Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

My express (DHL) order, placed on Friday, got lost in the bank holiday shuffle, wasn't dispatched properly and won't arrive until tomorrow. Rapha have agreed to refund my postage costs. Very nice of them.

Conversations in the Rapha cafe are relatively amusing to eavesdrop.
Good coffee, if a little pricey.

Thought it was mainly rich sweary businessmen having lunch meetings?

Conversations in the Rapha cafe are relatively amusing to eavesdrop.
Good coffee, if a little pricey.

I would love to eardrop at the cafe, or eardrop at all.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RAPHA-20-Discount-Code-Expires-June-6-/231244554548?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

Italian Foucault citing post structuralists obviously with Stelvio et al the other day when I visited.

Can someone educate me on the difference between the merino and pro team base layers please, other than the fit? If I'm gonna spend that much on an underlayer its got to be versatile! Thanks

One is merino the other isn't?

Merino is warm, merino mesh is warmish, pro team isn't warm. Most versatile is PT as you can use it under a multiplicity of other layers, so you can use it when it's hot or when it's cold. On the other hand, merino (non-mesh, obviously) base layers work rather well as casual wear T-shirts, so they have that added versatility on the side. But as technical base layers, PT would be usable in more situations. Merino base layers would be a trifle warm in summer.

TL;DR - PT

Can someone educate me on the difference between the merino and pro team base layers please, other than the fit? If I'm gonna spend that much on an underlayer its got to be versatile! Thanks

Merino is better in cooler conditions where you aren't cycling that intensely. It won't smell like a synthetic will, and is good if you are going on a trip somewhere, or for commuting, as you can wear the same item day after day. If you do get sweaty in it, it will take longer to dry, and doesn't move the moisture away from your body as well as a synthetic. It's good for day-to-day or cooler conditions, commuting, touring, or casual wear. Not racing

Synthetics (Pro Team base layers for Rapha) perform better by moving moisture away from your body and to the outer surface of the material, where it can evaporate or be passed onto the next layer, more efficiently. They will smell if you sweat in them, so one garment isn't suitable for wearing multiple days in a row, or taking touring or commuting etc (unless you want to wash it every day). They're better for warm / hot conditions, if you are sweating more, or racing.

The Craft synthetic base layers on Wiggle are half the price of Rapha's and have excellent reviews. I haven't tried them myself, but will be buying some for training.

Rapha's merino boxer shorts are ace, their base layer tops are quite nice (although a bit thin for cold weather), their socks are standard / sub-par (Castelli, DeFeet and Smartwool are better). This is my personal favourite though:

http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/long-sleeve-merino-jersey/product/CRJ05

Shop around for both. Lots of companies do Merino now (avoid Planet X as they tear and stink, Icebreaker have weird sizing, etc). Some companies also do synthetic / merino blend pieces, like Helly Hansen, which are great. This is another company maybe worth checking out: http://www.finisterreuk.com/shop/mens/clothing/merino-wool-base-layer.html?___SID=U

The finisterre Eddy makes a nice tshirt but (like some Howies merino) it's useless for cycling. It's very close knit so has no stretch and is not cut slim. All that air means condensing sweat.

Rapha merino is brilliant. You can race in it if you want to. :-)

I worn the Rapha merino jersey when I went touring, didn't find it hot, actually think it work well in the summer as it does in the winter.

I use craft base layers racing and warm/fast training.
Do what you want.

I also use decathlon 100% merino. It's not the best but is good when cold. Doesn't work when warm.

I intend to wear my merino mesh base racing tommorrow. The deal breaker for me is when you've sweated a few liters on a climb, and are soaked through. Then you find yourself cruising in a group down from the top with epic windchill. A wet merino base wont feel cold like a wet synthetic.

You would have sweated less, and had better sweat transport, in the synthetic though. So theres a trade off. But up here theres a certain reassurance from having a layer of wool on.

Didn't not know they did merino mesh.

If you've money just get merino. Way more versatile.

With all this talk of merino, its worth pointing out that you really need to wash it properly - i.e. wool stuff or pure soap flakes. Makes a massive difference in how it breathes and how soft it feels against your skin

Wow, thanks for all the awesome responses guys. Very helpful.

On the synthetics side, I've got a few of the Helly Hansen ones and find they're really sweaty and claustrophobic feeling.

I've been on a base layer shopping trip this week as all mine are old or rubbish, and did pick up a super cheap craft short sleeve, as mentioned by Chris above (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/craft-cool-tee-short-sleeve-base-layer-with-mesh/), and a sportful wifebeater mesh thing for super-hot / racing, also at mega cheap price (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-2nd-skin-x-lite-sleeveless-base-layer-exclusive/). They only arrived yesterday so not tried them out yet.

Think I'm gonna order the PT and merino base layers from Rapha and have a look at them and return one or both. The PT from Rapha seems like it will be very similar to the sportful one i got from wiggle so that seems the obvious candidate for a return

The Rapha merino is amazing, so versatile, really well made, great cut. My base layers are on pretty much constant (i.e. bike/no bike) rotation all autumn/winter. They look great too.

Anyone know if there's a way to use a discount code alongside a voucher? Would be nice to use my 20% survey code alongside my £155 voucher to get some Pro Team bibs. Seems to only allow one.

Call them.

My 2p. Echo smallfurry's comments on changes in temp. Been using the PT baselayer over some cold hills, and had to bail due to some uncontrollable shivering on the descent. Partly my fault as no rain jacket. Would also say PT has been great at higher tempo, but not much insulation as it cools.

^ Gilet.

I'm between sizes in the PT jersey. Med and large. Will the large shrink a gnats knob after the first wash?

No. It's a synthetic fabric, so unless you really mistreat it, it won't shrink at all.