Is Rapha clothing worth it?

245

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I would assume that people buy "things" for a couple of reasons. One - you need it(i.e.
    clothing, bikes, bike clothing, car). Two - to make you look good(i.e. showoff). Why does the bride wear white? Why would someone buy a Rolls Royce? You need a car AND a
    Rolls just screams look at me, I have money, etc.. Why wear 500 dollar Italian silk shirts?
    You need a shirt AND they look really good. Why does a friend of mine have a vanity car liscence plate holder that says Swim-Bike-Run-Triathelete? He wants everyone to know
    that he's a Swim-Bike..... kind of guy(i.e. showoff). We all do it. Some just do it with more money than others.
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    I have a lot of Rapha clothing, infact everything I cycle in is Rapha with the expection of bibshorts from Assos.

    Unlike many of the detractors, I have actually tried all manner of other cheaper and similarly priced kit in the past, and on balance have come to the conclusion that I prefer to wear Rapha.

    I never understand this weird price argument, the I can wear Aldi clothing and it does the same job line. I mean are you all driving Kia cars, wearing suits to work from Asda, and Tesco jeans?

    All these items will work as well as Levi jeans, Ford Mondeo's etc, Next suits etc, but people are happy to pay a little more for that little intangible thing the more expensive items offer.

    If you just want the cheapest thing that does the job, great, but don't feel the need to justify it to yourself by critising those of us who see worth in more expensive items.
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    DaSy wrote:

    If you just want the cheapest thing that does the job, great, but don't feel the need to justify it to yourself by critising those of us who see worth in more expensive items.

    Not sure if that was aimed at me, but I haven't actually criticised anyone. I am only critical of Rapha's prices. Rapha is clearly tapping into a market which is queueing up to part with its cash - and good luck to them.

    And if I had meant to say Rapha 'should' be here justifying their prices, I would have done. Instead, I said that I would 'like' to see them on here - there is a difference....

    Chris Boardman recently posted here to get involved in the 'Boardman/Halfords' debate - I don't see why Mr Mottram should be any different. Having said that - it probably suits their image thet they remain above the ramblings of proles like us.....
  • MrChuck
    MrChuck Posts: 1,663
    softlad wrote:

    And if I had meant to say Rapha 'should' be here justifying their prices, I would have done. Instead, I said that I would 'like' to see them on here - there is a difference....

    Chris Boardman recently posted here to get involved in the 'Boardman/Halfords' debate - I don't see why Mr Mottram should be any different....

    Maybe I read more into your post than you were saying, but to me the word 'justifying' and then saying you're not holding your breath suggested that you think they have something to answer for. Maybe I'm just being super-pedantic, but while they may or may not feel the need to discuss how they arrive at their prices they certainly don't need to justify anything to anyone on here.

    I think Chris Boardman's post is a little different as he was addressing more tangible criticisms (of Halfords!) and saying what Boardman (in the group/company sense) are doing about it.
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    I don't own any Rapha kit at all, never even tried any on. So that's that bit cleared up :)

    But I've seen a few riders around and abouts wearing these white hats with a black stripe down the middle, or a black hat with a white strap down the middle. In fact yesterday I saw what was probably a husband and wife team in matching (though different) hats as described above. I laughed but covered my mouth, though I was eating at the time.

    I know this makes me a bad person, sorry...
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    edited June 2009
    dodgy wrote:
    I don't own any Rapha kit at all, never even tried any on. So that's that bit cleared up :)

    But I've seen a few riders around and abouts wearing these white hats with a black stripe down the middle, or a black hat with a white strap down the middle. In fact yesterday I saw what was probably a husband and wife team in matching (though different) hats as described above. I laughed but covered my mouth, though I was eating at the time.

    I know this makes me a bad person, sorry...

    You must pizz yourself when you watch the tour - I mean 11 blokes wearing the same kit, riding the same bikes, all of it expensive. I'm surprised you can breath laughing that much.

    You pillock
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  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    dodgy wrote:
    I know this makes me a bad person, sorry...

    It doesn't make you a bad person, just easily entertained, which is nice.
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Chip \'oyler wrote:
    dodgy wrote:
    I don't own any Rapha kit at all, never even tried any on. So that's that bit cleared up :)

    But I've seen a few riders around and abouts wearing these white hats with a black stripe down the middle, or a black hat with a white strap down the middle. In fact yesterday I saw what was probably a husband and wife team in matching (though different) hats as described above. I laughed but covered my mouth, though I was eating at the time.

    I know this makes me a bad person, sorry...

    You must pizz yourself when you watch the tour - I mean 11 blokes wearing the same kit, riding the same bikes, all of it expensive. I'm surprised you can breath laughing that much.

    You pillock

    I'm sorry have I upset you?
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    I was wondering how useful the input of all those who have never owned or worn any Rapha gear is to the OP?
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    DaSy wrote:
    I was wondering how useful the input of all those who have never owned or worn any Rapha gear is to the OP?

    I guess brand perception might be a factor, if you care about such things I suppose?

    Looks nice quality kit, wouldn't mind trying the shorts.
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    To be honest Dodgy, the shorts are the the least good item of Rapha clothing. For the same money Assos S5's are much better. Rapha's gloves, jersey's and jacket's are the stand out items.
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    DaSy wrote:
    Rapha's gloves, jersey's and jacket's are the stand out items.

    what makes them stand out..???

    (apart from the insane prices, obviously....)
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    They are better than the other items, therefore they 'stand out'
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    DaSy wrote:
    They are better than the other items, therefore they 'stand out'

    in what way are they better than 'the other' items..??
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    By merit of their superiority...
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    softlad wrote:
    DaSy wrote:
    Rapha's gloves, jersey's and jacket's are the stand out items.

    what makes them stand out..???

    (apart from the insane prices, obviously....)

    Bloody hell you do have a problem with Rapha don't you
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    softlad, give it a rest, you are just sounding like someone who is arguing for the sake of it, like Kevin the Teenager off Harry Enfield.

    You don't like Rapha, you don't have to buy it. Get over it.
  • funckchicken
    funckchicken Posts: 93
    edited June 2009
    Chip \'oyler wrote:
    dodgy wrote:
    I don't own any Rapha kit at all, never even tried any on. So that's that bit cleared up

    But I've seen a few riders around and abouts wearing these white hats with a black stripe down the middle, or a black hat with a white strap down the middle. In fact yesterday I saw what was probably a husband and wife team in matching (though different) hats as described above. I laughed but covered my mouth, though I was eating at the time.

    I know this makes me a bad person, sorry...


    You must pizz yourself when you watch the tour - I mean 11 blokes wearing the same kit, riding the same bikes, all of it expensive. I'm surprised you can breath laughing that much.

    You pillock


    I'm sorry have I upset you?

    don't worry about old chip. he's just got a chip that's all.

    hey chip - keep wearing the rapha gear man. right on. honestly it's really, really, really cool. understated and quality second to none, but at the same time all those in the know (and i'm talkin' 'bout the cool kids here - you know who you are) will recognise it and give you a knowing nod in the lanes. dressed all in black with subtle labels. yes sir. no two ways about it. chicks dig it too. AND i've heard rumour that's it's guaranteed to raise your average by 1 mph. so that's it. settled. rapha is the best absolutely tippest toppest gear out there and if anyone says anything different they're in for a right good kicking.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    But I'm not the one getting upset about it. I have no doubt Rapha is good kit but I have already made it clear that I do not understand what justifies their price point other than 'exclusivity' - so I thought perhaps some Rapha wearers could articulate exactly what it was that makes their gloves (for instance) around £90 better than a pair of Treks or Specs off the peg at the LBS. Or alternatively, why should I fork out £150 for a pair of their bibs when I could buy three pairs of Lusso pro-gels for the same price..?

    Maybe the questions are too difficult...or maybe the answers are too embarrassing - its got to be one fo the two.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    :roll:

    You don't have to buy any of it.

    To me, the stuff I have is worth it. Because it is IMO, better. That's all there is to it.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    NapoleonD wrote:
    :roll:

    You don't have to buy any of it.

    To me, the stuff I have is worth it. Because it is IMO, better. That's all there is to it.

    dear god - I wasn't presenting it as a choice.....

    this is like getting blood out of a stone. Obviously this is a personal thing with you - but in what way do you feel it is better...?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Softlad, I'm not wasting any more time on this subject for you to just keep mithering and whining. OP - if you want me to explain what I like about Rapha clothing, PM me.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    my only complaint (apart from Rapha's pricing) is with your inability to respond to simple questions - although, thinking about it, your inability to answer is probably an answer in itself....
    NapoleonD wrote:
    OP - if you want me to explain what I like about Rapha clothing, PM me.

    so, you'll tell a potential buyer privately, but you won't tell me publicly. The Rapha 'secret' is not worthy of non-believers eh..? :D
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    Hey Softlad - I've just come up for air and managed to type this.

    I was out this afternoon in my Rapha gear and cycled past three members of the Swedish Triathlon team. Guess what - all three of them are in my bed right now.

    And I can honestly say the only reason why my c*ck is red raw is because of the cool Rapha kit I was wearing. This doesn't happen when I wear my baggy mucky grey Impsort top.

    I think this answers your questions about whether Rapha kit is worth the money.
    Anyway must dash - Ingrid is shouting me....
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  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Chip \'oyler wrote:

    I was out this afternoon in my Rapha gear and cycled past three members of the Swedish Triathlon team. Guess what - all three of them are in my bed right now.

    cool...

    I'm guessing their names are Olaf, Sven and Bjorn....???

    Honestly, you London fixie types - anything goes.... :)
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    Softlad, I'm not sure why you have such an obsession with people jusyifying things to you?

    I expect if I was to look through your record collection I would find lots of music purchases that I would find an utter waste of money, but to you they are worthwhile. The same applies to a great many things in life, we align ourselves with items that appeal to whatever criteria we think is important.

    I am happy to pay a premium to get the item I want, as long as it fulfills the criteria I have set aside. To me Rapha clothing (not all, but quite a lot of it at least) is worth the cost. It is comparable prices to Assos, and in quite a few cases cheaper, of a comparable quality, but I prefer the styling, and I like the use of merino wool in the jerseys.

    The gloves are extremely well made, and I have a pair that have been used daily for 3 years, and are actually nicer now than the day I bought them. I have worn out many pairs of cheaper gloves, and apart from the expense of replacing them, they were never as nice to wear in the first place.

    As I said before, virtualy all products in the marketplace have a range of price and quality options, if you just want basic cheap kit that works, that's fine, it doesn't somehow make you more discerning and a more hardcore cyclist though....
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    softlad wrote:
    Chip \'oyler wrote:

    I was out this afternoon in my Rapha gear and cycled past three members of the Swedish Triathlon team. Guess what - all three of them are in my bed right now.

    cool...

    I'm guessing their names are Olaf, Sven and Bjorn....???

    Honestly, you London fixie types - anything goes.... :)

    I forgot to mention - when I was picking up the three Swedes - a guy at the other side of the road wearing Aldi clothing was getting heckled by 5 tramps. They were throwing stale bread at him.

    you do the math
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  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    It's the fit, finish and general overall quality - but you pay over the odds for it. The base layers are great and Icebreaker is just as expensive. The designs are well thought out. Read a few reviews and you'll get the picture.
    M.Rushton
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    DaSy wrote:
    Softlad, I'm not sure why you have such an obsession with people jusyifying things to you?

    new day - same thread... ;)

    I guess my interest in 'justification' has come about because nobody on this thread has been able to offer any.....

    Anyway, you're happy in Rapha - I'm happy in my Aldi bin liner, so there we are....
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    softlad wrote:
    DaSy wrote:
    Softlad, I'm not sure why you have such an obsession with people jusyifying things to you?

    new day - same thread... ;)

    I guess my interest in 'justification' has come about because nobody on this thread has been able to offer any.....

    Anyway, you're happy in Rapha - I'm happy in my Aldi bin liner, so there we are....

    If you're interested in "justifcation" I'm wondering if you "buy" my earlier idea that, basically, everyone needs a jersey and everyone wants to look good(show off a bit), so people spend what they can to accomplish this.

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