Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

My castelli was in my jersey pocket....

Too late for me I'm afraid, bought their replica bib shorts last year as my first pair of bibs - the blue will be matching init.

I dont think the current Winter sky jersey is too bad actually, pretty much identical to last year's normal Winter jersey (which I also bought last year but sent back.) with much less than usual Team Sky writing all over it.

The classics or pro team bibs are much better than the replica ones. I'd invest in decent bibs before a jersey.

What's the stitched in panel/flap thing in the centre back of the rain jacket for? It's a bit like a big inside pocket bt with an open top and bottom.

With Rapha I'm between a medium and a large, depending on how snug I want the fit. Morvelo is a little for 'italian' in there sizing so I would suggest sizing up.

Fair enough, thanks for the advice :) I'll splurge on both if I have enough monies!

I'm hoping they will reduce the Winter jersey by quite a bit in the next sale seeing as it's nearly spring/summer etc. Been using a classic jersey and arm warmers for the majority of this winter but have to wash it regularly seeing as it's my only option!

Torm? Or even a cheaper synthetic Jersey?

You'll get more life out of your jerseys if you have another. You don't have to wear Rapha all the time.

You make a good point - I do like the look of Torm!

I dont just use the one jersey, on alternate days I just use a Sportwool/Merino baselayer and my usual jacket!

Question though, is it OK to use the jersey with no baselayer underneath?

After reading through it seems quite common that people will have up to 3 layers during winter (So, base, jersey, jacket), but I find two to suit me fine (jersey, jacket) even down to near zero degrees.

I'm just worried if my sweat will affect the effectiveness/material of my jersey lol

Torm jerseys are excellent.

I wear mine far more than some of the Rapha ones

I only wear a Base Layer underneath if it's colder, (for me at least) a decent Jersey does a good enough job of wicking sweat and keeping me warm/cool. I think some people here do use mesh baselayers when it's hot as an extra wicking device, I use a very thin ventilated synthetic top if it's very hot.

Tl;dr - yes. But ymmv.

ALWAYS base layer of some kind for me. Plays nice with HR strap too.

2 months mesh; 6 months merino short sleeve, 4 months merino long sleeve, 1 month pro softshell in the UK.

You've only had the softshell a month!

i wear whichever baselayer is clean that day

hypothetically ;) tbh I only have 1 of each; laundry once a week .. filth

grim.

In other news, race cape arrived yesterday, I wore it today. It's nice.

Yeah, you can get a week of riding from one of those cheap On-one Merino baselayers before they get too offensive. I do have a Rapha baselayer but it rarely get used.

Congrats.

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Why don't Rapha publish waterproof and breath ability ratings on their garments?

No idea. Probably because they want to keep the fabrics they are using close to their chest.

I found that it was quite breathable - I was wearing (what I consider to be) quite a lot underneath too; gabba, armwarmers, baselayer, tights that come up very high and bib straps etc. Was impressed - no way could I have worn my old Gore Paclite jacket over all that without melting.

To be clear - I didn't go out in it, I chucked it on when I hit a 40 minute hailstorm in Kent and my arm warmers got soaked.

Yeah but i wouldn't buy a waterproof garment that didn't have waterproof and breath ability ratings to compare. I don't mind what it's made of, but I'd like to know the stats on it.

Sounds epic.

The thing it does really well is help you down a mountain. It's a wind breaker as well as being waterproof. It was cool enough up the Tourmalet on the Etape 2014 but warm enough (with arm warmers) to get me down it while other pussies took refuge in a makeshift shelter.

Frankly though it has to be very cold for me to prefer wearing a waterproof jacket on the bike than not. The Rapha jacket doesn't fix that - it's still like wearing a bin liner above 10C if you're pedaling.

bin liner

...actually not bad for getting off mountains and Rapha black. Stick it down your front.