What is rapha

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Comments

  • andrewlwood
    andrewlwood Posts: 224
    SimonPieman wrote:
    They have marketed the product towards the fashion consious and 'must have it', I just know its 'kin expensive. No idea what the gear is like, but I would bet there are products that do the same job if not better at a fraction of the price. Or do you have to be part of the club or clic to wear it??

    Exactly the kind of response that always comes up. How do you have such a strong an opinion on something you've never tried?

    Find me a manufacturer of comparably well-designed, understated, functional cycling kit if you think there are other manufacturers that do the same for less money. I promise you, I've looked. I don't get a kick out of paying more than I have to.
  • Aguila
    Aguila Posts: 622
    SimonPieman wrote:
    They have marketed the product towards the fashion consious and 'must have it', I just know its 'kin expensive. No idea what the gear is like, but I would bet there are products that do the same job if not better at a fraction of the price. Or do you have to be part of the club or clic to wear it??

    I do think those slagging it off should actually try it. I use them 90% because of how it performs. I've got lots of cheaper stuff at home eg waterproofs/synthetic jerseys, none of which i use anymore because the rapha stuff is so much better. i do before you ask have other brands that I use because they perform well eg Castelli/dhb/gore so it really isn't about fashion.
    www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6277
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    I've had a lot of kit (just check the classifieds). I don't have a massive amount of Rapha but, for me, the jerseys fit better than any other jersey I've had. The only thing which comes close is Etxeondo.

    The jerseys, shorts, jackets are very good. I wouldn't go anywhere near luggage, jeans, wallets, key fobs.

    But, and this might annoy some, the soap is really really nice.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    bendertherobot wrote:
    I've had a lot of kit (just check the classifieds). I don't have a massive amount of Rapha but, for me, the jerseys fit better than any other jersey I've had. The only thing which comes close is Etxeondo.

    The jerseys, shorts, jackets are very good. I wouldn't go anywhere near luggage, jeans, wallets, key fobs.

    But, and this might annoy some, the soap is really really nice.

    really? - you've tried the soap?

    as in , you bought it, or aquired some?

    i'm genuinely intrested - those are the bits on the rapha site which seem a bit OTT to even me!
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Incidentally, they also do 90 day returns, FREE returns (they enclose a free return label), Free repairs, and do a 50% off jersey downsize offer. That's pretty good (and yes, of course you're paying for it).
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Aguila
    Aguila Posts: 622
    Incidentally, if it's just the price that puts anyone off have a look at Torm jerseys:

    www.torm.cc

    They are made of the same sportwool material as Rapha, I have a short sleeved and a long sleeved jersey of theirs. They aren't quite as well made as rapha jerseys but the performance is comparable at far lower price.
    www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6277
  • mowflow
    mowflow Posts: 212
    I can't afford Rapha but if I could I'd probably buy it simply because it's nice to have what is perceived as "the best" for the placebo effect.

    I doubt in reality it would be any better than the cheap cobbled together ensemble that I currently wear (Decathlon, ebay etc) as I've never found myself saying "this jersey/short/jacket/sock/bar of soap doesn't fit so good and is ruining my cycling/making me pedal slower". My clothes are merely there to prevent passers by from looking at my rippled and well muscled torso with envy.
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    Aguila wrote:
    Instead of the sarcasm can one of those taking the p1ss actually explain to me what is so objectionable about the kit, and how many bits of Rapha kit they've tried?

    I'm genuinely interested.

    Nothings wrong with the kit, its the marketing that people don't like. Personally, as long as it's expensive and will make me feel superior to chippers in fluorescent yellow Altura jackets then I don't care what brand it is. Except Castelli - I can't get on board with that stupid scorpion logo.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    gkerr4 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    I've had a lot of kit (just check the classifieds). I don't have a massive amount of Rapha but, for me, the jerseys fit better than any other jersey I've had. The only thing which comes close is Etxeondo.

    The jerseys, shorts, jackets are very good. I wouldn't go anywhere near luggage, jeans, wallets, key fobs.

    But, and this might annoy some, the soap is really really nice.

    really? - you've tried the soap?

    as in , you bought it, or aquired some?

    i'm genuinely intrested - those are the bits on the rapha site which seem a bit OTT to even me!

    Combination of a voucher and the 15% off code used towards the skincare bundle. I needed chamois cream so to get that, embroication and the soap for less than £20 was brilliant.

    The soap is geniunely nice and the cream is better than Assos.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    I've just received a newsletter of their upcoming sale, can someone pick me up a stowaway jacket?

    TIA
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Aguila
    Aguila Posts: 622
    P_Tucker wrote:
    Aguila wrote:
    Instead of the sarcasm can one of those taking the p1ss actually explain to me what is so objectionable about the kit, and how many bits of Rapha kit they've tried?

    I'm genuinely interested.

    Nothings wrong with the kit, its the marketing that people don't like. Personally, as long as it's expensive and will make me feel superior to chippers in fluorescent yellow Altura jackets then I don't care what brand it is. Except Castelli - I can't get on board with that stupid scorpion logo.

    Hard to be sure if that post is for real or not!
    www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6277
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Aguila wrote:
    P_Tucker wrote:
    Aguila wrote:
    Instead of the sarcasm can one of those taking the p1ss actually explain to me what is so objectionable about the kit, and how many bits of Rapha kit they've tried?

    I'm genuinely interested.

    Nothings wrong with the kit, its the marketing that people don't like. Personally, as long as it's expensive and will make me feel superior to chippers in fluorescent yellow Altura jackets then I don't care what brand it is. Except Castelli - I can't get on board with that stupid scorpion logo.

    Hard to be sure if that post is for real or not!

    I think its despair
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Pseudonym wrote:
    a fiver says this thread will go over six pages at least....

    I don't know. It's been a couple of days and only 2 and a half pages.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    dennisn wrote:
    Pseudonym wrote:
    a fiver says this thread will go over six pages at least....

    I don't know. It's been a couple of days and only 2 and a half pages.

    I know - I'm a bit disappointed - I expected better....
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    I'll fix that - watch this......
  • Garz
    Garz Posts: 1,155
    AidanR wrote:
    Isn't he some kind of tennis player?

    No he's that fat waiter guy who took Liverpool to CL glory in 2005!
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    Aguila wrote:
    Incidentally, if it's just the price that puts anyone off have a look at Torm jerseys:

    www.torm.cc

    They are made of the same sportwool material as Rapha, I have a short sleeved and a long sleeved jersey of theirs. They aren't quite as well made as rapha jerseys but the performance is comparable at far lower price.


    Oh, how cute!


    It's like, a 'rapha' for poor people.
  • Dodger747
    Dodger747 Posts: 305
    Rapha jerseys coupled with Castelli Bodypaint/Free Aero bibs. The ultimate combination 8)


    I also bought the Grand Tour gloves. Very expensive sure, but I had spare cash and thought why not give them a go. Once broken in, they are the best gloves ever. So comfortable!
    VO2 Max - 79 ml/kg/min
    W/kg - 4.9
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Dodger747 wrote:
    Rapha jerseys coupled with Castelli Bodypaint/Free Aero bibs. The ultimate combination 8)


    I also bought the Grand Tour gloves. Very expensive sure, but I had spare cash and thought why not give them a go. Once broken in, they are the best gloves ever. So comfortable!

    The Boardman lets down the look slightly though :?:
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Dodger747
    Dodger747 Posts: 305
    :?: :?
    VO2 Max - 79 ml/kg/min
    W/kg - 4.9
  • markyboy2005
    markyboy2005 Posts: 465
    http://internationale.teamjva.com/

    to the OP.....this is what people who like to slag off Rapha kind of mean with regards the "poncey marketing" etc.

    I've not tried it, so no opinion (Shock Horror), but the fact is they supply a demand and will exist as long as the demand is there and with the increase in disposable cash coming into cycling, I suspect they have a strong long term business case.

    I like buying the best I can afford, regardless as to whether I need or can justify it (those who have seen me try to climb on my new bike can testify to this). I am always amazed when people have an opinion on that....probably the same type of people who have opinions on celebrity weddings and the like. :shock:

    They are more to be pitied than scorned (or even listened to) IMHO.

    The interesting thing (on these boards) is how the love/hate thing with Rapha and the conversations that it generates kind of gives you an idea of the personalities the fill the board with comments.

    What I mean is that the people I hear on here slagging it off and calling it poncey do not surprise me based on their other opinions on other things......I'll say no more....

    :lol:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I have just bought a load of rapha gear and love it, the best cycle stuff I have ever had. I don't care what others think about it, its my money. I feel good, look good (IMHO) and so I am on a winner. 8)
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    dmclite wrote:
    I have just bought a load of rapha gear and love it, the best cycle stuff I have ever had. I don't care what others think about it, its my money. I feel good, look good (IMHO) and so I am on a winner. 8)

    You tell em, sport
    My London Road
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    This is far too good-natured for a Rapha thread. Normally by page three people are ripping each other to shreds. come on chaps! Get scrapping!

    Just in case anybody's interested, I've some Rapha merino base layers. They are really, really good, and far more comfortable than all of my other base layers (both synthetic and merino). Bought in a bundle they were no more expensive than the competition.

    I've also got the Sean Kelly jersey which is lovely.

    My wife bought one of their team hats at the Nationals recently. It's a really good piece of kit -- far, far better than my other caps. Unfortunately my wife has a secret place where she stores it when not wearing it. :cry:

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