TS: assos vs rapha vs pearl izumi

let's not forget descente, giordana, or swobo

i like the look and feel of the rapha stuff i've seen, but the assos stuff i'm looking at online (never actually seen it?) seems just the wrong side of euro to me.

i'd probably pick pearl uzumi simply for the market position

On style, Rapha 100%. So classic, so minimal.

On cost, none of them; dear lord.

well i dont see you as a lycra type anyway?

me or laurel?

i'm not. i like classy-looking rapha jerseys, tho. oh and their gloves, yow

Hahah I used to be a lycra type: matching jerseys and shorts, dood. Rain gear too. Not these days, tho.

i meant laurel raving

http://www.army-navy-store.com/images/Logos/sCarhart%20Patch.jpg

get some XL camo cargo shorts with 9 pockets while yr at it

I WILL!...MATCH MY TIRES!
http://www.ridefetish.com/image/blog/2054/000_0007.jpg

I've only worn pearl izumi out of those brands. As I mentioned elsewhere, I pretty much only wear cannibal gear coz I can get seconds hell cheap.

WHERE IS DDB, I CANNOT SEE HIM ANYWHERE.

oh man i saw some dude with furry top tube pad at the bike shop and the guys there were trying to keep from laughing at him

I THINK DDB IS THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC

WANT:

http://www.londoncyclesport.com/news/images/rapha_07_5.jpg

oh i heard about that

oh my

holy... better pix pls? link?

The dude next to us at the Tour of Britain (when we were lounging on the grass watching the racers zoom by) had a Rapha Condor. Chris (aka Porkpie of this parish) was in lusty awe of it and it did look pretty sweet.

Does ILX reduce image sizes these days? Here's a pic of a Rapha Condor, albeit a different model from the one above, taken at the Cycle Show in London a few weeks ago:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/1580877018_03e7b8f529_b.jpg

http://www.campagnolosportswear.com/jspcampagnolosw/index.jsp

NEW CAMPY ONLINE THRD SHOP

i like the "it's always a perfect day slogan" (i prefer assos's "have a good ride!) but could their product line be any more confusing?

looks nice tho

this is pretty !!! to me, can a londoner close to grays inn road hook a yank up?

http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/news/null,282,PNP.html

since my team kit is giordana, that is all i wear these days.

louis garneau and capo forma but wouldn't mind rapha/paul smith action.

what are the best shorts, i think it's time

i only wear bibs tbh

unless its super hot

"made in italy" or "made in usa" are more often than not beacons of quality.

when he says shorts, i think he means bib shorts

gbx it depends on how much you want to spend, really

pearl izumi and giordana are not the most expensive and they make great stuff

yeah that's what i mean

are we talking like $80 for good stuff, at least?

i'd say more around $120ish?

i didnt like the mid level pearl stuff-- the lycra always seemed not stretchy enough, and bunchy in weird places, but ive not had any for a while. i like the better garneau and giordana stuff. i'd say $100 and up.

i got a $75 pair of izumis that do me fine. only put 'em on if i know i'm gonna be riding for more than an hour or so, and not spending anytime sitting around, drinking somewhere, etc

i'm busily kitting myself out atm - had sugoi recommended to me at local bike shop, so got a pair of liner shorts for work commute. omfortable, good padding.

also got a couple jerseys from local brand netti, one on yr rapha-style minimalist tip - white long-sleeved with blue stripe down each arm - and the other solid fluoro yellow so i get seen in traffic, ha.

anybody heard of this derny stuff before? looks classy!

I've been snapping up biking bargains lately, from Twin Six, Giordana, Cannondale, Descente and Castelli:

The world's tightest, and fastest*, jersey:

http://www.shinybikes.com/images/P/castelli-split-due-jersey.jpg

(shaves 58 seconds off a 40km ride at 40kmh)

Some proper nice shorts, half price (were £120 or so) - very comfortable, even after 95 miles:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/descente-spirit-10044-med.jpg

My first piece of Giordana kit - not yet worn but it fits beautifully and feels like a full-on winter jacket (well, for mimsy UK winters, anyway):

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/32188-4.Jpg

And a Cannondale jacket that will serve pretty much the same function - the material contains activated carbon for some reason!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Full/14879.jpg

And the Twin Six top - looks and feels very classy, very light, am very pleased (this is the rear view - front is black, with trim):

http://www.twinsix.com/gear/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/T/6/T609J05b_lg_1.jpg

Anyway, the point was, if you shop around for bargains and aren't too set on specific brands/models, there's a lot of >50% sales right now as stock's being cleared for next year. I'd love to find some properly discounted Rapha stuff but it just doesn't happen, sadly.

I did get 50% off a winter cycling cap from Rapha last year. It was like I'd won the lottery.

Dude, I actually *did* win the lottery when I won a Rapha jersey in a Bikeradar competition. And some armwarmers o_O

The jersey is fucking great, too.

(just worked out I saved* £283 on the five items above)

oh yeah, twin six is local here, and there's deal on it all the time

this is pretty !!! to me, can a londoner close to grays inn road hook a yank up?

http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/news/null,282,PNP.html

Shasta, what specifically were you after? I'm away for a while but could feasibly get to Condor when I get back if you want me to pick something up.

the black "club" jersey (not sure if this is available to the non-Condor Team public) that has the paul smith logo!!! <3<3<3 :*

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs252.snc1/9931_138010253062_90824638062_2703991_4138561_n.jpg

Ah, I'll try and head down to Condor a lunchtime this week (it's only down the road) and have a look for you Steve.

<3ing U

did u get it

Steve, Condor won't be selling them - "it'll probably be through Paul Smith's online shop, but Rapha would probably know more". Sorry to braek haert :(

bummer :(

Hey you can join the Rapha Condor club (GBP40, EUR50, USD60, AUD80) and then you can buy the team kit apparently: http://www.raphacondor.cc/club

riding around in pro team kit is a cardinal sin

or walking

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/500/medium/fat_cyclist.jpg

i think craft makes the best cycling clothing but my team kit is still giordana

still wear craft base layers, gloves, and shoe covers

we had giordana for a couple of years, the shorts we got were very...like, compressive. they lacked elasticity or something, and didn't conform that well. they looked good tho, and the chamois are pretty good too.

Hey you can join the Rapha Condor club (GBP40, EUR50, USD60, AUD80) and then you can buy the team kit apparently: http://www.raphacondor.cc/club

― useless chamber, Tuesday, January 26, 2010 6:21 AM (11 hours ago)

riding around in pro team kit is a cardinal sin

― sir ilx-a-lot (cutty), Tuesday, January 26, 2010 6:43 AM (10 hours ago)

FYI: the club kits are different than the pro kits. i got a club kit and it is doppppppe.

want a new jersey. anyone got suggestions for something that's a) STYLIN' b) not rapha??

mark c pointed out a twin six jersey upthread, i coveted a jersey from that same year but never pulled trigger on it...

http://www.twinsix.com/gear/mens-tech/blackargyle-j#1

this campbell approves

Do you like Solo, H? http://solocc.com/ - I have the Maxwell top on the homepage.

https://www.sharethedamnroad.com/

https://www.sharethedamnroad.com/sites/default/files/3feet.photo_.small_.jpg?1260406337

Would wear this in the UK for the yucks

omg i want one

lolllllll

feelin the belgain hardman vibes here:

http://www.solocc.com/photoBank/product_images/48B8E3B3-802B.jpg

http://www.solocc.com/photoBank/product_images/48BA1A7D-802B.jpg

this I have to have

http://www.woolyswheels.com/shopping/images/cinettica_racer_red08.jpg

ended up getting this in blue w/ the white stripe - it's biting the rapha steez pretty hard, including 'sportwool' fabric, for about half the price!

nice.
wool jerseys: c
wool shorts: d

in 1988 i bought my first pair of cycling shorts and shop guy convinced me that wool was real, spandex was i guess not real. they were nice wool shorts with a chamois chamois, but never never again.

ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I just dropped $700 on my club's annual gear order: 2 jerseys, 1 bibshort, 1 skinsuit (!), shoe covers, 1 vest, 1 rain/windbreaker, arm + knee warmers and gloves. everything's louis garneau at a pretty sweet discount but still... I'm supposed to be saving up for a trip!

That said, there were 2 things i had in the cart and ended up passing on:
+ LGarneau Diamond custom team helmet (with personalization!)
+ light-colored "away" bib shorts... i'm pretty much terror on my dark bibs, light bibs are just asking for trouble.

kinda feeling this though the big bold helvetica just ~SCREAMS~ '00s;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonsincock/sets/72157624096182343/detail/

definitely feeling that. where to buy?

classy imo

who the fluck is bernard

I do like that.

Hinault?

wkiw bernard

haha, while googling the designer [MUST READ]:

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FORMER+L.A.+MAN+PULLED+FROM+THAI+TEMPLE.(News)-a083895413

copyright 1997

if you're interested, leave a comment here: http://trackosaurusrex.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry100610-101639

isn't bad form to wear team kit you don't actually race for

speaking of 00s kit design, search unattached rider

^^^ yes if hunt3r still posted here he would confirm

i don't think that's a team or a club, looks like an independent design tbqh.

is bernard actually a team tho

confirm/deny

it IS an independent design!

oh wait you meant Bernard. in that case: rad!

a quick google leads me to believe that it is an independent design from a graphic designer from LA who once sang Hotel California to authorities while perched illegally upon a tall portion of a sacred thai temple, but has since returned to the USA and taken up CX.

also, teams and clubs usually have sponsors plastered hither and thither across the jerseys, n00bz.

what is worse, wearing replica club kit or wearing nationals/maillot jaunt/maillot rose knock offs?

wearing bib shorts with no jersey, just a big gold chain and medallion.

lol

OMG YOU GUYS

riding out to the fancy beer store with bros last weekend. passed, in procession as a family: a young lady on a cobbled together but decent conversion, her brother on some kinda off the peg hipster fix, lead by their father.

wearing: jean shorts, cheap kswiss tennies, some team jersey I didn't recognize, 80s Oakley, a pushbroom mustache, and one of those ball caps with a braid at the brim/cap jxn

riding: carbon Specialized with DA and f/r HED3 wheels, on white plastic bmx pedals

also: smoking a cigarette

lone wolf and cubs

http://bernardridesagain.com/

if its the first cycling kit from bernard, how is bernard riding again?

is it a liggett-ism w/r/t hinault?

so yeah it's just a graphic designer getting a run of some bespoke champ sys kit, here's the details:

Currently I am putting together a second run for folks - the first one has already sold out. I am taking pre-orders only, and expect the goods to come in around late july or early august. The cut off for all pre-orders will be June 27th. If you are interested let me know and I can add you to the order.

Here are the prices:

Short Sleeve Jersey $70
Long Sleeve Jersey $80
Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey (fleece lined) $110
Wind Vest $70
Bib Shorts $95
Fleece Arm Warmers $35
Lycra Arm Warmers $30
and
Caps $15

On the jerseys you have your choice of the "club fit" or the "race fit", the club fit being more standard and the race fit a bit more snuggy and a little shorter in length.

All the prices include shipping within the US. Shipping out of the country will be an additional charge.

With your order please include the address you would like your items shipped to.

cutty @ 2:05

http://www.rapha.cc/gentlemens-race-litchfield-ct

you guys can finally peep the legs

3:23, team GOP? the fuck is that about

vid is amazing. kudos.

aw now i miss new england :(

feeling some of the twin six jerseys
http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/images/paps/t610j07_lg.jpghttp://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/images/paps/themissandout_large.jpghttp://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/images/paps/Argyle_grey_large.jpg

TS: assos vs rapha vs pearl izumi

you always are streets ahead

mark c tbf!

Love my Twin Six jersey, but you can't wear it with a bag as it pills easily. Would very happily stock up on them if they were a bit cheaper (they're still nowhere near top end prices though).

yeah I'm holding out for a sale on alwaysriding but fear they'll go out of stock in my size before that happens

I get the feeling Alwaysriding is the kind of shop that doens't really "do" sales!

ATTN: SHASTAFARI

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/first-look-rapha-paul-smith-collection--27174

steve, u still rocking polka dots, or are those already 2LY?

loving my new decathlon wind/rain jacket

light, stowable, and waterproof, perfect and only £15

our kit for this year is diagonal stripes which honestly i'm not loving.

haven't touched polka dots since 2008 tbqh (i can't climb either).

i think mondrian style a la Look/La Vie Clair will be big in 2011.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=look%20la%20vie%20claire

rapha sample sale is soon londoners

I'll have 1x softshell and 1x jersey pls, pm for address

You've got an fb message dude.

when? where? Not that I'm there but I can send spies.

right now
http://web11.twitpic.com/img/137709840-f73e38c28e94bce8e1d8ad6dfefcdbba.4c52bec0-full.jpg

Sometimes it pays to be a very fat mantis. Popped in yesterday afternoon and while all the whippets and racing snakes were picking over the smaller sizes, I started wading through the large amounts of xxl gear. Fixed jacket, gilet, swift jersey, merino jersey and winter hat all for less than the rsp of the jacket....

A sub-question to the main one - giordana or santini bib shorts? Both do fat mantis sizes, both about the same decent price. Shame there were no rapha cross ones left at sample sale, would have been perfect.

aren't the shutt pro coolmax bibs reputedly the same quality as rapha?

They are, but about 70 quid aren't they? The other 2 are 45 in The chain reaction sale

ahhhhhhh

I like the giordana kit I have very much, but I don't have shorts. Santini's are supposed to be okay? Maybe get both and send one back (I understand this is how girls shop)?

have ordered one of each, have also ordered some Santini tights for just 25 quid, shame they're bright red.... (all other colours were more)

Sorry about the rogue apostrophe there. And I am very much looking forward to seeing you in red tights :)

sounds a bit uptight
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rapha-Exclusive-Wrapping-Paper-Giro-Pink-/140434931510?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20b292ff36

For all you saddo Rapha-ites who have suddenly discovered the Rapha range in the last year and now must, desperately, buy everything and anything to do with the brand, especially if it is listed as rare on Ebay.
Oh don't you just love that rare ebay tag. The clothing is not rare, it is like any seasonal production run from say any fashion designer, there are limited amounts produced, they come to an end and another season starts. A Picasso is rare, a Rapha Country Jersey isn't.
Hope all of you who bought XL tops and samples at the sale, samples which by and large failed to make it into production because they were crap, get badly burnt - you deserve it.

Rapha - a bit like Apple - you all now stand out in the crowd because you are wearing the same clothing - so individual.

But since you lot can't seem to do without your little Rapha, here's one for you.

It's rare ( ha-ha) Rapha Xmas wrapping paper.
Done in an imitation of the Gazetta dello Sport, the paper is in 'Giro' edition pink and titled 'Ragazzi della Rapha'.
Written in Italian, there are several interesting cycling stories spread across the page.
It really is unique - How can you do without it.
Measurement is 70cm x 50cm

rapha skincare range incoming
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_59gUEMCykpA/TFIBO-0oA4I/AAAAAAAABz0/EVYzQYx9A3U/s1600/20100729-SDIM0377.jpg

lol primark does base layers now

I've been using Nike compression base layers for a while now, and while they make me look like a badly stuffed sausage they really are excellent. Perfect wicking even with the rucksack on, and really comfortable. About 9 quid if you've got a Costco card.

shutt summer clearance goes live on friday, use club10 10% off

^^^^^^^^^^now up

shutt's customer service is ridiculously good

"Hi David

Saw your order in our admin area, did you have a problem or a change of heart?

If you're quick I will get Jess to bung you in a free pair of arm warmers...

Cheers, Pete"

Right, just bought some Shutt pro shorts for £66. They are supposed to be brilliant. Guess we'll see!

@ ShuttVeloRapide Nice Review of the Pro Bibs, there's still some left on sale too! http://bit.ly/dcWiC9 http://bit.ly/bu8IyE #cycling
12 minutes ago via TweetDeck

15% off at shutt this weekend - TDF15

got a jersey, some standard shorts and a pair of socks coming my way

so tempted
http://www.rapha.cc/club-jersey-2010/

really want this TBH

http://www.rapha.cc/tailored-jacket

do I scalp my free rapha tour of britain pack (cardboard face masks, rapha colourway union jack, wall chart) on ebay: y/n?

Nah, we're sticking wallchart proudly on wall. Talking of which, anyone else riding down to London stage of tob?

Yep, flog it Dave.

Aren't you busy that day, Chris?

nope - busy the day before, but not on the Sunday.

oh dammit - it's in London on the saturday. ffs

I'll dave you

anyway new rapha gear up to see on their website. tweed softshell only 400 knicker

local shop had that rapha tailored jacket in thee window last time i was in

tweed softshell looks fab but that price is ludacris

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rapha-Tour-Britain-Pack-/110584938624?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item19bf604080#ht_500wt_939

not me btw

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/09/bikes-tech/tech-gallery-assos-1976-carbon-fiber-aero-track-bike_140221

pretty full-on for 1976!

any UK peeps thinking about getting the rapha 3-pack baselayer for £90? we could maybe do a group buy and cash in for £30 each?

(on deal for the tour of britain, down from £130 odd)

If we weren't at opposite ends of teh size scale then yeah, sure....

you can size up each garment individually so that's not an issue

hmmmmmm now yr talking

have a look at the bundle page. maybe mark c would be interested?

black x-large short sleeved for me (shame they don't do and xx). If needed I can put the order on my card and not drop in a winter collar and maybe a bonk bag, oh no

cool, prob best coordinating via fb if we get a third party

aldssos softshell is really nice, esp for £15

I might be interested in this Rapha threesome. What's the deal you're discussing?

base layer 3 pack down from £130odd to £90, so about £31 each delivered
http://www.rapha.cc/base-layer-3-pack

shall we take it to facebook?

So I treated myself to a Pearl Izumi Elite summer jersey and was chagrinned to discover that Large actually means Large in this case. So if anyone wants to buy a high quality technical summer jersey (black, very simple indeed, only one tiny logo on the chest) for £30 let me know! Would likely fit anyone 5'11" to 6'3" (I'm 6 foot and it's not really too long) and with a 41-44" chest.

(actually, on this topic, I have a whole load of 2nd hand bike kit I'd like to sell - do we think it's acceptable to start a thread about it? I'm enough of a regular I hope!)

Sorry, forgot to say it's been worn once - yesterday - and will obv be washed.

I am switching from Louis Garneau to Castelli for 2011. I've only had a training jersey and bib knickers from Castelli before, has anyone have any sizing tips on their racing gear?

On the small side though not ridiculously so, apart from one long sleeve jersey I have which is admittedly XL but swamps me. If you're usually on the cusp, go for one size up, but if you're a solid, say, large, I think you'll have to try them out.

(hmm, just thinking, if you're racing you'll want tighter stuff anyway so maybe the sizing will work fine for you)

Cozen has made an excellent discovery...

?

my old team went from lg -> castelli a few years ago. my castelli shorts are slightly tighter and very slightly shorter, but their inseams are longer than same nominal size of lg. jerseys were the same in dimensions, tho the shoulder cut of the lg suits me better. xpost

<3 u guys, thx!

I really like my campagnolo Bib. First bib so I don't have much to compare against. However I'd buy another one, if I found another cheap one on ebay.

nothing doing in that department.

I need new tights, actually, my only ones are over 10 years old, too long and have no pad (great for skiing, though.

SHASTA DUDE IM SUCH FOOL MY NEWER KIT IS GIORDANA NOT CASTELLI!!! sorry man.

</3

heartbraek

i got assos 3/4 bib shorts - in lycra rather than 'roubaix' or whatever the assos-speak version is - to try avoid sunburnt legs and also to give off a belgian hardman vibe; price from da internets worked out about even with what you'd pay for a dece pair of regular shorts here in a shop. the praise is justified imo, fantastic fit. still think their jerseys are a bit fug, tho.

Their design is abhorrent, but their quality is unquestioned. Still waiting for Coz to reveal his revelation...

This suspense is like a wet chamois...

I have two jerseys, one Descente and one Castelli, both size small. The Castelli, which is race fit, is perfect at the chest, but very tight at the shoulders. The length is relatively short as well.

The revelation is www.torm.cc so check it out.

Hah - the prices have gone up £5 (ss) and £10 (ls) since I looked on Friday! Bugger!

should I buy this hideous DEVO cycling jersey y/n

http://store.clubdevo.com/store/product/hot-dog-fresh-cycling-jersey

wow

zmg

not just ugly, but also repulsive even

they should do one thats like a halfeaten plate of greasy beans and gravy that has been used as an ashtray

The Torm guy is actually coming round to my office himself to give me the goods. I wonder if he'll also give me a postage refund :)

I have taken my personal delivery. First impression is excellent - it's very Rapha indeed (did they really need the sleeve bands?), proper sportwool, shape seems spot on and it fits very well (and, again, just like my Rapha top fits). Looking forward to wearing it on the way home tonight.

The L is for a chest of 37-42 inches (I'm 39" and it seems perfect) so the sizing guide would appear accurate. It goes up to 46" chest in the XL.

Here you go - here's my review.

wtf
http://www.rapha.cc/rendezvous

some gold in the comments section imo

"When you buy clothing at Rapha you pay for the look, the quality, the brand, the stories and for things like this. People that do not buy Rapha are 'free riders'. They enjoy their stories without making an effort for it. And that's their right, because the prices are high and not everybody can afford that.I'm looking forward to buy more Rapha stuff because I want to look good on pictures they make at the rides I participate in ;)."

"I would think Android users would prefer the Pearl Izumi app…" lolololol

nice but pricey
http://www.cervorosso.com/home

Oh look, it's black, white and red. Sigh.

http://tubulocity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/fat_cyclist.jpg

blow up cycling's refined retrofetishism. im ready for uncut late 80s neon lycra shit, and banning tasteful b/w photoshoots.

my new team's kit is black with red/white detailing. not thrilled about this either. what is it about red that is so prevalent in cycling colorways?

Need to get back to this era IMO

http://www.ileach.co.uk/post/2005/bob/millarpix/Z-team%20Robert.jpg

They are still around!

http://www.zteamcycling.com/sfcity/

ariostea (sp?) had a pretty cool red/gold scale pattern iirc.

i can live without a renaissance of carerra's mock jorts, though

http://www.cyanide-studio.com/forumPCM/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=52

whoa, like scores of team strips depicted by year.

La Vie Claire 4 eva

saw a good LVC-style mondrian jersey in shop the other week - just had look logos on it though.

http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2010/12/16/1/18_600.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3631/89sumaillot.png

http://www.saltedmackerel.cc/images/breukink.jpg
i would kill for one of those late 80's/early 90's time trial helmets -- giro aerohead, early limar, etc. -- i just have no idea where to find them. much cooler than the "sleek" vented ones these days imo

lol giro aeroheads were massive

that came off more dismissive than i meant to do. they were pretty big though iirc.

http://blog.timesunion.com/homers/files/2010/03/GreatGazoo.gif

tempted to buy the very much on-trend rapha snood

Do it, I have one and it really is awesome.

all out of stock except in red :/

...snood?

is that like a thneed?

http://www.education.umd.edu/Depts/EDCI/edci385/Projects101/Rutkowski/pg25.JPG

May have placed a smallish order on the rapha sale.....

Wife bought me some Rapha goods for xmas. Base layer, socks and cap (the real reason for purchase). Came with free beanie. Pretty much all we could afford, lol

One of my super close friends designs all the clothes for Swobo, so I got to dig through his samples the other day. A few jerseys, arm and leg warmers, and some tights (which I'll prob never wear). Stoked.

rapha killing it with their new jerseys

whoah a $65 rapha jersey??? i might have to get that just because it's the only thing of theirs i'll be able to afford

I have only really become aware of this kind of high-end cycling wear in the last few weeks. I follow a guy on Twitter called Tom Staniford who's an Exeter student and Paralympic cyclist, who works for Rapha, and so checked out their website. Their stuff is beautiful, but hellish expensive. Have had a look at the Assos and Pearl Izumi stuff now and I'm not keen at all. Quite like the simplicity of the Torm stuff though - Mark, how's your jersey doing a few months down the line?

Bought some proper padded cycling shorts, Altura ones, for wearing under the regular Carhartt shorts I ride in. Didn't realise I'd been uncomfortable cycling until I got them! Amazing difference.

this will complete your comfort:
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaAR3lhJeVWYnkP1R4jcyjoQ-x6ZH5QZr9xp-3iJLyTgb0FwhAeQ

But only on long rides, you don't need it for sub-20 miles or anything.

The Torm jersey remains excellent - more or less identical to Rapha in fit and quality. Highly recommended.

TS: assos butt cream vs rapha butt cream

not had the cash to fork out for the latter (a pot lasts me a looong while too). But I have a pot of Paceline Chamois Butt'r here at work and it's not even close to as good as the assos.

I've only tried the Arsos. Does a job.

Rapha sizing advice, please - fancy buying a t-shirt (and, in the future, when rich, a wind jacket, and maybe a jersey), but the sizing guide is giving me issues. I'm a solid 39" chest, and thus fall into medium, just, but some of the sizing guide stuff says to order a size larger than you normally would if you don't want a close fit.

What do you lot reckon? I'm 12 1/2 to 13st (currently - was 13st+ until recently) and 5'8"ish.

Nick, I am the same weight and chest size as you (bit taller) and I fit perfectly into a large. It may be a wee bit too long but with cycling gear that's not really a minus. So I'd go for large.

have ytou done the rapha questionnaire Nick? Gets you 15% off an order, but only valid til 17th July.... Can forward a link if you want? (haven't got yr mail address I think?)

Aha, they have emailed me it today, actually. Will get filling it in!

Although, annoyingly, when I click to take the survey it just opens Survery Monkey and shows me my own surveys that I set-up ages ago. Hmph.

Assos bum grease is my favourite.

the code is SURVEY11

http://www.rapha.cc/summer-sample-sale-2011

Chris, Mark, are you attending? I'd love to chuck a wishlist at one of you.

Sorry fella, not me. I don't need more cycling gear (hah) and I'm not up for fighting with a whole load of Freds in fucking Shoreditch for a £60 jersey :)

When you put it like that...

I'll probably pop along first thing on the Saturday or Sunday seeing as it's payday and they tend to re-stock. Also, shoreditch frees don't tend to be fatties so I can find stock. At previous ones there's been all sorts of random samples and v old stock, which is what I go for. The arm warmers with reflective stripes being a good example, no idea where they came from but they're cool.

Would you mind awfully if I chucked a short wishlist and maximum budget at you, then reimbursed via bank transfer?

go for it, not a problem

Meant to say, wore my rapha 3/4 cross bibs for the first time on Friday night, by god they're comfy. Probably the comfiest chamois I've ever sat on.

Bonza, cheers dude. Shall I put my wishlist in here or email it?

let's take it to email: cee pee bee at gee mail dot com

Will do.

Have just forked out for the Rapha stowaway jacket. There's a 10% off voucher if you spend over £115 at the moment so it's taken it down to less than £150 which is a little more psychologically agreeable. I'd have no problem chucking that kind of money at a North Face jacket that basically does the same thing but is heavy as he'll and completely unsuitable for riding in, to be fair.

uh, haitch?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SANTINI-Rosa-Fizik-FLY-V-AUSTRALIA-Spring-GLOVES-S-/150654190196?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item2313b08274#ht_500wt_1058

hahahahahaha

now that's "completely unsuitable for riding in, to be fair."

only just saw this - good lord

legwarmers as Chaps offers many terrifying possibilities.

Stowaway arrived. Almost impossibly thin. Very nice to look at and touch. Gonna ridemin it in a bit and see how it feels.

So much for the Stowaway - Met Office site was predicting grey cloud and light drizzle for Exeter circa 4pm to 7pm, when I was planning to ride. It was actually 20 degrees and hazy, warm sunshine. They're so crap. They're only down the road. The jacket stayed in my pocket for about 20 of the 30 or so miles I did.

you look good haitch

so I ordered a pair of the rapha cycling trousers in the sale - size 38 waist (yes yes, v fat mantis). Took them out the packet, yep, 38 label, put them up against myself and knew there was no way I'd be getting in them. So I gave them to our garment technologist (I'm working for a workwear company at the moment, P4C Br4nds for the benefit of Haitch and the other aussies)she measures them up and they are "an un-generous 36".

Sizeist bastards!

Rapha seems to size down on the bottoms and up on the tops. I currently fit my size 38 Rapha stuff, I didn't 6 months ago.

http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2011/10/ritte_racing_kitte_pre-order.php

god help me i think i want this

http://the99percent.com/articles/7087/Simon-Mottram-On-Passion-Obsession-Why-Your-Brand-Should-Take-Sides

I can attest that Rapha touring shorts are like fucking titanium. Hit the tarmac hard on my right side this morning; hip/arse is grazed and bleeding but the shorts are merely dirty. Likewise the Stowaway jacket; I was sure the right sleeve was a gonner but it seems fine. Just needs a wash.

http://www.rapha.cc/shop/team-sky

The £40/$60 shirt is clearly going to make a mint but I fear they are going to be everywhere.

Good interview with the rapha chief designer

http://www.cyclinginquisition.com/2013/01/from-wind-tunnel-testing-to-washing.html

Best news of all, no podium baseball cap in the sky range, proper cycling cap.

proper cycling caps are for riding. only.

Podium is acceptable IMO

As it happens I need a new cap to replace ultra grungy euskaltel model. I dont foresee any podiums but caps are great for days below freezing. This am at 17 deg F tested the limits of cotton over very thinning hair. :-(