I just got back from going to my LBS to try them on. I have mixed feelings. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the bib shorts (pro team)!! Holy comfortable! I can only imagine how comfy they are on a ride. The jersey's on the on the other hand, I wasn't a big fan of. I dont like the feeling or look of the wool or polyester feeling of the jerseys. SO, I would have to go with the pro team jersey if I wanted that lycra type of material, which comes with the longer sleeves, which I hate. BUT, as I inspected the jersey, I could EASILY have the sleeve altered to have that extra 2 inches taken off to make it the standard length. After the stripe on the sleeve, it is an additional material sewn on anyway, so I believe it would be no big deal to do for an alterations shop that knows what they are doing. I also really dig the vest (the pink). looks like I will have to do some saving up here, because I have always loved their jackets after borrowing one from a friend once. Thats like a $1000 in gear to get the bibs, jersey, vest and a jacket!!! :cry:

Rapha....

Best customer service. PERIOD. Of anything I have ever purchased online. Excellent speed, and unfortunately, I needed to take advantage of the free crash repair service. Absolutely amazing.

For the quality of the clothing...impeccable. I have the light summer bibs and a super light summer jersey. At first I thought the material on the super light jersey felt cheap...then I rode with it...amazingly comfortable...

Thanks for all the help fellas! Picked this set up. Its more simple than I'm accustomed to but they look really nice and classy when on and paired together. The shorts are ridiculous comfy!!

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...27605309-1.jpg

I saw that kit and thought "maybe" but it didn't look like it had a zippered waterproof cell phone pocket....

I rarely bring a phone with me anyway so that isn't a factor. If I do, I seal it in a zip lock bag and its good.

You're not going to get one of these?

https://sphotos-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/h...54035493_n.jpg

What jacket?

Whyfi-no I'm not though I did see it at the rapha headquarters. No likey.

Gjc-what jacket are you questioning?

Love their gear, I want some pro team stuff but right now I just buy their classic bibs and I'm working on my collection of special edition jersey, which I love the detailing of.

Does the stuff ever go on sale? And if so, where?

does the local store there ever have sales???

Competitive Cyclist used to put Rapha on sale once a year...I just checked and they no longer carry it, so I imagine Rapha cut them off...

Occasionally, Rapha packages some stuff together and gives a slight price break...but I've never wanted everything in one of those "deals"...

Suggest signing up for Rapha emails, you'll at least get notice when they put something on "Sale"...

Rapha have a clearance section on their web site where they sell out of season stuff. Obviously, the selection is limited, but you can save some money if they have your size.

My LBS never has it on sale, but as jay olsen mentioned, they do have a clearance section on the site.

And if you wear an XS or an XXXL, you can probably get a really good deal in the clearance section, if not, well...sold out!

have several of the jerseys and merino short and long sleeve base layers. it all fits well.
the superlight jersey is a fave along with the merino wool base layers. the merino stuff
performs as advertised. worn it in 105 degree temps and it worked great. haven't splurged
on the bibs as i've been happy with the castelli ones.

they did have a 15% off entire product line coupon code for answering a questionnaire recently. it was valid
for about 2 weeks.

I've purchased size M and some accessories on clearance. Like any clearance sale you have to get in right away for best selection.

I love the Rapha stuff. Since I tried my first jersey hesitantly, I now own 6 short sleeve jerseys, 2 long sleeve jerseys, and 2 jackets. I'll probably get a pair of the bib knickers this fall, but I haven't tried their bibs yet.

Rapha, a British company, certainly seem to have had some success in a short period of time

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/colum...dia-Rapha.html

Crazy to hear all the rave reviews about their durability. I bought about 18 items before I gave up and got rid of almost all of it because of the terrible luck I had with it falling apart extremely quickly. Great materials, fantastic design, terrible construction. Everything seemed to come apart at the seams, lots of parts weren't even finished properly. Really wanted to love their product but can't justify shelling out that kind of money for such low QC.

For all those who might be wondering I'm 5'10" at about 165-170 lbs, I never dry my items and I laundered all my Rapha on gentle in wash bags with cool water. I'm super gentle with my clothing and have never had such problems with Capo, Castelli, Pearl, Giordana. I will admit I'm incredibly critical of clothing but it got to the point that my girlfriend started giving me hell when I'd continue to buy Rapha gear.

Their only redeeming quality is their support crew up in Portland, those guys are first rate, too bad they can't build them like their Portland crew repairs them in the first place.

Luckily I live about 10 miles from the portland headquarters. :thumb:

Those guys up there are RAD.

I will say I have had almost no issues with my club jersey, essentials case, merino base layers, socks, my pro team jersey and classic jersey. I'd consider those items again.

Good to hear since I just bought the pro team kit.

Used that jersey non stop last summer in the mountains on long days in 85-110 heat, was washing it by hand in the sink so I could use it again the next day.