Is Rapha clothing worth it?
Jellylegs1968
Posts: 73
i like the look of its retro chic, is it worth the dosh?
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It is to me, I love the stuff!
Only you can say whether it is worth it or not. There are many people on this forum who slate Rapha relentlessly, not least because of the price calling it overpriced tosh etc etc. I strongly suspect that the haters have not actually tried the stuff over a protracted period as it is of such good quality and design it is, to me, worth the premium. If you can afford it, go for it!
There is also the phenomenon of inverted snobbery directed at Rapha wearers...0 -
Jellylegs1968 wrote:i like the look of its retro chic, is it worth the dosh?
Are you asking if it's worth it for the LOOK?0 -
No, i'm sayng i like the look, does the quality stack up?0
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The quality is second to none.0
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Jellylegs1968 wrote:No, i'm sayng i like the look, does the quality stack up?
It had better "stack up" for the price they get for it. It's sort of like asking if a Bentley is worth the price. It is if you want to "show off". If you just want a go to work car, well......0 -
dennis, I don't wear Rapha clothing to 'show off', most people haven't a clue what it is and it actually looks very understated IMO. It is so well made and designed, I love it.
Besides, I'd love a Bentley Arnage because it has two horns, one for country and one for town.0 -
I wear quite a bit of Rapha gear, and the quality is very very good. However I dont care what anyone says, they are aiming at the City folk who can spend the money on good gear, but it IS overpriced imo. I love my base layers and summer riding top - but if you want performance over longer distances, it cannot compare to Assos.
I like my Rapha for short commute or when around town, but in the saddle on a Sportive or a 4 hr ride....you would be much better off with Assos
....so I guess it depends on purpose of use more than anything0 -
Whether its worth it depends on what you want it for. I do a lot of urban cycling in situations where I have to look reasonably presentable when I'm off the bike, Rapha is pretty good for that. I also do a lot of touring, and its great to have quality cycling kit that doesn't make you look silly when you get off to go into a restaurant or just walk around sightseeing.
The quality is outstandingly good, there is no question about that. Lots of thought goes into the designs and the stitching and materials are very good so I think it will last very well. The fit is excellent - you only realise how good it is if you wear it for a while.
The only Rapha item I've had that was disappointing was a Fixed Merino top. Not that it wasn't nice, but I found out to my cost that high quality pure merino wears very quickly and its near impossible to get stains out of it, so for a sloppy eater like me it wasn't worth the price (to be fair, this applies to all pure merino kit). I was also a little disappointed with my Fixed t-shirt as its not as smell-proof as advertised and the material 'piled' quite quickly - its still a great looking t-shirt tho'.
I know people quibble about the price, but I much prefer buying a small number of quality items than having a pile of cheap stuff - thats my personal preference, everyone to their own. I actually think that for the quality its not a bad price - go to any upmarket Department Store and you'll see loads of jackets, jerseys, trousers, etc., that are far more expensive and are certainly not as practical. Its only expensive in comparison to perfectly usable bike kit you'll get in any bike shop.0 -
Anyone got the red Club jersey? Is it as nice in real life as in the pictures? Really want one, but it's the £££! When i get sorted for touring i might get one. As GyatsoLa said, it should look good on or off the bike.0
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rjh299 wrote:Anyone got the red Club jersey? Is it as nice in real life as in the pictures? Really want one, but it's the £££! When i get sorted for touring i might get one. As GyatsoLa said, it should look good on or off the bike.
Yes, I've got one. And the answer to your question, IMO, is yes. I like it because the fit is not skin tight, but just right. The material looks lovely close up, and I dig the understated styling. I have a lot of cheap kit which I use for commuting, and one Rapha top which I keep for "proper" rides. I'll be buying more of it though, when I can afford it.
Also thought I'd mention that I've got oil on it a couple of times :shock: and each time we've managed to get it out, so it's practical too.08 Commencal Meta 5.5.2
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most people haven't a clue what it is
is that what you think? that it's some kind of underground, understated, in the know type thing?
trust me, people know what it is and know perfectly well that the gear is a load of fashion victim bollox.0 -
Jellylegs1968 wrote:i like the look of its retro chic, is it worth the dosh?
the only person who can say if it is worth it is you. The kit might be good quality, but so is lots of other stuff costing half the price.
Personally, I think the pricing is excessive to the point of being cynical. I would love to see somone from Rapha on here justifying the prices, but I won't hold my breath...0 -
softlad wrote:Jellylegs1968 wrote:i like the look of its retro chic, is it worth the dosh?
the only person who can say if it is worth it is you. The kit might be good quality, but so is lots of other stuff costing half the price.
Personally, I think the pricing is excessive to the point of being cynical. I would love to see somone from Rapha on here justifying the prices, but I won't hold my breath...
Why would they need to? They sell plenty of stuff without having to do that. Try justifying a 50 quid pair of bibshorts to someone who isn't interested in cycling and you will be met with the same incredulity as someone who first learns of Rapha and Assos pricing.0 -
great quality and looks good but im afraid i wouldnt be seen dead in anything sporting the name 'rapha' - too many similarites to the FAT SPANISH WAITER with the same name
'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'0 -
Carlos13 wrote:Also thought I'd mention that I've got oil on it a couple of times :shock: and each time we've managed to get it out, so it's practical too.
surely that has more to do with how you wash it, not the fact that it's 'Rapha'...? I've had oil stains in all kinds of kit, and they all come out in the wash - and none of it is Rapha.....0 -
It's good gear in my experience. Very comfortable. Well designed.
If you like the stuff and can afford it, buy it. Life's too short to worry about what the inverted snobs think.0 -
funckchicken wrote:most people haven't a clue what it is
is that what you think? that it's some kind of underground, understated, in the know type thing?
trust me, people know what it is and know perfectly well that the gear is a load of fashion victim bollox.
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Rapha stuff always look like stuff ive sent in old photos and videos of classic road races. They have obviously looked at these old designs and have basically cpied them and marketed them back to us. It is is done very well using quality products. I wud also imagine the cost wud be more to produce as the stuff ive seen has all been made in england, so there will be a premium for that. I cudnt afford a whole lot of their stuff but the tops and glove i do have, i have not found any others to compete.0
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boggyass wrote:Rapha stuff always look like stuff ive sent in old photos and videos of classic road races. They have obviously looked at these old designs and have basically cpied them and marketed them back to us. It is is done very well using quality products. I wud also imagine the cost wud be more to produce as the stuff ive seen has all been made in england, so there will be a premium for that. I cudnt afford a whole lot of their stuff but the tops and glove i do have, i have not found any others to compete.
Is it that expensive that you can only afford 1 glove at a time?0 -
Hi,
I have 2 questions for the detractors.
1. Have you actually tried Rapha?
2. If so, what products are equal for less money, or better for the same?
I would love to know as I can then either get cheaper or better
Getting a bargain is great, but life is too short to be cheap.None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.0 -
Have you actually tried Rapha?
no and i never will. and that is a state of affairs i am perfectly happy with.
i can easily afford it but i choose not to buy it. i am however happy for others to wear it though. i can always do with a laugh when i'm out cycling in the lanes.0 -
daviesee wrote:1. Have you actually tried Rapha?
2. If so, what products are equal for less money, or better for the same?
1. = no, I wouldn't even entertain buying the kit at those prices
2. = the choice is almost endless, believe it or not.
I have kit from Lusso, Endura, Altura, Trek, Specialized, Exustar and - *gasp* - Aldi. All of it works fine and performs as advertised.
If people are happy paying over the odds to buy in to a brand image, then good luck to them. I might even have tried some myself if the prices weren't such a total pizz-take....0 -
softlad wrote:daviesee wrote:1. Have you actually tried Rapha?
2. If so, what products are equal for less money, or better for the same?
1. = no, I wouldn't even entertain buying the kit at those prices
2. = the choice is almost endless, believe it or not.
I have kit from Lusso, Endura, Altura, Trek, Specialized, Exustar and - *gasp* - Aldi. All of it works fine and performs as advertised.
If people are happy paying over the odds to buy in to a brand image, then good luck to them. I might even have tried some myself if the prices weren't such a total pizz-take....
Hang on, you've just said you've not tried it but there's endless amounts of kit that's as good. Errrrm, am I missing something here? How do you know if you haven't tried it?0 -
I can't believe the inverted snobbery going on here.
WTF?
Why 'have a laugh' at someone wearing it? Get a life.0 -
NapoleonD wrote:Hang on, you've just said you've not tried it but there's endless amounts of kit that's as good. Errrrm, am I missing something here? How do you know if you haven't tried it?
this may come as a shock, but Rapha does not have a monopoly on quality.
'just as good' in the sense that it performs its function. In other words, I would define a 'quality' pair of cycling shorts as a pair that you can ride in for 4-5 hours with minimal discomfort. In that sense, there are lots of other shorts that will perform equally as well, without being made from the wool of the Peruvian pigmy mountain goat, or something.
You're right though - I have not tried Rapha, so for all I know it could actually be worse than the stuff I ride in now.0 -
Yes, that is quite a shock. Not that I've said anything else is bad, I own equipment from many different manufacturers. My favourite clothing just so happens to be Rapha, with Assos shorts.
What's with the 'wool of peruvian pigmy mountain goat'? nothing says it's made of that? In fact, can you get such wool?0 -
NapoleonD wrote:I can't believe the inverted snobbery going on here.
WTF?
Why 'have a laugh' at someone wearing it? Get a life.
+1 Why would someone buying and wearing something they like and appreciate be something to laugh at?Why would they need to? They sell plenty of stuff without having to do that. .like I said - I'm not holding my breath...
This reads like they should be on here 'justifying' their prices. As NapoleonD says, why should they? Nobody's being forced to buy it. They make it, decide what they want to charge for it, some buy it and some don't. It really is that simple.
FWIW I don't own any- I'm sure it's great kit and I like the look of (some of!) it but everyone has their balance of function, quality, aesthetics and price and it's not for me.0
