Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

^eh, sorry about the weird formatting, not my fault!

All good to know, cheers. Any info on johnnyhotdog's conundrum?

He should post pics of the jacket collar so we can see what's going on.

Great info, thanks for taking the time to explain.

@johnnyhotdog
the '13 & '14 PTJ are the same fabric and features, only a slightly closer fit, mainly through the arm/bicep. The front panels are the same quality Polartec Powershield Pro, and the brush-backed Roubaix body, exactly the same. There are two versions of the Roubaix, depending on the colour - we have to use a different composition for light/bright colours, or solid/blacks, to prevent dye-migration.

Apologies for the confusing mix-up on the labelling; They're both made at the same factory (http://pages.rapha.cc/stories/ktc-china) and, although it might seem an easy mistake to happen, the component bills and QC are very concise, so it's confused me how this has happened. Thanks for bringing this up, I'll look into it.

Hi Chopsicle,

Thanks for the reply - that certainly makes sense and would explain a slightly different feeling (although that may also be because one has been worn and washed for a year and the other is new.)

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to check it out and explain. I appreciate it.

There is very slight discernible difference between the two types of fleece I mention, but a year of wearing and washing will make the biggest difference to the handle of the whole jacket.

Great to see you enjoyed the product enough to buy a new one, and sorry again for the label mix-up.

Thanks but I'm sure it's not your fault!

It is easily one of the best cycling products I've ever owned. That's why I was really concerned there might have been changes to it!

Thanks for the inside scoop! Great info. So is the PTsoftshell the gabba alternative?

Any idea on when this will be launched? This year or next?

Thanks Chopsicle!

A Gabba alternative would be a jersey rather than a jacket, no?

And actually water repellant too.

Is softshell not water repellant Ed? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure it is.

I don't think the PTJ is as water resistant as the Gabba thought.

I don't think the PTJ is as water resistant as the Gabba thought.

I don't normally pick you up on this, Ed, but this might be one post where editing the 'thought' might be advisable. :)

Always seemed water repellent to me. Still beads after a year of washing and wearing. Never had a Gabba, but never really felt the need for one either. I don't race in the rain much, if ever.

I dont see the view that the Gabba is in some way cleverer than the classic pro team jacket. Its more fitting. But you still over heat once the Wind/rain stops, and unless you have a team car. You're stuck wearing it.

I sold both my PTJ, and Hi-Viz gilet for this reason. I hate the idea of not being able to pack away an out layer. I now have a brevet gilet, and a PT race cape, and I'm loads happier. A short sleeved bevet + merino arm warmers under a race cape is about as warm as you'll ever need while cycling.

It's just marketing stuff. I'm sure it's good, but people really want to believe that the thin jersey they bought really is worth £180

That's the thing, it's not a jacket, the Gabba was enough on it's own, the only time I overheat in it was in spring when it start to get too warm near the middle of the days, but for the duration of winters, it's perfect and kept me surprisingly bone dry during a downpour that flooded most of Surrey last winter.

Is that for all your high-tempo audaxing Ed? The thought of you racing in a Gabba is mildly amusing.

Who mention racing? I just need one to pootle on the towpath with other like-minded nodders.

Maybe you should footnote your reviews of products to say that the testing conditions you have put the garment through are riding down a towpath. People might think you've actually done some high-tempo winter riding and used the Gabba for its intended purpose.

Neoprene is good so when you fall into the towpath.

...when you fall into the towpath.

From the river?

Needs this picture to go with review:

"the Gabba Country Shirt is also useful for rural land owners
making trips into town to visit livestock markets and catch up
with the chaps down at the club"

Top Lols!!