No Rapha for me, alternative?
 

I wanted a Rapha light weight soft shell. My gf saw the price tag and put her foot down. I have to be good for awhile since she just let me have a new bike.

I love how the Rapha soft shell look, and from the reviews I've read quality is pretty great too. It's funny how the gf had no problem with a $200+ Assos bib, but won't let me get the Rapha. :(

Alternatives? I live in the Bay Area, CA. I want something for early morning to a little night time riding. My winter Performance jacket is warm and waterproof but not breathable enough.

P.S. the one thing I love about the Rapha soft shell is the offset zipper. Something about that asymetrical zipper makes me want to buy it.

I presume you saw this? The price is still a little less nutty than normal Rapha...

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...=SPECIALS&TFC=

Marry her. It will get better.

Get a new girlfriend.

Rapha...pink...:love:

Ibex

i have a Rapha lt. wt. softshell and it is a great piece. i got it for 200$ and feel it's worth the price considering how much use i'll get from it, although i do think most of the Rapha stuff is just too much coin for what it is.
that said i also have an REI Mistral jacket that is an awesome softshell for a little over 100$ (you can find them on sale for 109.00 right now i think). i have one from a couple years ago and have used it a lot. it's perfect for wet rides and cold days. check it.http://www.rei.com/product/761975?vcat=REI_SEARCH

My girlfriend bought me a lot of high end bike stuff, HID lights, $180 shorts... she has no problems when I drop $$ on carbon wheels, carbon shoes, $200 flashlight, s-works stuff, but when I showed her the Rapha jacket, she laughed and said "oh god, that's beyond yuppie, you will never wear that as long as I'm around."

So... the general consensus is that you can get something just as good, if not better from another company. Hell you can pay the same price and get a jacket from arcteryx that'll eat this thing for lunch. BTW: arcteryx has been doing the offset zipper thing for nearly a decade now... don't get too excited over it.

hmm...will have a look around. I used to drool over Arcteryx gear when I used to work at a climbing gym. Even with the pro deal, they were an arm and a leg. But yea, I know what you mean, my girl didn't like the way Rapha looked either.

maybe not.

So we talked and she won't budge. I told her the other brand I was looking at is Assos. Well, SHE picked out the Airjack851 and said I can buy that. Hmm..a winter jacket, it should be ok since I'm only wearing it for the 6 am or earlier commute to work.

what do you know, it does work out in the end.

how does your girlfriend control what you spend...
only wives do that

Awesome. I was going to say Assos anyway.

hmmmm... she said no to an overpriced jacket because it was too expensive but then said yes to another overpriced one that costs double? am i missing something? does it cold enough in the bay area to warrant the 851? you might want something a bit lighter.


rapha isn't yuppie, it's retro. do yuppies still exist anymore? aren't they called something else these days?

she didnt' like the Rapha because she said it's ugly. If it was say $100, maybe she'd go for it. Assos is different, she likes the style and technology behind it. Plus, the Airjack is only $250 shipped, not double.

don't worry, you'll grow to hate her someday. then you can purchase whatever you wish without special permission.

Your girlfriend has your balls firmly in your hand, no?

I mean yeah, there's plenty of alternatives to Rapha, but **** man, make the decision for yourself.

I have a Rapha softshell and wear it on night rides, rainy rides, and early morning rides; easily 4-7 times a week. I get my money out of it and will probably buy another when it falls apart from daily use.

That said, I only buy Rapha stuff on clearance at the end of seasons, especially because I live in the Bay Area and there are no damn seasons so I can wear any of it year-round!

Thanks for the link, I just ordered one. I am doing a century this weekend and the forecast is for mid 50's for the high and rain, probably upper 30's to low 40's at the start.

I hope it fits, I am right on the border between a L and an XL. I ordered the L because I don't want it to be baggy, but I have long arms, so I am concerned about the sleeve length.

Sleeve length probably won't be the limiting factor. I'm 6'4" with long arms and the L was fine in the sleeves, but it was tight across the back and under the arms.

All assuming it's cut the same as the standard softshell.


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I'm not a fan of the Rapha color choices in this jacket, but the assos jacket styling belongs on a sportbike, not a bicycle.

I'm waiting for the stowaway jacket (in green) to go on sale. That way I can be OCP and Fredilicious all at the same time.

http://www.rapha.cc/images/products/...waway_gre1.jpg

?

http://www.worldcycling.com/graphics...Jet-Jacket.jpg

She's dressing you like a Ken doll. Yeah, guess what the Ken doll is missing, too. :)

[QUOTE=JeffS;6610690]Sleeve length probably won't be the limiting factor. I'm 6'4" with long arms and the L was fine in the sleeves, but it was tight across the back and under the arms.

All assuming it's cut the same as the standard softshell.[Quote]


Great, I am "only" 6'2", so hopefully the arm length will be good.

Botto, I love the Assos jacket, and have been watching for one, but nothing for less than about $240. Ouch. I just won't wear it enough to justify the cost to myself.

As a fellow bay area resident, I keep three jackets:
- Assos 851
- Exteondo Irudi
- PI wind breaker

I think you are looking for something like the Irudi, I wear in when the temps are around the 40-50s. It feels like a wind breaker but it has a little bit of lining with a snug fit (European sizing).

More info here:
http://www.etxeondo.com/en/catalogo....=11&p=1&mod=23

I bought it from Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos last winter; I don't know if they still carry it though.

you guys are all half right. it's half she's got my balls, the other half is deep down, I'm not sure if Rapha is worth the money, I mean a Rapha for $200 or an Assos for $250. Spending money on Assos is easy, because I honestly do believe they are worth it. But I tell you what, I would certainly buy a Rapha for $150, which is the price right now.

I ordered one right after I saw the new discounted price last night. She'll give me an ear full later, but I think I've won in the end. Got what I wanted, for the price I'm comfortable with, and the "proper" jacket for Bay Area.

The Assos will have to wait til the Fall/Winter.

the assos models look so stiff and uncomfortable. look at the catalog and check out how they hold their arms.

they don't look very happy either- just what are they looking at?




http://www.assos.com/web_assos_produ...rplus-LL12.jpg



http://www.assos.com/web_assos_produ...l_BLACK_02.jpg


good product though.


;)

incorrect
















You know that wasn't the jacket being discussed.