Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Edit. Both now have seam failures and are coming apart. Time to head to Bicester...

Bought a pair of these on the chance - dead happy, have worn them all last week and this - £4!
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLCARULRAG/carnac-roubaix-gloves

Hmm, these are similar to some Sportful TGT Light gloves i also have an don't use as they're too far the other way. I normally go gloveless rather than wear them

Proteam

Does seem odd. The functionality does exist to enter one time use vouchers in the checkout area. Are they driving you to store to buy a coffee?

Conviced someone is going to do a Warby Parker on cycling gloves and make a mint.

And with that in mind, anyone have any experience of the Rapha specs II with prescription lenses? Does it really destroy your soul to have 'nice but pricey' branding by your temples?

Do I need a Pro Team rain gilet in my life?

Yes. Top kit, especially when paired with a Shadow jersey and armwarmers.

Yup, it's pretty annoying... I want the rain gilet!

No, get a jacket.

Come back and consult on the jacket choice too.

Nah, actually just get the gilet.

I still have that pair of Pro Team put aside for you...

Hive mind thoughts on the winter jacket. I haz a race cape and a gabba, but would quite like a proper top for longer rides that won't leave me cold or boil me in the bag (I run quite hot). Is it worth the (significant) cost?

"Core Winter jacket, lovely and toasty with a base layer"

"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"

"I have a classic winter jacket and as much as it's very water proof, it's definitely too warm for the UK winter."

"Classic winter = oven"

Proteam softshell.

Pro team race cape v classic rain jacket v core rain jacket?

For when its proper raining out and it wont stop and I'll be out long enough/ going slow enough that I'll probably get cold and wet in my gabba/ alpha jersey. It'll replace an assos race cape thats a million years old, with a baggy cut, from before the days of "race fit", started white but has a slightly poo brown tinge to it now. But when its tipping it down it does the job.

Also - open to suggestions other than rapha. Criteria are - not black (or other ninja design) or yellow, slim/fitted/race fit, made of a proper waterproof, breathable fabric (eVent preferred, but open to others) and can stand the occasional rucksack/bag (looking at you castelli). The Chapter 3 rain jacket would be about right, but I'm not spending £300+ and the David Miller thing makes me queasy

Gore 1985 in orange

Pro team race cape in olive green sounds like what you're after. Great jacket.

Pair it with a pro team insulated gilet and long sleeve jersey (or ss w/arm warmers) and you've got pretty versatile outfit. Been using that combo a lot recently.

Gore 1985 only comes in black I think, and fails the occasional backback test

@gillies thanks

might be able to track down the light blue (cyan) edition of the Sugoi RSE Neoshell?

The rain jacket II I bought how can it be breathable when the fabric looks like the Boardman or my Northwave? And it’s about 25% less packable then my seven year old Adidas.

Gore shake dry 1985
is a fantastic jacket & very packable

Yes they saved so much material on the arms that you maybe can wear a longsleeve baselayer under it.

Need a long sleeve layer for under a running shirt or cycling jersey when the weather isn't warm. How is the Rapha Merino Base Layer for this? Want it to stand up to lots of washing, not stink easily and fit long in the body. Main question is if it will be suitable for running as well as cycling?

They're nice but rather thin. I've commuted in them through a couple of winters and they end up wearing through in places (still function OK though). I recently picked up a couple of Isobaa baselayers from Sport Pursuit, which function similarly and are a bit more robust. The Isobaa are similar on sizing too (maybe a bit longer in the torso).