For 2015 Rapha has expanded its lines of men's and women's gear. BikeRadar has been testing a number of the pieces and here are our initial thoughts — the good, the bad and the ugly.
Rapha has two main styles of jerseys: a casual cut in a merino/polyester blend called Sportwool, and a racier fit in lighter and stretchier polyester. Style of course is a matter of personal preference, but by and large BikeRadar testers have found that while the Sportwool pieces look good, we don't often reach for them in the closet. The thinner jerseys, many of them in the Pro Team family, are the go-to pieces.
Sportwool feels nice to the touch; soft and substantial. You can of course ride long in it - a few testers have done six-hour-plus rides in the Brevet Jersey — but the fabric is noticeable heavier when dry and definitely weightier when damp than polyester. Also, the quarter-zip on some of the Sportwool jerseys can make them pretty lousy for really hot days. Like with any clothing, your intended use determines the merit of the piece, but here the range seems limited.
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Women's Clothing
BikeRadar's Kristen Legan (pictured here) took second place at this year's Dirty Kanza 200, a 200-mile dirt and gravel-road slog through the expanses of Kansas in the US. Her bibs of choice? The Women's Souplesse Bibs. "They are super comfy for long rides," she said. (Aside from the DK200, Legan was one of six women to ride the entire 2012 Tour de France route as part of the women's Rêve Tour team, so she knows a thing or two about long rides.)
The blue Souplesse jersey has earned some high marks for its good fit, functional pockets and stylish looks.
Men's Clothing
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