Which Rapha kit wins the coffee ride?

It’s a deeply rooted tradition meeting at the local coffee shop before a ride. Different bikes lean against the patio railing and entrance window before groups roll out for a day in the saddle. The more traditional road bikes some riders brought are for very different purposes than the adventure bikes with 650b wheels. It’s clear we weren’t headed on the same sort of ride and our kit choices give hints on where we were headed.

Rapha has an ever-expanding collection of apparel that suits all sorts of riding. The Pro Team Aero Bib Shorts and Jersey are lightweight, streamlined performance apparel for fast rides and racing. The Core Cargo Bib Shorts and Core Jersey are mid-tier apparel suitable for weekend warriors and adventures. As we sip our coffees we reminisce about the rides to come.

Rapha Cargo Bib Shorts

by Daniel Walker

Yes, it’s odd to see pockets on the legs of your bib shorts. But so what! We can eschew traditions and look to products that make our riding more fun and more accessible. I know right now you’re probably thinking “why would I need that” and I’m not being facetious when I say “why not”. Storage in your bibs opens up a ton of wardrobe possibilities. I particularly like it on my extended commutes where I would be wearing a backpack but I still wanted to have access to my phone. It also freed me up to just wear a tech tee or wind jacket that blocked access to my pockets.

I found it hard to find anything to say about the chamois in the Core Cargo. I never had any problems and never really spent any time thinking about them during my ride, which is really the best compliment you can give a pair of bibs. The large silicone leg grippers are always appreciated as they prevent any irritation on long rides.

The Rapha Cargo Bib Shorts retail for $195.

Rapha Core Jersey

by Daniel Walker

The new generation of the Core jersey keeps its budget-minded price point but features a much softer material than the previous iteration.It was noticeably softer than most jerseys you throw on and I appreciated the large zippered pocket for my valuables especially on bumpy gravel rides. With its relatively relaxed fit, I found that it was a good option for all-day rides or casual recovery spins.

What I would have loved to see added is silicone grippers on the sleeves. The ribbed arm cuff isn’t uncomfortable per se but it does tend to ride up. Given how effective the grippers on their shorts are I’d love to see a similar strategy employed on the arms.

The Rapha Core Jersey retails for $110.

Rapha Pro Team Aero Bib Shorts

by Philippe Tremblay

Before a fast group ride, a snug pair of bib shorts that are comfortable and performance oriented are exactly what I’ll reach for. Rapha’s collection Pro Team Aero Bib Shorts are a good no-nonsense reliable pair of shorts with just the right amount of tech to make them stand out while keeping a classic design and esthetic.

Designed for racing and hard-riding, the Pro Team Bib Shorts use a high stretch fabric that hugs the body for an aerodynamic profile. It’s not the lightest weight material I’ve ever ridden in but breaths very well, wicks moisture quickly and dries very quickly. There are no extra pockets or features on these bibs that compromise their dedicated performance fit and feel. The seams that join the panels have overlocked stitching with lightweight elastic straps holding the bibs snuggly up. The hem are raw-cut with a direct silicone gripper ensuring they stay in place on fast and long rides. The long cut on the tighs really suit the whole aero feel. The chamois is lightweight and comfortable suiting me perfectly on long rides. When you roll out of the coffee shop with aero bibs on, you mean business.

The Rapha Pro Team Aero Bib Shorts retail for $395.

Rapha Pro Team Aero Jersey

by Philippe Tremblay

To pair with the Pro Team Aero Bib Shorts is the Pro Team Aero Jersey which was developed based on the skinsuits used at the WorldTour level which indicates speed is the name of the game in the design cues Rapha followed. The jersey has a very snug fit and features long sleeves, textured fabrics and raised rubber logos.

Rapha has spent a great deal of time determining where to put the stitching and what fabrics to use on the Pro Team Aero Jersey. The front panel is made from a smooth panel while textured fabrics on the back are intended to ensure wind moves smoothly over your body when pushing through the wind. The back fabric is smooth to the touch in one direction while rough in the other to minimize drag and conform to the contours of your back. Seams that could have caught the wind have been bonded together rather than stitched. The three pockets on the back use bonded tape to support the contents and prevent sagging.

Aesthetically the sleeves look and feel fast but getting them in place wasn’t the easiest. Once on, the jersey is barely noticeable because of its lightweight and exceptional fit. Everything stayed in place and the seams stayed comfortable against my skin for hours. It’s very breathable as well but if you like a more relaxed fit, this probably isn’t the jersey for you.

The Rapha Pro Team Aero Jersey retail for $270.

So before kitting up before a ride, consider what will help you best enjoy the day ahead. While good roads and sociable riding companions help, so too does the kit that best enhances your riding experience.