Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

this is a very good gilet. 45% off too

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Mavic/Espoir-Vest-AW14/3ECC?wmp=594

Undecided about the touring shorts. Yes, they fit very nicely and are very comfortable and well made but I think no belt loops or proper pockets is going to wind me up.

It's literally for touring, those are the two thing you most defintely don't want to have while riding all day on.

It was perfect for a month long tour, apart from the dye of the Brooks saddle on the cream short.

If anyone is thinking of buying the hooded rain jacket, it is ace.

I'm just back from a quick test ride and I actually quite like the orange/red combo.

The hood is a nonsense as, like almost all hoods, it blocks vision when it's up and the securing arrangement is terrible as the peak causes it to slide out the side and flop down on one side but if you ignore the hood and/or use it when you're off the bike it's fine. It doesn't flap when not secured so it's not a problem.

At the sale price, it's a definite bargain.

Not a day goes by I don't 'do a Wenger' looking for the proper pockets. I just want somewhere to put my wallet/phone/gloves for 5 secs whilst I find my keys!

Other than that, they're awesome. No belt loops is a blessing.

Touring shorts pockets: or forget about the 'hidden' back pocket and convince yourself you've lost your keys/money halfway through a ride/at a cafe

.....someone's just asked me if I'm a Postman though.

Their touring shorts are the single best bit of cycling kit I own.

They're just vanity covers for people ashamed of their lycra. They don't really function as shorts.

I've worn mine without lycra and I didn't explode, so they definitely function as shorts

I dunno, if I'm going village pub spotting or meeting mates they are a great compromise, sleek enough to not be 'baggies' but not so tight that friends & bar staff can see how I'm hanging.

A good compromise. Especially for the friends & bar staff.

bar staff can see how I'm hanging.

Perhaps get out of that habit where you hoist your foot onto the bar when ordering?

@miro_o It's called 'warming down'

I love mine. Got to be one of the best bits of rapha I got. Use the pockets on your jersey shirley?

dem arms

Tonk from kneading bread all day

and horning

Liking this:

what the fuck is that?

New grupetto jersey

http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/brevet-jersey-and-gilet/product/PBP02

That's... Rapha?

I am so angry, I must write a blog post on how the new Rapha Altura range is no longer exclusive.

Do you mean DHB?

Anyway .. would buy (in sale).