Job losses at Rapha

[TheFungle]

Dammit said:

Rapha middle management ballooned in the run up to the sale, as did the range, whilst cash flow withered.

The incompetent middle management have (almost 100%) stayed whilst a lot of talented and dedicated people have been made redundant.

So what Rapha now has is the management team that steered the ship onto the rocks trying to get it back off by giving the same orders as before to half the previous number of sailors.

Until they clear out the current management and work out how to generate cash-flow without a perpetual sale I doubt they will turn the corner.

Ooft.

[TwistingMyMelon]

When I first came across Rapha a few years back I thought "wow pretentious"

A few years on I have completely changed my view, they seem to have moved away from lots of the guff and invested in decent grass roots stuff, their funding of the Cycling Podcast has always impressed me

As for sizing, I like how their stuff fits me, its nice to buy kit that fits a small framed cyclist , IE someone that rides lots!

Having said that, I dont buy much of their kit, only as I recently had another child and moved house so are skint!!

[m444ttb]

Interestingly Rapha has announced it’s returning to the WorldTour with the EF team

[lauda]

I think you'll find that's EF Education First Team Drapac powered by Cannondale

Interesting as I'd read that they'd found the tie-up with Sky quite challenging and weren't in any rush to find another World Tour team to sponsor. I suppose that they're at least going into this one with their eyes open and it also sounds like they'll be trying to leverage the relationship across more disciplines than just top-level road racing.

[okgo]

lauda said:

I think you'll find that's EF Education First Team Drapac powered by Cannondale

Interesting as I'd read that they'd found the tie-up with Sky quite challenging and weren't in any rush to find another World Tour team to sponsor. I suppose that they're at least going into this one with their eyes open and it also sounds like they'll be trying to leverage the relationship across more disciplines than just top-level road racing.

Crippled them I bet, they were/are not established/big enough to supply kit on that scale, add to that the brand damage, I think it was very peculiar choice.

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

There’s an interview with Simon Mottram here

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/10/whats-happening-at...

[anonymous-user]

Interesting read

I like Vaughter's approach and I think the combination of him with Mottram might make some interesting things happen in cycling

[Johnny]

Reading that as I type, from a link a on IG.

Interesting stuff.

[m444ttb]

On the basis it’ll kinda look like this season’s kit (the pink, green and some white) who thinks they might buy some? I’d be interested if there’s something along he lines of the old Team Sky Brevet stuff.

[louiebaby]

m444ttb said:

On the basis it’ll kinda look like this season’s kit (the pink, green and some white) who thinks they might buy some? I’d be interested if there’s something along he lines of the old Team Sky Brevet stuff.

The new Olive Green Brevet stuff looks quite nice.

I really like my Sky inspired Brevet, but haven't worn it much as it's a bit warm for the summer.

[Johnny]

louiebaby said:

m444ttb said:

On the basis it’ll kinda look like this season’s kit (the pink, green and some white) who thinks they might buy some? I’d be interested if there’s something along he lines of the old Team Sky Brevet stuff.

The new Olive Green Brevet stuff looks quite nice.

I really like my Sky inspired Brevet, but haven't worn it much as it's a bit warm for the summer.

I bought the lot last week, Olive Green/Pink/Reflective:

Brevet Cargo Bibs
Brevet LS Jersey
LS Merino Baselayer
SS Brevet base layer
Merino Peaked Cap
Brevet Reflective Socks

Not really worn yet as it's still bloody lovely here in Budapest!

Edited by Johnny on Friday 12th October 10:12

[louiebaby]

Johnny said:

I bought the lot last week, Olive Green/Pink/Reflective:

Brevet Cargo Bibs
Brevet LS Jersey
LS Merino Baselayer
SS Brevet base layer
Merino Peaked Cap
Brevet Reflective Socks

Not really worn yet as it's still bloody lovely here in Budapest!

It was your post in the stuff bought that made me look at it!

I'll have to wait for a decent sale, as my wife is less forgiving than whoever you have to answer too!

[Johnny]

louiebaby said:

Johnny said:

I bought the lot last week, Olive Green/Pink/Reflective:

Brevet Cargo Bibs
Brevet LS Jersey
LS Merino Baselayer
SS Brevet base layer
Merino Peaked Cap
Brevet Reflective Socks

Not really worn yet as it's still bloody lovely here in Budapest!

It was your post in the stuff bought that made me look at it!

I'll have to wait for a decent sale, as my wife is less forgiving than whoever you have to answer too!

Oh, hahaha

I've spent a fking fortune on bike stuff the last 6 months. My wife is very forgiving.

Although, tbf, the main reason I bought stuff was the bibs were 20% when bought with the jersey. And I wanted the bibs since they came out.

The rest, well, #matchymatchy

[snobetter]

https://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/rapha-...

[SoliD]

Johnny said:

Oh, hahaha

I've spent a fking fortune on bike stuff the last 6 months. My wife is very forgiving.

Although, tbf, the main reason I bought stuff was the bibs were 20% when bought with the jersey. And I wanted the bibs since they came out.

The rest, well, #matchymatchy

How did you get this offer?

[Johnny]

SoliD said:

Johnny said:

Oh, hahaha

I've spent a fking fortune on bike stuff the last 6 months. My wife is very forgiving.

Although, tbf, the main reason I bought stuff was the bibs were 20% when bought with the jersey. And I wanted the bibs since they came out.

The rest, well, #matchymatchy

How did you get this offer?

I was in the Soho Clubhouse, it was on the tags in store. Seemed rude not to.

[anonymous-user]

snobetter said:

https://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/rapha-...

I think that is a mistake personally and I would not have done it

But what do I know versus Mottram and the Walmart boys.... ?

[Johnny]

I'm with you on this.

Although the Apple tie up makes sense.

[anonymous-user]

Yes, I can see the sense for Rapha and Apple in dipping their toes in that space

Not sure it will come to anything, but a worthy punt

[TheFungle]

I've enjoyed reading interviews with Simon Mottram in the past but this one came across as a bit try hard.

Whilst laudable to be raising the profile of cycling with the aim of making it 'the most popular sport in the world', I'm not sure a high end brand is the one to be preaching that message.

Rapha at this stage is the equivalent of wearing a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and thinking you are a purveyor of haute couture

Edited by TheFungle on Saturday 13th October 11:48