Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

The Rapha city guides are £16.25 on Amazon. Less pricey but less nicey...perhaps.

But are they Rapha?

For the record I have a half-decent suit - I'm after something slightly more casual. Suit jacket dressed down with jeans is a no-go.

For a waterproof layer, Race Cape, or Rain jacket? my current waterproof defences are poor, to non-existent. Wind jacket is great and been serving me proud, but something I can stuff in a jersey and brake out in the showers is now looking more essential.
any pros/cons from usage here? appreciate any advice.

If you're not going to be in an aggressive aero position, you'll probably find the Race Cape too short up front. I tried one on and it's a beautiful piece of design, but it's very race-specific. I have the Rain Jacket, which is a little longer and better suited to the kind of riding I suspect most of us here do.

I've one of these if you'd like for £20. it has been worn but is in good condition

Ideally looking for white, but if I have no luck I'll shout.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rapha-etape-cap-/290995226965?pt=UK_Cycling_Clothing&hash=item43c0aac955

That looks the ticket. Cheers.

If you're not going to be in an aggressive aero position, you'll probably find the Race Cape too short up front. I tried one on and it's a beautiful piece of design, but it's very race-specific. I have the Rain Jacket, which is a little longer and better suited to the kind of riding I suspect most of us here do.

cheers man! that really helps, as I was kinda thinking the same thing (though through methods of deciphering internet banter/marketing guff rather than trying the stuff on tut) as the recommendations for the cape come from a lean mean machine. I'm neither regularly aggressive, or aero and for the benefits of anyone sharing a road with me, cautious of anything "pro", though the PTJ looks lovely, as do the bibs. so, i'd be persuadable..

I like the RJ red also!

more first world misery

^+1 the pro team race cape is nice but very short at the front and more suited for 'racing', the rain jacket is more relaxed fit. Both do the job well but depends what you intend to use them for.

(though through methods of deciphering internet banter/marketing guff rather than trying the stuff on tut)

Isnt this how all of us buy rapha?

I have never tried on a piece of their clothing before purchasing it.

^hah, yeah guess so. though, I have used the shop when in town and get chance, would never have paid £150 for a pair of jeans if i hadn't.

^+1 the pro team race cape is nice but very short at the front and more suited for 'racing', the rain jacket is more relaxed fit. Both do the job well but depends what you intend to use them for.

cheers, think this confirms it.

I wore the arm warmers today with my softshell over it. Felt pretty good but could have possibly gone without them.

This weather is so tricky to dress for!

Some HTFU required.

I rode in merino baselayer, classic jersey, bibs and arm screens last night. And it's a couple of degrees cooler out here.

It's at least eight degrees too warm for the softshell right now, even with only a short sleeve base layer underneath.

It's 20 degrees and drizzling right now. Just rode 6 km at a moderate pace (pushing 32mm knobbies, mind you) and I arrived at my destination damper from sweat than rain. 20 degrees is DEFINITELY too warm for a softshell!

http://fatladattheback.com/

Conveniently comes in Grupetto colours for the fatties.

Some HTFU required.

I rode in merino baselayer, classic jersey, bibs and arm screens last night. And it's a couple of degrees cooler out here.

I was in the same without the warmers last night mate, this morning was just cooler and its so difficult trying to figure out the weather fromthe kitchen window...

its mainly the wind that you need to block and just jerseys and BL wont cut it unless its a gabba.

It's at least eight degrees too warm for the softshell right now, even with only a short sleeve base layer underneath.

To be fair it was worn more in the hope it would be the perfect weather for it, as wanted to test it out.

As also mentioned I am not sure whether the older models of the jacket had slightly lighterweight material? Anyone know if this may be true?

To be fair it was worn more in the hope it would be the perfect weather for it, as wanted to test it out.

As also mentioned I am not sure whether the older models of the jacket had slightly lighterweight material? Anyone know if this may be true?

The made a lightweight softshell alongside the classic softshell for a while.

To be fair it was worn more in the hope it would be the perfect weather for it, as wanted to test it out.

As also mentioned I am not sure whether the older models of the jacket had slightly lighterweight material? Anyone know if this may be true?

I've had two, both were identical as far as I can tell. Though I think they might have removed the thumb loop recently. Anyway, it's a "single figures" jacket for me.

http://fatladattheback.com/

Conveniently comes in Grupetto colours for the fatties.

But seriously. Look at the sizing. Immense.

cheers man! that really helps, as I was kinda thinking the same thing (though through methods of deciphering internet banter/marketing guff rather than trying the stuff on tut) as the recommendations for the cape come from a lean mean machine. I'm neither regularly aggressive, or aero and for the benefits of anyone sharing a road with me, cautious of anything "pro", though the PTJ looks lovely, as do the bibs. so, i'd be persuadable..

I like the RJ red also!

more first world misery

I have to say I'm not convinced the rain jacket is made of waterproof material. You can reproof it relatively easily, but that wears off again. It's a lovely fabric don't get me wrong, but the waterproofing is a coating, which, fantastic while it lasts, once it's worn is shite. I still love mine but would suggest going gore-tex for a properly waterproof jacket.

http://fatladattheback.com/

Conveniently comes in Grupetto colours for the fatties.

No Willesden colours, though. :(

I have to say I'm not convinced the rain jacket is made of waterproof material. You can reproof it relatively easily, but that wears off again. It's a lovely fabric don't get me wrong, but the waterproofing is a coating, which, fantastic while it lasts, once it's worn is shite. I still love mine but would suggest going gore-tex for a properly waterproof jacket.

Goretex is just a breathable membrane.

You still need to reproof the jacket with Nikwax or similar every 30 hours or so.

The made a lightweight softshell alongside the classic softshell for a while.

Yh I checked online but the features mine has all belong to the softshell classic jacket.

^^ Goretex lets air through but not water. That is the point of Goretex.

The only problem is that it might not let air through fast enough to avoid the rider overheating.

I've got the Gore Oxygen Active jacket. Fantastic bit of kit, and I've never found overheating to be a problem while wearing it. It's a bit bulky for a jersey pocket (it fits, but it's a bit of a squeeze) so I generally only take it when I know it's going to rain. The rest of the time I take my Sportful Hot Pack Ultralight - ridiculously small and light, and surprisingly waterproof, but it does make you look like you're wearing a full upper body condom.