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New Rapha Circle of Death Jersey, Plus Rapha x Camelbak Podium Bottle

Rapha Circle of Death merino wool technical cycling jersey
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Rapha Circle of Death merino wool technical cycling jersey

Rapha seems to pump out new goods almost weekly, most of which we really like. The latest of these fetish items is the Circle of Death jersey, a merino-technical fabric blend with a fitted yet classic cut that pays homage to “the infamous Circle of Death, the loop of Pyrenean mountains that contains the Col d’Aubisque, Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde and the mighty Col du Tourmalet – all of which feature on the route of this year’s Etape Acte II, Pau-Luchon.”

Sleeves are a bit longer with finely ribbed graphical bands as a nod to retro cycling jerseys. Rear pockets get a button closure, front is a 1/3 zip and side panels help tailor the fit. The buttons are a red and yellow circle meant to imitate the Lammergeier’s eye, a bird of prey common around the peaks of the Pyrenees.

Rapha Camelbak podium bottleIt’s no secret we’re fans of the Rapha lifestyle, what with their Continental rides inspiring us to just keep taking lefts to see where we end up or riding to a friend’s lake house for a long weekend. We’re also big fans of Camelbak’s Podium water bottles because they’re the simply the best water bottles available.

Here, if lacking in Rapha’s signature understated flare, a simple combination of the two. Although they offer a non-standard black bite valve, they’d have to be insulated and pink for us to endorse the price premium of $8 over a standard Camelbak Podium bottle. Until then, if you’re willing to swallow (pun intended) the lifestyle charge, you could just fill it with pink sports drink.

The Rapha Bidon’s are available in 21oz ($15) and 24oz ($18). For that, you do get a story to tell: Did you know that Camelbak’s bottles (or any screw top bottle for that matter) are not allowed in the pro peloton? The lids need to be pop-off style so that if a rider runs over one, they’ll pop off and crush rather than bounce the cyclist and potentially cause catastrophe.

Turns out that’s urban legend, confirmed by the product folks at Camelbak. Story was originally relayed in Rapha’s quasi-PR-ish-conversational emails about their products. Anywhoo, the all black lid is sweet. Cheers.

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Micah
Micah
11 years ago

Complaining about a lack of bidon flare? Sure, pink would be sweet, but keep in mind the insulated version has less volume; the opposite of what you might need on an epic Continental Gentleman’s Race 🙂

Superstantial
Superstantial
11 years ago

That thing about pop off tops isn’t remotely true. Either you, or Rapha, need to take a look at any photo of a Garmin rider from last year’s TdF or this year’s Giro.

craig
craig
11 years ago

too bad Ralpha got the wrong altitude on the Tourmalet detailing (it’s 2115m not 2114m as printed on the collar).

Chris
Chris
11 years ago

So does Camelbak provide special pop-off Podiums to Garmin-Barracuda? Because I’ve seen them using Podiums during races.

RJ
RJ
11 years ago

There’s no statement on the type of tops a water bottle has to have – please do some fact checking

http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTkzNg&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34033&LangId=1

CBontheEVO
CBontheEVO
11 years ago

I generally think Rapha does a nice product, but this jersey is a joke. Other than the bland “colorway,” those pockets are a joke. So this jersey is to commemorate the epic CIrcle of Death, but you couldn’t fit thwo gels those pockets. This jersey is for the lawyer who’s going to get dropped on the first hill of the local club ride.

IJBCape
IJBCape
11 years ago

What is with the colors at Rapha? Reminds me of a Hojos waitress shirt.

Topmounter
Topmounter
11 years ago

I may actually be inclined to drop the 200 beans for that jersey if I ever ride that route.

Gillis
Gillis
11 years ago

While I don’t mind the styling too much, the orange-diamond pattern on the sleeves reminds me too much of Team Garmin colors from a few years back. Also, while the button might be “cool”, actual usage would show it to be a pain to deal with on the bike, heck even off the bike.

Champs
Champs
11 years ago

Knowing the fit of Rapha, it’s almost worth it, but the colors are wrong for me.

BTW, Camelbak doesn’t make the best bottle anymore. The Specialized Purist is everything you love about the Podium, but just as soft and easy to lock as a traditional bidon (while keeping the sealed valve).

hoe
hoe
11 years ago

the signs along the climb state 2114m, that on top 2115m., so who is right and who is wrong…

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