy weather.

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[Benz, Sunnyvale, CA]

I have the whole Rivendell outfit: yellow poncho with yellow fisherman's hat. Even with fenders with long flaps, I still need rain pants/shoe covers (Showers Pass is good) if I want to be entirely dry at speed (ca. 15 mph). If I'm willing to slow down to jogging speed and there isn't much wind, then pants/covers aren't really necessary. Mist and splashes from other traffic can still be an issue though.

It's funny you likened poncho as a well-ventilated tent because that's what my coworkers and fellow bike commuters like to call mine - flying yellow tent.

[Liesl]

I have a duxback and have found it to be really nice for light rain and even some slushy spitty snow, but my shoulders have gotten pretty damp if it's really raining.  This would be in the context of my 10-mile commute each way.  I also like that it covers the bike, but I use a handlebar mounted light (supernova with the rubber-gasket handlebar mount) and the cape covers it.  As for the hood, I have worn it under a helmet, and I have ignored it and used my Grundens Bold Soldier Rain Hat.  Goofy as it is, the Grundens is great at doing its job.

I have always wished I could do a side-by-side ride comparison to the Riv cape.

liesl

[Liesl]

Oh, but so far, I think the Riv English Riding Jacket is simply outstanding.  4-season applicable if you get it big enough to wear a down sweater under it.  Really rainproof and not clammy.  Packs up small.  Great on the bike, plus great as a travel jacket; have had it overseas and it was the bomb (New Zealand in the austral summer including windy south pacific beaches and sailing).  I do though now wish it had a detachable filson-style hood that would button on and off.  I may even put my own buttons on it to use my filson hood.  Anyway, since December, it's been a total go-to garment here in Minnesota and travelling.

[Marc Irwin]

Bobby, I don't have the Carradice but like the rain cape much better than a jacket.  Rain jackets and pants get me so hot and sweaty I may as well put up with the rain.  That said, I use splats and the Riv shin gaurds in any severe rain. Even longboard fenders will still let some road spray  past and then there are always puddles!  The cape is nice and cool, and I get to my destination with dry, not sweaty, clothes.

Marc

[Jonathan Shinefeld]

Hi Bobby, I've had a Duxback poncho for years. With spats I stay dry and it's my choice for cold rainy days with a light layer underneath. It is less wonderful in high winds, acting like a sail. Of course with the wind at my back, I get where I'm going lickety split. That said, I just ordered a Showers Pass Touring rain jacket on clearance from the manufacturer for half price ($75).
Jon
PhillyPA

[Montclair BobbyB]

Thanks, all for the testimonials... looking forward to my next rain ride...

BB