Is Rapha clothing worth it?

135

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    dennisn wrote:

    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.

    I'm not sure I do, to be honest, Dennis. That would imply that Rapha wearers all come from the school of 'money no object - no sense of value' - and to be fair to Rapha wearers, I'm not sure how true that is...
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    Softlad, I have already given my reasons for why I buy Rapha, amongst other brands. Are you looking for some global reason that will explain why everyone should be buying it?

    Choices are very subjective, and I have explained my very subjective POV. I don't think anyone is going to be able to give the universal answer to why Rapha purchases should or should not be made....
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    softlad wrote:
    dennisn wrote:

    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.

    I'm not sure I do, to be honest, Dennis. That would imply that Rapha wearers all come from the school of 'money no object - no sense of value' - and to be fair to Rapha wearers, I'm not sure how true that is...

    How do you work out 'sense of value' Softlad?

    I decided years ago to spend more money on my day to day clothes. They look better, last longer and wash better. My cost per wear is far better than buying cheap clothes. So to me this is better 'value'.

    I think you're getting 'value' mixed up with 'cheap'
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  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Chip \'oyler wrote:
    How do you work out 'sense of value' Softlad?

    I decided years ago to spend more money on my day to day clothes. They look better, last longer and wash better. My cost per wear is far better than buying cheap clothes. So to me this is better 'value'.

    I think you're getting 'value' mixed up with 'cheap'

    I'm pretty sure I'm not.

    To be honest though, it has never occurred to me to sit down and work out the 'cost per wear' of anything I own, so you have me at a disadvantage there...

    Value is relative, I accept. To me, I would rather have three pairs of £50 bibs than one pair of Rapha. I can also see a few practical benefits in that approach, as well as value benefits, it has to be said.

    Anyway, this will never be resolved. Rapha is good kit - I have never questioned that.
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    softlad wrote:
    Rapha is good kit - I have never questioned that.
    But the hats look funny :lol:
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    dodgy wrote:
    But the hats look funny
    What, even singularly?

    I thought they were only funny when as a pair or more...?
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    They're even funnier when worn by husband and wife teams.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    softlad wrote:
    dennisn wrote:

    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.

    I'm not sure I do, to be honest, Dennis. That would imply that Rapha wearers all come from the school of 'money no object - no sense of value' - and to be fair to Rapha wearers, I'm not sure how true that is...

    Didn't say Rapha wearers came from "money no object.......". Just said that people
    will spend what they can or what is necessary for them to cover their body and look good doing it. You buy a Corvette, Ferrari, or Porsche firstly because "Damn, I look good in this" and secondly because you need a car. Lots of times it's the same with clothes.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    dennisn wrote:
    You buy a Corvette, Ferrari, or Porsche firstly because "Damn, I look good in this" and secondly because you need a car. Lots of times it's the same with clothes.

    sorry, don't agree at all. Example - my ultimate 'money no object' car would be a Jag E-type low-drag coupe. I couldn't possibly 'look good' in that, because you would hardly be able to see me in it. I would buy it simply because it was a stunning-looking car, no more, no less...

    I am conscious we are going off topic now, so apologies for that.. ;)
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    I think that shows that you would pay more money than you need to, to get a piece of equipment that would only do the same job as a much cheaper one, but with more style.

    Would be a nice choice though, although that salty sea breeze up your way would not improve it! I really fancy a Volvo P1800 ES.
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    Hi,

    Someone else (just so it doesn't look like I am claiming credit :lol: ) wrote:-

    "If you buy something expensive, you have an unpleasant feeling when you buy it, and a nice feeling every time you use it. If you buy something cheap, you get a nice feeling when you buy it and an unpleasant feeling every time you use it."

    That about sums up my Rapha experience - it feels good :P
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    softlad wrote:
    dennisn wrote:
    You buy a Corvette, Ferrari, or Porsche firstly because "Damn, I look good in this" and secondly because you need a car. Lots of times it's the same with clothes.

    sorry, don't agree at all. Example - my ultimate 'money no object' car would be a Jag E-type low-drag coupe. I couldn't possibly 'look good' in that, because you would hardly be able to see me in it. I would buy it simply because it was a stunning-looking car, no more, no less...

    Right, you buy it because it's "stunning". People see you in it. They know it's yours. It ups
    your status. You like having people know it's yours. You enjoy the compliments you get
    about it. People buy clothes for the same reasons, although some buy to simply cover their bodies, most have a desire to look good in the clothes they buy. Some cyclist wouldn't think of spending big money on a jersey because it's not their priority in life. Others whose priority IS cycling may spend "their last dollar", so to speak, on bikes and gear.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    dennisn wrote:
    Right, you buy it because it's "stunning". People see you in it. They know it's yours. It ups
    your status. You like having people know it's yours. You enjoy the compliments you get
    about it.

    Absolutely not. I would buy the car for the pleasure of owning it - not as a status symbol. I own a few classic motorcycles for the same reason - and they have done sod all for my 'social status'.... ;)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Why buy a Jag E Type when a Ford Mondeo is as quick in a straight line, handles better, is safer, more economical, more practical and cheaper to run?
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    DaSy wrote:
    I think that shows that you would pay more money than you need to, to get a piece of equipment that would only do the same job as a much cheaper one, but with more style.

    no, because it is about owning an iconic piece of automotive history. Buying a secondhand Porsche Cayman would not have the same effect......anyway, I did say 'money no object' - which implies I could afford to pi55 it away.... ;)
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    Would you wear those string back leather driving gloves when driving the E-Type?

    If so, Rapha do some lovely....oh, hang on, let's not go there!
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    DaSy wrote:
    Would you wear those string back leather driving gloves when driving the E-Type?

    If so, Rapha do some lovely....oh, hang on, let's not go there!

    Rapha gloves..? pah - cheap rubbish. I would have a set of these... :)

    http://www.couturelab.com/products/Vend ... -c369.html
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I won a rapha sportwool jersey so am lucky enough to own a piece for £0 outlay. And you know what, the quality is first class - incredibly well designed, comfortable, good in a wide range of temperatures and doesn't pong at the first sign of sweat. Everything about it has been carefully considered, and the manufacturing process hasn't cut any corners. I'm thrilled with it.

    All the above isn't to say I'd spend three figures on a short sleeve jersey in the future - I doubt I would (my vintage jersey habit means I have 15 or so tops in my wardrobe which are, combined, cheaper than my Rapha jersey). But I love it and whatever you think of its image, it's a lovely piece of kit.

    (Assos, on the other hand, is an aesthetic travesty - ugly logos splurged enormously on next to every item they sell. I'd never buy any for that reason alone)
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  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    Sweet Jesus!

    I had to look up a Peccary on Google, I mistakenly thought it was made from the skin of your...oh you know where I'm going...

    It's an angry looking little chap, no wonder they cost a lot of money, wouldn't fancy trying to make gloves out of one...

    I also checked to see if they made any cycling gloves!
    Complicating matters since 1965
  • thejesusandsedischain
    thejesusandsedischain Posts: 195
    just spotted the new assos s5 shorts rrp £219.99 you do get bum cream and a wash bag,but why no posts to question assos prices.for the record i have a bit of rapha kit and love it.i also ride an off the peg ribble,(i an subjected to a lot of nudge nudge wink wink in the changing rooms usally by the people who are quite happy to sit on my wheel during the race) i buy most of my non cycling cloths from h&m apart from my footware,i own a couple of pair of hand made jeffery west winkle picker boots.somethings are just worth spending a bit more money on.
  • BazookaMoor
    BazookaMoor Posts: 77
    Rapha must be loving all the free publicity it gets from forum rants like this.

    If/When they become a publicly listed company I'll be buying shares by the bucketful. Or should that be Classic Tweed jacketfull.

    Hopefully I can wangle some freebees from initiating more love/hate Rapha posts.

    Maybe I should start my own website.



    The Dishwasher Post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    BazookaMoor wrote:
    Rapha must be loving all the free publicity it gets from forum rants like this.

    yeah, I'm sure they're chuffed to bits with people questioning the value of their products.....

    (in a minute, someone will say "there's no such thing as bad publicity"...)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    softlad wrote:
    BazookaMoor wrote:
    Rapha must be loving all the free publicity it gets from forum rants like this.

    yeah, I'm sure they're chuffed to bits with people questioning the value of their products.....

    (in a minute, someone will say "there's no such thing as bad publicity"...)

    With a person...

    As has been discussed, people have different definitions of what constitutes value. What is value to me is clearly very different to you...
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    I dunno, maybe you're reading a different thread - I just counted three....and that's giving a couple of others the benefit of the doubt.....

    Anyway, your unconditional love for Rapha fills me with happiness.....'tis springtime, when a young man's thoughts turn to expensive jerseys.......and gloves....
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I don't own any rapha gloves.

    What is your issue with people buying stuff they like?

    Sorry, but I didn't look back through the thread, yours is the only whining voice that keeps coming back.

    I just really don't get it.

    I'm sure Rapha aren't in the least bit Ar5ed about three people bemoaning the cost. Especially when they admit they haven't tried anything out for themselves.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    zzzzzzzz.........

    sorry, bored now.....
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    I think it would have been good for a Rapha kit owner to do some direct comparison with a Rapha garment and another from a different manufacturer that they owned.
    • Material weight
    • Thickness
    • Stitching style (double, flat locked etc etc)
    • Colour fast after so many washes/use
    • Fit
    • Comfort

    Notice I haven't included style above, we can all see the styles on the Rapha web-site and it's easily judged by looking.

    But it seems to me that people would rather engage in increasingly terse responses than just say what tangible differences there really are.

    Oh and by the way, this isn't an invitation to have a pop. I am actually really interested, count me as a potential Rapha customer.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    I wore a Rapha Condor jersey on sunday for the Dragon. Insanely comfortable for 9 hours. ;)

    I'm not convinved it's better made than my Assos 6 Day/Equipe top. It's equally comforteable though.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    You can't compare because in my case Assos is different to Rapha. Assos make use of technical fabrics for all their stuff, Rapha use merino wool with other fibres for much of their products. Assos base layers are polyester based, Assos are wool. Assos gilet use windblock, the Rapha soft shell gilet use a windblocking material but it's fit/design is different to Assos. Both brands are v.high quality, both brands v.expensive but well thought out and both have their own 'look'
    M.Rushton
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    mrushton wrote:
    You can't compare because in my case Assos is different to Rapha. Assos make use of technical fabrics for all their stuff, Rapha use merino wool with other fibres for much of their products. Assos base layers are polyester based, Assos are wool. Assos gilet use windblock, the Rapha soft shell gilet use a windblocking material but it's fit/design is different to Assos. Both brands are v.high quality, both brands v.expensive but well thought out and both have their own 'look'

    You say you can't compare but you go on to provide more comparison data than anyone else has so far provided. So thanks :)

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