Rapha gear

flattythehurdler

I've just bought a 5k roadbike. I can't wait to be the slowest person in the group on the best bike. I actually keep telling everyone that I'm gonna kick their @ss when it arrives, but we all know it's not true.I personally don't like the rapha image (the dr. in procycling all rapha'd up looks a tw@t), but it's your money. Like you say, you're not killing babies. I actually think the plates were a good idea, having finished the polkadot in a bin bag. Maybe you could get some rapha plates, or failing that some waitrose ones. They'll look better up your jumper.

synchronicity

APIII wrote:

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

No, I eeerm put a deposit on it. That's completely different. Rich people don't need to pfaff about with deposits, they just buy things outright. Besides, it's the 1st bike I've bought for myself in almost 8 years (rental bikes not included). And it ain't a prince, it's the base model... and I'll be swapping out many of the parts from my old bike... and I'm well aware of the irony that I'm justifying my purchases now... D'OH! :oops:

It's all my father's fault. He's quite possibly the biggest sh¡t-stirrer in history.

Ste_S

agnello wrote:

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


... or riding a Condor

You've mis-spelt Fakenger

expresso love

Over the years I've had some good gear and some bad; some of the good stuff has been expensive and some has been low cost. On the whole I think that when you pay more you get better quality, but I've also had some expensive crap. I bought my Rapha top because a mate recommended it and I like it. Still do. I was just interested in other riders' opinions - and I advised my critic that it was my business what I wore. He then confessed that he drove a ridiculously expensive motor and made me laugh.

BigG67

I've money, I know what I like, if I can afford it and can justify it, I'lI buy it...end of story.

"Fool and money...." total bollox.... :roll:

Fantasia

Hi

Do you lot spend hours in front of the mirror before you get on yur bikes??

onehipwonder

synchronicity wrote:

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

I'd like to know your definition of rich as I am most certainly not. It really annoys me when I get judged by someone who knows nothing about me. You don't seem to have had a bad life living in Sydney now in Spain flying from South America to Florida. Maybe you could have lessened your carbon footprint and put the money you saved from the cost of the flights into something else, like a nice Rapha Jersey.

4kicks

This really is the new Campag vs Shimano, isnt it?

The funny thing to me is there would be nothing like the level of heated argument for the same issue off the bike - should I buy shirts with a polo player logo on them or buy them from tesco?

I reckon the key conclusion is if anyone threatened to squirt me with water for what I was wearing on a ride I would twat him one, end of discussion.

Anyway. "Ive been rich and Ive been poor. Rich is better."

Ste_S

4kicks wrote:

This really is the new Campag vs Shimano, isnt it?

The funny thing to me is there would be nothing like the level of heated argument for the same issue off the bike - should I buy shirts with a polo player logo on them or buy them from tesco?

I reckon the key conclusion is if anyone threatened to squirt me with water for what I was wearing on a ride I would fool him one, end of discussion.

Anyway. "Ive been rich and Ive been poor. Rich is better."

I'll think you'll find it's day-glo silly string rather that water for the Rapha Monochromes out there

Mark Alexander

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

Well, you can take a flying leap.
As far as someone taking you to task. They're obviously envious on some level to take the time out to give you a talking to. I'm not a big fan of the jerseys but would love the lightweight jacket and have some base layers.

4kicks

Ste_S wrote:

4kicks wrote:

This really is the new Campag vs Shimano, isnt it?

The funny thing to me is there would be nothing like the level of heated argument for the same issue off the bike - should I buy shirts with a polo player logo on them or buy them from tesco?

I reckon the key conclusion is if anyone threatened to squirt me with water for what I was wearing on a ride I would fool him one, end of discussion.

Anyway. "Ive been rich and Ive been poor. Rich is better."

I'll think you'll find it's day-glo silly string rather that water for the Rapha Monochromes out there

I think spraying with silly string is a good idea! I was referring to the OP who IIRC said hed been threatened with a soaking for wearign Rapha.

idaviesmoore

I LUUURVE Rapha kit, I've just brought their newspaper print gillet as the lastest addition to my collection. It is expensive and it is a treat but, f@ck it, you work for it and you can't take it with you. So bo&&ocks to what anyone else thinks!!

In addition to this Rapha kit works really, really well and lasts for ages. My first purchase, bib shorts, was years ago and it still stands up now (must remember to wash those bib shorts!!). I've never regretted buying thier kit. If you spend lots of time on a bike in this shitty weather then you're entitled to a bit of luxury.

Remember...show like a pro you go like a pro

monstadog

Just remembered , when I went to see Radiohead in manchester a couple of months ago, there was a bloke in the queue behind me wearing a Rapha softshell jacket.

They're a lovely jacket, but he looked a bit of a twat wearing it at a concert


Edit I called him a tw@t but the word police changed it

st68

its your cash so wot the f**ks it got to do with them there were obviously a bit of a tw*t

TheHatter

In defence of Rapha at least some of the profit they make is going back into cycling by sponsoring a team - and finding sponsors sure can't be easy these days.

Also the Nocturne series is a great idea and utilising their 'cool' image must help get more people into bike riding which again can't be bad.

As for their gear - I just wish they had some stock, I had a gift voucher to spend but could barely find anything available. Their summer stock only seems to start arriving in August and their mitts have only been available in freaky sizes since pre-christmas.

[Deleted User]

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DaSy

I have lots of Rapha gear, and am often puzzled by peoples reactions to it, which to be honest is almost always on forums and not in person.

The alternative is often synthetic fibres that for me end up smelling very quickly, especially base layers and jerseys. Also the fact that Rapha gear is quite understated appeals to me, as I really have issues with replica team kit, the styling is purely for advertising a product that no-one much evens knows about, let alone cares enough about to promote.

I'm far from a Pro rider, so have no desire to look like I think I'm one.

Rapha are a great company to deal with, they replaced one of my jerseys after nearly 2 years, as the colour on the back faded in the sun slightly. It had been ridden in summer in Spain and France as well as over here. They sent a brand new jersey by return with no questions asked.

Assos bibs are better than Rapha in my opinion, but everything else, jackets, jerseys, gloves etc I prefer by Rapha,

crown_jewel

Agree with DaSy: Assos bibs, Rapha for everything else. I do have the lightweight softshell, phips, and I like it fine. Wish it had zip vents under the arms. Unless it is pretty chilly, you can heat up quickly once you get going.

DaSy

Phips - I've got the Classic Softshell Jacket and love it. It has loads of venting, so can be cool enough to wear at the bottom of a european mountain, but when zipped up tight it is warm enough at the top and for the descent. The cut is very comfortable and the pockets well thought out.

I ended up in a blizzard at the top of Ventoux in just this and a baselayer, and was warm enough - the same can't be said for my ears and fingers though! It is also waterproof to a pretty good degree, apart from my crochet mitts, this is my favorite bit of cycling kit.

Monty Dog

If I had one criticism of Rapha and Assos as well is simply that the prices have gone up way beyond inflation in the last few years. Given the mileage and use I make of bike kit, I tend to steer away from cheaper or non-branded stuff because it simple doesn't last. I have a Rapha short sleeve top and a cap and rue the time I turned down a new softshell for £50 when they were just starting out - but I can't really justify £200k+ for a waterproof when I can buy a perfectly adequate Goretex one for half that. But I think the trend that I have noticed and what probably leads to the comments about Rapha is the very obvious guys who gone into Condor, dropped the gold card on the counter and come out head to toe in the stuff - fine if you have the style of a silky-smooth pro, but not if your knees stick out because they can't pass your belly and it looks like you'r pedallling squares.

dombo6

spen666 wrote:

Isn't there a saying something like...

"a fool and his money...."

...are lucky to get together in the first place"

cougie

I do like the Rapha softshell - very nice, but I wouldnt pay full price for it. Luckily I got it in one of their sales. My pink cord has broken on it tho - so I should really send it back before the weather turns cold.

I'm not that fussed on Assos tho - I have one pair of their shorts - lovely quality - but they are probably less comfy than my cheapo ones.

GyatsoLa

I don't know what it is about cyclists, but I've definitely noticed a sort of 'attitude' on this and other forums about people who are seen to be spending too much on kit. You get a little of it in other hobbies, but not as much.

I gotta say though that IMO in most cases spending good money on quality is worth it in the long run. A few months ago I did a big clearout of my closet. I found stuffed away lots of kit I'd more or less forgotten about. It was invariably 'bargains' I picked up here and there. Sometimes they just pack it in after a few rides/washes, or sometimes they get ignored cos they just don't feel right. There are exceptions of course but the times when I've splashed out on something of real quality i've found myself using it over and over again, and in most cases well made kit (and I assume this applies to Rapha) lasts a long time and stays looking good. Examples would be a Gore jacket I bought in 1999 that still looks good and performs well after numerous winter rides and Asian tours - my assos bibs which I almost always wear when they are clean... and so on.

One thing I would say about Rapha kit though is the design and fitting. I usually find it hard to get cycling clothes that fits well, but first time I tried Rapha (when visiting London and of course couldn't resist going into Condor) I found the fitting amazing - like it was tailored for me. I've never warmed to the styling, but I bought some for that reason alone - only my credit card limit stopped me buying more!

As for the price - it is a bit breathtaking when you first encounter it, but all you need to do is to visit your local House of Frasier or Harvey Nicks to see what your gf/wife thinks its ok to spend on a handbag or summer jacket. It makes the Rapha Musette and softshell jacket look cheap!

ju5t1n

I found a Rapha Tour of Britain jersey on eBay and snapped it up for £20, love it to bits. But I agree that the black jersey with white arm band looks naf.

Raphapimp

A fool and his money, seldom come together. Whoever posted that might be a genius.

I ordered my first Rapha kit this year, ebayed all my team kit and went with the bib shorts, black jersey and white Gillet. I think i look quite cool in it, more importantly it feels great, team kit is most often replica and is not comfortable. The merino wool undershirts are simply the best. I love their gear and they are a great company to buy from.

Those guys who hate, well maybe they can't afford it, they say they can but we all know better and really at the end of the day if you earn it then you can spend it on whatever the hell you want. Thier style is not for some but i like it. I'm not far from Wolvo, come spray me with something, i hope you are fast as i'll put my Sidi size 12 in sideways pal. I'll wear black and you can wear dayglo spandex, i wont judge you......

Simple fact is i work a demanding job, long hours, on Sundays i get to go riding with my pal, i get about 2-3 hours on my bike and i want it to be the best 2-3 hours i have all week. I ride an expensive bike and wear Rapha gear and love every minute on it. I don't drink or smoke, my cash goes into making those 2-3 hours all the more comfortable and enjoyable. Quality not quantity. End of.

cock_sportif

Raphapimp wrote:

Simple fact is i work a demanding job, long hours, on Sundays i get to go riding with my pal, i get about 2-3 hours on my bike and i want it to be the best 2-3 hours i have all week. I ride an expensive bike and wear Rapha gear and love every minute on it. I don't drink or smoke, my cash goes into making those 2-3 hours all the more comfortable and enjoyable. Quality not quantity. End of.

Well said. Irony being I'm sure many of the anti-rapha crowd proudly wear pro-team team kit, thereby helping fund all sorts of idiocies and excesses ... (not to mention spending over the odds for some decidely poor clothing)

turkeytickler

phips wrote:

Hmm, anyone got the Lightweight Softshell and can recommend it?

I'll confess I've got a large collection of Rapha stuff, and I love it. I've got Assos stuff too, but I prefer the styling of Rapha.

It's all subjective and opinions at the end of the day, but there is the simple fact the stuff is good. I love it, and I'll keep buying it

yup - got one in the sale - the most expensive but the nicest peice of bike kit i have ever bought.... I wear it on and off the bike .... something you can't say for assos!

[Deleted User]

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fluff.

Saw the Rapha sale mail today, thought there maybe some bargains to be had ... a measly 10 quid off about 6 items is all, eg the lightweight jersery is now 90 instead of 100, wow, think I'll buy 2 at that price, or maybe not.

cougie

The Gilet is £75 from £95 - just bought a white one for visibility, but cant help but think the black is a better design.