Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I liked this little demo of the fabric too. It's got magnets or something in it I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXxtnTOnqA

that's pretty fucking impressive.

Castelli were blogging about all the non-Castelli sponsored riders a couple of weeks ago.

I liked this little demo of the fabric too. It's got magnets or something in it I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXxtnTOnqA

All well and good.. But what happens after the first wash??

Never wash.

Febreeze

^ dry shampoo?

^^^^ Is it actually though?(genuine question) I know most waterproof fabrics work fine in tension like that, but the problem comes when it has something pressing against the inside of the membrane, which might be an issue with a close fitting jacket,
and, its not airtight, so it's going to let air through under pressure, not sure how that relates to normal usage

Never wash.

True.. Only washed/re-proofed the PTJ once since I've owned it (2 seasons) and washed/re-proofed the softshell once a year as well.

I have an unwanted £50 Amazon voucher to swap for a Rapha gift certificate (or cash)

If the jacket has the same finish as those Nanoflex arms and knees it's got a physical coating of tiny microfibres that cause the water to bead and be repelled from surface of the fabric.

Until they wear out you should be golden.

If anyone is interested:

1. a brand new hardshell jacket
   
2. Little used classic softshell XL (with the thumb cuff thingy)
   
   

PM pls.

Yeah just print it

No Eddy

5* Ian

I really want to try that Castelli Gabba jersey/jacket.

I've been wearing one throughout this winter. Don't go expecting miracles but I've found it extremely useful when the temperature dips or it's raining - mainly because it's by far the warmest jersey I have that doesn't seem to withhold water excessively like most softshell products do (eventually, if not initially).

Essentially, the main reason I use it so much is that there seems to be there's no downside to wearing it, regardless of how the weather might change during an English winter/Autumn day - which is not something I can say about similar products. If you know you are going to get wet (be it through sweat or rain), you might as well wear something totally windproof but that won't get soaked, flap ridiculously in the wind, or take ages to dry once wet (my Rapha softshell turns into a sponge on the heaviest days - even before it's first wash - and is far too hot to ride quickly in). Even it turns out to be dry and warms up later in the day, it's still a totally wearable jersey - rather than an annoyingly unsuitable jacket you need to stash somewhere...

This being said, it's not really warm enough if you are going for a social ride and you may be stood around inactive for a while - but if it's <5deg and there's a chance of rain I will always wear it...

Castelli were blogging about all the non-Castelli sponsored riders a couple of weeks ago.

I liked this little demo of the fabric too. It's got magnets or something in it I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXxtnTOnqA

That's very impressive.

Just ordered one, had to, couldnt resist.........

Yeah just print it

That's a Rapha Jacket, you can see the detailing behind the zip. The Gabba was the all-black one with Sky just on the arms, watch the footage of EBH getting dropped on the penultimate climb for a good look at it.

IS that G? Christ almighty.. He looks ancient.. Those races really are brutal

The suffering looks IMMENSE

^^^^ Is it actually though?(genuine question) I know most waterproof fabrics work fine in tension like that, but the problem comes when it has something pressing against the inside of the membrane, which might be an issue with a close fitting jacket,
and, its not airtight, so it's going to let air through under pressure, not sure how that relates to normal usage

Exactly.

There is a youtube clip like this for every membrane based fabric out there. Looks very cool. But what about the capillery effect, what about sweat vapour, what about stretched areas, what about resistance to washing. etc. etc.

I like Castelli kit. I would probably buy a Gabba if it wasn't for two things

1) I have a PTJ which is superb.
2) I dislike the massive branding across the chest.

For true pro points, you have to buy the jacket and then black out the logos then

I do that with dhb

My dhb shorts fit miles better than my Castelli's.

The production quality and materials are good. But the fit is'nt for me.

http://road.cc/content/news/78688-bargain-hunter-red-alert-lidl-launch-spring-clothing-range-week

spam/troll etc

Drinking coffee on the top of a car park's roof with their hybrids propped up with a kickstand, very Lidis.

http://road.cc/sites/default/files/imagecache/preview_500/images/Lidl%20spring%202013%20clothing%20range/Cycling%20Shorts%20and%20three%20quarter%20shorts%20action.jpg