Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

^ Likewise. Feel free to PM me if you want it.

Rapha is offering a free pair of Classic Arm Warmers with the purchase of any jersey in the Rapha range. Discount will be applied at checkout.
Offer is valid on all Rapha jersey orders placed before 11:59 (BST) Tuesday 5th May while stocks last.

No code needed.

Code is for 10% off jersey

Race cape hath arrived, its a beauty. As predicted, though I'd ordered it to try it out, I imagine I'll keep it.

Doesn't pack down into a jersey pocket as well as I hoped though, any folding / rolling tips? Although it is way more robust than one of the pocket bin bag rain jackets you get so fair enuff I guess.

Also, what's the point of the Velcro strip on the chest? For speedy doing up?

Plus the regular cube shape renders it really difficult to work into a decent lather.

Apparently.

The corners wear down quickly and then it makes a wonderful lather, especially if you use something to make it - just rub it on a hairy part of your body.

I genuinely, unironically, like the Rapha soap and I have a bar lying around for those special post-ride showers...

The Velcro flap is to stop it flapping when riding with it unzipped.

Oh yeh. Duh

By the kitchen sink I have swarfega and Rapha soap. It's OK. Quite thick + long lasting, smells nice. Cannot remember how the soap appeared - probably on another drunken shopping rampage.

By the way - do your skin a favour and use Dermol 500 for post ride showers.

I used that today and got the armwarmers too. A helpful chap called Malcolm helped my idiocy too.

That Malcolm, he's so dreamy.

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a wind jacket but I cant see the benefit over a gilet with arm warmers and the fact my wallet does not need to suffer than much.

So what do you all advise?

cheers

Yeah I couldn't justify it much either. I've got a soft-shell magic bin bag thing that crunches down to nothing, which I use when I think there's a chance of it getting colder and I don't start the ride in arm warmers, but meh. Lots of ways of doing the same thing, and if you're starting with the gilet/arm warmer combo then that's a lot more flexible than wind jacket and no arm warmers.

I have a couple pairs of arm warmers, a gilet, and the racecape. I still use my Wind jacket loads, and ideally would like to buy a New one to size Down.

On warm Climbs it takes up less Space in a jersey, is far quicker to put on, and offer loads more Wind protection. Its seriously comfortable too.

He's a very naughty boy, that's what he is. I am not sure I really need that Jersey :-)

The Wind jacket plus merino arm warmers is a serious luxury.

Depends where you ride I Guess. I used that combo a few weeks back, on a dry, sunny, yet still Cold, day. Climbed to local ski resort, sweating in thermal bib shorts and SS Brevet. Got a bit nippy riding across the Plateau at the top. Added merino arm warmers and Wind jacket for the descent. The bonus over a RaceCape on a day like this. Is that I dry out quicker.

Ahh yeah. If you're doing proper climbs/descents it makes a hell of a lot more sense!

Cheers all my riding is in and around London and a lot of commuting, so may pass.

I might buy the race cape to look good on my commutes

Its still going to be a bit more comfy, if flappy, sometimes. But Yeah. Might be hard to justify.

This is bikes though. Justify is hardly in the vocabulary. More things. All of the things. Need them.

I have a race cape so I don't need the red (new style) rain jacket which is currently hanging in my wardrobe. It's only been worn twice. XS. Current Rapha price £180. Anyone want it? £95?

I saw someone wearing what I think was a grey race cape at the tour of Yorkshire sportive on Sunday. It looked great, if a little camouflaged given the conditions. CSB etc

I have a (never worn) race cape, xl, dark grey - if anyone wants it for, say £100 (or swap for a xxl in black) let me know...

Will take that. Where are you located? Could throw in a Rapha Pro team jersey White size XXL for £30? Came in a XL bag in the sale.