B E N D E R's non sweary review site, roubaixcycling.cc (and general kit discussion)

bendertherobot

bendertherobot wrote:

Ditto, sort of. It was 9 degrees yesterday so wore a Rapha long sleeve midweight jersey (which is midweight to the extent that it's not summer mesh!) and their Brevet insulated gilet with polartec.

I have to say (65 quid on wiggle at the moment) the Brevet insulated gilet is the best piece of kit I own. It's brilliant.

For context

drhaggis

DrHaggis wrote:

To change topic somewhat, Mrs Haggis has approved getting a second pair of shoes to ease some logistics. I'm currently using entry level Shimano R065's, and wanted to get something SPD-SL compatible, commuter-friendly (reliable & durable), at about £100 max, and probably with a Boa dial. The question is, what will I really gain? Not too bothered about 100g savings when I could gain 50W by buying a turbo trainer. Is the extra stiffness of a carbon sole that noticeable? Is that desireable on shoes that will see north of 2000 miles of commuting per year?

I've just learnt that Santa isn't bringing me the Shimano RP4 (RP400 w/ a Boa dial) that I asked her, on the same size of my current shimanos (44), using the link I sent her after carefully checking several retailers. Given my shoes are a tad wide at the front, and I liked arched rather than flat, I think I'll try to get some Fizik R4B's after Xmas, although Giro Sentrie Techlace also look kinda nice.

BTW, Shimano has updated their RP line, and _all_ shoes now have the nylon-based sole, with a "stiffness index" of 6, whatever that means. If you want a stiffer 2019 shimano shoe, you'll need to go all the way to RC7's. I wonder why?

gabriel959

EliDude wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

EliDude wrote:

Hi Bender. I'm thinking of getting the Madison Apex waterproof jacket. Is it worth it? Any good?

Yes, and no. It is very very good. Though, if I were buying now, I'd be looking at the Rapha Core or Commuter.

Or, for pacey rides, the Parentini Vita.

So say I get both the rapha core and the madison apex for similar money, which one is more waterproof or less boil in the bag?

Interesting question, I am looking at both jackets myself, although I am looking at the Madison RoadRace Apex softshell and the Rapha Core Winter jacket as a commuter jacket.

joey54321

I know there has been a lot of discussion about the Castelli alpha jersey and jacket on this thread already. I have praised it in the past but I wanted to add to my praise.

Last Friday I didn't read the weather before my 11 mile commute. It had been mild (4-5 degrees all week so I had assumed the same). It was -3 with a 'feels like' of -6. I wasn't wearing overshoes, nothing covering my ears and no glove liners and as a result, my hands and feet were numb for a while after getting to work and my ears were hurting until the Saturday evening.

My torso, however, with just the alpha jersey and a single thin base layer was just about warm enough. I have worn this 'jersey' in up to 8c, to also wear it with a light base layer at -3 (although only for ~40 mins) was pretty astounding. I also have the jacket but after this I am somewhat questioning if anyone needs both.

apreading

Having real problem with my Alpha jersey at the moment - it just wont fit as I have put too much weight on over Christmas and now I cant wear it just when I need it...!

bendertherobot

I think if you run warm you can get away with the jersey really easily.

I recently tried the Assos GT Mille Ultraz winter and was disappointed. Not hugely warm at low temps and, when it was, very sweaty, so I returned it. Disappointing.

THe warmest remain the Bonka, Mossa.2 and Espresso.

I've just had a load of Rapha kit and, I have to say, the windproof jersey is interesting. Feels very warm for such an insubstantial thing.

robbo2011

bendertherobot wrote:

I recently tried the Assos GT Mille Ultraz winter and was disappointed. Not hugely warm at low temps and, when it was, very sweaty, so I returned it. Disappointing.

Saved me some money. Thanks.

This season, as it has mostly been hovering around 0 deg C where I am, I have been using my old 851 Airjack. Still a really nice jacket. can't seem to find anything I prefer for cold, dry riding. Maybe I'll pick up a reduced Bonka jacket in a clearance sale once it is finally phased out.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2019/01/21/ga ... skull-cap/

bendertherobot

robbo2011 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

I recently tried the Assos GT Mille Ultraz winter and was disappointed. Not hugely warm at low temps and, when it was, very sweaty, so I returned it. Disappointing.

Saved me some money. Thanks.

This season, as it has mostly been hovering around 0 deg C where I am, I have been using my old 851 Airjack. Still a really nice jacket. can't seem to find anything I prefer for cold, dry riding. Maybe I'll pick up a reduced Bonka jacket in a clearance sale once it is finally phased out.

Have you tried the Rapha Core winter jacket? Surprisingly good today at 4 degrees, proper test tomorrow at 0......

gweeds

Now I love the new Ultraz. It’s super warm and the fit is perfect. BUT it does appear to have been designed with Theo base layers in mind to work as a system. Below 6c or so it’s superb.

bendertherobot

It does have an amazing fit and it is second to none in terms of construction etc. I just didn't find it warm, which was a shame. I was trying with the Rapha pro team base layer and craft ones, so it's a bit of a shame.

singleton

Quick question on sizing for a Rapha Pro Team Gilet.
I have a medium CastelliPerfetto and the fit is fine
I have medium Alé jerseys and the fit is fine
I have a medium Classic Rapha rain jacket and the fit is fine even though there's less stretch in it
Do I go medium on a pro team gilet or should I size up?

singleton

For others benefit: I bought the large Rapha Pro race insulated and I'm glad I did - the large is a very good fit and the medium would have been too small.

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

I think if you run warm you can get away with the jersey really easily.

If I had worn what joey had worn in those conditions, i'd be dead.

pinno

How has this thread ended up on page 5?!

Jackofallgrades

Hi Bender, looking at getting an insulated gilet from rapha, and have seen you rated the Brevet very highly. From the looks of the website the Pro Team is very similar, fit aside, albeit £6 more expensive. Is it in fact the same materials and therefore can expect it to be as good as the Brevet?

bendertherobot

I prefer the Ptt one as its lighter and more versatile. The brevet one is warmer though. I take a large in the brevet but xl in the ptt. What are the respective prices?

Jackofallgrades

Ptt is £84, Brevet is £78 exc postage on both. I’m looking at them to use in these 5-15 degree temperatures, at the moment I only have a wind proof to go over a base layer and summer jersey, which leaves me sweaty after any effort!

I’ve seen the sizing up in comments, I am very slim at the waist for my chest size, would this save me from doing that?

ryan_w-2

I see little point in the insulated gilets (I haven't tried one, so don't flame me!).

Around 5 degrees, I find just the LS PT base layer, PT LS aero jersey and PT lightweight gilet to be pretty much perfect.

Am I missing out?...

joey54321

I've been thinking about an insulated gilet for 3 purposes;

early morning commutes are cold but by home time it's warmed up so a very packable layer could come in useful,
pre-event, I did the Dirty Reiver this last weekend which was -2 while getting ready at the car at but got up to 10-12 while riding, a layer which I can wear at the start without the feeling I am lugging around a wardrobe once I take it off would be good
bikepacking; it'd be good to have something which I can wear on and off the bike to decrease clothing needed to carry, from this point of view the brevet looks better, but...I just don't like the pink design.

Not sure which to go for between the PTT and the Brevet.

Jackofallgrades

It just seems an economical solution to these changeable months, easy to stow when it’s warmer rather than wearing a jacket or winter jersey that you might start to overheat in. But then I’ve just regurgitated the press blurb and haven’t actually tried one so...

gweeds

I’ve the Pro Team one and it’s absolutely brilliant.

mrb123

I've got a Brevet one but probably would have got the pro team if it was available at a similar price at the time (picked up the Brevet one for under £60).

I have got in mind that it will be useful for trips to the Alps/Dolomites where you end up stopping at the top of cols to take a few photos or wait for mates, and then the subsequent descents. I've had a few bad experiences of getting chilled very quickly in those circumstances up at 2000m plus.

The other obvious use is long summer rides where it's going to be quite warm but you set out early and it's still brass monkeys. Today would have been a decent example - it was still single figures early doors but out there now I'd be happy in jersey and shorts.

bendertherobot

Jackofallgrades wrote:

Ptt is £84, Brevet is £78 exc postage on both. I’m looking at them to use in these 5-15 degree temperatures, at the moment I only have a wind proof to go over a base layer and summer jersey, which leaves me sweaty after any effort!

I’ve seen the sizing up in comments, I am very slim at the waist for my chest size, would this save me from doing that?

It was pretty much all over that I struggled, it's difficult mind, I COULD wear the L, it was just very tight. And the L in the Brevet was a little loose. So, depending on where you sit, as it were, you could get away with it. Order 2?

bendertherobot

Incidentally, the Pro Team one is that bit more stowable. It's also, arguably, a bit more weatherproof. It's really really good.

I should get back to reviewing. I've had a bit of a hard time recently.

bendertherobot

BTW, the following things are awesome.

Rapha Classic Shoes
Rapha Adventure Shoes
The PTT Gilet

The Orville on Fox
The Rookie on Sky
My Giant Advanced Pro TCR 1 disc

bendertherobot

Oh and Muse Simulation Theory is such a great album.

Jackofallgrades

Ordering two of the PTT might be the way forward indeed. Thanks Bender!

And definitely if you can get back to reviewing, as a new-ishbie trying to find their way through the endless options of countless things needed to go cycling I’ve found your reviews invaluable.

bendertherobot

Will do, I have some stuff to get through, it's just been a hard few months!

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2019/04/20/ra ... ore-shoes/