Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Ah ok, wondered if it was like the synthe/Rapha helmet. I wonder who's making them for them then.

No - Rapha designed from scratch.

Apparently made by "an Italian saddle manufacturer"

https://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/rapha-pro-team-saddle-classic-saddle-weights-and-prices-52300/

Selle Italia apparently.

Selle Italia then presumably? They look decent but might wait for sale prices. Dunno if a Rapha saddle is taking FKWering a bit too far; feel bad enough about the bidons.

Edit: evidently no secret.

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The thing I always wonder about stuff like this is why do people expect that Rapha designing something would be better than the company with over a century's worth of experience in saddle manufacture.

Coz its a saddle and there's no general "better"?
Selle Italia might have a century worth of experience but they still don't make a saddle that doesn't hurt my bum. If the Rapha one is comfy for me, its better no?

that makes no sense whatsoever. Brooks have been around for 150 years but I'd argue they don't make better saddles for racing than Fabric who've been around for less than 10.

Selle Italia's branding is hideous old-school, they could definitely benefit from Rapha's defter touch in the aesthetics department.

Could never justify paying those moneys for a saddle. But dang. That classic saddle looks good.

£295 for the cut out....

Specialized Romin Pro with carbon rails is lighter and you can get them for £80 ish.

Maybe I’m missing something but can’t see those flying off the shelf

flying off the shelf

They looks good so they probably will. Price means nothing to the #buyer

Or a bike fit probably. Can't imagine the top bike fitters will have these as try-out saddles.

Umm... bought the Gavia Neoprene Gloves in the Lundin shop as they had L in stock.
Couldn't really afford to, but sick and tired of having gloves that don't fit / don't work.
Fit nice so they better work.... when's winter start?

Gloves that don't work?

What are you expecting from the neoprene ones?

#buyer regret, probs.

That's not carbon. Apple to apple comparison would be s-works version.

They are great for short rides in the rain, but the effect they have in your hands is horrible for longer periods, I.e. greater than an hour.

Ah. Oh good. Might keep them in the bag and make them a Xmas present :(

I wore mine a few times this winter, when it was going to rain all ride. As andy said, with neopreane it does not breath, so you end up with shrimp hands that smell if using them all day. However, if it's cold and raining they do keep your hands warm and the moisture inside is warmed from the heat of your hands.
99% of the time, I just wear pro team gloves, rain or no rain. As they breathe, keep me hands warm and are comfy. There good at keeping warm even if soaked, but I do sometimes change gloves mid ride. If it's cold and wet, then wear some proper waterproof big gloves. But for that area of 5-10 deg, the neoprene are useful. Pro team offer a wider range of use.

Wish I’d asked before retail commitment. Cheers both, guess I’ll save up for the pro ones. Sighs

My neoprene gloves smell like something crawled inside to die. The smell doesn’t come off my hands after washing either. Luckily it’s warm enough I don’t need them any more

These now feel like the gift that just keeps on giving.

Wearing neoprene is a good way of losing friends.

Why has Amey suckered me back into this thread?

Really warm tho