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TECH NEWS
Rapha goes aero with new Pro Team Aero Suit and Aero Jersey
Rapha’s Pro Team range, race clothing developed with a lot of direct feedback from Team Sky, has been expanding quite a bit in the last couple of years, and the latest release sees the London-based clothing company focus on aerodynamics with the new Pro Team Aero Suit and Pro Team Aero Jersey.
Pro Team Aero Suit
The highlight of the new Aero range is the new Aero Suit (£230). It’s been three years in development and you might remember that photo of Chris Froome modelling in a very lightweight version of what has now developed into the Aero Auit, and getting sunburnt, last summer. Fortunately the production Aero Suit uses a slightly less meshy fabric, but it’s still a much lighter weight, and stretchy fabric than is used in the regular Pro Team jersey.
The Aero Suit essentially blends the Aero Jersey and new Pro Team Lightweight bib shorts together, to create a one-piece outfit that is provides the aerodynamic advantage of a skinsuit while offering the versatility of a regular jersey and bib shorts combination. It’s a style of outfit that has proved quite popular since Castelli first introduced its SanRemo Speedsuit a number of years ago.
As well as the one-piece design offering a flush fit, the shoulder seams have been moved right back behind the shoulders so they’re out of the airflow, the idea being to reduce drag across the top of the shoulders. The pockets are a new design and sit very flat, when empty, against the back. It’s an intricately designed garment, with stretchy mesh side panels and a smart one-piece shoulder and arm design that reduces the number of seams in this complex area. The fabric is treated with Coldblack technology and there are headphone/race radio cable loops.
The Aero Suit is available in an all-black colour, or the very bold Data Print design, as modelled by Peter Kennaugh here. It’s a very striking design, it’s definitely a departure for Rapha from what we’ve seen from the brand in the past decade. Data Print was designed by London-based Accept & Proceed, who took ride data from Peter Kennaugh’s participation in the 2013 Tour de France and produced this visual representation of it. The chevrons represent the stages and display the intensity and suffering level of each stage in the length and height of the chevrons.
Using this Data Print design is a new Lightweight Cap, Pro Team Base Layer, Pro Team Socks, Arm Screens, Essentials Case and Bidon.
Pro Team Aero Jersey
The new Pro Team Aero Jersey (£130) is basically the top half of the Aero Suit without the shorts attached, if you prefer a regular two-piece clothing approach.
It uses the same lightweight fabric with mesh side panels and one-piece shoulder and arm sleeves, with the shoulder seams pushed back out of the airflow. There are the same flat three pockets and Coldblack technology.
The Pro Team Jersey is available in three colours and six sizes, and costs £130.
More at www.rapha.cc
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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10 comments
XXL, so basically Spanx for fat MAMILs
wonder if they will offer this in sizes above M then if its all about aero
looks like Rapha are running out of idea's!
...but not revenue growth or willing customers, interestingly.....
Wish my own business could do as well whilst I run out of ideas...
I'm about as aerodynamic as a weeble...but I do like this new stuff. I like the data print, but also like the idea of a totally black stealthy onesie...maybe that'd flatter my somewhat blocky shape...or maybe not....might have a go at the jersey alone...and see if I can shave 1s off my current 20mile time...
Based on the images provided, it appears Rapha is suggesting that these garments will give me an aero advantage when Im riding in the heart of the city? Am I the only one who thinks aero advantage is not best suited to riding amongst slow moving cars and waiting for traffic lights to change? It all seems a bit out of place.
@midschool.
Crit racing would be a situation where aero advantage is viewed as useful and they often happen in city centres, like the terrific Red Hook Crit that started in Brooklyn and now takes place in Barcelona and Milan. Many racers in these events wear skinsuits and aero helmets.
That said, my comments are only useful if you insist on taking a very literal view of rapha's photos. i.e. only use this kit where we show pictures of it.
You seem to be a bit literal about the idea. You're not a 'Rapha basher'? Are you?
The kit looks good. I grew up in HK and love the back drop. Kennaugh must have been sweating like a cheese.....
Wow! Labelled a "Rapha Basher" for simply questioning the concept of the marketing photography provided by the brand that prides its self on being highly conceptual in the first place. I don't think its unreasonable for any brand pitching a new line of product that they consider "aero" to provide consumers with pictures of the product in use that reinforce those claims. We all expect it from helmet brands or bike brands, but all of a sudden if Rapha (or anyone else) do it we should now all be fine with a guy cruising around a busy city? If that makes me a basher then I will gladly accept the title.
As for crit racers I don't dispute that they might benefit from all things aero, but the images provided of a rider in traffic hardly constitutes the flat out speed and pace of the Red Hook Crit (which is coming to London this year by the way).
In my humble opinion Rapha dropped the ball on this one. Im not saying the product is bad, Im just saying I have come to expect more from them when they launch a range with claims as bold as an "aero" advantage.
@midschool. It's perfectly obvious that he is cycling to the crit race....it's just out of shot. Happy riding