TS: assos vs rapha vs pearl izumi

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. :-(