Ok, I know I am going to get excoriated for even asking this question, but how badly would wearing a cape on the bike affect the aerodynamics of the ride? Have a race coming up where I’ll be in costume, I have a shot at winning, but I’m also toying with the idea of wearing a cape on the bike which I figure might slow me down some, but I’m just not sure how much… It’s only @ a 10 mile bike segment… Unfortunately my tri bike is already being shipped so I can’t test it out, also don’t have a power meter for a definitve test anyways… Torn between having fun and wearing the cape but loosing a little time, or saving the cape just for the run… It actually seems like the cape will level out behind me and the drag might not be as great as you might think?
Wear a mini-cape. One that is only a few inches long. Everyone will know what it is and get a laugh out of it (assuming that is your goal). Being small it won’t get caught up in anything (you must have learned that from the Incredibles), and shouldn’t have any appeciable effects on resistance.
Post of the day…
In addition to the cape, maybe tie these helium balloons to the back of your bike:
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Anyone seen wind tunnel results with this setup?? Short cape, long cape? What about if it is blue versus red?
Either race or have fun, you pick. Be careful with both.Cape has a considerable cost to speed.If that cape got in my way, I would be pretty upset.
lol, great photo!
I did shorten it up already, though it is still about waist length… Had I left it the original length it could have gone into my wheel…
Good advice, probably going with having fun! 
as long as you keep your arms in a superman position, i think it’s a wash
-mike
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“No capes!”
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Gotta wear it on the bike or it’s just old news. Perhaps you can attach some strain gauges on that thing and give us the n=1?
Ok, I know I am going to get excoriated for even asking this question, but how badly would wearing a cape on the bike affect the aerodynamics of the ride? Have a race coming up where I’ll be in costume, I have a shot at winning, but I’m also toying with the idea of wearing a cape on the bike which I figure might slow me down some, but I’m just not sure how much… It’s only @ a 10 mile bike segment… Unfortunately my tri bike is already being shipped so I can’t test it out, also don’t have a power meter for a definitve test anyways… Torn between having fun and wearing the cape but loosing a little time, or saving the cape just for the run… It actually seems like the cape will level out behind me and the drag might not be as great as you might think?
I would change to a Flash Gordon costume… especially if you think you can win.
there’s a local guy that races w/a cape. ~2:30 olympic distance type guy, with or without the cape.
Life’s too short to be capeless.
“Life’s too short to be capeless.”
Tell that to this guy:
Christ…next thing you know you’ll start monologuing…capes are for rookies.
I’ve seen a guy race in a long kilt… But I did pass him too.
Is the cape wind tunnel designed? Does it have dimples in the correct orientation? Is it a UCI legal or illegal cape?
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“No capes!”
It could still get caught by a vortex!
The cape will affect you more (regarding %age, not time) as it is “only 10 miles”. If you were going 20mi, you would probably be going about 92.5% (90-95%) the speed, thus causing less drag.
Being on a tri bike will probably make the effect even greater, as your chest will be lower than on a road bike. My suggestion, cut the cape so it is lombar height.
Also, with my recent reviewing of critical events in the world of triathlon. I would have to say a black cape is optimal. It appears as though Crowie has been leaning towards this color for his bike (the P4…now the Shiv). Red is likely best, as women are scientifically proven to be more attracted to red, see: http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3663 ← My Alma Mater. There is speculation that men are more attracted to the color red, so if you think this then you might be concerned with others being provoked to overtake you. I say go red, regardless (the article states men are more attracted to red on women, not necessarily red in general, but there is always abuse of the transitive property).
Go with the cape. That way, if you somehow manage to lose, you get to say you were clearly in it for fun.