As the temperature is starting to drop, and the days are getting shorter, Rapha has launched their all-new City collection which blends style and function to create to create pieces that look good on and off the bike. With reflective touches becoming more and more widely used in the industry, the English brand has worked to incorporate them into their designs without screaming cycling dork to the world.
One of the new features is called the SignalCuff. It is a hidden reflective inner cuff that you can use to help make yourself more visible in low light conditions. The outer cuff can be folded back while riding or kept down for off the bike activities.
“We wanted our City garments to function throughout an urban environment, whether on or off the bike. Our solution was to incorporate reflective elements that can be tucked away when they’re not needed and to utilize our highly-tuned race fabrics in an entirely new manner.” – Alistair Smith, Product Designer.
New items to the line include the special edition Reflective Crew Neck and Reversible Wind Jacket. Rapha offers a full range of tops, bottoms, and outerwear for men and women to complete the line.
The Reflective Crew Neck is a limited edition of just 75 individually numbered pieces. It’s made from a reflective, non-scratch cylindrical yarn and a light breathable merino wool. The weave on the back creates a mesh pattern that helps to regulate heat when riding. The gray body features a fine black stripe and the SignalCuff black outer cuff and reflective pink inner cuff. There is also a small hidden pocket for valuable. Being a limited edition piece, the Reflective Crew Neck will retail at $450.
For those without Team Sky level bank accounts, the Reversible Wind Jacket provides warmth and visibility, with an option to keep a low-key look when off the bike. One one side, the black jacket has subdued reflective Rapha logos on the chest and tail of the jacket. The other features the brevet colorway in navy with reflective white and hi-viz pink stripes to increase visibility. Regardless of which side you wear, the wind resistant fabric will keep the breeze out while the lightweight microfiber insulation will keep you warm. This versatile jacket retails at $285.
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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