Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

has anyone tired the long-sleeve Rapha 'fixed base layer'? I'm after a medium weight long-sleeve top to wear under t-shirts in colder weather and it seems to fit the bill quite well.

it does look quite nice, just a bit pricey for a base layer for me.

When are they going to get the bloody long sleeved base layers back?
I had a merino fail this morning and realised that i've actually only got one long sleeved base layer left - which is in the wash.

Mid November my arse!

you only need 2 or three merino baselayers, one can be worn for 2 or 3 days commuting without getting smelly (just make sure they air dry when not being worn).

this means i can generally manage my laundery requirements (actually in my rapha home made of specially coated weather proof but not water proof bricks i have some limited edition guatemalan pygmies who wash all my clothes by hand whilst wearing silk gloves with the cog motif)

Someone posted a link to one of these silk base layers the other day, and they looked ok so I bought one.
Silk has similar qualities to merino like not stinking, and even though it's actually a silk/wool/cotton mix I haven't managed to dog it out yet.
I think that was meant to be a recommendation.

I picked up these bad boys, i figured if they keep you alive when climbing ice mountains they should carry me safely through swiss cottage.
long sleeve are good, so are the long johns, but never... never wear the top end artic ones with the beer jacket!

I use nice artificial fibres for my base layers. I find the odour in my office at the end of the week detracts visitors and allows me a decent snooze. It also keeps other cyclists at bay. Instead of a "spotted" thread" we need a "scented" one.

I picked up these bad boys, i figured if they keep you alive when climbing ice mountains they should carry me safely through swiss cottage.

His nipples suggest otherwise....

check it out :
http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/catalogue/men/knitwear/95183-dark-brown-polo-neck-sweater

The long sleeve Sugino ones are quite nice as well. £50-ish at CycleSurgery

that Rapha one is fucking expensive though! jesus! who do they think they are trying to kid? But i've got them outsmarted - I can buy cycling clothes from other companies for less! brilliant eh?

This leaves me more money to buy tight Evisu jeans - which genuinely are superior quality and are well worth £250.

go for Icebreaker
the best Merino stuff around in my opinion
The biggest range they have in Snow and Rock in covent Graden, top floor

the only merino top i have is a short-sleeve rapha in black and it's just 531! presumably merino is just merino though, right?

Icebreaker FTW!

presumably merino is just merino though, right?

i don't think so. depends how fine it has been spun, etc, i'd guess.
also the Rapha top is cycling-specific, long at the back and in the arm, seams out of the way etc.
they really are very good value. mine are on their second winter, and showing no sign of fatigue, i'm sure they'll do a few more.

I must say though, i've bought some of those heat-tech layers from uniqlo and they are really nice - dont smell much either. Not as warm as merino but still pretty warm and really soft, and at £7.99 for a long sleeved one who can argue?

sounds like a good bargain, Claire

...and at £7.99 for a long sleeved one who can argue?

underpaid workers in far eastern countries? sorry, just being devil's advocate...

underpaid workers in far eastern countries? sorry, just being devil's advocate...

Hey at least they have a job...recession and all.

... as long as it keeps them warm ...

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Wiggle has just told me there is 25% HH base layers at the mo:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mc/Cycle/7/Helly_Hansen/Base_Layers/

His nipples suggest otherwise....

Yeh, it was his nipples that drew my attention too...

I use nice artificial fibres for my base layers. I find the odour in my office at the end of the week detracts visitors and allows me a decent snooze. It also keeps other cyclists at bay. Instead of a "spotted" thread" we need a "scented" one.

I cross London daily.. my jacket is responsible for 87.6% of all airborne pollution in greater London. Fact.

What I mean is: "damn, that Rapha stuff is expensive."

it does look quite nice, just a bit pricey for a base layer for me.

When are they going to get the bloody long sleeved base layers back?

The baselayers are in stock now - get in quick.

hurrah! just bought some!

They havent put the prices up yet, so if you buy two they're 45 quid each.
But a 3 pack is still £90

I'll be suprised if they don't up the price..

I must say though, i've bought some of those heat-tech layers from uniqlo and they are really nice - dont smell much either. Not as warm as merino but still pretty warm and really soft, and at £7.99 for a long sleeved one who can argue?

i got mine for free, i find they keep you a bit warm but do not wick well, and the wind rips through them like there is nothing there.

thanks andy... will do, just gifted mine to a freind who was heading back to NY.