I am riding in 34 degrees on the coldest mornings. I live in a hilly area, so there are a lot of climbs and descents during even a short ride (so I go from hot to cold quickly). I am cost conscious, but will pay for quality if it means I will save $ on avoiding repurchases later.
BIB TIGHTS- currently leaning toward the rapha classic winter tights because of the free repairs, the high quality, and to match my other rapha stuff. Would like to try out the castelli nanoflex stuff if it came in tights instead of chamois-included bibs. I prefer the idea of tights that lack a pad so that I can buy only one pair of tights that I can wear all week, while only needing to wash the bibs I wear underneath. Would prefer a level of waterproofing, but will not likely go out in rain if it is less than 45 anyway.
GLOVES- Tried a pair of Craft Siberian gloves last year, and had a bad experience. They were plenty warm, but the windproofing was horrendous so my sweaty fingers froze. Rapha does have a new glove system, but it is pretty costly and I feel like I could do better (or as well) for less $. Would prefer less bulk and more wind protection on the back of the hand, as I feel like extra insulation only makes me sweat and increases the likelihood of my hands actually getting colder.
BASE LAYERS- Rapha actually does well, price wise here, for a merino wool long sleeve at around $80-95. All other merino base layers I see are around that.
JACKETS- the guys at Rapha actually recommend the Pro Team Jacket over everything else they sell. My other option is the Castelli Gabba jacket, which a ton of people wore during the Giro this year. However, my focus is less on water resistance and more on wind resistance/heat retention and I am not sure which is better for those concerns.
Anyone have anything that they love?
BIB TIGHTS- currently leaning toward the rapha classic winter tights because of the free repairs, the high quality, and to match my other rapha stuff. Would like to try out the castelli nanoflex stuff if it came in tights instead of chamois-included bibs. I prefer the idea of tights that lack a pad so that I can buy only one pair of tights that I can wear all week, while only needing to wash the bibs I wear underneath. Would prefer a level of waterproofing, but will not likely go out in rain if it is less than 45 anyway.
GLOVES- Tried a pair of Craft Siberian gloves last year, and had a bad experience. They were plenty warm, but the windproofing was horrendous so my sweaty fingers froze. Rapha does have a new glove system, but it is pretty costly and I feel like I could do better (or as well) for less $. Would prefer less bulk and more wind protection on the back of the hand, as I feel like extra insulation only makes me sweat and increases the likelihood of my hands actually getting colder.
BASE LAYERS- Rapha actually does well, price wise here, for a merino wool long sleeve at around $80-95. All other merino base layers I see are around that.
JACKETS- the guys at Rapha actually recommend the Pro Team Jacket over everything else they sell. My other option is the Castelli Gabba jacket, which a ton of people wore during the Giro this year. However, my focus is less on water resistance and more on wind resistance/heat retention and I am not sure which is better for those concerns.
Anyone have anything that they love?