Rapha's latest offering - The Kemmelberg

captain_oakley

I know loads has been written about Rapha in the past, but you have to hand it to
them, it works very well, and as for the article by Graham Fife, the photography and
those 70's shades on the model. Very Good Indeed.

And as for the new Messenger Bag & those 'Fixed' Shirts........ now about that
overtime. :shock: :shock:


'Lust, Ties and Videotape'

vermooten

Jerseys in terms of credibility (in descending order):

club
European sportive (eg Marmotte)
Assos
other (eg Castelli)
'funny' eg Heinz beans, Denis the Menace (i.e. not funny)
Rapha

JonBurns

Oooh I think I'd put Assos lower down. I know it's really good stuff but recently everyone I've seen wearing it just look like knobs posing top to toe in it.

I almost bought some F1's the other week but ended up going back to giordana's because I just couldn't bring myself to it.

By the way did anyone buy the full yellow assos kit that was in the adverts a few months back? It did remind me of Ali-G.

Monty Dog

Much as I'm impressed by Rapha's marketing, as a committed cyclist I'm not sure it's for me, but a series of lifestyle accessories for wannabees. It's way too expensive for your average courier or commuter, probably not durable enough for regular training and racing and probably not technical enough for really hot days in the saddle. Much like the head-to-toe Assos wearer is often just trying too hard, Rapha is perhaps just trying to make the Style pages of the Sunday Times that it's forgotton who it's core customers are.

turkeytickler

Monty Dog wrote:

Much as I'm impressed by Rapha's marketing, as a committed cyclist I'm not sure it's for me, but a series of lifestyle accessories for wannabees. It's way too expensive for your average courier or commuter, probably not durable enough for regular training and racing and probably not technical enough for really hot days in the saddle. Much like the head-to-toe Assos wearer is often just trying too hard, Rapha is perhaps just trying to make the Style pages of the Sunday Times that it's forgotton who it's core customers are.

I think they know exactly who their core customers are - middle aged weathly professionals - a walk around southwark park full of men in rapha / paul smith kit last year when the tour was in town proved that to me....

I have become gradually sucked up into the whole thing - i cant afford the stuff myself, im very much a decathlon or dhb man when it comes to road kit but i got a rapha fixed tee shirt as an xmas present and it is by far my favourite jersey for commuting. The quality is fantastic and I personally like the styling... im not into the whole tweed plus fours thing though - that is a step too far!

I have now found myself on their mailing list after buying a copy of rouleur online and have been salivating over their club jerseys.....my birthday is coming up too :-) . sad isnt it!

turkeytickler

turkeytickler wrote:

Monty Dog wrote:

Much as I'm impressed by Rapha's marketing, as a committed cyclist I'm not sure it's for me, but a series of lifestyle accessories for wannabees. It's way too expensive for your average courier or commuter, probably not durable enough for regular training and racing and probably not technical enough for really hot days in the saddle. Much like the head-to-toe Assos wearer is often just trying too hard, Rapha is perhaps just trying to make the Style pages of the Sunday Times that it's forgotton who it's core customers are.

I think they know exactly who their core customers are - middle aged weathly professionals - a walk around southwark park full of men in rapha / He Whom We Do Not Name kit last year when the tour was in town proved that to me....

I have become gradually sucked up into the whole thing - i cant afford the stuff myself, im very much a decathlon or dhb man when it comes to road kit but i got a rapha fixed tee shirt as an xmas present and it is by far my favourite jersey for commuting. The quality is fantastic and I personally like the styling... im not into the whole tweed plus fours thing though - that is a step too far!

I have now found myself on their mailing list after buying a copy of rouleur online and have been salivating over their club jerseys.....my birthday is coming up too :-) . sad isnt it!

Paul Smith = the designer not the deceased guardian of the right to mame innocent road users I should point out!

iainf72

I just had my musette and touring shorts delivered by the postie.

Both are lovely, as expected. The musette is going to make a lush man bag

Doobz

I almost bought some F1's the other week but ended up going back to giordana's because I just couldn't bring myself to it.

I think I would be the same after reading this review http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/artic ... /1676/v/1/

fluff.

I have some fixed shorts, they are great. Good enough to wear on and off the bike, plus they're the only bike shorts I can wear to work without funny comments. I didn't pay full whack for them though, but wouldn't feel aggrieved if I had.
The shirts I don't think I would feel happy with spending that much cash on. I tend to go for bargain shirts as I find them instead.

vermooten wrote:

Jerseys in terms of credibility (in descending order):

club
..

credibility is not something I really care about in a shirt

tony_s

I'm always amused at how some people seem to get so wound up by the very mention of the name "Rapha". Does it really matter that some white collar guy is riding around on a four grand bike dressed head to toe in Rapha kit, even if he's not that quick and his bike handling skills leave a bit to be desired? So long as he's enjoying himself and you're enjoying yourself (riding him off your wheel, maybe) who cares: why get so wound up?

__________________________________

gkerr4

tony_s wrote:

I'm always amused at how some people seem to get so wound up by the very mention of the name "Rapha". Does it really matter that some white collar guy is riding around on a four grand bike dressed head to toe in Rapha kit, even if he's not that quick and his bike handling skills leave a bit to be desired? So long as he's enjoying himself and you're enjoying yourself (riding him off your wheel, maybe) who cares: why get so wound up?

__________________________________

well said - absolutely right.

sprintkid

I agree with Tony. If I had the money I'd dress head to toe in Rapha. It doesn't make me a ponce. It just means I like the look of the stuff. I wear Assos to and I would never look back. It is with out a doubt the most comfortable gear I've had the pleasure to have worn. Why worry about what anyone else thinks. As long as your out there riding.......

Jez mon

Yep Assos stuff is the best IMO, just the most comfortable i have ever tried. I have head to toe Assos winter kit as saw it all on sale and guess what, it does exactly what it says on the tin. Sure i look like a Lycra Santa Claus with all red winter kit, but i don't really care.

To be fair, people who go round ranking people based on what they've decided to wear for a ride are abit sad.

Personally i would love some Rapha gloves but can't afford them. I would also like some Rapha stuff for (the rare) situations where i don't want to go round head to toe in lycra, but still want functional kit, I think their stuff lasts well and from what I've heard plus they offer very good customer service. Finally, Rapha sponsor a team which I think is a good reason to support them (if you have the wallet)

giant_man

yeah I am of the same opinion with Assos, infinitely better value than Rapha. One is very good value and the other not, trying way too hard. Sad but true.

overmars

Yeah the name 'Rapha' does get some guy's blood steaming. Dunno why.

Around town i would wear the fixed T instead of my Assos jersey.

iainf72 wrote:

I just had my musette and touring shorts delivered by the postie.

Both are lovely, as expected. The musette is going to make a lush man bag

I'd like to know how you find the touring shorts.

McBain_v1

I've got myself a Rapha T-shirt and it's ruddy lovely I might be a middle-aged professional but I like some of their stuff (their Epic cap is great in the winter), whilst I freely admit that other stuff (e.g. £80 gloves) is utter pap

jimmythecuckoo

turkeytickler wrote:

decathlon ... man when it comes to road kit

a man after my own heart. I have a chuckle at people I see who have spent millions on kit but don't see to go that fast.

As least I am slow on a budget

robbie the roadie

McBain_v1 wrote:

I've got myself a Rapha T-shirt and it's ruddy lovely I might be a middle-aged professional but I like some of their stuff (their Epic cap is great in the winter), whilst I freely admit that other stuff (e.g. £80 gloves) is utter pap

Quite agree, some of their stuff is way overpriced but some of it is also fairly reasonable. I bought their 'classics pack' which contains their classic jersey, arm warmers, cap and socks for £120 which I would say is a good deal considering the quality of the stuff.

iainf72

overmars wrote:

I'd like to know how you find the touring shorts.

They're really good. Very thin material but a bit stretchy. They are slim fitting and a good length (I'm 6'3 and the 34" waist version comes down to just above my knee) Very comfortable around the waist too

Took them out for a spin on Saturday with my dodgy red shorts I use on the turbo underneath and they were great. Didn't catch or ride up and it was just like wearing lycra only.

Pricey but they look good and work well.

flattythehurdler

My trouble is thatI am in the lucky position of being able to just about afford rapha if I want. I also loke the style. I cannot buy it as It's "image" makes me cringe. And I would get laughed at by my mates as I fall slowly off the back as the road goes up.

el_presidente

overmars wrote:

I'd like to know how you find the touring shorts.

Makes sure he always puts them away in the same place?

McBain_v1

flatty - I think it depends if you are decked out head-to-toe in Rapha or just choose to flaunt the odd bit of clothing. Personally, I think that Rapha's club-jersey looks damned fine, but I'd never go for their shorts (I stick with Gore or Endura there). Similarly, I like their Epic cap, but I wouldn't purchase their Stowaway - who are they kidding there (the Gore Oxygen jacket is about £70 cheaper and is better IMHO).

If you want to be a Raph-ista then okay, but I choose to mix and match

Rob Sallnow

McBain_v1 wrote:

flatty - I think it depends if you are decked out head-to-toe in Rapha or just choose to flaunt the odd bit of clothing. Personally, I think that Rapha's club-jersey looks damned fine, but I'd never go for their shorts (I stick with Gore or Endura there). Similarly, I like their Epic cap, but I wouldn't purchase their Stowaway - who are they kidding there (the Gore Oxygen jacket is about £70 cheaper and is better IMHO).

If you want to be a Raph-ista then okay, but I choose to mix and match

I respect your right to mix and match so long as you don't wear their Club jersey with a pair of skeggy old Mapei shorts as you will look like a c.ock.

mm1

Don't know about anyone else, but I spend way more on cycling kit than I do on normal clothes (my kids think I look like a tramp...off the bike). Favourite jersey (apart from club kit) is a Rapha tricolore in red white and green; but i wouldn't be seen dead wearing it in Italy! Clubmates think its quite funny (only ride Campag, wear tricolore band socks etc), but also agree that the jersey is cool. And before anyone asks, yes I am middle aged and overweight (sort of look like Baldini after he'd eaten too much pasta)...i.e. the perfect Rapha customer!

McBain_v1

Agree with Rob - you've got to be careful what you mix and match with.

E.g. Rapha merino wool socks + knackered VANS trainers = NO NO