Assos vs Rapha

good topic

bit like shall we take the rolls or the bentley dilemma we each face everyday.

in all seriousness i was considering buying a jacket too.
narrowed it down to the rapha softshell (tempted by tweed too) and the assos 851

anyone got the softshell?

In general wool wicks less effectivly than technical polyester fabrics, but this is offset by the fact that it keeps you warm even when wet.

Can you explain why man made fibers make me sweaty & itchy? Even gortex I find a bit sweaty so as you might imagine I tend to wear natural fibers

I've gone for the 2009 Airjack 851 in Black, not trendy enough for Rapha. Once it's been on my back a bit I'll let you all know how it performs.

Can you explain why man made fibers make me sweaty & itchy? Even gortex I find a bit sweaty so as you might imagine I tend to wear natural fibers

If you are talking outer layers:-

Probably down to breathability. Gore-tex is one of the most waterproof membranes on the market. Event is one of the most breathable, could try that.

If you are talking base layers:-
Once you overload the wicking function of a synthetic baselayer it will tend to feel cold (ie. you feel the wetness). Merino wool on the other hand will still feel warm depite being wet.

This does not take into account the fact that man made fibers simply irritate some peoples skin. Especially when wet.

sadly they also take pictures like this:

That prize tool doesn't look like he goes anywhere near a bike. More likely hangs out a gym staring at himself in a mirror.

That prize tool doesn't look like he goes anywhere near a bike. More likely hangs out a gym staring at himself in a mirror.

Is someone battling their homo urges?

the inner tussle...

the inner tussle...

Or masturbation to the rest of us.

Wool then eVent FTWW.

i like merino for certain uses, and i like synthetic fabrics for other uses. best for purpose, innit.

polyester debate aside, what evidence is there the assos only use polyester? they use a variety of technical fabrics depending on the purpose...

not that i can afford assos gear, but it's generally accepted to perform very, very well. not dissing rapha, either.

Smallfurry
you and i seem to be getting a lot of flack. wool is good and poly is good . both if used in the right circumstances. rapha use the finest stuff in the right place/time. patagonia are gods. but a lot of stuff on the market is rubbish....poly-cheap, easy to make, easy to sell. we cannot afford to waste this stuff, petro or not.
henri lloyd makes 12 metre rothmans rtw ships + sailing clothes. 12 mins survival time in the wet. it was amazing working with them for 7 years. i learnt much. originally gore did not work in the salt water enviroment, but it it work's now. layers and natural fibres are the real key.......its very similar to the requirements of a city cyclist... warmv and dry and visible.....

TBH I never really voiced an opinion either way, both have their place.

To me this sounds like the right idea. Depends on conditions

Wool then eVent FTWW.

This is a good point though.

we cannot afford to waste this stuff, petro or not.

My experiance (warning - bit of a boring rant)

I do alot of running around the local (west Norway) mountain trails (cant beat running through the snow in the dark with a headlight and some heavy metal IMHO). From experiance, providing I keep a good tempo, both polyester (thick brushed) and merino will keep me warm enough, providing I have a windproof outer layer. The difference is however huge once you slow down.
The wet polyester feels very cold against the skin, whereas the merino maintains its comfort. As the chances of an injury, such as turnng an ankle, are high, I nearly always wear merino on winter runs. In case I need to walk home.
I apply the same logic to winter cycling, although I have'nt ventured that far during winter here, as of yet (in the process of building a bike for the job).

yeah, wool when wet is still warm, poly has a high chill factor. we developed a suit for artic sailing that when you hit the water it inflated/turned into a raft/survival pod. it was lined in wool.

eVent is wondrous, my gill jacket is awesome.

I like Rapha, but it's a bit expensive for me.

yeah, wool when wet is still warm, poly has a high chill factor. we developed a suit for artic sailing that when you hit the water it inflated/turned into a raft/survival pod. it was lined in wool.

Could you make me one that inflates when i fall off my bike? (twice so far this week)

Airbags for cyclists FTW*

*For The Wimps

my head hertz

Both are very expensive lovely bits of kit.. umm
I recently got 100 in rapha vouchers as a present... that's swayed my vote

Both are very expensive lovely bits of kit.. umm
I recently got 100 in rapha vouchers as a present... that's swayed my vote

What did you buy?

I'd have chosen the club jersey in red I think.

What did you buy?

I'd have chosen the club jersey in red I think.

Nothing yet... I'm trying to get them to include the white arm warmers (I've already got black)with the jersey and I'm waiting a reply

I did buy myself the winter training kit as a christmas present to myself... it's fantastic stuff. Although I feel like a massive ponce wearing it all at once on my condor pista... Although the ninja thing helps

that's the beauty of wearing rapha and riding a condor. everyone jumps to conclusions and assumptions because of what they see. while you get to ride a nice bike in very comfortable cycling clothes that don't look like you just stepped out of an 80's euro fluro disco.

half the reason for wearing rapha is that other people dislike it so much.

the only reason to wear rapha is that other people dislike it so much.

Fixed it for ya :)

all they see is

as I zip past them heh heh

definately asso for knicks....love em.

however,for up top, rapha wool jerseys and soft shell jackets.

best of both worlds

So impressed with assos. Ripped my leg pannel apart big time a few weeks back when i went for a slide.

I'd registered with their warranty, so anyway i popped online to see what it would cost to fix and i find out i just have to post them to switzerland and they'll come back fixed.

So posted them off for £4, a bit wary and sceptical. Less than 2 weeks later they're back, having been unstitched and had a brand new side pannel and arse area.

Chuffed to fuck. Worth paying more for a better product and service sometimes.

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