Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

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  • I've got the softshell gilet and the brevet jersey gilet. Both are excellent pieces of kit. It was not cold enough this winter to break out the softshell gilet but I usually ride in most mornings with the brevet gilet on as a windbreaker. It performs perfectly.

    The softshell was also a lifesaver in really cold temperatures where it saves you form the windchill but does not let you overheat from not having any sleeves.

    No doubt there are cheaper alternatives but I have found so far with Rapha, you get what you pay for.

    Honestly gilets are just a bit of semi waterproof material - they don't have to have the wicking properties of jackets because they are naturally ventilated. I had a Rapha gilet given to me, it was nice but absolutely no different to my champsys-made club gilet ( cost £30), or the £15 hi-viz Craft one I bought for night rides.

    Things that Rapha make which are worth the money: bibs bibs bibs, softshell, wind jacket and merino socks. Everything else can be bought from competitors of similar quality for considerably less money.

    Thanks, this is what I was after. Proper info, for and against.

  • There is a 60g BTwin gilet reviewed on road.cc that looks good. I like them easily stowable in a jersey pocket.

  • Cheers, I'll give it a look.

  • Anyone know what Rapha means when they say this about the city rain jacket this year?

    "The fit has also been refined to look more elegant off the bike."

    I have one that is apparently unrefined and inelegant. I'm wondering if anyone has done a fit test on the new vs. old.

  • It's just exclusive innit? Like goonz said.
    It's like when I went into Liberty just to see what was inside and staff followed me around the shop. I did look different to everyone else in there. But still.
    I have a job you know.

    Funnily enough, the people that spend the most money in Liberty have never worked a day in their lives.

    As for Rapha, the NYC store probably gets the most $ from guys in suits, indulging themselves on a lunch break. Still, the staff are perfectly pleasant to heathen like me that give them a ~$1000 LeMond (Trek) to hang up.
    Reading about 'negative retail experiences' in this thread is akin to reading Yelp reviews of stores like Dover Street Market or Acne, "Holy shit this place is EXPENSIVE! I went here to get a simple white t-shirt for my boyfriend/daughter/etc and it was like £300 WTF these people are INSANE!!!!!!!"
    Rapha is a high-end modern fashion brand. There's tech there, sure, but aesthetics and perceived ethics come before absolute performance imo. If their kit seems everyday to you, then I congratulate you on your six-figure salary. I really do hope you have the time to appreciate a different £200+ jacket for every single weather condition.
    For the rest of us, it is really nice, but damn pricey. Not unobtainable or unaffordable, just expensive.

  • Or the on-one ones that are 3 for £5 in the sales :)

    These socks are amazingly good - I wear the 'thinny' ones every day.

  • Anyone know what Rapha means when they say this about the city rain jacket this year?

    "The fit has also been refined to look more elegant off the bike."

    I have one that is apparently unrefined and inelegant. I'm wondering if anyone has done a fit test on the new vs. old.

    There isn't a lot in it - I tried on the new version in-store and tbh I preferred my older style as it's tailored to more to look like a classic harrington jacket. ( - Which to me looks better off the bike, despite what Rapha say)

    The new one is ever-so-slightly slimmer with a different style vent at the back. If anything it just looks slightly sportier.

  • Does anyone here have access to Imperial Works bibs? What's the MSRP price? Any real pics out there? I'm trying to get my hands on a pair. And any IW jersey that goes with it?

    I've got an Imperial Works Lightweight Jersey you can buy off me if you want.
    Black on black, with black logos. The zip on the back is gold. Size small. Worn it three times.

    £90.

  • Rapah hooded wind jackets? Fuck off.

    Helmets with peaks thread

  • The amount of decent cycling jackets wrecked by some focus group cunts wanting a hood on it.

  • It's ok, they're launching the Rapha Mild Crosstown Breeze jacket next week, it comes with a microfleece earwarmer headband with detachable SKY Team Wiggo™ sideburns.

  • Rapah hooded wind jackets? Fuck off.

    Helmets with peaks thread

    To be fair its in the city range and the hood rolls away. I'd get one, glad I didnt get the city wind shirt now

  • added stuff to their sale. inc. the PTJ, with 90£ off. all colours, all sizes

    only sharing so it goes out of stock and saves me from buying another

  • You bastard.

  • I want an orange one.

  • I've got an orange one. It's very nice. Not nice enough to need a second one though.

  • Urrrgh. Want.

  • Are these a lot better than the classic wind jacket as I nearly bought one those the other day.

  • Very different beast.

  • Whys that? Is the material different? The wind shirt and jacket were the same material

  • Whys that?

    Rapha jackets handle one weather condition at a time.
    The trick is to have each of their other jackets hanging on the clothes rail of your support vehicle.

  • classic wind jacket = nice thin stowable extra layer for a bit of warmth when it gets nippy on those long descents/early mornings/whatever.
    PTJ = thick, tight fitting jacket ideal for wearing over a baselayer and riding in sub 10º weather conditions. definitely won't fold down to fit in a jersey pocket. is a very good "do most things" outer layer.

  • ^sorry I meant the classic wind jacket vs the new hooded city wind jacket

  • Weather here in Vancouver is 10-14 degrees and I wear my PTjacket with a short sleeve or sleeveless summer baselayer.

    Works great and I don't overheat

  • Any codes dudes?

    Also, gear show down:

    Base layer+ Pro team jersey + race cape

    verses

    Base layer+ Pro team jacket?

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Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Posted by Avatar for Velocio @Velocio

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