Rapha Pro Team Base Layer- Review

Pro Team Base Layer- Rapha

Rapha is a company I have a lot of admiration for, the clothing they make tends to be of a high quality, if a little expensive, and they set themselves high standards of customer service along with that. So when I received a sleeveless pro team base layer (they come in short sleeved and sleeveless options) for a present I have to admit, even though I previously had never bought into wearing base clothing, even in the cold, I was intrigued to see what Rapha had to offer. 

I'm glad I tried it out because now I never ride without one. The material covering the main body of the garment is made from a polyester mesh whilst the shoulders and side panels are lycra. The mesh is so light and breathable that you hardly notice you are wearing it in the hotter climates it's made for and the mesh wicks away sweat to keep you cool. I tried riding with and without one on a hot day (one of the few we've had in the UK this year) and even with the temperatures hitting 30 degrees I felt much the cooler with this base layer on. Another feature worth mentioning are the designs on the front of the base layers, 'MERCI ROUBAIX' on the short sleeved variant, replicating Franco Ballerini's farewell scrawl on the front of his base layer in the 2001 edition of the race in northern France and 'VOUS ÊTES DES ASSASSINS' on the sleeveless shirt, in honour of Octave Lapize's slight at Henri Desgrange up the Col d'Aubisque in 1910. The designs in my opinion look good but I'll let you be the judge of that...

As great as these base layers are I wouldn't risk wearing one past summer as they really don't bear up well in cooler temperatures. Plus, there's always the Rapha price-tag to go with these and at £40 and £45 for the sleeveless and short sleeved versions respectively, it's pretty steep. Although don't let that put you off, they're high quality and long lasting so you'll get your moneys worth. Furthermore these are 'race fit' so they are meant to be tight, I've read other reviewers complaining about fit but I don't understand that when Rapha clearly states that they're going to be a tight fit. The lycra panels do help  the material stretch but the polyester is pretty rigid, so if you're in any doubt go up a size.


Author: Michael Evans

http://www.livestrong.com/article/340002-what-bicycle-gear-numbers-mean/

First Bike Review- Pinarello FP Uno

Pinarello FP Uno, Simplified:

Now, I'm new to all this bike reviewing stuff... But I think that's a good thing, I think that I can bring a different approach to this review seeing as I am currently unable to drive a car, I am someone that demands a lot from my bike when I need it and I need it to stand up to being taken apart, shoved in people's cars and then taken out the other end, put together and ridden like new again. 

All that said and done, I thought I'd review a entry-level to start with. A cheaper than most, good to start out on or for those of us without a big budget, bike. My bike. The Pinarello FP Uno. I've had the bike for the entirety of my cycling life and ridden almost one thousand miles on this machine. Some might say I'm biased given that the bike belongs to me and I'd tell them that they're right, although not completely. I am aware that the bike is an entry level bike and not exactly the lightest of two-wheeled vehicles, at 9.4kg (20.7lb) for my 58cm bike and it doesn't have the best performing spec (Shimano Tiagra 10-speed groupset and Shimano R500) out there.

Also with an extra kilo on the competition entry-levels you'd expect it to plod a little more, especially up hill, its also worth noting that the heavier aluminium chassis have a reputation for feeling uncomfortable and hard. So when talking to others about how the bike felt when they've borrowed it or riding it in comparison to others' bikes I was happily surprised by just how well it handles. It is certainly robust and tough, the fact that I haven't broken it yet with how I treat it attests to that, but when going over broken tarmac, the vibration is minimal, and it practically flows over normal road surface. The MOST Ewiva AF which although somewhat budget items they perform well and have a decent volume for 23mm, and the tyres offer a supple and forgiving ride which complements the frame’s tight feel. Some will undoubtedly be put off by the FP’s weight and specification, despite its obvious charms; slick paint jobs (Team Sky version available), clean lines and the Pinarello name. Judging this bike by it's on-paper spec does it a disservice though, as it’s an exciting ride. Just because the main frame material may be considered a bit last-decade, that doesn't mean the ride is dated. Lighter and smaller riders might benefit from choosing a lightweight carbon bike over the FP, but if you’re taller or stronger than the average road rider then the Pinarello would make a very clever choice, and considering it was up for bike of the year 2012 in Cycling Weekly tells you a good deal.



Author: Michael Evans

Hello- Introduction

You're starting a blog..?

Thanks to a little more than gentle push (thank you) from my girlfriend and her Dad this blog has come into existence. I am a cyclist, those who are snobbish and only believe that their particular form  of cycling (mountain, road, basket on the front) is the best and that you have to be 'something' to call yourself a cyclist, I have no time for. Rather, I believe that anyone who picks up a bike, any bike, and rides it, for fun or competitively, is a cyclist. I am part of the road cycling 'clan', clad in lycra and attempting to go faster and further than everyone else and attempting to look as 'cool' and professional as possible whilst doing so. However, I am not what you would consider 'serious' though, and am not some older gent, sage and wise in the art form of road cycling, with a bank of infinite knowledge and experiences to share. Nevertheless, I ask too many questions, talk a little bit too much and have the capacity to become a little bit obsessed by something when I have decided I am interested in it. 

For me that obsession is cycling. As a quick note, I have not been interested in cycling for all that long, around seven years, and I feel that if I have questions, surely others do too?  The aim of me whittling on about cycling on this blog is to (try) and answer some of those questions that I have, and hopefully you do too, and I would like to start creating the afore mentioned bank of knowledge and experience and telling you all about it along the way.

On recent rides with friends and especially a charity ride, I was struck by how many people participating were fans of cycling but thought they didn't have the time or money to expend on making it into a fully fledged hobby/pursuit and how many of them were new to the sport and just starting out and were riding on their own, trying to work out things for themselves because they were too nervous or they thought they weren't good enough to join in group rides or join a club. I also hope with this blog to dispel the rumours that cycling is a very expensive sport and also to help any who are like the latter of the people on the ride with me, those who were nervous to ask the first questions.  

So, for any questions I find myself asking in the future andd writing about or if you find yourself having some that aren't covered in 'Cycling Weekly' or any other sources of information you have, please do read this blog and maybe you'll get some answers. Thanks.

Author: Michael Evans