Jackets (and letting off a Rapha bomb)

bigpikle

I have a Rapha Lightweight softshell that I got used, and must confess to loving it. I went to try the current full softshell recently as I need a full winter jacket and was terribly disappointed - they have totally ruined the cut and I tried all the sizes and couldnt get any to be even a reasonable fit They all looked cut for big fat people and the fit on a lean 6' bloke of totally normal dimensions (arms, body length etc) was hopelessly useless

I'm waiting for the Shutt jacket that is made from the same fabric as a certain high end Swiss manufacturer from what I've been told

sundog

brucebanner wrote:

I do own a bike.

and you can't disprove my statement that it's a depreciating asset.

And I really would like to see someone do a blind test on something expenience with something easier on the pockets to see if there's a difference or not.

Cheque ebay prices for how much Rapha gear depreciates

NapoleonD wrote:

brucebanner wrote:

rapha; extortionately priced depreciating asset.

i wonder if anyone has done blind tests on cycle clothing. that is, compare unbranded clothes to see what's actually better.

bruce, you don't even own a bike yet so how you can comment on this I know not!

However, assuming fit is the same then there may well be a few surprises. The thing with some kit is the attention to detail and quality of fit, it's the little details that make some kit worth owning...

Anonymous

brucebanner wrote:

Blah blah blah

Que?

I was agreeing with you about the blind testing...

tigerben

What clothing does not depreciate?

Resale value is never a consideration when I buy clothing.... comfort, fit, quality, materials, price ... they all feature but not resale.... i buy intending to use it until it is worn out and no use to nobody...

father_jack

I wouldn't buy a second hand jacket, after all cycling gear does get a hard life, with rubbing, grazes etc. And a lot of sweat.

tigerben

Father Jack wrote:

I wouldn't buy a second hand jacket, after all cycling gear does get a hard life, with rubbing, grazes etc. And a lot of sweat.

not sure all rapha gear has a hard life.... probably quite a few jackets whose only problem is a tricky latte stain ....

father_jack

lol with £5000 carbon fibre bike locked on the costa railings, which is then put into a 8 litre Land Rover and drive home lol.

TMR

Father Jack wrote:

lol with £5000 carbon fibre bike locked on the costa railings, which is then put into a 8 litre Land Rover and drive home lol.

Sounds like a life I'd like

ajb72

brucebanner wrote:

rapha; extortionately priced depreciating asset.

i wonder if anyone has done blind tests on cycle clothing. that is, compare unbranded clothes to see what's actually better.

Are you serious??? Have you seen what second hand Rapha gear goes for on ebay?? I have seen out of stock items fetching more than retail price, and you rarely see anthing in good nick going for less than 75% of original cost.

That makes Rapha gear a decent purchase for me, especially when you throw in the fantastic after-sales service on damaged items etc and the lovely quality and fit.

Going back to the original question, the Softshell is a truly lovely jacket and should last years and years, I've worn mine in rain and snow and it has never soaked through.

I have worn the rain jacket and stowaway and unless size/weight is the bottow line, I preferred the rain jacket as the lining makes it less of a sweat-bag and it serves very well as a wind protector too.

Scrumple

check my for sale thread, and have a look

For what it is worth, these see my through the year:

Assos climajet gilet, for rain
Assos Element Zero, for cold and wind.
Assos Luftschutz for chilly starts
Assos Airjack for winter

Also own Giordana Body Clone winter Jacket - spare for the airjack
EtxeOndo Winter heavy weight for cold....
Gore Countdown in yellow for commuting
Gore Oxygen Goretex rain jacket

Selling some others as it is overkill, but the Gore phantom is superb and the Montaine is excellent. Would keep them but have to be sensible. You need a pack small shower top and cut is the main thing, not waterproofness. I hardly ever use my goretex as it aint ever that wet. I always carry one of the gilets (climajet in summer, for showers, and the zero on dry and cold days).

father_jack

Have you seen what second hand Rapha gear goes for on ebay??

lol ebay? Not just cycling gear, I could put a rusted burnt old metro, and it'll probably still sell for several thousand on ebay.

Ebay is full of morons over bidding on everything..brothers into rc models and says the same, old used engines sell for more than the brand new RRP price! :roll: Muppets.

UPGRAYEDD

I bought a Craft jacket for about £50-60. It's the waterproof one, it's fairly lightweight (certainly enough for me to be able to fold it up and put it in back pocket) and I'm reasonably happy with it. Gets a bit sticky on climbs on warmer days, but warm days are not what it was bought for - roll on the Autumn and Winter rain!

hopper1

I have an Assos climajet gilet, Assos Element Zero & an Altura waterproof...
All have been excellent so far, even in proper wet conditions.
I'll be adding the new Shutt VR jacket to my kit list as soon as it's available.

Rapha may be good, but they are way over priced...