Rapha clothing - because your worth it?

TipsterStu

Now that Rapha have a cycling team in conjunction with Condor and they also sponsor the Smithfield Nocturne I wondered if the polarising of cyclists still exists that I have often read on here - similar to the pros/cons with Asos.

I must confess I don't own any of their gear but I really admire what they've done to date and really, really want the soft shell for sure ... C+ make no bones that it's the best

Any other Rapha supporters? Or do people find the normal range of clothing I can pick up in most cycle shops/Decathlon et al will suffice and I should raid my piggy bank - giving up the dream of the soft shell

clx1

I have many items of Rapha clothing, I am totally convinced that despite the high cost their range of Road clothing represents good value.
In terms of style, quality,fit and wearability it is second to none. Each item I have has been washed literally dozens of times and they are all as new.I also like the relatively low key designs and colours. Their customer service is also very good. It's very fashionable to knock Rapha and there are many threads dedicated to doing just that, most of the critical comments are posted by people who don't own any Rapha products.
By the way I am not well off and I do consider myself to be a real cyclist averaging 1000 miles a month.
Now wait for the retaliation!

TipsterStu

Thanks CLX ... I was wondering if I was just being seduced by the unobtainable ... will keep saving those pennies

Have you got the soft shell by the way?

sundog

The Rapha sale is on, fill yer boots :shock:

clx1

Yes I do have the Softshell, I was very dubious about paying £240 for a cycling jacket but I haven't been disappointed. It's about as close to perfection as you could get. If you want to test Rapha this would be a good product to start with. Mine has been worn in pouring rain, snow and freezing temperatures and performed flawlessly. Like the other stuff it has been through the washer a few times and comes out good as new.

TipsterStu

Sadly the soft shell is not in the sale

C+ wanted to say it was overpriced but said it was the best jacket is a review of jackets last year (I think)

mrushton

Soft shell is their signature piece and a great bit of (overpriced) kit. I'd also recommend the soft shell gilet and the lighter weight gilet and the base layers and leitweight jersey. All the kits nice and I'm fortunate to have various jerseys etc but other firms are catching up to them in that retro feel

rick_chasey

Because you're worth it

Scrumple

you're correct

Scrumple

is he worth it?

antfly

I got 3 Rapha items but two of them are not really value money especially the touring shorts.
I do like my lightweight softshell jacket though, at £154 that I paid much better value and more useful than the heavier one. I`m not so impressed with the customer service, they ignored some of my e-mails. The sale is not exactly bargaintastic either.

flanners1

I have the soft shell jacket, stowaway jacket and assorted jerseys and warmers. All are great pieces of kit; I think the kit is functional but very expensive: for that reason I have indulged myself with Shutt VR and Gore when recently purchasing 'wool blend' type tops and soft shells.

Sammyw23

Antfly - are you saying the touring shorts are no good? Just ordered them today in the sale...... :?

calvjones

Sammyw23 wrote:

Antfly - are you saying the touring shorts are no good? Just ordered them today in the sale...... :?

+1 :roll:

antfly

No, they are ok but I paid full price plus postage {I assume you used the code for free shipping} so they were very expensive for what they are, which is just overshorts. Sizing is a bit large as well, I swapped the 36 for the 34 and they are still too loose and fall down. They don't flap at all though and seem to last a while.

Anonymous

IMO the shorts are the weakest link in the Rapha lineup. (Not including man bags, purses and neckerchiefs...)

prawny

I really want a stowaway jacket but not a black grey or pink one. Maybe next year eh!

Sammyw23

Cheers Antfly! Yes I paid 55 with free postage....ordered 34 and 36 so sounds like I did well to!

Prawny - I bought the pink as I was worried about being visible in the black....love it!

prawny

Sammyw23 wrote:

Prawny - I bought the pink as I was worried about being visible in the black....love it!

Yeah but it's pink. I live in a redneck backwater and would be lynched as soon as I got out of the cul de sac.

Sammyw23

Haha fair play!

TipsterStu

Rick Chasey wrote:

Because you're worth it

Thanks LOL