Job losses at Rapha
Discussion
I really like the Rapha stuff I’ve collected over the last three years. Some has been bought in the sales and at the two archive stores but some was full price. I was abomto say I don’t have anything lairy but remember that I was wearing a bright pink ProTeam jersey only yesterday! The problem for me is I don’t really need anything else now so haven’t bought anything new for a while. Unless I bin all my cheap kit I commute in and move my older Rapha stuff on to that duty then I can’t see this changing. The one set I could justify to myself, but not at full price, would be the Shadow range.
Beyond the clothing I’m sure Rapha has my wider interest. The cycling club doesn’t appeal as a proper Rapha shop isn’t near me (I’m positioned equidistant between the two archive store) so other than being able to order some kit not available to the general public that’s it. Their travel stuff looked ok, but it was unsurprisingly forward the expensive end and a lot of the events seemed London or Manchester centric.
Beyond the clothing I’m sure Rapha has my wider interest. The cycling club doesn’t appeal as a proper Rapha shop isn’t near me (I’m positioned equidistant between the two archive store) so other than being able to order some kit not available to the general public that’s it. Their travel stuff looked ok, but it was unsurprisingly forward the expensive end and a lot of the events seemed London or Manchester centric.
The Core shorts use the same Cytech chamois from the Classic shorts, which I find very comfy. They looked like one of the best value items at Rapha.
Other personal favourites are the Lightweight Gillet, which fits really closely, packs small and manages my temps really well in a broad range of conditions with the mesh back; and the speedsuit from a couple of years back (before the mesh sleeves and shouty branding of 2017+), which is super comfy and slippery without looking too try-hard.
Other personal favourites are the Lightweight Gillet, which fits really closely, packs small and manages my temps really well in a broad range of conditions with the mesh back; and the speedsuit from a couple of years back (before the mesh sleeves and shouty branding of 2017+), which is super comfy and slippery without looking too try-hard.
JPJPJP said:
I got some of their gloves a little over a year ago in the sale, as linked to from these very pages.They're alright, but nothing startling. Their range looks nice, not too shouty, but I just can't afford it. They have some Hoy Jerseys in the Outlet for £15 though...
http://www.vulpine.cc/uk/outlet
HardtopManual said:
The Core shorts are great. The Core jerseys aren't.
This. I have two pairs of the Core shorts. The pad is amazing and they come out of the wash like new every time. I get the feeling they're made to last. Gruffy's comment above is spot-on though; it's all about the fit and that will be different for everyone. I also really like Stolen Goat shorts and tights.
Edited by ShortShift811 on Thursday 13th September 13:35
Talking of decent quality kit....I got an Assos indermediate jersey from Swiss Iconic, I think it's last seasons stock but £170 down to £65 I figured no hard trying.
Wore it this morning in 4-5 degrees....what a fantastic piece of kit it is! Feels very tight standing up but "just right" when on the bike. For such a thin thing I was amazed at how warm it kept me! Kept me more warm than my fleece-lined DHB jersey, despite being far less bulky and heavy. Makes me want more Assos stuff now
Wore it this morning in 4-5 degrees....what a fantastic piece of kit it is! Feels very tight standing up but "just right" when on the bike. For such a thin thing I was amazed at how warm it kept me! Kept me more warm than my fleece-lined DHB jersey, despite being far less bulky and heavy. Makes me want more Assos stuff now
Not Ideal said:
I tried to book a Rapha Travel trip for next May and was told that its being shut down which is a real shame.
What are other good medium/high-end operators that come recommended please ?
Not sure if it's what you're after but may be worth looking at Col Collective? Not cheap, mind! It's something I'd love to do but can't justify the cost at the moment to be honest!What are other good medium/high-end operators that come recommended please ?
Yes its a shame about Rapha in the early days they had their kit made in Italy and was excellent kit but if you look at the latest stuff its all made in china. You have got to say the company did fantastic in the early years and it looks like the CEO got out at the right time, there is plenty of decent kit made in Europe and the UK without the big brand names and less than half the price. I just don't think the quality is as good as it was in the early days when it was made in Italy. You wouldn't buy a Ferrari from the Far East !!
dontdobends said:
Yes its a shame about Rapha in the early days they had their kit made in Italy and was excellent kit but if you look at the latest stuff its all made in china. You have got to say the company did fantastic in the early years and it looks like the CEO got out at the right time, there is plenty of decent kit made in Europe and the UK without the big brand names and less than half the price. I just don't think the quality is as good as it was in the early days when it was made in Italy. You wouldn't buy a Ferrari from the Far East !!
Chances are the vast majority of the bikes we ride were made in the Far East. I looked into garment production a couple of years ago and the expertise and quality is certainly there, especially with the kind of volumes Rapha deal in. It's hard work (and expensive) staying on top of that though and I suspect the variability we're seeing is because their suppliers spread fairly wide and the investors who've taken over have squeezed margins a little harder. I'm amazed that Rapha make as much money as they claim to.
As others have said, there is only so many shorts you can buy and I'd be very surprised if they have their own
manufacting base in the far east. I bet their jerseys are made by the same people that make Castelli, DHB, Gore etc etc.
I don't own anything by Rapha (I'm too fat) I had a wonder round their shop and had a fondle of some of the their jerseys and the felt the same as my Gore stuff.
Also, I'm always suspious of a company who always seem to have a sale on. IE, they can't shift the jerseys at the full £200 asking price.
Also, what's the deal with the Rapha club? I presume you get discount off the kit that they can't sell at full price and you are paying for that privilege!
As others have said, there is only so many shorts you can buy and I'd be very surprised if they have their own
manufacting base in the far east. I bet their jerseys are made by the same people that make Castelli, DHB, Gore etc etc.
I don't own anything by Rapha (I'm too fat) I had a wonder round their shop and had a fondle of some of the their jerseys and the felt the same as my Gore stuff.
Also, I'm always suspious of a company who always seem to have a sale on. IE, they can't shift the jerseys at the full £200 asking price.
Also, what's the deal with the Rapha club? I presume you get discount off the kit that they can't sell at full price and you are paying for that privilege!
I've got a couple of Rapha jerseys that I got cheap when their sponsorship deal with Sky ended and they are still the best made jerseys I have, really nice detailing and have lasted well, and I love the understated retro design.
Not so keen on their shorts but that's mainly down to fit, they have lasted very well.
The recent stuff just seems really boring and meh. Taking the P charging £75 for a plain jersey when I can get a lovely Italian made replica of a vintage jersey for £55-£60, I know where my money is going.
Not so keen on their shorts but that's mainly down to fit, they have lasted very well.
The recent stuff just seems really boring and meh. Taking the P charging £75 for a plain jersey when I can get a lovely Italian made replica of a vintage jersey for £55-£60, I know where my money is going.
lufbramatt said:
I've got a couple of Rapha jerseys that I got cheap when their sponsorship deal with Sky ended and they are still the best made jerseys I have, really nice detailing and have lasted well, and I love the understated retro design.
Likewise.The blue training jersey is great for longer summer rides, as it doesn't sag with stuff in the pockets and black Brevet with Sky blue bands is just lovely, and is used quite a bit in spring and autumn due to it being a heavier weight.
Neither make me look like a FPKW, as far as I know. I think. Probably.
JPJPJP said:
Where did Hussey end up?He sank that business, and was pretty underhand with that crowdfunded cash.
There's a little more by way of an explanation in this article.
https://www.bikebiz.com/business/vulpines-sharehol...
https://www.bikebiz.com/business/vulpines-sharehol...
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