Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

It's the orange one so last years - but annoyingly nicer than this years colours :'(

I've been reducing and streamlining my cycling wardrobe and, mainly, Rapha collection so I sold my classic softshell last year.

This 30% discount really makes me want another one even although I'll probably only wear it twice a year......

EDIT: Just gone to buy one and they've sold out in my size. I can't decide if I'm annoyed or relieved.

Flouro or beautiful dark grey race cape?

I have fluro.. I like it... but it's not going to stay that colour

The dilemma, getting squished by a truck but looking fabulous.

Do you think a fluro jacket will make any difference?

I have the chartreuse and it looks as fabulous as the grey. I doubt it will make much difference when it comes to visibility though.

What is wrong with black?

I reckon the grey looks better.

I'd go with black or grey personally.

In all my years of cycling, I've come to the conclusion that, regardless of what you're wearing, drivers will either choose to look or they won't.

There's also research available which confirms this.

http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/2013/11/26/overtaking-cyclists/

^ It's not a very thorough study though. People always wave that one around - I'm never quite sure why.

I figure I'll only wear the jacket in low light, so whatever difference I can make to visibility would be positive. From my limited experience driving a car in low light, cyclists wearing yellow stuff does make a difference.

Interesting. After years of stealth, I recently reverted to nodder-mode when my commute took in more surburban and faster roads. But it is so stressful due to riders without mudguards getting my nice yellow top dirty. Mudguards in town you scum bags!

Gabba commuter^^

And proud! :-)

There's also this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-visibility_clothing

I usually prefer the scientific method over 'common sense' but my own experiences do coincide with the studies.

I also drive and I've never failed to see a cyclist wearing dark clothes or with poor/no lights.

I have.

Well I didn't actually hit them, so maybe that proves your point rather than mine.

#anecdotalevidence

I have the fluoro one.

I have no idea if this makes me safer. But it does provide a better defense, to the constable you are explaining yourself to, after kicking someones car.

Just to double check, the SOFTSHELL is warmer than the PTJ?

Other than that they both do a similar thing, but are sized differently, right?

Also does anyone know how the sizing of either relates to the wind jacket?

Cheers

Maybe I didn't see them AT ALL.

Anyway, everyone should feel free to wear whatever they want.

Although Smallfurry may have convinced me to go flouro for that ^^ reason alone....

I'm a medium in the Soft Shell and Wind Jacket and a Large (now extra large in the new season's size) of the PTJ. (I'm a medium in jerseys etc too.)

The soft shell is warmer but has pit zips for cooling. I didn't find them very effective for regulation though because they unzip from halfway down the inside of the arm, around the armpit and down the body meaning I have to have full ventilation and freezing arms to cool my core, rather than micro adjust.

I find the PTJ (with a rain jacket in the pocket) far more versatile for the type of cycling I do. Having said that, I was just about to buy another soft shell....

It's probably getting on for being too warm for the softshell now but after the summer it might be worth buying one and trying it out under the Classics Guarantee.

In how many situations is the race cape actually better than a Gabba? I can't imagine training in the rain for several hours (in b4 HTFU) and not very practical in racing situations for your numbers and commissaires break your balls over not seeing your jersey too?

I spent last night having an inner dialog with myself, debating whether or not to get Chartreuse or Black in the race cape.

I've owned the black race cape with sky logos on it for over a year (bought it when it went on clearance). Never had issues when riding at night, but the sky one did have a big reflective blue stripe on the back and also the reflective logos on the front. I sold it b/c my club mates have been all over my arse for wearing a sky jacket lol.

I ended up buying the new race cape in Black... I still have a hint of regret not getting Chartreuse... I figured that Chartreuse would get dirty and grimey real fast... while black will stand the test of time, just like my other one did. Looked brand new even after a full year of heavy use

,

Cheers.

I'm just tempted as there's the discount.

Really what I need is another pair of bibs for spring/summer and a decent Base Layer with WINDSTOPPER on the chest for the autumn/winter as I'm sure I can survive with baselayer + Jersey + wind jacket.