Any experience with Rapha gear?
 

I am in need of some new bibs and matching jerseys. I ordered some LG stuff but didn't like the new aero sleeves they are going to so I sent them back. Have searched through CC.com for days now and nothing really jumps out at me that I like. Giordana has a couple kits that are tempting me, but nothing that I REALLY want to shell out the money for. The US headquarters for Rapha are here in Portland, OR so I can walk down to their shop and have a great selection and maybe some deals. I really like a couple of their options, but they are pretty spendy. I have heard from only a couple people who have had experience, but both were from my LBS.

Any comments towards durability or comfort?

I'd be interested mostly in the Rapha Pro team kits or even the condor kit (When I say pro team, I dont mean team sky. The bibs and jersey are called pro team)

Durability and comfort are great. Rapha is good stuff, and is cheaper than Assos, if that makes you feel any better. The chamois in the classic bibs is excellent. I've never had any issues ordering from them, and they even throw a few extra goodies in the box from time to time. Nice touch. The packaging and little cool sayings hidden in the clothing and items is a nice touch too.

Rapha has a certain style, which may not be to everyone's liking. However, it sounds as if you like their style, so that part of the equation is solved.

Their bibs are first-rate and made with Cytech chamois. I have several pair of the Classic Bib Shorts, which are made in Italy. I presume the Pro Team bibs are also, but it doesn't actually say that on the web site. When you compare to Assos or Castelli, the prices are also quite reasonable.

I also have several of the Club Jerseys, and these are maybe not such a good deal. In the past, they were made in China and had strange sizes of pockets. However, my latest version was made in Latvia and had nicely done pockets. In any event, the quality is quite good.

Try 'em on and see if they fit. If you like them, then buy them. I have a couple of jerseys and some outerwear, all good in my experience, although as noted the pockets can be wonky and in my case won't fit everything (like a Galaxy 3 in the waterproof pocket), but i haven't tried the lightweight stuff yet. The winter jersey is a perfect weight. Bibs I haven't tried, read a few bad reviews in the past, but likely they'll be fine. I'm just more enamored with Capo these days for bibs and jerseys.

I had capo stuff and though it was nice material, but it didn't fit me the way I like.

Rapha produces quality goods regardless of what botto says. ;)

I've got a number of jerseys, bibs, jackets, and outerwear. Good stuff. My favorites are the Winter Jersey and bibs. These keep me riding down to ~32F. The Pro Team kit is really nice but the lettering on the bibs has started to peel after 2 years of riding.

i'd also look at Castelli free aero bibs

http://castelli-cycling.com/en/products/

I didn't like how castelli fit me. Its like I'm right in between sizes (Med/LG)

What is the chamois condition after 2 years?

I was just on their site looking at the 3/4 bibs in the classic selection. I love the Rapha stuff. I was very skectical at first, so I figured I'd try a jersey or two off ebay. Now I have about 8 jerseys, caps, etc. I do not, however, have any bibs. Mainly just because I didn't need any. Now I'm looking at some knickers for the fall.

The Rapha stuff is great quality, I love the sport wool. I ride it even on really hot days and even with a base layer it keeps me cool. Get some! try it out. See if you like it. If you do, you'll find it very much worth you money.

Have you tried their higher end stuff within the last couple of years?

I had a kit almost 2 years ago. I really liked it but much like castelli, I felt I was in between sizes of MD/LG. Too tight or too lose. Plus it appears that most the call is going to that longer "Aero" sleeve and I hate long sleeves.

Most of the Rapha stuff is also longer sleeved, but I haven't tried their racing fit...

I'm planning on going down to my LBS today To try some on

The quality is good and it will last. They also have great customer service so if there is anything wrong they will replace it no questions asked. Part of the high cost up front. More I ride the more I enjoy the plain black kits.

I really love the plain designs. I was really getting tired of all the multi colored kits, and these are almost retro/vintage looking. Free shipping and free returns if you dont like 'em. Also an exchange plan for next year where you can size down to a smaller size for a discount if you've lost weight.

Wow that's cool!

The chamois is still going strong after 2 years. No compression at all.

Nice. That's good to know. Thanks

I've had my eye on on of their long sleeve jerseys forever.
Just waiting for the right occasion to pull the trigger.

Rapha make the best cycling kit, hands down.

Havent tried it myself (yet) but it looks so damn classy. Thinking about buying a bib shorts and a jersey. Probably should wait a while. Spent enough on cycling gear the last couple of weeks.

Nah, you should TOTALLY do it!!! :thumb:

I do not have experience with rapha, but I've never heard anyone say anything bad about their stuff.

I have many things from them on my "want" list...my problem is cheap bibs and jerseys keep popping up elsewhere and since I'm still relatively new to all of this, it's nice to build up my collection on the cheap so I don't have to wear the same thing over and over. However, I feel a lot of my colder weather gear (if you can even call it that in AZ) will be from rapha.

I am a really big fan of twinsix gear, but I compare their stuff to capo and if capo doesn't work for you, the twinsix stuff probably wouldn't either.

I'm in the same, in between M/L for Castelli (race fit). FWIW, of the several Rapha pieces I have, I have the same in-between size issue, especially the sleeve length on their long-sleeve jersey, and the jersey length for the short-sleeve pro jersey. I also hav a Rapha bibshorts in L, and its fits fine. FYI, I'm 5'10" and about 160 lb.

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.