Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

No, this is the greatest 2021 season kit:

last years kit was nicer, and still available at a discount - https://www.rapha.cc/eu/en/shop/mens-ef-pro-cycling-pro-team-aero-jersey/product/EFA02XXHVPLRG

respect are brexit pls

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I seem to recall the wording in the original advert for the EF kit, suggesting there might be another special edition...?

There’s a change out kit every year for the Giro because pink is the leaders jersey colour

The concept behind this kit – building on the Giro jersey fine – is so good.

EF stuff is covered in design scamps. Maybe it would have been less-romantic/more-representative if it included iCal alerts. They were fined for submitting the Palace kit late.

The scamps look great from a distance, adding some texture to what is basically a block colour jersey, and reveal the story when you see them in detail. I’m a fan, but not enough to buy it.

Yeah, I'm stumped about what design guidelines it makes a hoohaa about and is trying to provoke? There's barely any rules a jersey design has to comply with - the World Tour logo has a specific size/place/colour, champ stripes have to be signed off/used in a certain way, it's got to have sleeves/made from a jersey knit fabric, but that's about it.

Have the UCI clamped down on logo-to-zip distances this season? It's been out of control for too long!

It's terrible IMO.

Is the Pro Team Aero jersey smaller than the Pro Team Training jersey? Would you size up?

We're talking about it. Therefore EF win.

For what's it worth I'd like to publicly state JV is a doping slimeball who should be kicked out of cycling forever but whatever.

Just out of interest, did you try swapping the nosepiece out at all? I admittedly really wanted the explore glasses but also tried them on and hated the fit, the PT fit much better but also had. to swap the nosepiece to fit perfectly.

I found the training much wider in the arm. It’s a more snug fit but I’d say don’t size up.
Your mileage may very etc

True, but I guess I'm not in their target market* - maybe this lands better with teens who blame anyone but themselves for stupid mistakes, and are in the market for language skills.

*Full disclosure; I did buy Soudal adhesive and Mapei grout last week....

To clarify I didn't mean to be snippy to you, I just meant that it's meaningless marketing positioning. Neither the design not the product offer anything of interest. BUT it was delivered cleverly enough to make an impact which was EF's aim. Hollow goal, hollow victory.

Non regulation buff. Fined.

A question for the baselayer nerds...

I’ve found the PT Thermal Baselayer massively useful.

I’m looking for an item very similar (same weight and thermal properties), with short sleeves and without the collar.

Rapha don’t make any one, but who does?

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no no, not at all - I'm in agreement with you, you can't fault the mission for exposure, but yes, it just seems a bit hollow ....an image the sport doesn't seem to be able to shake. Irreverence needs the right balance.

Was also acknowledging the success of cycle sponsorship outside of racing, if it's influencing my mundane purchases!

Spatz have started doing base layers. They have a ‘race layer’ that is short sleeve and without a collar.

No, I didn't try the nosepiece to be fair, but I looked at it and it seemed to be narrower than the one that was fitted so I figured it would make things worse if anything. They've gone back now, thanks for the suggestion though.

This sounds like a small-collared merino jersey, no?

That’s a good call.

{ edit – this }

Not any of the merino jerseys I’ve tried.

The ‘PR Thermal’ is very light/thin (but warm).

Ha! A couple of years ago when we were doing our extension I had to buy tile adhesive, all the ones our tiler suggested came in at a similar price point so i ordered Mapei because I recognised the brand. I think it was one of the few times I have ever been aware that sports sponsorship has influenced a purchasing decision for me.