Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

The issue is PFC free DWR is basically useless.

Maybe you missed some of this, but many (most!) countries have/are banning PFC/PFOA’s due to the damage they’ve done to the environment - the Intercept piece in first link is absolutely grim;

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16157272/
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16196257/

Second link has details on why the current alternatives are not as effective or durable.

They’re not ‘useless’, but re-setting consumer expectation is big challenge for the industry to transition to C0 alternatives, after decades of those swingtag diagrams magically showing rain bouncing off, while sweat effortlessly passes through (one of my pet hates)

This highlights the importance of proper washcare & reproofing, as well as awareness of optimal conditions/layering to use products in, and design features to dump heat.

….having said all this, the most important thing is actually using kit that already exists in the world. If older, PFC-based products in your wardrobe are still working fine, buying a new C0 jacket isn’t going to save the planet. Reproofing, repairing, rejuvenating (plus reselling, lending, swapping etc) items that already exist is really important.

This is super interesting, thanks for sharing. I haven’t heard anything about this in mainstream cycling press, feels like it should get a wider airing.

Oh I know about PFCs and understand why their use is being cut out. But my field experiments say C0 DWCs are more or less useless; they degrade very fast and wet out quickly even when newly coated.

I was trying to give more nuance and understanding that this transition is taking place, and we need to accept & adapt to this drop-off in performance. Part of (individual) adaption might be buying vintage/dead stock items from an era before regulation (for instance).

Does anyone have the pro team shoes and if so how do you rate them? I've just trashed my Giro Factor's and it seems their equivalent now (Imperial) is crazy money.

I do, and I rate them very highly: they fit well, are comfortable and are pretty robust as well.

No size 48 though.

Fucking rude.

Ok cheers. Fit true to size?

Got two pairs, they're banging.
True to size but narrow which fits my skinny feet perfectly. They come with various arch support inserts.

Cry me a river flipper feet

Reported for bullying

Ok sweet, think I'll get them.

Yes, I'm have size 47 Giros and have the same size Rapha ones.

Do Pro Team and Pro Team Training jerseys have the same fit?

My partner is getting rid of some brand new women's rapha kit as she has realized oke kit is enough for her cycling needs.

1 x women's classic flyweight jersey / black / small / £50 bnwt.

1 x women's classic shorts / black / small / £50 bnwt.

1 x women's core shorts / black / small / £30 bnwt.

All in Birmingham. Happy to post.

5 Attachments

Size for size, yes. Some folks may comment that the sleeve and torso grippers on the training are too loose or tight depending on their build, but those two jerseys are effectively the same size. PT Aero, Crit and Gravel are the more extreme fits.

Im back
https://www.instagram.com/rapha_tuesday_new_product/

In rapha Brewer St today. Very poor customer product knowledge. I asked for the orange Brevet rain jacket. Store person says none in stock (true) then said but we do have the brevet lightweight gilet in orange.

who are you? i am following

Store person was referring to this. New in stock. Perhaps they saw you shopping for a hi-viz piece of outerwear and wanted to suggest an alternative?

Got a mail about new products, which is interesting maybe: Brevet Infinium Jersey

I did like the Gore-Tex Active material, I had a jacket from Gore in the past which was apart from its fit / size the best one I have ever had: more or less ok for wet weather, more or less breathable. I see Rapha switched to Active from ShakeDry with some products? How is Infinium?

Now I have a 100% rain jacket (from Resolute Bay) and a windbraker (DeMarchi). The windbraker is almost always perfect, light rain, never too hot inside, just open to get some fresh air. At some point I'd like to replace the Resolute Bay jacket, which is just a little bit too bulky / big / 'normal'.

Rapha Van Gogh Museum limited Edition

Lot of Gore Tex stuff is coming this year. I still ride my gore shakedry. best ever

infinium is great for gloves, as far as my experience goes. basically breathable

If you're not looking for a rain jacket, I think it's good though I don't own one. Just speaking from experience of others that I heard whilst working with these products.
https://www.gore-tex.com/technology/infinium
Infinium is not a waterproof, just windproof but it will keep out a light shower and is more breathable than a 3 layer waterproof.