Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Because it makes much more sense to use the shorts you're comfortable with and then have a pair of tights with no pad, than to have tights with a pad.

Amateur.

Ouch. :)

I'd be happy with doing that if the material they used in the contact area with the saddle was the same as the material on the rest of the tights.

I may actually get some Sky plastered tights as its a little better than pure black in the dark. Hopefully that white and blue can aid as reflective material.

A plain top with branded bottoms isnt too bad a look either.

Are Rapha struggling to shift Team Sky fodder even at 50% off?

The LS pro Sky jersey still got loads in stock even at £75. Might have to get one...

Whats going on? The Sky love in ended already?

So you look like a tango advert on a bike?

'Tango advert' is one way of putting it.

Perhaps but doesn't it seem odd for a comapany so focused on image to sell mismatching kit?

None of their kit matches. Unless you can call colour co-ordinating your socks to your top half matching.

Are Rapha struggling to shift Team Sky fodder even at 50% off?

The LS pro Sky jersey still got loads in stock even at £75. Might have to get one...

Whats going on? The Sky love in ended already?

They'll obviously make a profit on the kit at any price they're flogging it at but I can't see how it was a positive move sponsoring Sky when their own range of items isn't even adequate for most situations.

There's a reason Sky riders have been caught out again and again this season wearing other brands clothing. If you look at a lot of the clothing the Sky riders wear too it isn't even the same issue as available to the public, mesh jerseys, gloves, different bibs etc. etc. It must be a steep learning curve for the people at Rapha.

The weird thing is pro's at Condor Rapha have been wearing similar stuff for years with no issues. Maybe the guys at that level are just more fussy.

Get what your given and make do.
You're pleased to get anything at all at UK UCI conti level.

To be honest nearly every team was wearing the Gabba if that was your example. Also usually brands dont market the pro team clothing I think, cant think of another brand that does?

None of their kit matches. Unless you can call colour co-ordinating your socks to your top half matching.

That's a ridiculous statement. There are many items of matching kit in their range.

It's clear that, for whatever reason, you don't like Rapha. That's fine but to say their kit doesn't match or that it's unsuitable is clearly not right.

Sky riders get 3 different weights of all their tops etc. Not much need to sell this on to the public really

8 days after I ordered it, package arrived this morning with a card inside boasting of "Fast delivery" from Rapha.cc. Get the feeling I'm being mugged off here.

Hah! I got a delivery from wiggle this week (<£10 order), also via royal mail/parcelforce and it came next day with constant text/email updates...

It's clear that, for whatever reason, you don't like Rapha.... or that it's unsuitable is clearly not right.

I do like Rapha, mate, a lot. I appreciate the brand and what it's done for British cycling promoting the history...phuck me I even own a lot of their gear.

However, you won't find anyone serious about performance on a bike wearing their stuff and if it's pissing it down i'm going with my Gabba and if it's 35-40C (not uncommon here in Italy) I'm going with a much lighter weight jersey and if it's TT simulation I'm going with something a lot more aero.

hah!

I know which I'd rather have...

^ Did you cut this from your gabba jersey?

I do like Rapha, mate, a lot. I appreciate the brand and what it's done for British cycling promoting the history...phuck me I even own a lot of their gear.

However, you won't find anyone serious about performance on a bike wearing their stuff and if it's pissing it down i'm going with my Gabba and if it's 35-40C (not uncommon here in Italy) I'm going with a much lighter weight jersey and if it's TT simulation I'm going with something a lot more aero.

I can understand that for a TT or similar then you're obviously going to select something else but, so far, I haven't found a situation where Rapha clothing hasn't performed as it should (with the exception of their shoe covers which I don't rate.)

I usually cycle around 6,000 miles a year in all conditions so I do care about the performance of my gear although, again, you saying that those who care about performance don't wear Rapha doesn't make sense. RCJLT and Team Sky clearly care as do Rapha Focus.

^^^ clearly the inspiration for the Imperial Works colour scheme.

Mmm, Nando's.

I wear Rapha pretty much all year, never had any issues with performance at all.

I'm a fucking awesome rider and I wear a lot of Rapha.

Dunno what a pros are moaning about.

^^ I wear some Rapha and I've never had any performance.

I can understand that for a TT or similar then you're obviously going to select something else but, so far, I haven't found a situation where Rapha clothing hasn't performed as it should (with the exception of their shoe covers which I don't rate.)

I usually cycle around 6,000 miles a year in all conditions so I do care about the performance of my gear although, again, you saying that those who care about performance don't wear Rapha doesn't make sense. RCJLT and Team Sky clearly care as do Rapha Focus.

Rapha does not make the sky tt skin suits

Rapha does not make the sky tt skin suits

I know. :)

I'm pretty sure Bioracer make some of them and some are probably made by MOA.

I bought some more LS baselayers this week, they're ace... But...

On expert advice I went medium, not so sure about that... Might be selling them on here cheap if I don't get on with them...

too small or too big Joe?

I'm 93kg and a large is plenty big on me. I bought an xl and sold it as it was huge.