I can't bring myself to go Rapha and as for Vulpine's oh-so-ironic special needs offerings like something Roly would have worn in Grange Hill, it's just not me....
I need a smart jacket for the day in London, where I ride everywhere. It needs to be smart enough to stroll into the club not looking like I've been body-dipped in hi-viz goo, but also be at least a little shower proof, breathable and nor too chunky.
Something in tweed would be nice
Are there other brands I ought to look at? Just off to the Howies site now..
The Club??
What like a working mens club? They'll be plenty of Hi Viz in there!!
Try [url= https://www.swrve.co.uk/collections/jackets ]swrve[/url], not got any of the jackets myself so can't comment but i do own an old pair of their 3/4 wwr shorts that are pretty decent
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Just your normal clothes?
Cheers somafunk
Swrve looks interesting although still a little special needs.
I wish bigdummy were still around. He had some style and an enviable wardrobe for this stuff.
What like a working mens club? They'll be plenty of [s]Hi[/s] Viz in there!!
Not as funny as it used to be.
Some alternatives at Always Riding...
https://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/for-the-rider/downtown/urban-cycling-apparel.html
your normal clothes?
You've clearly never seen his usual attire....
I see ! But why does it have to be cycle specific ? Your choice of course just wondering. I used to cycle to 'the club' in my normal clothes when I lived in that there Hackney.
[url= https://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/for-the-rider/bodywear/cycling-jackets/chrome-ike-windshirt.html ]chrome windshirt?[/url]
Cycling cap 8s a must.
Assert your style which a rakish angle of your choosing.
[url= https://www.pelagobicycles.com/store/clothes/jackets-and-raincoats.html ]pelago[/url] always seem to do urban quite well.
Busted emailed you, but summary: Don't write-off Rapha, Howies good, Swrve also good (again can only vouch for shorts).
Cheers Moe
Ideally I'm after something with a natural fibre finish (wool, cotton, canvas etc) as opposed to synthetic plastic fabric
Bigdummy used to have a very tidy green tweed riding jacket. Cut for cycling is important, longer cuffs and rear hem. And ability to zip/button the collar high for the worst weather.
Kinoko has some interesting clothing every now and then...
Pedal Ed has some slightly more "challenging" urban wear
albam sometimes do some cycling stuff
Lancashire Pike make a ventile "Classic Cycling Jacket"
Maybe sir should look at [url= http://discerningcyclist.com/ ]Discerning Cyclist[/url]?
Not sure who makes them, but I saw some quite nice cotton canvas style jackets, one looked harrington esque, that had lights built into them, but in a very subtle way. Pricey though
Or something from Barbour?
Nice one aP, that site should provide a rich seam of quality clobber.
Doffs Italian shrunk wool cap...
Dammit aP, that Lancashire pike jacket is perfect. And sodding expensive! Will have to chew on that one...
[i]You[/i] have dismissed Rapha, of have [i]they [/i] dismissed you.. 😉
This may be a touch long for a bicycle...
Grenfell Despatch Rider coat
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Good grief. I'm not Herr Flick!
for jacket/shirts (they're like jackets for your shirts!)
try finisterre
http://www.finisterre.com/shop/mens/clothing/mens-outerwear/mens-jackets/mens-gravis-jacket.html
and McNair for wool, corduroy and moleskin
http://mcnairshirts.com/shop-2/
Ooh. like those McNair shirts....
fjallraven ovik trousers and jacket is the choice of older northern gents, who dislike cycling clothes.
[url= https://www.foxwilson.com/clothing/jackets/ludgate-tweed-jacket ]suit you sir ?[/url]
Good grief. I'm not Herr Flick!
I don't know - that style of thinking seems quite de rigeur at the moment... Maybe the Gestapo look will be the in thing come next season?
Here's what Fiddy wears in da club...
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Grenfell Despatch Rider coat
You'd need a helmet to go with that jacket...
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you see the problem there with Mr Fiddy's ensemble is that is it not cut for cycling and that cap would fly off my head when I bimble down North Carriage Drive.
Klunk. Lovely garb, but a little too far on the side of formal.
Im afraid none of that finisterre or mcnair stuff is doing it for me.
oops no longer available
The Arcteryx range has some nice city stuff.
The Arcteryx range has some nice city stuff.
Im trying to avoid the Dr Evil look
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I bought a Sombrio coat a few years back with the intention of using it for riding and "going in da club". I don't think I've ever worn it riding, but wear it as a waterproof coat loads.
So Sombrio. Mines black, but this one's nice
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Not sure about the elasticated waist on that actually. But there are loads more. Difficult to google at work cos their lady models appear to have lost their riding shorts..
their lady models appear to have lost their riding shorts..
*goes off to check*
Anyway, this is the Lancashire Pike one that Im currently frotting over. So if anyone can find something similar that doesn't cost the annual GDP of a small African nation, Id be most grateful.
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Interested how clothes look special needs? Not your finest hour!
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The Lancashire Pike jacket looks great but their sizing is really strange. XS size has a chest measurement of 108cm
Are you trying to be funny or do you take delight in being offensive?
The XL is huge
If you are going to frot over them, make sure you don;t get splinters from that coatstand.
The Lancashire Pike is a fairly close copy of the old Greenspot Nomad, which looked out of date when it was being worn by cycletourists in the 1980s and before.
If the main appeal is the Ventile fabric, why not get [url= http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Cycling_Double_Ventile_Jacket.html ]a more modern style interpretation [/url]which is probably a far better product in design, cut and features by Hilltrek (a company which makes clothing for outdoor activities, rather than wannabe hipsters). Review [url= http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/hilltrek/review.html ]here[/url]. It is also much less expensive than the Pike..
I had some nice smart wool trousers my mum altered to make them more bike friendly. I.e consider buying a jacket you like that is non bike and get it altered to a better cut.
If you can find the [url= http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/city-rain-jacket/product/URJ02XXDFGLRG ]Rapha city rain jacket[/url], it works well and is very discrete (in the fig or the Paul Smith Black version) - and [url= http://road.cc/content/review/50916-rapha-city-rain-jacket ]reviewed well.[/url] I wear mine more off the bike than on.
If you want tweed, [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Coats-Jackets/57988/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=hacking+jacket ]just get a hacking jacket.[/url] They're designed for riding horses so they'll do for riding bikes too!
[url= http://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk/collections-rtw-cycling/ ]Tweed, you say?[/url]
drlex - why couldnt I find that coat on the rapha site under jackets?
Its not a bad one, even for Rapha 🙂 Goes on the shortlist anyway.
hebden - I love a good tweed hack, my colleague tends to wear one so I wouldnt necessarily want to go to meetings with both of us looking like we'd tumbled out of Brideshead Revisted. But they're also quite bulky and hot. Im looking for a year round outer shell really, that I can layer underneath if needed.
slowster - that hilltrek looks interesting but there's something about it that's too "casual/sunday mtb ride" about it
That Rapha rain jacket is strangely tight under the arms. I ordered one and exchanged for another but they were both the same. I've never had that with a jacket so not me 🙂
well, it's late, and that price on the rapha is very keen at £140, so I've put an order in. They also do my "size" in XXL, although the sizing guide is hardly massive at 45" chest. 90 day return so will see if it fits. Ol' JoB of this 'ere parish seems to like it, so I'll knee cap him if it's shit.
http://road.cc/content/review/50916-rapha-city-rain-jacket
I can't believe you fell for Rapha. You'd be black balled in my club for that.
Is disappoint
Ah, you bailed in the end.
Hope it fits you, some of the sizing is meant for lean folks,
i may be wrong, but that rapha jacket looks like a pretty thin soft shell to me.
i have 2 soft shell jackets that claim to be waterproof. they are not.
1 is a northface apex. it is brillant tho at keeping you very warm when wet. it cost £80.
1 is a decathlon quecha one. it is thinner, good for cold dry days. it cost £30.
like i said earlier, cycling clothing is fashion led crap that is nowhere as near as good as outdoor clothing.
it's a bit spendy, but this Cafe Du Cyclist jacket looks pretty good.
[url= http://www.cafeducycliste.com/city-cycling-clothing/brigitte-city-parka-grey.html ]Parka[/url]
I have that Rapha city rain jacket, its great. Definitely not a softshell, it's a hard shell with a few bits of lining. Waterproof, but not that warm, which is fine if you're riding. Wear it off the bike a lot too.
Look, I'm a huge Raphafanbouy you lot should know that by now.
But the soft shell you have ordered isn't very thick, it's a little thicker than the original rain jacket and that's just a single layer. I'm sorry but you will be a bit sweaty, it's a little less breathable than the rain jacket and that is because the sheen on the outer layer is non breathable. It's a nice item, but it's really a riding jacket.
This however is lovely, I have the navy one and it's really neat, tailored and breathable and so nice to wear. It's a little pricey but well worth it if this floats your bike.
However, at this price there are many more nice jackets out there that would do the same thing, for less, and still look tailored when you get off the bike.
[url= http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/wool-wind-jacket/product/WWI01 ]Rapha Wind Wool Jacket.[/url]
agreed largman
bb - that's not going to keep me dry now is it!
the rapha city jacket isnt quite as natural fabric-y as Id like, I agree, but it's a rain shell, not too thick, smart and assuming it's big enough in XXL I can fit a pullover on underneath.
[url= http://www.henrilloyd.com/olmes-rwr-tweed-consort-jacket-m002102-arb ]what about a sailing jacket [/url]? they can have a similar cut to cycling stuff and tend to be waterproof if not very breathable.
it's arrived.
anti-rapha sentiment aside, it's bloody well made.
The cut is excellent, and even with a mid weight fleece on, the XXL has got plenty of room for me with a 46" chest. The burgundy colour is nice and subdued too, so wont show up grime and dirt nearly as much as fluoro jacket. Pleased with it out of the box. Will see how it fares in foul weather.
Cool, the subdued colourways are lovely ..
Well done!
In before the sell-out to LVMH... 😉