Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Sad face... I am super happy with mine. No more overheating or being cold...
What jack is similar, out of interest?

Was going to ask the same - the only two comparable ones I saw when I was looking was an Endura Windchill at about £90 (?) and the Castelli espresso which is £220, both of which looked ugly as hell.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice thing - it's just kit though. Pretty much comparable to wearing a long sleeved jersey and a light gilet.

Pearl Izumi make a 'jacket' that is softshell on the front and sleeves - but roubaix fabric on the back. About £80 I think. Pretty sure that Castelli will have a similar offering for a million pounds too.

Did you try and haggle them down a bit?

nah 11 quids good enough. wouldn't buy it new though, prices are steep.

Castelli aint pricey brah, thats why I use it. That espresso jacket is as you said gore tex license fees included hence pricey. If you want to get gore tex fabric on the cheap you have to get Gore Bike wear; not the greatest of the designs but works.

I absolutely rate the PTJ and i'm always happy to point out when rapha make products 4 times the price of something which does the same job; this and the bibs are the only things really worth the money in their range.

Edit: here it is.. for £116 - sure I've seen it elsewhere for less though.

Blue/black combo looks ok.

http://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/ride/mtb/jackets-and-gilets/p/mens-select-barrier-wxb-jacket

i got one of these on a super discount thing someone found (only paid £28) and i don't know if its the same type of thing as the PTJ, but its been really good so far, pretty dam waterproof and warm, think its around £70 on amazon

^ nah that's more of a Hardshell. The one I posted has the same jersey/softshell makeup as the PTJ.

Fair enough. I didn't know there were other things that were similar, but as Laner said, I think the PTJ and bibs are worth it. I won't be buying Rapha jerseys though, stupidly pricey.

I wouldn't have bought one if I didn't get it for £100.. and I wouldn't have bought the pro team bibs for retail either. In fact I don't think I've ever paid full price for Rapha (apart from socks). It's just too much for me considering I mostly ride in club kit anyway.. I think people here often have more money than sense and get carried away saying how good Rapha stuff is without really having much to compare it to from other brands.

I've experimented with some Santini and Pearl bibs recently - both around £70 and both excellent fit and comfort. Remains to be seen if they will last 3-4 years of solid abuse like my two pairs of Classic bibs though. Cheap bibs will always be shit, but I'm finding it hard to tell the difference between the Rapha ones and the others at the moment for a comfort/fit point of view.

Plus, who wants to pay £180 for bibs and then fall off in them the next week?

Sugoi have a Polartec version of the Gore stuff used for Gabba jersey but more waterproof called Neoshell. Evans is doing a deep discount

I've experimented with some Santini and Pearl bibs recently - both around £70 and both excellent fit and comfort. Remains to be seen if they will last 3-4 years of solid abuse like my two pairs of Classic bibs though. Cheap bibs will always be shit, but I'm finding it hard to tell the difference between the Rapha ones and the others at the moment for a comfort/fit point of view.

I have some Pearl Izumi Team Pro bibs that are 3 years old - moderate use. They are absolutely amazing and have held up well. Jaygee is also a huge fan.

If it's good enough for Jesus then it's good enough for me

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice thing - it's just kit though. Pretty much comparable to wearing a long sleeved jersey and a light gilet.

Exactly what I've worn today (Brevet jersey), PTJ is a little too warm.

I suspect dammit doesn't run hot.

too thin

this gun be a new year's day sale then?

What gun are you talking about?

Again, that's fair enough, I've only got DHB and capo stuff to compare rapha to. I like my capo stuff though, it's good, but it's all black and as I'm riding solo now that I've moved home, I'm wearing the PTJ every day as it's orange and a bit more visible. I'd like to try assos bibs though.

I can definitely tell a massive difference between my DHB bibs and the rapha ones though.

One has AHPAR in massive letters?

Anyone tried the kinoko bibs or lmnh ones?

hoke has the lmnh bibs.

Lmnh bibs are champion systems and are awesome.

I had a coffee in the Rapha shop today, whilst doing some exchanging....it was nice, but....you know.
I loved pawing the stuff in the shop though......and I could have had sexy time with the H van, if the missus would agree......she didn't.