Winter Jacket

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ianeverton
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:28 pm

by ianeverton

After a good winter jacket for the bike, have looked at a Rapha jacket (approx £190) and a couple of Castelli jackets (£160-£200) but not sure, it is a lot of money to spend so want to get the choice right first time.

Your thoughts and experience would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ian

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Rick
Posts: 2034
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

One of my favorite jackets is actually a very old and cheap-looking team jacket that is light genuine wool blend with a wind-breaker material on the front. It was made by "Decca" in Belgium. (They really know how to dress for cold-weather cycling).
I then layer appropriate to the temperature with polypropylene, etc under the jacket.
I have had a few more expensive and fancier jackets, but they all eventually wore out, or were actually too warm for putting out any real effort in cold weather.
A lot of ventilation seems to be key. You shoukld actually think "this jacket isn't quite warm enough" when you start the ride.

by Weenie


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taina
Posts: 115
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:17 pm
Location: near Seattle

by taina

I've had my Endura Fusion jacket for about a week. Riding around 45 F with the underarm vents open and one layer underneath, it's very comfortable, not too hot and certainly not too cold. I'm hoping that with two layers underneath and the vents closed it will be good down to 25 F. It's cheaper than some alternatives. Without prompting, my wife told me it looks good.

voodoojar
Posts: 618
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:50 pm

by voodoojar

I commute year round on my bike so I have a little spreadsheet with what to wear at what temp. From 30f-60f I wear an Endura Windchill jacket. As the temp approaches 30f I add in one of those new fangled lycra long john shirts underneath and a t shirt. below 30f I wear a mountain hardware compressor jacket. I need the spreadsheet or I end up leaving the house with way too much on and sweating after a couple miles and end up colder.

ianeverton
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:28 pm

by ianeverton

Thanks for all the comments so far, most appreciated.

Zitter
Posts: 575
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:12 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

by Zitter

just bought this jacket except in navy blue

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -10-37353/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

from ebay for 70$, figured it's worth a shot


http://www.ebay.com/itm/150675016376?ss ... 500wt_1413

roadman
Posts: 231
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:56 pm
Location: London

by roadman

Etxeondo :) Best stuff

inthedrops
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:01 pm

by inthedrops

What are the temps like where you ride? Below 60 I may wear a 100% synthetic long sleeve base layer and a short sleeve synthetic jersey. Below 50 I might wear a heavier wool jersey and add head and leg protection. From 40 to somewhere in the 30's a wind proof barrier might be added. From 35 and lower is where jackets start coming into play.

I have a couple jackets. One is a cheaper Castelli that I recently grabbed from Bonk town. I wore it once so far for 30 minutes in 35 degree weather and it was plenty warm (possibly too warm considering my base layer). I also have a pretty old Pearl Izumi jacket that is thicker than the Castelli and fits more like a coat than a jersey (it even has zippered side pockets instead of jersey pockets). The two layers I mentioned plus the one PI jacket work well below 20 degrees with the possible addition of a scarf on the really cold days.

Jackets don't seem very useful until you get at or near freezing temperatures.

ty-ro
Posts: 666
Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:15 pm

by ty-ro

I have a Rapha rain jacket in the grey color from this year and like it. This year I am going to try the Castelli gaba jersey with the water repellent arm and leg warners, I like clothing to hug the body as tightly as possible and jackets seem to flap a lot.

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Dov
Posts: 445
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:45 pm
Location: London

by Dov

Get the Rapha Classic Softshell. Best jacket out there.
Brooklyn Gangsta V4 with DXR
Cannondale CAAD 10 Track
Cielo Classic Sportif U8000
Cinelli Supercorsa DA9000
Colnago C64 R12
Concorde DA7800
DeRosa Nuovo Classico SR12
Eddy Mercks Corsa Extra Ch12
Felt F1 DA9050
Trek L500

Long time supporter of Rapha
Strava

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Roobay
Posts: 1886
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:19 pm
Location: On Pave

by Roobay

Assos 851
Rapha Softshell
ExteOndo

All good and recommended in UK winter weather :mrgreen:
i like people... i just can't stand assholes

limba
Posts: 956
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2003 4:24 am

by limba

The Rapha stuff is awesome. I prefer it over Assos, Giordanna, Sugoi, Gore, etc, etc. Assos is very well made but a bit too "superhero" looking for me. Also I didn't like the neck cuff on the 851. Rapha is very casual looking. You could almost wear it off the bike. I've had the black Classic Softshell and Winter Longsleeve jerseys for two years and I love them. The new Grey Softshell and ProTeam Winter Training jackets also seem nice.

Gregorio
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:24 pm
Location: Center of the Universe

by Gregorio

Assos Airblock for when it is really cold and nasty!

I feel bullet proof when I were mine

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MattSoutherden
Posts: 1376
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:22 pm
Location: London

by MattSoutherden

I bought an Endura Stealth softshell last year and it's done great service.

I don't know what kind of riding you're doing, but I use mine for commuting, and winter training when it's cold/wet (and when it was snowing last year in London).
Snacking on carrot sticks - Where did it all go so wrong?
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Finsbury Park CC

gwilliams
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:27 pm

by gwilliams

Another vote for the Rapha Classic Soft Shell. Combine with either their long sleeve or winter jersey.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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