Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

But isn't a lot of Rapha produced in factories in China?

Couldn't this therefore have been knocked off on the same production line for a bit of extra cash, or 'fallen out' of someone's factory?

Or is there actually something about this particular Jersey that looks fake?

I'm still using my Gabba at this time of year for pacy 40/50 milers as I run warm too. Depending on outside temps I either use a sleeveless merino or a ss heavier merino underneath plus Nanoflex arm warmers and pack a rapha wind jacket in case of mechanicals. I know I'll be warm as long as I'm working, but as soon as I stop the chill quickly sets in.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I don't really stop much (apart from mechanicals) so will be perfect as long as I can stay warm and wet

Oh, and ss Gabba for sure. Combined with arm warmers makes this my most versatile piece of riding kit.

cheers. Off for some Regents Park laps, so will go to Evans in town and try some on.

Those ones are usually sold in warehouses in mainland China because they won't risk the production contracts by advertising on Alibaba.

You could probably go somewhere, find a rapha pro team jacket with the label cut out and buy it for £20-30

All the Rapha on Aliexpress, DHgate and the other Chinese discount sites are fake.

The branded cycling items on these sites all use the same generic polyester short or long sleeve jersey, with the only difference being the colour and graphics. They're the same jersey's they use for all of their offerings e.g., Castelli, Assos, insert your preferred brand name etc.

I've a few, which I got with some vouchers*, and its okay. Just don't expect it to be Rapha. Generally, the fit is what you'd expect for the price you pay, and the graphics/logos aren't the best print quality and look like they'll wear off. The material is very thin and a bit rubbish. And the zips are generic, and the adjusters aren't great too. The pockets are also a bit poor, I wouldn't put much in them. But for the price, you get what you pay for.

However the bibs, really aren't that bad at all, and whilst they're not as plush as Rapha, or as well finished, and the graphics are a bit off, they actually do work as intended. Surprisingly well to be honest.

*There are actually lots of things worth getting on these sites, LED light bulbs are crazy cheap and really good.

Picked up a city rain jacket in the summer sale for £140, lovely jacket but I just run too hot, going to do down the rain resistant route, think i could get £100 for it? very good condition

I'm medium in all Rapha (inc. some team pro), wear medium Gabba.

Thanks Ed.

Begging letter received this morning to join Rapha Cycling Club.

The envelope was nice

If you went for the Deep Winter Gloves, the additional Primaloft One/Gold (alongside the OutDry membrane) would offer a higher level of insulation/weather protection than the Fugus. The higher price also gets you Pittards Leather, touchscreen compatibility and a DWR, so it's not really a fair comparison.

Don't want to get into a scrap over this, just pointing out facts. I actually use the 851 Early Winters regularly and like them for their light construction and dexterity. Was perfect yesterday with merino liners.

reviews on the winter jersey?

too warm, not warm enough, what layers etc?

@rogan I have one from last year - didn't wear it at all until this week, and then with a long sleeve base underneath. It's pretty warm, almost like a jacket. Nice in these temperatures, as is last years pro-team jacket and the transfer jacket, but in warmer weather if you are full gassing it you will cook.

^^would love to try the deep winters but they don't go large enough.

I love mine.
Too hot over 10c
Layers:
0 - 5 SS merino
<0 LS merino

@Howard so even with just a baselayer its likely to be too much for 90% of the year?

my struggle is filling my gap for morning / evening laps, i've been running brevet jersey and rain jacket and while its warm enough its boil in a bag sweaty

It wasn't my go-to for the rest of the year, no. I tend to layer up more - long sleeve base + jersey + gillet - rather than a single garment.

currently all i have is a brevet jersey and gilet, PX arm warmers, a SS base layer, an aldi non-merino LS baselayer and a pearl izumi rain jacket

my main hole is warm and not sweaty but would want it to be useful in autumn and spring probably too

Using them at the moment, it felt more like a jacket being so thick and heavy.

Think brevet with permanent gilet and thicker fabric with arm vent.

It's perfect for me today and tomorrow when it go below 0 degrees, any higher mean brevet/long sleeve with base layer and gilet.

Why not gilet instead of rain jacket?

It usually take 10-20 minutes to warm up properly before taking the gilet off.

my main hole is warm and not sweaty but would want it to be useful in autumn and spring probably too

Utter #filth

I live in my winter jersey when it's this temperature. The last couple of days I've had two long sleeve merino base layers under it and it's been perfect. Zero boil in the bag factor and you can always use the vents of it's too warm. I reckon the main advantage over something like a PTJ is that if you stop you won't freeze.

It's also taken a beating from a few offs, looking forward to taking advantage of the crash repair offer in spring. I reckon it'll be a lot easier to repair neatly compared to a PTJ.

The winter jersey does look awesome.

I'd want mad bright colours though.

If you wear a decent base layer you wont freeze if you stop. But having your 'elements' proof outer layer tied to your therml layer as in the PTJ limits things. Winter jersey + race cape seems more useful.

......which means I need a winter jersey.....

...or just continue to train on the turbo. Ride to work looking like a padded dog trainer in ALL THE NODDER gear.Then spend what I save on plane tickets to places where it doesnt rain slush horizontally half the year.