Rapha, the newest anti-brand
Discussion
I've been to the store, I didn't get it. I tried the base layers, they itched expensively. The miscellaneous items they sell, wallets and the like are overpriced tat. I turn my head sideways at the pastel shades and fat choppers in Sky gear.
Rapha is the driving equivalent of owning a Rover 25 whilst wearing a rally jacket and comfortable shoes.
I'm in the minority around my way but then they all laugh at my £20 Crane 'power' jacket that has survived two winters.
I just wish they'd sod off.
Rapha is the driving equivalent of owning a Rover 25 whilst wearing a rally jacket and comfortable shoes.
I'm in the minority around my way but then they all laugh at my £20 Crane 'power' jacket that has survived two winters.
I just wish they'd sod off.
This has been done to death
I have a fair amount of their kit, all bought years ago, all lovely, all washed a squillion times and all completely fit for purpose
I havent bought anything for a while though
Its more expensive as well as being manufactured in the third world now, the materials also tend to be synthetic rather than wool/cotton and do not represent as good VFM in my own opinion
Fair play to them they still sell loads, just not for me now although my 10y old classic and only slightly faded jersey has just been laid out for my commute tomorrow
Cheers
I've bought a few bits in their sale and I think the quality is great. I wouldn't pay full price, but I wouldn't pay full price for Assos either.
On the look side, I really like the style as it's a lot less OTT than most brands, I have found Pearl Izumi kit fits me the best, but most of it is really ugly whereas I feel less of a tool wearing a Rapha top.
I think a lot of the negativity around them is related to Team Sky, and becoming the default choice for the 'all the gear no idea' crowd as opposed to genuine objective criticism.
On the look side, I really like the style as it's a lot less OTT than most brands, I have found Pearl Izumi kit fits me the best, but most of it is really ugly whereas I feel less of a tool wearing a Rapha top.
I think a lot of the negativity around them is related to Team Sky, and becoming the default choice for the 'all the gear no idea' crowd as opposed to genuine objective criticism.
The performance (Pro Team) kit is superb. The bibs are amazing and way better than Assos, Castelli, etc. All IMHO. I am starting to find the brand cringeworthy at times though, its the same way I feel when I see someone on a Dogma. I was in the Manc store the other day and there was a guy who was a similar shape to Bernard Manning trying on a one piece aero cross suit. My wife had to leave the store to stop herself from bursting with laughter.
I went to their store in Covent Garden recently. I don't think any of the kit would actually fit me. I have just had to return a DHB gym top for an XXL 
Whilst I have never tried any of their stuff on, its difficult for me to comment on fit. However the materials did feel nice on the hangar. I have always been a firm believer that you don't need to spend mega bucks on cycling clothing to get decent kit.
However, I recently bought myself a Gore Soft Shell jersey in the eEans sale and its superb. Much better than any of my winter DHB jerseys (I have several). I now trawl Ebay for decent used Gore soft shell jerseys. Used jerseys still fetch £50! I just can't face spending £90-100 on a jersey. Based on that I will probably never buy any Rapha stuff.
Whilst I have never tried any of their stuff on, its difficult for me to comment on fit. However the materials did feel nice on the hangar. I have always been a firm believer that you don't need to spend mega bucks on cycling clothing to get decent kit.
However, I recently bought myself a Gore Soft Shell jersey in the eEans sale and its superb. Much better than any of my winter DHB jerseys (I have several). I now trawl Ebay for decent used Gore soft shell jerseys. Used jerseys still fetch £50! I just can't face spending £90-100 on a jersey. Based on that I will probably never buy any Rapha stuff.
yonex said:
I'm in the minority around my way but then they all laugh at my £20 Crane 'power' jacket that has survived two winters.
I'm a tightwad too, I mean anti cynical brand marketing. Those that fall for it though, it all helps the economy so no worries 
I get a certain satisfaction from doing things on the cheap. Just blow 'em into the weeds and have the last laugh.
I bought a Brevet gilet in the recent sale, £80 reduced to £36 via a discount voucher and free postage.
Couldn't fault the service and comms after the sale.
When I tried it on fit was good, but I felt it represented poor value for money at £36 so sent it back. At the RRP I would have been very disappointed.
As a measure, I've recently replaced my Altura Nevis MTB jacket for similar money (£37), similar quality (the last jacket lasted 7 years) for similar money....
Couldn't fault the service and comms after the sale.
When I tried it on fit was good, but I felt it represented poor value for money at £36 so sent it back. At the RRP I would have been very disappointed.
As a measure, I've recently replaced my Altura Nevis MTB jacket for similar money (£37), similar quality (the last jacket lasted 7 years) for similar money....
Edited by wobert on Friday 11th September 09:42
I've bought quite a bit this yr. I really like the design .... I'm not really in to multi coloured fluro jerseys etc ... some of the stuff out there looks like its just been designed in a hurry to stand out like a sore thumb. Plus I want to feel comfortable when I'm spending 10 - 12 hours a week on the bike ... the Rapha fit is perfect for me ... large short, medium jerseys.
As the market has grown I'm sure some other manufacturers would follow suit and provide less fussy designs and I'd certainly by them. When you look at the price of Rapha against Castelli and Assos, the prices are actually very similar ... its just that Rapha do a lot of poncey bits and bobs on the side.
As the market has grown I'm sure some other manufacturers would follow suit and provide less fussy designs and I'd certainly by them. When you look at the price of Rapha against Castelli and Assos, the prices are actually very similar ... its just that Rapha do a lot of poncey bits and bobs on the side.
Looks nice stuff, but I'm tight, the Pantani jersey they did looked ace, but was too much for me
I don't mind paying out for quality as it lasts, just I go to their site and get bored by all the stories and b
ks so just go somewhere else
Like you OP I bought a load of Aldi Winter gear 2 years ago and the stuff fits really well and wont bloody die, so im gonna use it for a 3rd winter!!!
I don't mind paying out for quality as it lasts, just I go to their site and get bored by all the stories and b
ks so just go somewhere else Like you OP I bought a load of Aldi Winter gear 2 years ago and the stuff fits really well and wont bloody die, so im gonna use it for a 3rd winter!!!
richardxjr said:
I'm a tightwad too, I mean anti cynical brand marketing. Those that fall for it though, it all helps the economy so no worries
I get a certain satisfaction from doing things on the cheap. Just blow 'em into the weeds and have the last laugh.
That's the thing. I am not particularly tight with kit and spend a fair bit. It's just the branding of it that I find nauseating, seems to scream hipster...to me at least. And yes, it has been done to death...but this is my tipping point. I get a certain satisfaction from doing things on the cheap. Just blow 'em into the weeds and have the last laugh.
paulmon said:
The performance (Pro Team) kit is superb. The bibs are amazing and way better than Assos, Castelli, etc. All IMHO. I am starting to find the brand cringeworthy at times though, its the same way I feel when I see someone on a Dogma. I was in the Manc store the other day and there was a guy who was a similar shape to Bernard Manning trying on a one piece aero cross suit. My wife had to leave the store to stop herself from bursting with laughter.
Interesting thing I have noticed recently... Most of the people I see commuting every day seem to wear DHB, Crane, Altura and B-Twin stuff. Lots of good bikes, good luggage (Ortlieb paniers and the like), but cheap gear. Come sunny days, out come the guys in Sky gear who are never seen in the wind and rain. It's fun to chase them down and pass them on my work bike, carrying my work gear. It's the guys in club gear who are the quick ones.
Nice quality stuff and I prefer the sportswool material to normal jersey material. I only ever buy Rapha in the sales or used and I tend to buy the more subtle designs. I'm not into team replica kit so it works for me. I've also got some Torm kit which is 95% as good for half the price.
The Rapha marketing is cheesy but all being said, I don't pay any attention to what anyone else wears and I doubt others are that interested in my kit.
The Rapha marketing is cheesy but all being said, I don't pay any attention to what anyone else wears and I doubt others are that interested in my kit.
SteveSteveson said:
Interesting thing I have noticed recently... Most of the people I see commuting every day seem to wear DHB, Crane, Altura and B-Twin stuff. Lots of good bikes, good luggage (Ortlieb paniers and the like), but cheap gear. Come sunny days, out come the guys in Sky gear who are never seen in the wind and rain. It's fun to chase them down and pass them on my work bike, carrying my work gear. It's the guys in club gear who are the quick ones.
DHB is very popular, but I don't think its limited to people using it for commuting. I have done 5 of their sportives and you see loads of riders in DHB kit. I think are releasing more expensive stuff now. They have a soft shell thats £80! I tried to buy some DHB for commuting, but non of the MTB shorts were quite right for what I wanted. Ended up going with some Endura shorts. They are ok, but ot would have been nice if the outer layer could hold the rain water off for more than 30 seconds
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