Rapha - did I miss something?

omri · 13-03-2014 01:40AM #1

So what's the story with the Rapha stuff. Tbh I only heard bout them after seeing team sky after TdF and checked it out today for the first time.

Is it something "one must have" or is it one of these crazy expensive brands that well not sure who can afford ?

Checking their prices - well not sure if I could afford replacing my "cycling wardrobe" - given the fact that, all the cycling gear I have was purchased back in 2006 and replaced just few bits over the years. But maybe these were different time and I didn't mind throwing away €150 on windstopper or whatnot... can't remember now tbh..

Wishbone Ash · 13-03-2014 01:46AM

omri wrote: »

.... or is it one of these crazy expensive brands that well not sure who can afford ?

Half the fixie couriers in Dublin are modeling Rapha. Either there's serious money to be made delivering packages or Rapha has gone the same way as Burberry etc.

happytramp · 13-03-2014 02:01AM

Apparently it's now a 'lifestyle choice' or something.

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nak · 13-03-2014 07:17AM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Half the fixie couriers in Dublin are modeling Rapha. Either there's serious money to be made delivering packages or Rapha has gone the same way as Burberry etc.

They're not couriers, they're fakengers. Don't know any couriers in Dublin wearing Rapha now. Some did wear Softshell jackets a few years back when the wages were better and the jackets were on sale for €80. A lot of the couriers don't even wear cycling clothes. Some of the London couriers wear Rapha because they were testers and got the clothes for free.

I love Rapha clothes, they make the best women's clothes in my opinion and anything I've bought (mostly on sale) has lasted me years.

Harrybelafonte · 13-03-2014 08:01AM

Amazingly good quality gear best bought in sales. Bit like Assos.

The espresso cup with logo seems to have become standard fare, with Jess Varnish's dad getting on the wagon too. The V Sprint cups may be nicer.

You wanna make money, target the richer aspirational market.

ROK ON · 13-03-2014 10:12AM

Rapha is nothing more nothing less than a brand.
It appears to be very successful in defining a category and being absolutely committed to chasing it.
I spend a lot of time assessing companies and their strategy, and Rapha is a model in that regard.

Everything from order through to delivery down to the store in London is consistent with the strategy and delivery of that strategy. My impression is that Simon Mottram is an exceptional business person.

Ole Rodrigo · 13-03-2014 10:22AM

It is an excellent company. I had dealings with customer service recently and the service was so good I thought I'd made a new friend afterwards.

Lumen · 13-03-2014 10:25AM

ROK ON wrote: »

Rapha is nothing more nothing less than a brand.

You can't wear nothing more than a brand, unless you actually brand yourself. Rapha design and sell clothes. They're a clothing company, which has a brand.

omri · 13-03-2014 10:40AM

Lumen wrote: »

You can't wear nothing more than a brand, unless you actually brand yourself. Rapha design and sell clothes. They're a clothing company, which has a brand.

I have to say having looked at their products they do look tempting and I like a lot of them - unlike the prices. Now since Ive been off that market for a while now Im not sure what value (quality/price) does rapha represent. Is it like apple of cycling clothes ?

And is it euro cyclist acceptable?

ashleey · 13-03-2014 10:44AM

Rapha is nice stuff but it always makes me think of that Top Gear sketch where Clarkson has to keep trimming his facial hair and changing his tie so that he would look in keeping with his Audi TT.

Pinch Flat · 13-03-2014 10:49AM

Their stuff gets good reviews generally and a lot of boardsies happy with it. Personally I can't justify the cost €200 on a jersey is crazy money - there's better value out there

shutup · 13-03-2014 10:59AM

nak wrote: »

They're not couriers, they're fakengers. Don't know any couriers in Dublin wearing Rapha now.

Do these guys just cycle around town pretending to deliver packages?

If you get paid to deliver stuff you are a courier.

mp31 · 13-03-2014 11:02AM

I have their rain jacket (only bought it coz it was half price) that I wear every day - good windstopper and keeps the rain out.
I'd like to get the winter jersey but can't work up the courage to spend 190 yoyo's on the thing.

Bristolscale7 · 13-03-2014 11:02AM

happytramp wrote: »

Apparently it's now a 'lifestyle choice' or something.

Indeed--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poseur

nak · 13-03-2014 11:11AM

The jerseys aren't as expensive as €200. I have found that a lot of the cycling brands have gotten more expensive in the last couple of years and are now in the Rapha price range for the decent stuff. Not quite sure why the new Assos bibshorts are €350. Crazy money.

My club jersey was €65 and the quality is ****. I have had Rapha jerseys for 6 years or so and they're still going. Would highly recommend the jackets too, not so keen on the shorts, chamois is not for me.

nak · 13-03-2014 11:15AM

shutup wrote: »

Do these guys just cycle around town pretending to deliver packages?

If you get paid to deliver stuff you are a courier.

They just cycle around town dressed like couriers. I am one of these people, as my husband bought me a messenger bag and some of the clothes I wear commuting are his hand me downs from his courier days or Rapha

rollingscone · 13-03-2014 11:23AM

I have one solitary item of Rapha kit (a Winter hat I bought from LPB/for LPBs charity auction) it is currently my single favourite item of clothing, so comfortable, it ended up being my do everything hat for the whole of the winter.

Lumen · 13-03-2014 11:24AM

I saw someone this morning wearing what looked like Rapha bib tights (red stripe down the calf) and some sort of Rapha/Sky jersey.

He looked smart (fast/smooth), fit (skinny) and a bit of a gimp, all at the same time. That's the problem. Rapha gear (of which I own several pieces) has essence of MAMIL deeply woven into the fabric at an almost molecular level.

It's not just a function of price - Assos is just plain expensive but doesn't have the same vibe.

It's a function of utter pretentiousness.

Ole Rodrigo · 13-03-2014 11:26AM

If you cycle a lot, most of their gear will justify the cost as it tends to wear well, especially if you get it on sale or through ebay.

mp31 · 13-03-2014 11:32AM

Lumen wrote: »

I saw someone this morning wearing what looked like Rapha bib tights (red stripe down the calf) and some sort of Rapha/Sky jersey.

Was he riding a black Boardman carbon bike... if so he's another one of my 'commuting friends' (who all seem to be a *lot* faster than me). He wears Rapha because it's the most comfortable gear he has found over the years.

rollingscone · 13-03-2014 11:42AM

Lumen wrote: »

I saw someone this morning wearing what looked like Rapha bib tights (red stripe down the calf) and some sort of Rapha/Sky jersey.

He looked smart (fast/smooth), fit (skinny) and a bit of a gimp, all at the same time. That's the problem. Rapha gear (of which I own several pieces) has essence of MAMIL deeply woven into the fabric at an almost molecular level.

It's not just a function of price - Assos is just plain expensive but doesn't have the same vibe.

It's a function of utter pretentiousness.

This made me spit my Rapha (tm) Espresso all over my Rapha, limited edition suede placemat.

ROK ON · 13-03-2014 11:44AM

Lumen wrote: »

It's a function of utter pretentiousness.

... And that is a key part of their branding.

I am a mamil and like many own too many pieces of Rapha apparel.
Quality and customer service scores highly.
Functionality is a strange one however.
The jerseys are quality in that they hold the shape, colour and look despite ears of wear and repeated washing. However they are suitable for commuting in spring and autumn. The are too heavy for summer and unsuitable for training - when you sweat they stay wet and get heavy. For this reason they are unsuitable in the rain.

The accessories (arm/knee earners, gloves, socks and caps) are simply fantastic IMHO. Well worth the money. Quality, form and function.
The overshoes and oversocks are without equal.

Is it pretentious? Absolutely - it is designed for knob jockeys.
Is it expensive - yes.
Is it good value - I think so. I have a pair of Rapha overshoes for three years and they are still in great condition despite numerous spins in wet and mucky weather.

omri · 13-03-2014 11:46AM

Lumen wrote: »

I saw someone this morning wearing what looked like Rapha bib tights (red stripe down the calf) and some sort of Rapha/Sky jersey.

He looked smart (fast/smooth), fit (skinny) and a bit of a gimp, all at the same time. That's the problem. Rapha gear (of which I own several pieces) has essence of MAMIL deeply woven into the fabric at an almost molecular level.

It's not just a function of price - Assos is just plain expensive but doesn't have the same vibe.

It's a function of utter pretentiousness.

Does Rapha logo add % to ones cycling capabilities? Has it been scientifically proven?

rollingscone · 13-03-2014 12:01PM

omri wrote: »

Does Rapha logo add % to ones cycling capabilities? Has it been scientifically proven?

Well I'm pretty sure that my winter cycling hat has been dipped in the blood of Belgian cyclists and gives me mystical winter cycling skillz as a direct result!

nak · 13-03-2014 12:10PM

ROK ON wrote: »

However they are suitable for commuting in spring and autumn. The are too heavy for summer and unsuitable for training - when you sweat they stay wet and get heavy. For this reason they are unsuitable in the rain.

Ah, you need a lightweight jersey or one of the souplesse ones - perfect in 35C heat last summer in the Alps. Excuse to buy more clothes!

Ole Rodrigo · 13-03-2014 12:21PM

Really what it boils down to is -are you OK with your inner knob jockey ?

If so, pull the trigger. Apply liberal amounts of false humility when questioned over your purchase. If not, pop down to LIDl or Aldi and get yourself a bargain. Ignore any false economies that might occasionally rear their heads and lob the occasional insult at the Apples and Rapha's of this world to feel better.

daragh_ · 13-03-2014 12:30PM

I'll just leave this here.

nak · 13-03-2014 12:32PM

ror_74 wrote: »

Really what it boils down to is -are you OK with your inner knob jockey ?

If so, pull the trigger. Apply liberal amounts of false humility when questioned over your purchase. If not, pop down to LIDl or Aldi and get yourself a bargain. Ignore any false economies the might occasionally rear their heads and lob the occasional insult at the Apples and Rapha's of this world to feel better.

I am ok with it. Lidl and Aldi don't make cycling clothes in my size unfortunately, same goes for the husband. I did get a nice kids' merino baselayer from Aldi though, €10 and still going years later.

Lumen · 13-03-2014 12:38PM

nak wrote: »

I am ok with it. Lidl and Aldi don't make cycling clothes in my size unfortunately, same goes for the husband. I did get a nice kids' merino baselayer from Aldi though, €10 and still going years later.

Thing is, men don't think women in Rapha are vadgejockeys or whatever the female equivalent is of knobjockeys. Men think women in Rapha are supersexy. That's because we are so pleased that our sausagefest has been diluted that we wouldn't dare pass judgement.

Also, there is no such thing as a MAWIL.

omri · 13-03-2014 12:51PM

Lumen wrote: »

Thing is, men don't think women in Rapha are vadgejockeys or whatever the female equivalent is of knobjockeys. Men think women in Rapha are supersexy. That's because we are so pleased that our sausagefest has been diluted that we wouldn't dare pass judgement.

Also, there is no such thing as a MAWIL.

MILFIL

?

happytramp · 13-03-2014 01:33PM

Lumen wrote: »

Thing is, men don't think women in Rapha are vadgejockeys or whatever the female equivalent is of knobjockeys. Men think women in Rapha are supersexy. That's because we are so pleased that our sausagefest has been diluted that we wouldn't dare pass judgement.

This is true. Women have to try way harder to look like dickheads. I'm not sure what, off the top of my head, but I'm sure it can be done.

Rapha - did I miss something?

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