Rapha Advice

davedicko

This is my first winter on the road bike and I'm looking at some Winter clothing. Quite taken with Rapha and their jersey selection and wondering if any of you had experience with their options.

I'm still deciding between the LS Jersey, Winter Jersey or Brevet though think I'm probably leaning towards the Winter Jersey.
I have a couple of merino baselayers and a cheap packable waterproof shell so looking for something that I can ride mostly as an outer layer (pulling on the waterproof where necessary) that should be robust and flexible enough to see me through most of the winter.

Anyone any thoughts/experience?

Brakeless

Go for the Winter Jersey or probably better the Classic Softshell. The Long sleeve jersey is what it says, ie it's not a winter jacket.

sloppyschleckonds

The Brevet jersey is the nicest jersey you'll ever own.

FatTed

The winter Jersey has windproof chest but not arms which I find rather odd. The Pro team jacket has windproof arms and chest. Which seems to work better for me. You should look at the Castelli Espresso Due.

jaxf

+1 for the Rapha softshell. Pretty waterproof, certainly fine for showers, I just need a thin compression layer underneath until it gets to baltic. The zips up the side are invaluable for letting me get cooler.

maddog 2

FatTed wrote:

The winter Jersey has windproof chest but not arms which I find rather odd.

+1 In my view the arms are more important, as you can layer up your chest, and it's not as exposed as your upper arms.

cougie

If you wanted a windproof vest - you could put on a gilet anyway.
I'd not get the softshell though - winter days are often dull. Why ride around in a black top ? Might be stylish but its not great for visibility. There are plenty of brighter and cheaper jackets out there.

I did get the softshell and couldnt detect any better performance between that and my cheaper tops.

magoo289

FatTed wrote:

The winter Jersey has windproof chest but not arms which I find rather odd. The Pro team jacket has windproof arms and chest. Which seems to work better for me. You should look at the Castelli Espresso Due.

V useful as I am having a similar decision in compiling my Xmas list.

+1 for Castelli Espresso, best kit I own.

racingcondor

While I love my Espresso Due I run hot so I've found it's very rare that I can wear it without having it unzipped (just seems wrong at 2C with a summer base layer on!).

I would go for a couple of really good base layers of different weights and whichever top layer you like the look of most. Good base layers let me wear a summer jersey and arm warmers most of the year.

If I was going to buy a Rapha jersey, it would be the Brevet in Lime.

pitchshifter

Is the Brevet a winter jersey with a gilet? Or just a long sleeve jersey?

I am toying with a Pro team jacket to see me through winter. I normally get too hot rather than too cold so I thought a softshell might be over the top.

ianbar

at the moment i wear a base layer with soft shell over and its working out well. the brevet should come with gillet i think certainly the short sleeve one did for me, its a pretty fab top

thegreatdivide

It's a long sleeve jersey - a very good one - but it's more late autumn/early spring kit.

I've got the Pro Team Jacket and it did me proud last winter with just a l/s base underneath. If it was sub zero and windy I'd take a back-up light gilet for an extra layer but tbh that only got deployed a handful of times. You've got the added shower protection and it got me through some mental suprise sleet attacks last year too.

flasher

The Pro Team jacket is a great bit of kit, just wondering how I can get the new blue one past the Mrs!

mjbennett

If you're rich Rapha are excellent. The winter jersey in particular is spot on. Softshell is bobbins, especially in heavy persistent rain.
If you're not rich, why not consider torm jerseys. Rapha (ahem) 'influenced', much cheaper and almost as good.

MattC59

mjbennett wrote:

If you're rich Rapha are excellent. The winter jersey in particular is spot on. Softshell is bobbins, especially in heavy persistent rain.
If you're not rich, why not consider torm jerseys. Rapha (ahem) 'influenced', much cheaper and almost as good.

Good, 'cause I ordered one yesterday

bartersb

Did someone say they had the new Brevet Long Sleeve with Gillet? I am getting the Grey with yellow hi-vis gillet from my family as a Christmas present.

What temp range do you recommend it for? For the real cold stuff I already have my trusty Assos Airjack 851 jacket.

davedicko

So basically, sounds like the LS Jersey isn't enough, so its down to Winter Jersey, Brevet or Pro Team Jacket (hadnt event considered it.) Good advice so far!

itsnotarace

I have a few of their jerseys mentioned so will try and sum up the differences

Long sleeve jersey - good for mid layer under softshell on winter days down to sub zero, with a base layer underneath. Regular fit in size

Winter jersey - with a long sleeve base layer good for high intensity rides in the dry, it only has 2 rear pockets as opposed to the 3 on the long sleeve jersey (plus the small item pocket that also doubles as a vent) so it's much easier to fit a waterproof jacket in case of showers. Regular Rapha fitting in size

Brevet jersey (I only have the short sleeve from last year so can't comment on the long sleeve version) - slightly slimmer fitting, slightly thicker fabric than the Classic/club jerseys but not much and deffo not as thick as the winter jersey

davedicko

itsnotarace wrote:

I have a few of their jerseys mentioned so will try and sum up the differences

Long sleeve jersey - good for mid layer under softshell on winter days down to sub zero, with a base layer underneath. Regular fit in size

Winter jersey - with a long sleeve base layer good for high intensity rides in the dry, it only has 2 rear pockets as opposed to the 3 on the long sleeve jersey (plus the small item pocket that also doubles as a vent) so it's much easier to fit a waterproof jacket in case of showers. Regular Rapha fitting in size

Brevet jersey (I only have the short sleeve from last year so can't comment on the long sleeve version) - slightly slimmer fitting, slightly thicker fabric than the Classic/club jerseys but not much and deffo not as thick as the winter jersey

Thanks for this - really helpful.
Its a gift, so thats why i'm looking at the outlay for a Rapha jersey - I don't normally have that sort of cash lying around! That's probably why I'm procrastinating about it. I'm probably thinking the Winter Jersey is the best buy - would you say its a flexible jersey in terms of temp? I'm thinking this plus baselayer and waterproof stowed is probably going to be the way forward for me. I can always pick up a Torm LS for more year-round riding when things are a bit warmer. Though people threw a spanner in the works with the Pro Team Jacket, I don't think it will offer me a lot of difference to the Winter Jersey. Seems that the PTJ is maybe slightly more water resistant with a slimmer cut, but otherwise not much in it.

itsnotarace

The winter jersey definitely has thicker sleeves than the classic long sleeve jersey and would say it's a good choice for flexibility in weather conditions at this time of year. It has 2 full length side panel flaps you can open to let air through, and one at the rear which also doubles as a long (but not very deep) pocket.

The brevet and classic long sleeve, I feel, are much more mid-layers unless temps are around 10c or above but this will depend how hard you ride of course

cookeeemonster

I got the pro team jacket as part of a work leaving present and its a great bit of kit.

I do run hot so I've found that even at 7C I'll be sweating after a while (with backpack on). It's not too bad though and todays temp (4C) it definately shines!

The armband is reflective too, as are a few other bits if you're gonna ride in the dark. Also it's as comfortable as a jersey...I just wear a short sleeve base layer or t shirt underneath (so far)

mroli

There's a 50% off sale if you want any of the Team Sky stuff: http://www.rapha.cc/shop/team-sky/?cm_re=Shop-_-Carousel-_-TeamSky or you can buy from Evans and get 10% off too - CA10...

jimmythecuckoo

Good deals there... compared to the original pricing.

davedicko

So, final question - anyone got a comparison of the Winter Jersey vs Pro Team Jacket?
I've narrowed it down to these two. They seem to be very similar in practice, which would lead me to the Winter Jersey (saving £40) but would love some thoughts.

shamrock134

davedicko wrote:

So, final question - anyone got a comparison of the Winter Jersey vs Pro Team Jacket?
I've narrowed it down to these two. They seem to be very similar in practice, which would lead me to the Winter Jersey (saving £40) but would love some thoughts.

The winter jersey is heavier fabric, only has a windproof chest and isn't water resistant in any way. The fit is fairly similar to Rapha classic jerseys.

The pro team jacket is more lightweight, windproof all over and shower-proof. The fit is much tighter than the winter jersey so be careful with the sizing.

I've only used them on a single ride each so far but in terms of warmth I think either is fine for a British winter if layered appropriately. I'd say the Winter jersey is probably warmer overall. Once you stop moving and generating body heat the Pro Team loses heat more quickly. I did get quite sweaty in the winter jersey the other day when climbing even with the zip down and vents open. It was somewhere between 5-10C I guess.

If I had to keep one it'd be the Pro Team I think. It seems to be more versatile in the temperature ranges it covers as you can layer it differently depending on conditions and it will protect you from a shower without needing a full waterproof. The winter jersey is best for those very cold but dry days.