Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

They do need to sort their despatch time & delivery costs out IMO. Especially when they're cutting out the middleman and selling directly.

I must be being punished for writing this. I ordered something at 10am last Tuesday, didn't get a despatch notification until Saturday and the RM website still says they haven't received it yet.

Should have ordered with Father Christmas.

This could be plausible
Just had my free coffee card through...though I don't think I've spent £3k
The Imperial Works exclusive gear isn't up to much, nice but not worth buying if you already have the normal equivalent clothing (ie: Pro Team Bibs vs the Imperial Works vsn)

hah I had to check if I was close to 3k reading this

Can you post a screen shot of what's available in the Imperial Works line up?

I've never seen those items before. Sounds interesting

This could be plausible
Just had my free coffee card through...though I don't think I've spent £3k
The Imperial Works exclusive gear isn't up to much, nice but not worth buying if you already have the normal equivalent clothing (ie: Pro Team Bibs vs the Imperial Works vsn)

Well, I tried on sport coats and blazers from probably 20 different designers, including Paul Smith and a handful of tiny Japanese companies.

For my body type the Rapha Lapelled Jacket actually fit the best, looked the best and was actually towards the bottom of the price ranking. So I got it.

I took it into my tailor to get the sleeves shortened (it has functioning button cuffs so beware if it's way too long) and he actually complemented it, so I think that's a good sign!

The bonded zip pocket on the back does bug me a bit (odd design decision) but I can live with that.

Rapha merino liners and Rapha winter gloves, slightly outclassed by the 3.2 degree temps first thing. Ok as it warmed up a bit though.

Rapha merino liners and Rapha winter gloves, slightly outclassed by the 3.2 degree temps first thing. Ok as it warmed up a bit though.

Blimey both together and you still felt cold at 3.2 degs? I would have that thought combo would carry you through winter?

Merino isn't that warm as an outer layer

hah I had to check if I was close to 3k reading this

Even for Rapha 3k is a lot of kit.

Can you post a screen shot of what's available in the Imperial Works line up?

I've never seen those items before. Sounds interesting

http://www.flickr.com/photos/know-eyed-dear/11064337033/

In other news: the hardshell is a very nice jacket

Even for Rapha 3k is a lot of kit.

Even for a mink coat, 3k is a lot.

#number1olympicson

Rapha merino liners and Rapha winter gloves, slightly outclassed by the 3.2 degree temps first thing. Ok as it warmed up a bit though.

Had the same on this morning at 06:45 and they were slightly too hot for me.
I was wearing full tights and a PTJ though so core hot and moving heat to extremities.

#scienceandting

Even for Rapha 3k is a lot of kit.

I've just checked and, despite being a Rapha customer for 8 years, I've not gone over the £3k mark.

Blimey both together and you still felt cold at 3.2 degs? I would have that thought combo would carry you through winter?

These:

With these:

To be fair I went through Dulwich Park which is always very cold- much colder than the urban sprawl which I go through afterward.

For dedicated followers of Dammit's sartorial choices, the rest of the outfit was Wooly Boolie socks with MW80 boots- very good.

Rapha City riding trousers- chilly initially but soon warmed up.

Merino base layer+Winter jersey- again, chilly out the door but then a nice stable temp, and the Deep Winter hat+snood thing.

I was slightly too hot by the time I got to Clerkenwell, which was resolved by removing said hat.

If you want warm hands, insulate your wrists. The blood supply to your hands is right at the surface there and you can lose a lot of heat. Cut the toes off some old hiking socks and use them as wrist warmers, or something.

As a winter climber, that was the one piece of advice that really saved me in the Northern Japanese winter.

Also if you find you are too hot, exposing only your wrists can make a huge difference.

^ true that, also your neck, in addition to the hat thing.
Where major large veins and arteries are close to your skin.

I've just checked and, despite being a Rapha customer for 8 years, I've not gone over the £3k mark.

Get off this thread!

That's interesting. Would the same hold true for feet?

I've had fairly invasive operations on both my feet now and this seems to have affected blood supply to my outer toes which really suffer in winter.

I've been in merino base layer and winter jersey with winter cross hat and my normal 3/4 bibs with nanoflex knee warmers and merino socks. Had the winter collar too this morning but was pretty warm after halfway. Not broken out the winter tights yet...

Get off this thread!

As a card carrying Imperial Works member, I shall remain here.

I have spend £2,250 according to my account history. Fuck.

I'm still shit at cycling.

I'd have thought it would be an ongoing spend, no? Like, three grand a year or something. Otherwise the IW club will be getting a lot less exclusive over the next few years.

^^ But epic in filling up your water bottle from an ancient roman fountain in a small remote town in the italian alps?

Quite pleased to say that the only Rapha item I have paid full price for in the last 5 years is socks.