Rapha gear

expresso love

I've just bought a Rapha long sleeve jersey, at moderate cost - about he same price as Her Indoors spends on a pair of shoes. It's lovely and makes me feel happy. At a recent sportive someone took me to task for having a Rapha top. My defence was that I work hard, enjoy cycling and don't kill babies. If I want to spend a few quid on a nice jersey I shouldn't feel guilty -but I do . Please tell me that I'm allowed good gear.

Jez mon

You should of told him to F*** off, it's your money, so do what you want with it! I wouldn't buy rapha stuff (more of an Assos man 8) ) but I would never chastise anyone who did.

Just out of interest what was the guy wearing? Was he being sarcastic?

monstadog

Agreed, Rapha stuff is v nice. And its your money, if you can afford it, if you want it, then get it and stuff everyone else.

red dragon

I am on your side matey, I have one or two items from Rapha - and they are good. I have had one of their soft shell Jackets for a couple of years - outstannding. Just go for it. As my mum used to say if you want quality you`ll have to pay. Another plus is the fact that if you stick something in your back pocket it does not sag down to the back of your knees. Just go for it.

iainf72

expresso love wrote:

At a recent sportive someone took me to task for having a Rapha top. My defence was that I work hard, enjoy cycling and don't kill babies. If I want to spend a few quid on a nice jersey I shouldn't feel guilty -but I do . Please tell me that I'm allowed good gear.

If that happens again, look at the person saying it with pity in your eyes and say "I'm sorry, I don't speak poor" and then ride off.

monstadog

iainf72 wrote:

If that happens again, look at the person saying it with pity in your eyes and say "I'm sorry, I don't speak poor" and then ride off.

gumball3000

Some cyclists have a real money issue....

At one sportive this year, while changing and working out wether to pack a waterproof or not, I was told that I shouldn't spend money on new fangled technology like my lightweight waterproof. The nice gentleman preceded to show me some plastic plates that he had "Borrowed" from the refreshments area and that he just put them up the front of his jersey to keep the cold out.

Simply put....

Dick

synchronicity

"There's one born every minute" don't they say?




(that's a joke, of course it goes without saying that you're free to waste-err-spend your hard-earned money however you like! )

wildmoustache

gumball3000 wrote:

Some cyclists have a real money issue....

At one sportive this year, while changing and working out wether to pack a waterproof or not, I was told that I shouldn't spend money on new fangled technology like my lightweight waterproof. The nice gentleman preceded to show me some plastic plates that he had "Borrowed" from the refreshments area and that he just put them up the front of his jersey to keep the cold out.

Simply put....

Dick

il_principe

Why do some cyclists have such a problem with those who spend a bit of cash on their hobby. Tell 'em to fook off, it's your money.

Having said that I picked up 2 Rapha "Fixed" T's the other day as they were on offer. No idea what all the hype is about, they do an appalling job of wicking away sweat compared to my normal cycling jerseys. I think Swrve clothing (very similar stuff), is far better, all handmade in the states whereas Rapha stuff seems to be made in China - leads me to conclude that it is even more overpriced than I thought. Swrve shorts are £75 Rapha's are £120 - both are wind and water resistant (both use he schoeller fabrics) yet Swrve's are far cheaper despite being made in the States... make of that what you will. I have 2 pairs of Swrve shorst and 1 pair of their excellent jeans and am very pleased with them.

http://swrve.co.uk/index.html

unclemalc

jashburnham wrote:

Why do some cyclists have such a problem with those who spend a bit of cash on their hobby. Tell 'em to fook off, it's your money.

http://swrve.co.uk/index.html

I agree entirely. This business of 'sort-of-taking-the-p***' over what someone else likes to wear on the bike is a bit bizarre. It's hard enough to get a decent ride in against the efforts of the massed ranks of traffic, pedestrians, sh***y roads and the weather, without then feeling embarrassed 'cos your kit is not to someone else's liking...
Just what you need before a big ride - someone taking a poke at your jersey...for goodness' sake. :shock:

good site Jashb - nice kit...

Danukgser

It's this kind of thing that puts me off from joining a club or potentially taking grief because of how I choose to spend my cash. Jealousy from those who are too tight, not the one's who can't afford.........

I've spent a fortune on a bike I look forward to using, I'm progressively spending more on riding gear too, I've got the cash and it's what I want.

Just because I'm not Alberto Contador, what is wrong with me owning and using Sram Red or other top price bracket gear?!!!

wildmoustache

I agree ... that said I think expressing an opinion on a forum or among mates is fair play ... strange if Rapha was totally taboo for some unknown reason They have certainly created a strong brand identity and are putting something into cycling with their sponsorship and so on (as well as taking quite a lot out of cyclists' wallets). I don't own any of their kit and the marketing doesn't do it for me, but wouldn't ever slag anyone off for it FFS!

Some cyclists seem to have an obsession with other people's clothing though. Has anyone noticed this? I remember standing in the 6000+ start pen at Pau in the drizzle before the Etape and I was wearing simply a SS jersey and shorts (plus helmet etc. obviously) ... and the number of comments I got about how I'd be totally f***ed as I didn't have armwarmers, kneewarmers, fingered gloves etc. etc. As opposed to these experts, what I knew was that there was only one descent ... that I'd be gunning it the rest of the time, and that I don't suffer in the cold or wet. I did my best ever Etape and got a silver medal. Didn't see any of the experts again after the first 1km or so.

unclemalc

Good for you sir...

synchronicity

The thing is, it's not about jealousy. I'm almost certain that the rapha-haters are not jealous of the kit itself. Maybe they're thinking what they could've done with the money instead?

Since moving to Spain, my standard of living has gone down enormously, not that I was ever rich to begin with living in Sydney. I have been forced to re-evaluate every single one of my purchases. So much so, when I spend money on myself now, yes I do feel quite guilty. Being forced to change makes you realise certain things. I never indulge in impulse buying for a start.

Generally you know if you NEED something or not.
Replacement brake pads = needed.
Elastic perished = clothing item needed.
New wheelset just for the hell of it = not needed.

In my opinion though, if you're embarassed to tell someone what something costs, you've just payed to much for it. You see this all the time when rich people are interviewed about their ridiculous collections. They never give a real sum, they've learned to give vague responses or sidestep the question altogether. I simply do not envy that position. In that way, I feel richer, but richer as a person, not richer in terms of wealth.

Personally, if I had enough money to spend on rapha kit, I'd draw the line & give it to charity instead.

On of the most life-changing momets for me was a round the world trip in 2005. On one sector, I flew from La Paz, Bolivia, directly to Miami, USA. The inequality was simply astonishing, and ever since I found myself questioning everything, including me and my family.

Jez mon

Nah mate, it's a consumerist society....you've got to spend money selfishly else they'll be a recession

Of course you don't need Rapha Kit, of course at the end of the day, it's overpriced. But so are a whole load of other things in the world. At the end of the day, you could go and ride a sportive/race wearing a primark T shirt and pair of shorts at a grand cost of a tenner. Or you could buy some decent kit for £100 or some very nice Assos/Rapha for well over that. At the end of the day, it's your money and your choice.

Well done to wildmoustache that's a good time, you'd have gone faster if you'd worn more though

wildmoustache

Jez mon wrote:

Well done to wildmoustache that's a good time, you'd have gone faster if you'd worn more though

there were guys there with all sorts ... every kind of race cape going ... all great if you need it. It's more the "i know what's best for you" thing that grates a bit.

I had a mix of low-end (dhb goggles, cheap club kit, freebie socks) and high-end kit (2D helment, s-works shoes). I'm a weight weenie and perhaps my rivals lined up in the pen that foul morning in the pyrenees just did cotton on to that

Ste_S

I have a few problems with Crapha

One of which is their sense of style. Black and white isn’t classy, it’s dull. If I see another rider wearing black shorts, black and white top and matching black and white hat I’m going to squirt them with dayglo silly string

robbie the roadie

I can't believe this has come up again :roll: . I think a lot of the problem is that people seem to slag it off, mainly about the price, without ever actually seeing any of it in the flesh. My rapha jersey is certainly a lot nicer to wear and is a lot better made than any of my other jerseys. OK it's maybe not worth their asking price is but it's certainly worthy of costing more than a 'normal' jersey.

I bought a 'classics pack' for £120. It contained a jersey, some arm warmers, a cap and a pair of socks. Hardly criminal is it :roll:

wildmoustache

robbie the roadie wrote:

I can't believe this has come up again :roll: . I think a lot of the problem is that people seem to slag it off, mainly about the price, without ever actually seeing any of it in the flesh. My rapha jersey is certainly a lot nicer to wear and is a lot better made than any of my other jerseys. OK it's maybe not worth their asking price is but it's certainly worthy of costing more than a 'normal' jersey.

I bought a 'classics pack' for £120. It contained a jersey, some arm warmers, a cap and a pair of socks. Hardly criminal is it :roll:

no y's? ??? black y's with white actual Y elastic would look the part!

il_principe

I just don't think their kit works as advertised to be honest. Fixed T's were a complete waste of money, thank god I got them special offer. They really hum after a ride as well, my other cycling jersey's don't. Distinctly underwhelmed! Sticking with Swrve and Castelli stuff in the future, it works (and looks) far better.

iainf72

jashburnham wrote:

I just don't think their kit works as advertised to be honest. Fixed T's were a complete waste of money, thank god I got them special offer. They really hum after a ride as well, my other cycling jersey's don't. Distinctly underwhelmed! Sticking with Swrve and Castelli stuff in the future, it works (and looks) far better.

That's because they're fundamentally t-shirts.

If you'd bought a cycling jersey you'd have no complaints.

onehipwonder

Ste_S wrote:

I have a few problems with Crapha

One of which is their sense of style. Black and white isn’t classy, it’s dull. If I see another rider wearing black shorts, black and white top and matching black and white hat I’m going to squirt them with dayglo silly string

Now that i have stitched up my sides after laughing so much at the "comedy" C put in front of Rapha, I'd like to defend the company and anyones right to wear what they want whilst on their bike without the threat of being "squirted".
When i ripped my Rapha rain jacket to shreds in a crash, I sent it to Rapha who repaired and posted back at no cost to me. Great customer service. I also have several other items of Rapha clothing which is of the highest quality and would honestly say that the Jerseys are the most comfortable to wear that i own.

There are always people moaning about what other people wear on the bike, why don't they concentrate on their riding and get a life!

il_principe

iainf72 wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

I just don't think their kit works as advertised to be honest. Fixed T's were a complete waste of money, thank god I got them special offer. They really hum after a ride as well, my other cycling jersey's don't. Distinctly underwhelmed! Sticking with Swrve and Castelli stuff in the future, it works (and looks) far better.

That's because they're fundamentally t-shirts.

If you'd bought a cycling jersey you'd have no complaints.

Sorry but that's rubbish - here's the blurb from their website re the fixed T:

The Rapha FIXED. T shirt has been developed for everyday summer riding. The T shirt has the look and feel of cotton, but actually uses Dri-release® fabric. This poly-cotton hybrid is wonderful at wicking moisture from the skin and incorporates FreshGuard® to neutralise odours.

IME most of the above is total cRapha, it doesn't wick effectively and it certainly doesn't neutralise odours!

spen666

Isn't there a saying something like...

"a fool and his money...."

iainf72

jashburnham wrote:

[
Sorry but that's rubbish - here's the blurb from their website re the fixed T:
!

Fair enough. When I look at them I see t-shirts rather than something you'd ride in, despite the blurb

But I'm sure you'd have no problems with a jersey but that's beside the point.

iainf72

spen666 wrote:

Isn't there a saying something like...

"a fool and his money...."

Are soon a party?

Ste_S

onehipwonder wrote:

Ste_S wrote:

I have a few problems with Crapha

One of which is their sense of style. Black and white isn’t classy, it’s dull. If I see another rider wearing black shorts, black and white top and matching black and white hat I’m going to squirt them with dayglo silly string

Now that i have stitched up my sides after laughing so much at the "comedy" C put in front of Rapha, I'd like to defend the company and anyones right to wear what they want whilst on their bike without the threat of being "squirted".
When i ripped my Rapha rain jacket to shreds in a crash, I sent it to Rapha who repaired and posted back at no cost to me. Great customer service. I also have several other items of Rapha clothing which is of the highest quality and would honestly say that the Jerseys are the most comfortable to wear that i own.

There are always people moaning about what other people wear on the bike, why don't they concentrate on their riding and get a life!

Glad you liked my joke Although I can't take credit for it

http://secretsofthepeloton.com/crapha.htm

synchronicity

It always suprises me how the rich or well-off defend themselves like members of the NRA.

APIII

synchronicity wrote:

It always suprises me how the rich or well-off defend themselves like members of the NRA.

Didn't you just buy yourself a Pinarello? Now, that may not make you a rich man, but then neither does a t-shirt

agnello

I'd like to see the self appointed style police that bitch about Rapha have a go at a, hard-as-nails, London cycle courier for wearing it...


... or riding a Condor