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

joey54321

So given the Rapha mediums fit and the good reviews on here I've taken a punt on some RedWhites too.

They were on sale and as a first-order got 20% off so they cost ~£70 so a decent price. Now just hope they fit!

bendertherobot

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/pro-team-tra ... m-transfer

That's definitely an innovative fabric but, guys, really?

slowbike

yer - but they're "brand new" .... £400 for a hoodie - I'd rather it wasn't worn by someone else first ... although I guess if it was worn by GT I could ebay it for £500?

keef66

bendertherobot wrote:

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/pro-team-transfer-collection/category/pro-team-transfer

That's definitely an innovative fabric but, guys, really?

Just when I thought their white mechanics long sleeved t-shirt was the most ridiculous thing they go and invent a whole new clothing niche.

Hat.

matt_n-2

keef66 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/pro-team-transfer-collection/category/pro-team-transfer

That's definitely an innovative fabric but, guys, really?

Just when I thought their white mechanics long sleeved t-shirt was the most ridiculous thing they go and invent a whole new clothing niche.

Hat.

Mechanics collection is completely pointless and now this!

£400 for a reversible jacket :shock:

voicycle

Now that the Sportful Norain 2.0 bib shorts have been upgraded to include the TC Pro pad, is there any difference between them and the Norain Pro model other than the straps?

I bought Norain pro last year because at the time they had the TC Pro pad but the regular Norain shorts didn't. They're fantastic shorts and a really great purchase which I'd recommend to anyone.

I've since lost enough weight that I need to move down a size, but I see in the new model year they've both got the same pad. Only obvious difference I can see is the straps, but is there anything else? Are they cut differently? Why should I spend the extra £22 for the Pro model anymore?

Pro:
https://www.sportful.com/us/men/bottoms ... 50519A-002

2.0:
https://www.sportful.com/us/men/bottoms ... 01319A-002

daniel_b

alexfthe wrote:

Why should I spend the extra £22 for the Pro model anymore?

Because you're worth it?

Description wise they seem near identical, all I would say is that visually from the pics, the pro shorts appear (to my eye) to have a lower cut front, which would kind of make sense.

Sadly though, both are afflicted with a nasty red stripe it would seem

voicycle

Daniel B wrote:

Because you're worth it?

Daniel B wrote:

Sadly though, both are afflicted with a nasty red stripe it would seem

Yes I've actually already received my order and it's not just a stripe, it's a nearly 1mm thick strip of rubber or silicone or something. (Ordered the pro and they're still in the bag whilst I try to decide whether to return for 2.0. At this point I'm not sure £22 is worth the faff.)

daniel_b

alexfthe wrote:

Daniel B wrote:

Because you're worth it?

Daniel B wrote:

Sadly though, both are afflicted with a nasty red stripe it would seem

Yes I've actually already received my order and it's not just a stripe, it's a nearly 1mm thick strip of rubber or silicone or something. (Ordered the pro and they're still in the bag whilst I try to decide whether to return for 2.0. At this point I'm not sure £22 is worth the faff.)

That's a bit peculiar!

Looking forward to trying my 7Mesh Mk3 shorts, but not sure this Saturday will be warm enough :-(

I'd be interested to hear if the pro's do have a lower front.
Lower front works for me when I don't have as much of a tum, but around this time of year I very much do :?

FatTed

Assos or Rapha Bender?
I am looking for a jersey to use in the hot weather climbing mountains, that also has some sun protection, I think that rules out Chpt3 Forbic Lightweight jersey. So should I buy the Assos Equipe Aero Jersey or the Rapha Pro Team Flyweight Jersey? they are about the same price.

bendertherobot

I love Rapha Pro Team but, in the flyweight ones, it's way less stretchy than the normal ones. That said, the normal ones are still very good even in real heat. But, on the basis of really hot (and the need to be a bit stretchy and more comfy) the Assos one. I'd have a look at this is Cambridge though.

daniel_b

Fat Ted, have you considered Ale (4 examples below) or 7Mesh??

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-rev1-mc-cooling-jersey/

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-strada-jersey/

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-graphics-prr-mc-slide-jersey/

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-klimatik-mc-klima-jersey/

FatTed

Daniel, No I don't know anything about them, how do they compare fit wise to Rapha, is the Klima Jersey the coolest?
certainly a better price

daniel_b

FatTed wrote:

Daniel, No I don't know anything about them, how do they compare fit wise to Rapha, is the Klima Jersey the coolest?
certainly a better price

Imo, 7mesh size on a par with Rapha, and Ale I would suggest size marginally smaller than Rapha.

I'll be honest, I'm not sure which is the coolest, but from the description it would seem to be the klima.
I have one of the klimatic jerseys which is their gabba version.

Ale are now my number one for jerseys (I have a smallish collection of their PRR jerseys), they just seem to fit me really well, and the quality and cut appear spot on to me, and if in the sale, vfm exceeds most other brands.
I would suggest if you have a bigger chest they are likely not optimum.

The only item of theirs I have been disappointed with was there mitts, didn't work for me at all.

Only just recently ordered a couple of pairs of their PRR shorts, but unlikely to try them until next spring, they have a job to beat La Passione classic, Rapha Pro team II shorts.
I also recently bought Lusso DRS shorts, and have a pair of 7Mesh mk3 shorts to compare against as well, intrigued to see how that all pans out

Edited to add, this is my favourite hot weather Ale jersey, not sure if there would still be stock anywhere.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-prr-20-piuma-jersey/

I have a couple of the above, as I love it that much, and also the ls variant, jacket and gilet!

apreading

Most breathable lightweight jersey I have found this year (without being see-through) was the Ale Vetta - was also being sold really cheap too. Limited stock around:

https://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-top ... 90164.html
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-vetta-jers ... =100541324

Was fine in the midday Italian sun in August and Wiggle shows it at 3/5 sun protection.

daniel_b

Just to add that for me the Ale jerseys I own all in small, I would compare with Rapha aero jerseys also in small.

Their medium is on a par with Castelli small, in general.

I've just taken a punt on this jersey (xs so may be a stretch too far)
from crc, worked out at £61 (wiggle have it up for £91), as they have their £10 off clearance over a £75 spend, I added on some peanut butter!

Do check crc, bizarrely there appears to be some substantial price differences.

FatTed

I put both of those jerseys in my wish list, the piuma has sold out, might take a punt on the REV1, but its 71 GBP at CRC
what about the Velocio radiator Jersey?

FatTed

Have bought the REV1 and perhaps look for another early next year when the new stock arrives.

daniel_b

FatTed wrote:

Have bought the REV1 and perhaps look for another early next year when the new stock arrives.

What size/colour did you go for?

Looks like my xs in yellow did not exist, as it's been cancelled and refunded.
Have also tried a small in blue, but not my preferred choice.

FatTed

I took a punt on a Large, I have large Rapha and large and medium Castelli. So had to have the Gerbera? coloured one

ryan_w-2

Maap Grade Pro Light: https://www.sigmasports.com/item/MAAP/G ... ersey/HAK5

Hands down best summer jersey, IMHO.

mrb123

It looks like Gore have managed to devise a way of making the Shakedry fabric in some more colours.

There was something on Road.cc about a new limited edition model (that is pretty hideous) coming out but presumably that will usher is some other new designs or colour schemes.

monda

Daniel B said:

alexfthe wrote:

Why should I spend the extra £22 for the Pro model anymore?

Because you're worth it?



Description wise they seem near identical, all I would say is that visually from the pics, the pro shorts appear (to my eye) to have a lower cut front, which would kind of make sense.



Sadly though, both are afflicted with a nasty red stripe it would seem

Maybe I'm odd but I quite like the red stripe.

fatted864

FatTed said:

I took a punt on a Large, I have large Rapha and large and medium Castelli. So had to have the Gerbera? coloured one

Size Large far too small, despite me being smaller than the size table would suggest, do they just cut and paste the sizing table from somewhere else?

liamblack

Cool things, I definitely liked it!

lakesluddite

You changed your name Mr Therobot?

bendertherobot

WTF????

bendertherobot

So, test, can we say Bender?

bendertherobot

No, we cannot say B E N D E R

bendertherobot

That's really 2@y