Rapha backpack

RyanB

Ok. Thinking about getting myself the Rapha backpack for the daily commute. Anyone any experience of using it? At £85 it's a bit steep, and it's either incredibly clever or I'm very stupid. Any sensible advice appreciated. If we could avoid getting into a debate about Rapha = pretentious poser etc etc ad nsuseum that'd be great too.

Thanks people.

jonginge

Not got it but did think about it when they first came out. For me the capacity isn't big enough (11L) and i wasn't sure my laptop would fit in it. Went for the very accomplished Deuter Bike 1 instead. And very good it is too.

RyanB

Ok. Cheers for that. I'll look into it.

JGS

I have a Dueter Race Exp Air, which is expandable for when I need to cram a few extra bits in. I find it's exceptionally comfortable and compared to my last backpack doesn't help boil me alive when pushing hard on the way into work.

Clever Pun

They certainly look nice, but the capacity is limited and doesn't really offer the airflow on the back that others can

I'm still tempted though

spen666

what makes it worth £85 compared to other bags?

Ask yourself why you are going to be prepared to pay so much more for a Rapha one than for say an Aldi special at £5.

If it is because of the name on it, then you are a "pretentious poser " - just admit it and move on. Its your money, if you want to spend it to be a "pretentious poser", its your choice

biondino

+1 for the Deuter Bike 1 - a very well designed, modern rucksack with a waterproof cover stored conveniently in the underside for wet trips. A good size for a full change of clothes plus, but not so big you feel you're lugging round a suitcase on your back.

RyanB

see that's what I'm trying to avoid: I'm not asking for people on their opinions of the concept of handing over £85 for a bag simply because it's a Rapha bag .That question has been done to death. I'm looking to know of anyone has any experience of using it and how have they found it. I must admit, I was concerned at forking out £120 on their Fixed Shorts but I now think it's worth it as they're by far the most comfortable, presentable and practical shorts I have.


Please.

ride_whenever

I've got a crumpler messenger bag. It'll take my laptop and whatever else i fancy putting in it. It's supremely comfy, waterproof and doesn't move about too much.

If you're going to be a poser you don't need to be a rapha tw@t...

spen666

RyanB wrote:

see that's what I'm trying to avoid: I'm not asking for people on their opinions of the concept of handing over £85 for a bag simply because it's a Rapha bag .That question has been done to death. I'm looking to know of anyone has any experience of using it and how have they found it. I must admit, I was concerned at forking out £120 on their Fixed Shorts but I now think it's worth it as they're by far the most comfortable, presentable and practical shorts I have.


Please.

Ask yourself what it does better than a cheaper bag?

If nothing, then why pay for it?

If you are going to pay for it because of the name, then that is your choice, but the merits of the bag are irrelevant in those circumstances

cougie

Why would Rapha have expertise in bags ? OK - clothes - they know about - but why pay extra for something thats not in their field ?

I use an Aldi backpack to MTB with - and its great. I also wear some Rapha kit and thats nice too - but I never pay full price for it.

singlespeedexplosif

Ask yourself what it does better than a cheaper bag?

If nothing, then why pay for it?

wild and crazy idea perhaps, but because you want it?

Coriander

Spen,

What does it take for you to understand that he doesn't want your views on whether it's worth the money or not, or what style statements you think he might be making by using a Rapha backpack?

All he wants is views on whether or not it functions OK as a rucksack that needs to carry a certain amount of stuff in a daily commute. IE. is it truly waterproof, does it sit comfortably on people's backs, does it fit a laptop easily.

MrChuck

Not used one but 11L capacity sounds a bit on the small side- not much flexibility there.

spen666

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

Ask yourself what it does better than a cheaper bag?

If nothing, then why pay for it?

wild and crazy idea perhaps, but because you want it?

As I said, that is buyers choice and his right.

There is nothing wrong with this approach, we have all done it at some time

however if that is the reason for buying it, then the performance of said bag is irrelevant as its being bought for the name.

RyanB

Coriander,
you're right. I'm really looking to avoid the old kneejerk cliched arguments about Rapha being for posers, pretentious, and a plastic bag will do the same thing etc etc. I assure you, I am not a poser (I ride a Dahon folder for chrissakes), but the point about the shorts was that while I was reticent about getting them at first, I now think they're brilliant and completely worth the money. I will pay more for something if I think its worth the money, not because of the label. Besides, £85 is not that much for a bike bag. Yes I know theres £5 aldi bags, and thanks everyone for their suggestions above, but you can easily pay much more than £85 for a bag too (Brooks, Timbuk2, etc).

The argument about whether I'm buying it because its Rapha is not applicable because I'm not. Its just that my experience with their stuff in the past has been very positive, and I'm just wondering if anyone could shed light on this from experience, not through opinion of the Rapha brand per se. I'm not about to run out and spend £50 on their stupid silk scarf.

But thanks everyone anyway.

singlespeedexplosif

however if that is the reason for buying it, then the performance of said bag is irrelevant as its being bought for the name.

Wild assumption. Just the name? Nothing to do with, for instance, material/looks/quality of manufacture/style/colour/interior of the bag, and so on?

il_principe

RyanB wrote:

see that's what I'm trying to avoid: I'm not asking for people on their opinions of the concept of handing over £85 for a bag simply because it's a Rapha bag .That question has been done to death. I'm looking to know of anyone has any experience of using it and how have they found it. I must admit, I was concerned at forking out £120 on their Fixed Shorts but I now think it's worth it as they're by far the most comfortable, presentable and practical shorts I have.


Please.

You were right to be concerned - you should have bought Swrve shorts!

http://swrve.co.uk/mens%20shorts.html

GyatsoLa

cougie wrote:

Why would Rapha have expertise in bags ? OK - clothes - they know about - but why pay extra for something thats not in their field ?

I use an Aldi backpack to MTB with - and its great. I also wear some Rapha kit and thats nice too - but I never pay full price for it.

From what I know Rapha do not have design expertise in anything - all their kit is designed to their specification by specialist design consultancies and/or manufacturers. This applies to virtually all non-specialist bike brands. Its entirely possible that a bag from, say, DHB, Deuter and Rapha could all have been designed by the same person - its the specification that matters.

As for the OP's question, I've not used the Rapha bag, but in my experience 1.1 litre will turn out to be just too small for commuting - there will be times when you want more, so a bag that is expandable, or has external compression straps/bands will prove invaluable. IBoth Deuter and Vaude make some very good ones.

Petromyzon

I too thought about it as the design is nice and well-thought out, but on reflection it was a bit too over-complicated for my liking. Too many small pockets that I wouldn't use, not big enough, not waterproof enough or padded enough to trust a laptop in it.

Would tend to agree with gyatso cougie, Rapha are still a relatively new company anyway so they can't really claim much heritage with anything. They do make some lovely looking stuff though.

I have a 9 year old Timbuk2 that I am wedded to, simple enough to be relatively light when empty but large capacity, heavyweight fabric and still pretty waterproof even though the lining has delaminated a bit where the lid folds.