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Rapha launches updated Classic Jersey II with new fabric and lots of other improvements

Lots of changes to Rapha's first jersey, but it's still made from merino and polyester

Rapha first launched the Classic jersey in 2004 (when it was originally known as the Sportwool jersey) and its simple design - black with a white band on the arm - and Sportwool construction has come to symbolise the London-based clothing brand. 

rapha classic jersey II 7.jpeg

This was the company’s first jersey, the jersey that launched the fledgling brand into an unsuspecting cycling world. While the clothing range has expanded massively over the years, and it now sponsors a professional WorldTour team in Team Sky, Rapha has retained the elegantly simple jerseys that the company's early success was founded on. 

And it introduced Sportwool to the cycling world. Most performance jerseys at the time then Rapha was founded were made from polyester, but Rapha introduced many cyclists to a jersey made from a mix of merino wool and polyester mix. At the time, I can remember quite a few people being sceptical about the use of wool in a cycling jersey, but over the years, many cyclists have become fans of Sportwool. It’s soft and luxurious feeling, resistance to wear and bad odours.

Updating a classic is never an easy task, though, but that’s exactly what Rapha has done. The new Classic Jersey II apparently features a dozen changes (one for every year since it launched) chief among which is a new lighter weight RPM150 fabric, the 150 indicating the grams per square meter.

rapha classic jersey II 1.jpg

Rapha reckons this new fabric, as well as being lighter, is more breathable and softer than the previous jersey. It’s still a wool and polyester fabric, though, 39% merino wool and 61% polyester mix.

It has also taken this opportunity to improve the fit of the jersey. It’s now a closer fitting and more streamlined jersey. Some sections (the front hem and zip opening) are now bonded together, rather than stitched. Why bonding rather than stitching? According to Rapha, this reduces weight and bulk. 

rapha classic jersey II 2.png

There are many other changes too, but we won’t list them all. One we like the sound of is the modified rear pockets, which Rapha says provide greater stability (so heavy contents don’t sag the pockets) and there’s a pump loop and stretch mesh in the valuables pocket. 

rapha classic jersey II 1.png

The new Classic Jersey II costs £110 and is available in a men and women’s edition, and a range of colours. 

There’s also a Special Edition Classic Jersey II which is an all-black anniversary edition in, you guess it a plain black colour, including the iconic armband. It introduces some embroidered graphics on the back panel.

rapha classic jersey II 8.jpeg

Not sure if the Classic Jersey II is right for you? Rapha has also introduced a new 30-day trial offer. You can test ride the new jersey for 30-days. If you don’t like it, you can return it. 

More at http://pages.rapha.cc/stories/the-evolution-of-a-classic

Is there a video to go with this release? Course there is. 

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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8 comments

Avatar
Rapha Nadal | 8 years ago
0 likes

Has the pump loop moved for the middle pocket to the right hand pocket then?  Or am I reading that wrong?

Avatar
Broady. | 8 years ago
4 likes

Had my original for about 5 years now, excellent investment, will be retired to the commuting pile now, gonna have to treat myself to the all black one.

Or maybe I should get 18 Aldi / Decathlon jerseys.

Avatar
Vegita8 replied to Broady. | 8 years ago
0 likes
Broady. wrote:

Had my original for about 5 years now, excellent investment, will be retired to the commuting pile now, gonna have to treat myself to the all black one.

Or maybe I should get 18 Aldi / Decathlon jerseys.

Nonsense, I have been using a DHB for 5 years now, still no sign of wear. I replaced the bibshort after 4 years because the foam got too thin.

Avatar
mrmo replied to Vegita8 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Vegita8 wrote:
Broady. wrote:

Had my original for about 5 years now, excellent investment, will be retired to the commuting pile now, gonna have to treat myself to the all black one.

Or maybe I should get 18 Aldi / Decathlon jerseys.

Nonsense, I have been using a DHB for 5 years now, still no sign of wear. I replaced the bibshort after 4 years because the foam got too thin.

and i have a couple of pairs of Assos Mille shorts that are c10years old, pads still fine, the lycra though has gone a bit see through so the last couple of winters they have been relegated to wearing under tights, so your point is?  As a note i have been averaging 7-9k miles a year for the years concerned so they have seen some use.

Avatar
Broady. replied to Vegita8 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Vegita8 wrote:
Broady. wrote:

Had my original for about 5 years now, excellent investment, will be retired to the commuting pile now, gonna have to treat myself to the all black one.

Or maybe I should get 18 Aldi / Decathlon jerseys.

Nonsense, I have been using a DHB for 5 years now, still no sign of wear. I replaced the bibshort after 4 years because the foam got too thin.

I didn't say there were any signs of wear. I just want a new one in a smaller size.

Avatar
PaulBox | 8 years ago
0 likes

laugh

Avatar
amawby | 8 years ago
1 like

will http://internationale.teamjva.com/ be doing an update too!  3

Avatar
Vili Er replied to amawby | 8 years ago
4 likes

amawby wrote:

will http://internationale.teamjva.com/ be doing an update too!  3

 

On a scale of original posts on a Rapha news item that's the equivelent of Top Gear re run on Dave.

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