Rapha, a UK Assos?
Jonathan Allan
Posts: 208
Is the clothing from Rapha overpriced for what it is ,or is it worth the money for it's durability and quality?
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Please don't get the two brands mixed up. Assos are streets ahead of the young pretenders Rapha, for quality and prestige.
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here we go again
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Rapha has a sense of fashion - Assos is a bit "Euro" for my taste....
Both over-priced but I'd own either (so long as it wasnt in Assos neon)
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If you can afford it, enjoy it!!
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imo (and I don't own either at the moment) - rapha is very classy looking and quite stylish - assos is very 'euro' looking as said and seems much more 'sporty'.
I think the assos stuff is a little bit, hmm, how can I say it - 'ginger beer' looking to be honest (as JC might say) and my money, if I had any, would probably go to rapha.0 -
Assos design all their own chamois pads and inserts, they frequently innovate and even licence their designs to other manufacturers, e.g. Gore use the Fl.13 insert in some shorts.
Rapha is about style, there stuff is trendy and looks cool and is also well made, but lacks the innovation of Assos. Buy what you like.0 -
i'm sure that they are excellent quality but assos jerseys look like theyve been designed by someone with a visual impairment with a box of dayglo crayons and for that reason i'm out[:)]
nil satis nisi optimumnil satis nisi optimum0 -
assos shorts are also a bit, well, short. they are meant to be well comfy but i get on fine with santini and even endura which are much cheaper0
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What is cycling turning into...a fashion parade? Over priced is an understatement...Cyclings all about sweating,blowing snot out your nose,foaming at the mouth, sweaty crotch,cycling through horrendous UK weather etc...and now we have the 'Gucci/Armani' equivalents for cycling...nothing wrong with a œ30 Cycling Team shirt made from Nalini/Altura/Endura etc...maybe some people like to cycle up and down a catwalk? And lets face it...who in the UK would look at a cyclists clothing? my guess only a handful of other cyclists...0
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This is Assos:
http://www.littlebritainonline.com/imag ... LB_199.jpg
This is Rapha
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=288
You choose! [:)]0 -
Fakenger or Power Ranger, your choice0
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Fakenger is just so much me! I'm far too butch to wear Dayglo Assos.
To answer the OP's question - if you can afford Rapha then I'd go for it. Its terrific kit that I wear five times as much as any Assos kit I have which has now been relegated to the bottom of the drawer and is only worn when there's nothing else left before wash day.
Assos is sorta "pikey" and noisy - sort of thing that David Beckham would wear if he were a cyclist.0 -
Can't knock Assos quality, but some of the styling is...well......crap?0
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My problem with Assos is that none of it seems to fit me. I'm 70kg and 5 ft 11 but it makes me feel fat!
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We have been debating the same thing over here:
http://www.movingtargetzine.com/forum/d ... 2/1/rapha/
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I'm strongly on the Assos side. Their clothing seems to be made for cycling, fits perfectly and just works. The styling can be a bit much but to be honest I'd prefer to be riding on our roads in something dayglo than something designed to look good in a muted black and white catalogue.
I think thats my problem with Rapha, looks good but who in their right mind would wear a black winter jacket to actually cycle in?0 -
Imo, very different brands but I personally prefer Assos. In my experience, I think Rapha (with the exception of the soft shell jacket) are style over substance. Don't get me wrong, most of the Rapha stuff is gorgeous to look at, I really do like it. But Rapha bibs over Assos for instance? Not a chance!0
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by yello</i>
Imo, very different brands but I personally prefer Assos. In my experience, I think Rapha (with the exception of the soft shell jacket) are style over substance. Don't get me wrong, most of the Rapha stuff is gorgeous to look at, I really do like it. But Rapha bibs over Assos for instance? Not a chance!
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Totally agree about Assos bib shorts. I have 2 pairs plus 3 or 4 pairs of shorts from other manufacturers. Assos win hands down in terms of function and comfort and now I wouldn't consider anything else. For me, one part of cycling clothing that absolutely must NOT be a compromise, is shorts. Assos in my opinion are still the best. Would agree that their tops are not exactly inspiring but that is not such a critical comfort area like shorts and there is a HUGE range of clothing from other manufacturers to choose from. Assos sizing is a bit strange and I have to say that at 5' 10" with a 32" inside leg and weighing in at 76kg, I can get away with both Large and Extra Large from Assos[:I][:)]
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I own both. I prefer the design styling of Rapha but prefer the functionality of Assos. Cycling is part of me and my lifestyle and I do like to look good on a bike. I know that Altura kit is perfectly well made and functional, but equally I will wear a Ralph Lauren shirt over one bought in Burtons.0
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Wot Gav says. My street clothes are all Ralph Lauren cos I like the way it looks and it fits me. Sure I could shop at M&S but why should I if I want to put me money on me back?
as to Rapha/assos, if you can afford it, go on! Why wouldn't ye? the Rapha kit is very nice looking. That said, I CAN afford it but am very selective about what I buy. I wouldn't pay Rapha for their shorts, which would cost you œ60 off anyone else. I wouldn't buy the gloves or many of the other bits, which are frankly a bit of a joke. the jacket's are very nice and worth the money.
Assos is similar in some ways. The shorts and all the winter gear is great and worth shelling out for if you want and can. However, the summer jersey's are gash and not worth the œ70 odd they'll try to take off you. The new, very anatomic one might be an exception but I ain't seen one yet so cannae comment.
For me, buy a pair of nice blacK Assos shorts and a team jersey of your choice and that's you set.
If buying Rapha stick to their sportwool jerseys and the jackets.
If you want chinos, go to Ralph.
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assos and last year's aldi long sleeve tops are indistinguishable until you can see the logo. i'd hate to spend œ150 and have people think i'd spent a fiver!
if i had a better signature, i'd use that insteadriding on my bicycle, i saw a motorcrash…0 -
I just wish someone would make some decent clothing without a logo, or at the very least without a f88king huge one!0
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Assos shorts aren't particularly logo heavy are they?
I always get the impression that really keen cyclists who know what they are doing own assos shorts. They don't seem to get any of their other kit though.
Rapha stuff looks really nice, and some of it is really nice. However I'm not sure if it is really that much more functional than the kit from other manufacturers. For example I have a pair of their gloves, and have found that they actually aren't as comfy as my specialized BG gloves.<a><img></a>0 -
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Pete,
That was more a generic rant - even if Assos have very small logos, I'm certainly not in the saddle for long enough periods to justify a pair!0 -
Rapha either have no logo or its so small and hidden that you have to pick up the garment and look closely to see it0
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by sylvanus</i>
Fakenger <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Nice link. Buffalo Bill was riding a mountain bike when I was dispatching on a fixed.0 -
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Wot Cyclo2000 says. I've got a Rapha fixed jersey, merino base layer and winter hat. All fine stuff, some of which can be worn down the pub. Wouldn't wear my Assos gilet anywhere else than in the company of cyclists, though; but it's a fine, deeply functional piece of kit. Assos shorts are next on the shopping list after a chafy 200k in my old Enduras at the weekend.
"Rapha for form, Assos for function" doesn't quite sum it up, but it's maybe not far off.0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Pirahna</i>
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by sylvanus</i>
Fakenger <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Nice link. Buffalo Bill was riding a mountain bike when I was dispatching on a fixed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
What, in 1987?
Oh well, guess I never was a _real_ messenger, eh?
;-)
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