castelli, rapha, gore, giordana or other winter kit

brearley

So as it is coming up to winter season again I am looking for some winter clothing.
I have had my Assos kit for around 6 years now so is showing signs of wear and will be demoted to when my new kit is dirty or in the wash.
My question is what should I be replacing it with?
I don't like the idea of full black winter kit so any upper body clothing should be high vis or a colour which can be seen.
current top spot for me is rapha pro team jacket, rapha deep winter tights and rapha high vis gillet
alternatively I could go for the castelli san remo thermosuit. or separate tights and jacket ( don't know which one )

If there are any others please let me know.
I don't want to mix and match.
I'd also like a buff type thing which will probably end up being the rapha one which is tailored fit.
final piece I would like is a headband type ear cover (don't want a full hat as I always wear a helmet.

meursault

It may just be me, but I can't wear those tights, just look too silly. Never seem to get that cold legs anyway.

brearley

which tights? the rapha ones?
looking at castelli can anybody advise what size i'd need.

I'm 5ft 9/ 177cm tall weigh 70kg (fluctuates a lot and should be around 65kg by next season) with a 30-32inch waist. 34inch chest.
I have large assos kit but this is slightly on the baggy side so if I was buying again I'd go for medium in those, would I need to do the same for castelli?
In Rapha sizing I should be a small

Monty Dog

IME if you want products that last, then get ones made from Gore fabrics i.e. Gore Bike Wear, Castelli, Sportful or ExteOndo, amongst other - they are the best quality fabrics that will outlast all the others despite their often higher pricetags. I have a Castelli winter jacket with white panels that still comes up gleaming white after 4 years - I've had light-coloured Assos kit look cr@p having stained permanently after one dirty ride.

cougie

Go with whatever you want - but I'd go with a cheap fluo gilet over the top in winter. Keeps the crap off the nice stuff and all it has to do is be bright. You can do the ninja look underneath.

Castelli kit comes up small on the legs. I'm a 32" waist and need an XL.

sloppyschleckonds

It may just be me, but winter is 4 months away

hoojammyflip

You might want to take a look at the DHB Vaeon Roubaix. They also do tights which go to lower temperatures, but I was riding on the road with snow at the road side last year at 7pm in the evening, so I am guessing below zero temperatures, and they were fine. Good value. They do some more expensive ones too. Not all DHB kit is great as I sent back some overshoes which were badly designed, but these Vaeon tights are good performers and I would recommend them.

bendertherobot

Aye. If you can the correct fit you cannot beat the Vaeon Roubaix.

For other layers I've gone a different direction this year and picked up Madison Genesis Team Kit. The softshell in particular, for £129, is bloody brilliant.

MattC59

I've got the Endura Equipe bib longs, they're fantastic !!!
http://www.enduraequipe.com/products/legwear/thermo_windshield_biblongs.aspx

Wind proof, waterproof shins and backside, fleecy lining, faultless IMO.

TheHound

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

It may just be me, but winter is 4 months away

In the UK it'll be here in a week or so.

teisetrotter

Another vote for Endura winter kit. British firm as well ..... more importantly Scottish, so they know a thing or two about dealing with winter weather.

I have a couple of their shell jackets and I swear by their mitts and gloves.

calmx5

If you are thinking of going the Rapha route, just wait until their sale is out of the way, and all the winter items will be stocked

FatTed

Pro Team Jacket only available in black, Rain Jacket in the sale with an extra 10% off
Castelli Espresso Duo probably a better jacket than the Rapha offerings, the Zips on the chest and arms allow
a greater range of temperatures. The Gabba is an alternative loved by some.

brearley

I think with the Castelli sale on at ribble this weekend the best VFM option seems to be the castelli sanremo thermosuit.
Basically getting a quality pair of leggings and jacket for under £200 plus it has some good high vis sections.
I will probably get a sotile gillet down the line.

LegendLust

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

It may just be me, but winter is 4 months away

Which is why he's planning ahead

meursault

brearley wrote:

which tights? the rapha ones?
looking at castelli can anybody advise what size i'd need.

I'm 5ft 9/ 177cm tall weigh 70kg (fluctuates a lot and should be around 65kg by next season) with a 30-32inch waist. 34inch chest.
I have large assos kit but this is slightly on the baggy side so if I was buying again I'd go for medium in those, would I need to do the same for castelli?
In Rapha sizing I should be a small

All tights.

sniff-the-breeze

Brearley,
Last winter i invested in some new castelli, an espresso jacket and their deep winter tigths (can't remember the exact name).
First few rides i was worried i was too warm! However when January came round and we had 3 months of bl**dy freezing they were fantastic. I just needed a rapha ( others available) long sleeve marino underneath the jacket and i was toasty even of 4 or 5 hour rides.
I am 5' 10 - 32 waist, 40 chest/shoulders. I use large legs, and jackett. for me the fit is perfect.

I would suggest they may not last quite as well as gore or Rapha, but no worse than assos, and perhaps the finishing detail is not upto rapha, but then with a bit of well sorted discount they are very cost effective and i am sure i'll get another 3 or 4 winters out of them.
Agree with the comment above about buying rapha in the sales. i have just picked up Grand tour shoes @ £225!
Hope that helps?

Sniff.