Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Depends on what riding you intend to do with it? The hooded rain jacket is great for commuting (in lycra or not) and versatile enough for casual use; the hood is really useful (cutaway at the side for better peripheral vision & a slight peak to keep the rain away from the eyes, designed to go under your helmet) BUT has a tab so you can roll it back when not using it (to prevent flappage). Though I wouldn't recommend it for hard road rides. However, if you want a waterproof purely for riding, get the Race Cape. It's excellent for a more packable, fast paced, lightweight, road riding option; it has a very aggressive cut which isn't ideal for casual riding/standing/walking.

All the things.

It's replacing a 5 year old Gore Bike waterproof shell that is quite battle-worn and no longer waterproof.

A lot of commuting, but a fair amount of Autumn and Winter road riding too so I'd like it to not become a sponge after an hour, and for it to remain tolerably breathable.

The worst rides I've been in have been 3-4 hours ones with torrential downpours where the waterproofing turned out to be water resistance only. Whilst it's true that you can only get wet once, it's miserable if that then involves riding wet for hours.

I'd rather be a little hot than wet, but ideally I'd be dry and able to get rid of the heat through venting.

Now it's, "We have lots of jackets, good luck choosing."

Their whole range is like this. Ridiculous

For both commuting and road rides I'd get the standard rain jacket. Race cape is too pro for commuting, hooded one is wrong for anything else. Shadow is brilliant, but it's not a jacket.

The standard being the archive one, or the Core?

Thanks - Thermal skinsuit ordered.

If i recall correctly there will be a new rain jacket out soon.

I've never quite worked out if my race cape lets water in, or if i just boil in the bag. FWIW. Particularly on the arms / shoulders.

What size Brevet jersey should I buy? 70kg, 6ft 1. No arm muscles can lead to baggy sleeves which are annoying, but small jerseys can leave a horrendous bibshort stomach button exposing gap when I stand up straight. Don't have a rapha jersey to compare with unfortunately.

Do have a morvelo nth series in M which fits nicely.

Go try one on in-store if you can.

The Classic Winter jacket has been a favourite of mine for autumn and into winter rides. Its a bit too mild for it right now, but in a few weeks i'll dig it out.

This one:
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/rain-jacket/product/RJK04

I agree with @danstuff - I'm on my second, they've not bettered it. I use it for road rides and wet commutes - paired with a cap to keep the rain out of your face it will keep you very comfortable.

Fuck it. Rapha is too confusing on rain gear.

May just buy this: http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/gore-bike-wear/men/one-gore-tex-active-bike-jacket-with-shakedry/JROFOC.html

It's probably what I need... and I can't tell which of the Rapha things works, and a new rain jacket maybe coming out will just mean instant buyers remorse.

I've pro team race cape, it's pretty compact (ish) but totally waterproof.

I'm 6'5" and 84kg with the large and find that a bit baggy, so i'd definitely consider the small.

Pro Team Race Cape ordered.

If it's the wrong thing, oh well.

The standard being the archive one, or the Core?

The classic one that's in the archive sale at the moment - you'd have to wait for the new one to be released. You can't ride a custom titanium pink bike with Enve wheels and then have a Core jacket. That would be wrong.

Medium. I'm a similar height and weight to you and am now a medium in Rapha jerseys. Was a large before but they seem to have downsized.

It's a great bit of kit. You'll be putting the Pro into promuting.

Have you not seen what I commute on? 😂

Its not the wrong thing if you want a waterproof Pro Team fit. The race cape is awesome. Its a definite on the bike fit, which will look daft if you are wanting something to go over office wear....

I want a good poncho, why won't rapha make one?

Well, as it's you... you probably want one of these: http://www.brooksengland.com/en_eu/blog/john-boultbee-oxford-rain-cape.html

It's certainly better suited to ProTeam than Core...