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

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

MrB123 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Few of us have been trying to get Rapha to admit/deny whether the new PT training is Polartec. They continue to state it's a version of it but don't say why they're not claiming it is (despite being a different proportion). Have hassled them with a more specific question

Is it just me or have your question and the answer now disappeared from the website??

Yes, they were there. But I also had this email.

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us searching for more information to help inform your purchase. On this occasion, we are unable to publish this question on our website but would like to take this opportunity to answer your feedback via email.

Not really helpful, is it! They went on to say:

As stated in the answers, this is a version of Polartec Power Shield Pro, very similar to that used in the Pro Team Softshell Jacket. This version is slightly less water-resistant. The fabric is exactly the same as that used in the old Pro Team Jacket

We know that last statement is demonstrably wrong.

That's more evasive and ambiguous than Garry H!

Took delivery of my Espresso 4 today. Yes Bender - it's quite a different animal as you said. It's noticeably heavier than the Alpha. Higher collar, fleece lining, vent zips, deeper rear pockets, longer back.
It's a medium like my Alpha (now sold) but seems there's a bit more room underneath. I thought the Alpha was a bit on the tight side and not sure I was ever very comfortable with it so tight to the skin - especially on the forearms.
I'll test it when it stops p!ssing down. :roll:

Garry H

Oi! I heard that.

Would find it surprising that a company using a Polartec fabric in one of their garments, would not advertise it as such. I do have a couple of theories about why they would not though.

daniel_b

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

MrB123 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Few of us have been trying to get Rapha to admit/deny whether the new PT training is Polartec. They continue to state it's a version of it but don't say why they're not claiming it is (despite being a different proportion). Have hassled them with a more specific question

Is it just me or have your question and the answer now disappeared from the website??

Yes, they were there. But I also had this email.

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us searching for more information to help inform your purchase. On this occasion, we are unable to publish this question on our website but would like to take this opportunity to answer your feedback via email.

Not really helpful, is it! They went on to say:

As stated in the answers, this is a version of Polartec Power Shield Pro, very similar to that used in the Pro Team Softshell Jacket. This version is slightly less water-resistant. The fabric is exactly the same as that used in the old Pro Team Jacket

We know that last statement is demonstrably wrong.

That's more evasive and ambiguous than Garry H!

Took delivery of my Espresso 4 today. Yes Bender - it's quite a different animal as you said. It's noticeably heavier than the Alpha. Higher collar, fleece lining, vent zips, deeper rear pockets, longer back.
It's a medium like my Alpha (now sold) but seems there's a bit more room underneath. I thought the Alpha was a bit on the tight side and not sure I was ever very comfortable with it so tight to the skin - especially on the forearms.
I'll test it when it stops p!ssing down. :roll:

Sounds like it has the potential to be the perfect item for you then no? At least fit wise.

Garry H

Space for a couple of stoats...

bendertherobot

Garry H wrote:

Oi! I heard that.

Would find it surprising that a company using a Polartec fabric in one of their garments, would not advertise it as such. I do have a couple of theories about why they would not though.

I'm having a constructive exchange with polartec on twitter now. (roubaix.cc) and they are double checking what's going on.

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

MrB123 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Few of us have been trying to get Rapha to admit/deny whether the new PT training is Polartec. They continue to state it's a version of it but don't say why they're not claiming it is (despite being a different proportion). Have hassled them with a more specific question

Is it just me or have your question and the answer now disappeared from the website??

Yes, they were there. But I also had this email.

We appreciate you taking the time to contact us searching for more information to help inform your purchase. On this occasion, we are unable to publish this question on our website but would like to take this opportunity to answer your feedback via email.

Not really helpful, is it! They went on to say:

As stated in the answers, this is a version of Polartec Power Shield Pro, very similar to that used in the Pro Team Softshell Jacket. This version is slightly less water-resistant. The fabric is exactly the same as that used in the old Pro Team Jacket

We know that last statement is demonstrably wrong.

That's more evasive and ambiguous than Garry H!

Took delivery of my Espresso 4 today. Yes Bender - it's quite a different animal as you said. It's noticeably heavier than the Alpha. Higher collar, fleece lining, vent zips, deeper rear pockets, longer back.
It's a medium like my Alpha (now sold) but seems there's a bit more room underneath. I thought the Alpha was a bit on the tight side and not sure I was ever very comfortable with it so tight to the skin - especially on the forearms.
I'll test it when it stops p!ssing down. :roll:

Yeah, in the dim and distant I recall having a large Espresso when I had an XL everything else Castelli. But could still have gone XL. Great jackets IMO

pinno

Daniel B wrote:

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

MrB123 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Took delivery of my Espresso 4 today. Yes Bender - it's quite a different animal as you said. It's noticeably heavier than the Alpha. Higher collar, fleece lining, vent zips, deeper rear pockets, longer back.
It's a medium like my Alpha (now sold) but seems there's a bit more room underneath. I thought the Alpha was a bit on the tight side and not sure I was ever very comfortable with it so tight to the skin - especially on the forearms.
I'll test it when it stops p!ssing down. :roll:

Sounds like it has the potential to be the perfect item for you then no? At least fit wise.

We shall see. I was pleased at the extra weight. I tried it on with just a vest and you could feel the warmth of it immediately Might have to put it on and zip up 2 seconds before the off.

Le Col winter bibs arriving soon...

scott_w1987

Interesting to hear how you get on with them.

4 or 5 guys I ride with use a selection of different Le Col jackets, they all look good. Two of them are former One Pro riders using old kit so they don't really count, but it must be decent enough if they are still using it. I had been tempted to try some of their stuff, but most of it was quite expensive when I last looked!

daniel_b

I have ordered a Perfetto ls, mostly cos I love this colourway:


And also because of work discount, I managed to nab it for £85, just under half the rrp.

I know in theory it is identical to the Gabba, BUT several reviews I have read say it is subtley different, stating it is less roomy upper body, and a slightly smaller cut in general.

I have a small gabba, which fitted me fine when I was circa 67kg, but on the reviews I have people at 72kg claiming large was the right size for them. So have plumped for a medium.
I'm currently 72kg, but am training hard, eating and drinking sensibly, and aiming for 65kg or less by July. We will see.

And if I am left underwhelmed (shame the back is purely battleship grey) compared to the Gabba, or the Alpha I'll just return it.

bendertherobot

I have Castelli stuff incoming, as Daniel B knows. Sorpasso are silly money at Merlin

mrb123

bendertherobot wrote:

I have Castelli stuff incoming, as Daniel B knows. Sorpasso are silly money at Merlin

The windproof ones are currently 86 quid with the code at Wiggle!

Garry H

So is it Polartec or not?

Still trying to decide on a jacket. The lusso looks tempting.

bendertherobot

Garry H wrote:

So is it Polartec or not?

Still trying to decide on a jacket. The lusso looks tempting.

Still none the wiser. He'll get back tomorrow I guess

mrb123

bendertherobot wrote:

Garry H wrote:

So is it Polartec or not?

Still trying to decide on a jacket. The lusso looks tempting.

Still none the wiser. He'll get back tomorrow I guess

Whatever the fabric is, it's pretty impressive.

4°C the other night and very windy. Was plenty warm with just a thin base layer underneath.

bendertherobot

1/2 I have an answer. The composition difference relates to the colour. The MITI fabric that forms the back of the garment…
@roubaixcc 2/2 differs, depending on the colour. Brights use a nylon/poly/elastane mix and Dark colours use a nylon/elastane mix.

So I had to point out I wasn't talking about the back. He's checking again.

bendertherobot

https://www.facebook.com/roubaixcycling1/

We're having a sharing competition on there to win a £25 Rapha voucher code

Garry H

Bender, how stretchy is the lusso aqua repel extreme?

bendertherobot

Moderately. What chest size are you?

bendertherobot

Rapha now say labelling error, not clear whether on new or old.

I remain sceptical and have asked whether new one will now say Polartec.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2017/02/03/cr ... cessories/

kingstongraham

bendertherobot wrote:

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2017/02/03/craft-part-1-the-accessories/

That hat looks great. I've just bought a couple more craft base layers in the sales to go with the two short sleeved that have seen me through the last couple of years. Think they are fantastic.

bendertherobot

It is. I'm lucky enough to have 2 now

bendertherobot

bendertherobot wrote:

Rapha now say labelling error, not clear whether on new or old.

I remain sceptical and have asked whether new one will now say Polartec.

And now, they reckon the new one is Polartec and made from the same material so the web description is about to be changed. That leaves me with a quandary of what to do about my review because, I maintain, it doesn't feel the same.

courtmed

I'm after an orange-ish short sleeve jersey because I'm a little vain and my new bike is orange & grey Not something super lightweight, ideally one that I can wear in summer but also pair with arm warmers/base layer etc for spring and autumn. After finding out the Stolen Goat Intergalatic is out of stock almost everywhere, I'm a bit stuck. Any suggestions?

mrb123

courtmed wrote:

I'm after an orange-ish short sleeve jersey because I'm a little vain and my new bike is orange & grey Not something super lightweight, ideally one that I can wear in summer but also pair with arm warmers/base layer etc for spring and autumn. After finding out the Stolen Goat Intergalatic is out of stock almost everywhere, I'm a bit stuck. Any suggestions?

Orange...

https://www.lapassione.cc/collections/m ... raw-orange

apreading

courtmed wrote:

I'm after an orange-ish short sleeve jersey because I'm a little vain and my new bike is orange & grey Not something super lightweight, ideally one that I can wear in summer but also pair with arm warmers/base layer etc for spring and autumn. After finding out the Stolen Goat Intergalatic is out of stock almost everywhere, I'm a bit stuck. Any suggestions?

https://www.evanscycles.com/clothing/je ... nge-colour
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mens/cycle/jerseys-tops/orange/

https://www.evanscycles.com/bontrager-v ... y-EV289741
http://road.cc/content/review/215403-ho ... rm-warmers
or even: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wiggle-essentia ... -jersey-1/ (dont let the cheap price fool you but not full zip)

courtmed

Knew I was forgetting something - I'd checked Wiggle but not Evans. Surprised how different the stock is! Quite like some of the Ale ones on Wiggle but not keen on having them long sleeve. That Hoy one looks tempting...

Edit - Hoy one is also out of stock as far as I can tell.

Garry H

bendertherobot wrote:

Moderately. What chest size are you?

39", but i'm only 5'7" and weigh 64 kilos. Was hoping to get away with a small.

bendertherobot

Medium I reckon, the large was tight on me at 39.5. It's a smaller size than other Lusso garments IMO

Garry H

Churrs. Will go for that.

Name drop alert: I just bumped into John Hartson at my daughter's school