Tim spent months riding in Rapha’s top tier endurance kit to understand if it makes a difference to big days in the saddle.

 

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The phrase ‘big days in the saddle’ is probably overused and it’s definitely entirely relative. For me, a big day is less about the distance or the effort, but about the time.

Time makes a few things more important: comfort, as the hours stack up; storage, for food, tools, and more food; and, in my opinion, aerodynamics.

That last point might not matter to everyone. Loaded bikepackers with rigs weighing 35kg each might already be planning on slow going, and stopping to pull what they need from numerous bags.

I generally prefer to go fast and light – think, trail-runner-with-a-running-vest amount of gear – but still stay out all day. It’s remarkably easy when riding remote backroads (gravel or not) to go hours without a place to resupply.

 

Pulling up to set up camp (we were 1km from the pub but the ride was remote!)

 

Traditional cycling clothing doesn’t quite take this into account, but the Brevet range does. In fact, Brevet is the French word for a long, self-supported ride over a fixed route. The starting distance is around 200km.

I managed 100km a few times, including a gravel biking race, general road riding, and a bikepacking trip from Sydney to Berry. Plus I basically lived in the gear for my weekly rides – here’s what I liked and disliked about the range.

Brevet Cargo Bib Shorts III

The bib shorts are the hero item of the Brevet range. ‘Cargo’ bibs are basically bibs with pockets, and this model packs in four (a regular bib short will often have none). They’re also the lightest bib shorts Rapha has made.

 

Updated grippers on the thighs never moved while riding

 

The two leg pockets are awesome. The elastic is tighter than I’ve seen on other bib shorts but still holds a phone or about four gels. I wear these for my weekday rides too because it’s like having normal pockets on your pants – not sure I can go back.

 

If your gels don’t match your bibs what are you doing?

 

Up in the small of your back there are two more harder to reach pockets. I’ll admit, I barely used the open meshy one, but the zipper one was the perfect place for my keys or AirPods case – no bounce and super secure.

 

Rear pockets are good for long rides or ones without a jersey. Potentially would prefer two zippered pockets though

 

As for the chamois (that’s the padded bit), it’s a dual-density Endurance Seamless Chamois and it’s been very impressive. The decrease in chafing has been really noticeable, and there feels to be a touch more shock absorption on the rough stuff.

You’d hope so though, because at $445 this is a very expensive bit of clothing.

I actually already have Rapha’s Brevet Element Cargo Bib Shorts, which are much more affordable at $260, so I can confidently say that the money does make a difference. A $185 difference though? I’m not sure.

 

Day two, roughly 140km deep on gravel and still not chafing, impressive!

 

Lachie at the Rapha store convinced me to follow a sizing approach called ‘the smallest thing you can possibly fit into’, landing me in a medium instead of a large. This helps to stop the chamois from riding up into your butt over the course of a long ride.

The premium Brevet bibs are also noticeably keeping their shape too – likely thanks to the premium Italian fabrics (with recycled yarns). If you’re riding big and often, they might be worth the splash.

Brevet Lightweight Jersey III

While I was enamoured with the bib shorts, I could probably take or leave the Brevet Jersey. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice, cool and durable, but it’s just a little frumpy and didn’t seem quite different enough from other cycling jerseys, which almost universally have three pockets on the back anyway.

 

Decent jersey, nothing too exciting here

 

The big differentiator is the rear cargo pocket. The idea’s good in theory, a huge pass-through pocket on top of the regular rear pockets with zippers on each end, allowing you to store a jacket (or a baguette, if you believe the marketing photos).

In practice I just found it kind of hard to use, especially while riding, and it looks kind of awful sticking out on top of full pockets. It feels comfortable, thanks to mesh under the pockets designed to allow airflow, but I can’t imagine not just using a top tube or half frame bag if I needed this kind of storage.

 

It’s pretty goofy looking when it’s full

 

The material does breathe super nicely, despite being a bit thicker and more durable than other cycling kit I’ve used. I didn’t have concerns I’d wear it out by throwing on a backpack like I do with other lightweight jerseys.

Colour choices are black, dark olive, or dark green (with yellow highlights), and it looks like they’ve added a bright purple. I like the two large reflective lines, and they catch the light really well, but it just looks rather plain for a $310 jersey.

 

I do like the yellow highlights on this colourway, and it’s durable

Brevet Wind Gilet III

A gilet is a little wind resistant vest that keeps your core warm, and it’s a gamechanger in winter. I wore the Brevet Wind Gilet thing every ride, often whipping it off and storing it in a single pocket once it warmed up.

 

I like the gilet, it popped more than the jersey

 

Obviously it’s not the only gilet that can do that, but I do think it nailed the brief. There’s a big mesh section over the pockets to avoid trapping too much heat, there’s a two-way zip that always worked one-handed (for temp regulation when climbing a big mountain and then bombing down the other side), and even a little stowaway pocket that it packs into (being real, I never really bothered with this).

 

A frosty morning in Nelligen that heated up and had me stowing the gilet in my jersey pocket

 

One criticism is that when you start to go over about 40km/h it would flap loudly around the shoulders. Potentially dropping a size would solve this, but I think it’s just a consequence of a somewhat relaxed fit. Still, would be a great one to fix.

Brevet Packable Backpack

This backpack was the first thing that caught my eye from the whole Brevet range. Packable backpacks are normal, Sea to Summit and Osprey make some great ones – but as expected this one’s cycling specific.

 

Cute and eye catching – packs up into the palm of your hand

 

It sits nice and high on your back, away from your jersey pockets, and it’s outrageously small when packed up. The main use case seems to be loading up with soft drink, pastries, and lollies, and transporting them to somewhere more scenic than a servo carpark to eat. For a piece of gear I often forget is in my jersey it’s a nice storage booster. I’d get this over the jersey for your big adventure days.

Testing is hard work

The bag sits high on your back, avoiding your jersey pockets

Men’s Merino Lightweight Base Layer

This riding singlet isn’t part of the Brevet range but I got to try it out and it’s probably the best bang for your buck of any item on this list. For winter riding there’s a noticeable extra bit of warmth on your back and chest than a synthetic baselayer singlet, but it regulated my temperature nicely once temperatures got into the 20s too.

 

The merino is super breathable but holds onto warmth well when it’s covered up

 

It also doesn’t get stanky like synthetic, which is useful for multi-day missions where you’re pulling the same kit back on each morning.

Brevet Socks

Look socks are pretty simple but these ones were pretty great for cycling. Extra padding where it was needed, extra breathable where it wasn’t, and a little reflective Rapha logo. Also surprisingly low on odour come day two.’

 

The sun sets on day two in the socks, no issues

Go Ride Long

I reckon the thing that most excites me about all of this gear is that it’s being made at all. Gravel biking and bikepacking is having a moment and brands are starting to get behind that with gear aimed at not just performance, but the entire adventure of pedalling in remote places.

Whether you’re attempting an actual brevet or simply getting way out there on the bike, Rapha’s Brevet range is an impressive option. It’s held up to hundreds of kilometres without wear and adapted to the day at hand. I’d recommend heading in store to one of their Clubhouses if you can to dial in the perfect fit.

 

Feature photo by @heatoburrito

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