Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I am tempted by the winter socks and the deep winter hat!! I have the winter hat but it rides up slightly so my ears get cold.. I do have the winter collar which is lovely...

I don't mind paying alittle for my stuff but sometimes the prices are just........

That said their latest email has made me want the Brevet jersey!!!

All Rapha 20% club discounts appear to have expired also and Rapha say they don't have the budget right now to renew them.

I've found the commuter jeans to be pretty decent tbh. They're super comfy, stretchy, hang low, slim fit and I don't fall over trying to get on a bike like I do with stiff raw selvedge. Utterly bizarre that he describes them as "stiff, crinkly" when they're anything but.

I see he's "gently mocking levis" for going for "that demographic."

I think it would be easier to gently mock his pish article but there you go.

indeed - the Levis jeans are great - I have 2 pairs

Really don't like the Surface shorts, maybe I got a size to big but even the right size I'm guessing the legs will be too flappy. Definitely more MTB than road. Am returning

Have you tried cycling in the nude?
You may be left with that as your only option soon.

My cross jersey turned up this morning beautifully repaired, very impressed.

And down it still has the potential to catch the wind, but at the end of the day if you can't wear a hood up when you're riding why wear one at all? There are plenty of more effective/aero head gear for your bonce.

)

Just turn the hood inside out when you ride and it doesn't catch the wind.
The Milwaukee hoodie is cut so that you can still look over your shoulder with it up - though you do have to tighten the drawstring.

Really? I'll have to try that, I normally do a Hatbeard, and wedge the hood under a bag strap.

How waterproof are Rapha's Soft Shell trousers? My waterproof trousers are shite and only fit for the bin, and I've been thinking about getting some decent trousers to keep me warm in the winter, but that are also waterproof.

Would the Rapha's be more water proof than the Swrve WWR soft shell?

I've got the Swrve WWR soft shell shorts, they were excellent initially but now let water through in the saddle area.

I could of course resolve this by purchasing some mudguards.

No idea about the Rapha ones, however British Army surplus shops will cheerfully sell you some gore-tex alike waterproof trousers for ~£15-20 that are 100% waterproof.

I've found the commuter jeans to be pretty decent tbh. They're super comfy, stretchy, hang low, slim fit and I don't fall over trying to get on a bike like I do with stiff raw selvedge. Utterly bizarre that he describes them as "stiff, crinkly" when they're anything but.

I see he's "gently mocking levis" for going for "that demographic."

I think it would be easier to gently mock his pish article but there you go.

STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM LEVI's commuter gash:

I was given a pair at the LMNH launch that died at the crutch within 48hrs!!! Ok there may be some reason or explanation but during my attempts to get an exchange NOBODY from the company demanded to see how or why this could happen in such a short space of time. Instead they chose to wet the bed and complain to the peoples that hired me to do their launch. They didn't give a damn and were more concerned with getting the 'right' bloggers in their top pocket.

There is no way any of the companies that are dedicated to cycling would ever behave this way. STAY AWAY FROM LEVI's commuter shiiiite.

How waterproof are Rapha's Soft Shell trousers?

Not quite the same I know but really good for proper riding in the rain:
http://www.rainlegs.com/en/home

STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM LEVI's commuter gash
Did you lean?

as contrast I've worn one of my two pairs of the Levi jeans daily since they were launched in April, and they are only just showing signs of wear. I also really like how quickly they dry out and the stretchyness of the jeans.

As for waterproof trousers. Get proper ones, like this http://www.blacks.co.uk/product/042128.html with a trouser clip for the right leg. I wear mine to commute in and just take them off when I get to work. A mudguard is still useful if only to keep spray off your feet/socks.

Agree on the Levi's. Had a pair for well over a year now and and they are still in great nick. Super comfy as well.

I got proper drenched today and my Rapha softshell let it through too quickly, so going give the Nikwax a go, noticed they do them for cotton, worth applying to my shorts?

Although the rainlegs thingies look good

hmm I quite like the hardshell jacket... gah

Rain legs are only going to work if you have mudguards.

Softshell is not a waterproof fabric, just water resistant.

I know but it has lost a lot of its resistance. Today wasn't the first time I was rained on.

100K entry.

http://www.rapha.cc/singapore-gentlemens-race/

List.

1. XH
   

you're flying to singapore to justify spending £140 on a jersey?

And why not?

I got proper drenched today and my Rapha softshell let it through too quickly, so going give the Nikwax a go, noticed they do them for cotton, worth applying to my shorts?

Although the rainlegs thingies look good

This happened to me too. The rain seemed to go straight through which I don't remember it doing the last time I wore it in the rain. And once it's soaked it takes ages to dry.

Stadium Video v2 on Vimeo

Agreed on Levi's Commuter stuff. My jeans have been great so far and I wear them all the time on and off the bike.

Features are decent, cut is excellent, material/treatment is nice. They dry quickly, resist small sprinklings and spills, stains come out easily.

I was wearing them when I had my big crash. They saved my legs from road rash (not a mark on them), only minor scuffing visible on one knee. I absolutely soaked them in blood from my busted-ass face and that washed right out a few days later when I got around to it. Wish I'd taken a picture of them before!