Designed to win Grand Tour Stages: a look at Rapha's new aero jersey
There’s a well-known LBS in Toronto that was among the first to sell kit from a then London-based start-up long before clubhouses and communities became a thing. I bought my first jersey from them in 2008 - an Italian country jersey in signature merino with the tricolor armband. Mint. The sleeves were short relative to today’s cuts, but it looked dope and it just worked. I still have it, actually; every year when I bin old kit - even if for one or two rides - I won’t cut it loose on account of its now vintage status.
Eleven years on and several kits since, I was stoked to get my hands on Rapha’s new aero jersey the day before a recent trip to Spain. Out of the pack, it’s very considered relative to what’s been produced in the Pro range before. If you read my post on Huub Wattbike from May, you’ll also know I’ve been covering Coefficient of Aerodynamic Drag (CdA) for another project. Rapha invested in aero big time here, so I was doubly stoked to ride it and form some opinions of my own.
The jersey features a dual-fabric construction, smooth fabrics, bonded seams over the shoulder and elongated sleeves to shift air away from the body. The back panel is a super smooth fabric that again works to eliminate drag. There’s quite a bit else going on with the jersey’s aero characteristics - probably more than any single individual will need or care to know about - but we push on nonetheless.
Other interesting features to note: the compression sleeves, a very sturdy rear zipper pocket and three deep rear pockets, all of which make the jersey functional + race ready.
The jersey + bib combination was not included in the company’s CdA testing (gutted about that one) however the aero jersey is a true replica of the top section of the skin suit, says Rapha’s head of design, Maria Olsson. (If you’re racing and really want to limit drag, get the skin suit.)
Relative to the Classic kit range, my Italian tricolour probably wouldn’t hold up against this one in a tunnel. Based on the fabrics, design, fit & precision of the aero jersey in combination with the pro team bibs, the jersey will produce a lower CdA than the classic jersey & bibs, hands down. There really is no comparison there.
To develop the jersey, Rapha went deep, doing a huge amount of market research, exploring theories with experts within the field of aero dynamic science, defined parameters for the end use and purpose of when the product needs and can perform at its best and what will benefit the team the most, wind tunnel testing of materials and textures and more.
For these reason, riders who may or may not be professional cyclists will like wearing this jersey. I’ve found with a lot of aero-specific non skin-suit kit, you tend to look a little ridiculous wearing it off the bike. If I ever test ride any, it’s in the summer months when I’m typically running leaner and generally not the kind of kit you want to pull up for coffee post club run. Inevitably the jersey is too short or too tight, exposing that bit of flesh between bibs and the jersey’s bottom.
Yes it is compressive. Yes it is the tightest fitting of the Rapha range. But it is also one of the best to ride in. And thankfully it is not one of those jerseys that’s looks so aero you feel like sausage casing off the bike. Quite the opposite, actually.
Rapha has built a winner in this one. A functional racing jersey that succeeds on account of its versatility, and not just its race readiness. The elongated sleeves are likely to be your only knit here (if you generally go in for Rapha’s form and monochromatic designs); once you settle in to a nice steady pedal, you’ll see they’re quite functional and comfortable to ride it, as is the jersey holding them together.
(Disclosure: Rapha sent me this kit at my request to review and I’m going to hang on to it cause it’s awesome. There. I feel better).
