Sky and Rapha
Comments
-
-
I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing the kit. I love rapha stuff, although some of it is a little *too* much in trying to be hip...Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:Turfle wrote:Snobbery and reverse-snobbery. I'm too old for it.
Meta snobbery for you then.
Exactly. I'm working a on a higher level.0 -
I have nothing against what people choose to wear. The more variety the better. However, if you think you are better than others because you have rapha kit then you are a complete prick. And I will let you know that. Looking down on people with less money is also a cause for a talking to and to hang your head in shame.
(Ps before someone jumps in and says I say the above because I cannot have it and I'd speak differently if I did have it, you are mistaken. Fyi, I am a trader, and not the trader that sells fruit and veg, so could if I wanted, but I choose not to).Contador is the Greatest0 -
I'd love some Rapha 'proper' cycling clothing, it's the pretentious sh*t that goes on around it that I don't like. The Rapha team kit is one of the best about IMHO.0
-
frenchfighter wrote:However, if you think you are better than others because you have rapha kit then you are a complete prick. And I will let you know that. Looking down on people with less money is also a cause for a talking to and to hang your head in shame.
100% this.0 -
And the opposite. If you think you're better than someone because they wear Rapha, then you too are a prick.0
-
Turfle wrote:And the opposite. If you think you're better than someone because they wear Rapha, then you too are a prick.
100% this0 -
Pross wrote:I'd love some Rapha 'proper' cycling clothing, it's the pretentious sh*t that goes on around it that I don't like. The Rapha team kit is one of the best about IMHO.
If you like it, buy it.
I've bought mine because the items I own are the most comfortable, well designed cycle clothing I've seen and it's a pleasure to go for a ride wearing clothing that is well made and makes you feel good. I really love the way that Rapha tap into the lore and heritage of cycling, it really appeals to me.
I do find the resentment towards the brand strange; people naturally buy to their budget so there shouldn't be any ill feeling towards those that buy it. Perhaps if people focussed more on themselves generally then things might calm down. It's human nature though, and one can see a similar resentment towards those with expensive cars or houses as well. A shame.0 -
nweststeyn wrote:100% this
^ What he said.0 -
The Mad Rapper wrote:Pross wrote:I'd love some Rapha 'proper' cycling clothing, it's the pretentious sh*t that goes on around it that I don't like. The Rapha team kit is one of the best about IMHO.
If you like it, buy it.
I've bought mine because the items I own are the most comfortable, well designed cycle clothing I've seen and it's a pleasure to go for a ride wearing clothing that is well made and makes you feel good. I really love the way that Rapha tap into the lore and heritage of cycling, it really appeals to me.
I do find the resentment towards the brand strange; people naturally buy to their budget so there shouldn't be any ill feeling towards those than buy it. Perhaps if people focussed more on themselves generally then things might calm down. It's human nature though, and one can see a similar resentment towards those with expensive cars or houses as well. A shame.
I would by some Rapha if I could afford it, I certainly don't resent those who do own it. If money was no object all my kit would be Assos or Rapha, you can't put a price on comfort. It's just all that tweed stuff and the things like man bags and stuff that Rapha do that I find annoying, I don't see its relevance to a cycling brand.0 -
Pross wrote:It's just all that tweed stuff and the things like man bags and stuff that Rapha do that I find annoying, I don't see its relevance to a cycling brand.
I guess (because I don't really know if that's why they've made them) that, in the UK at least, at a certain point in time during the 1800s, cycling was the pursuit of the Gentleman. I assume that those products are a homage to that age.0 -
Turfle wrote:And the opposite. If you think you're better than someone because they wear Rapha, then you too are a prick.
Very much this.0 -
The Mad Rapper wrote:frenchfighter wrote:8 years is almost a decade. Not that impressive. Also they have no competition.
Err...yes they do. I have 5 of their jerseys and they are every bit as good as Rapha, and they look amazing too. A new company, but hopefully they'll grow and do great things.
If they're Rapha quality then the prices are very reasonable. I've not heard of them before. How comes they don't do shorts? Seems a bit of an oversight (or have I missed something on the website?).0 -
C'mon people. Everyone's a snob.
I always liked Rapha's kit and I half bought into the lifestyle thing. It's nice to see a brand really romanticise the sport. Makes a change from garish Tour sh!t and doping. I even liked that they didn't appear to go anglo-saxon on it, and made it all (a bit pathetically) European. It's not as bad as the American Euro-rules, so I was quite happy with it.
Never could quite get over the poser-yness. Some days I liked it, others not. I wear the kit, it looks nice and is comfy, if not always the best fit for someone of my shape.
I think this sky thing probably ruins the illusion for me a bit, but that's fine.
I'm obviously a bit of a sucker for it. I had coffee and pastries in their pop up shop. 2 pastries and 2 coffees were £11...
Coffee was lovely though.0 -
What a load of obllox spouted here>>>>
we've finally got something to be proud of, a British based/run team at the 'top'; a crop of British riders at the very very top of the game; some excellent youth development stuff going on: the British team have British made team cars and, from next year,British designed (and hopefully British made) kit. In most other countries you'd expect that - I don't hear anyone complaining about Swiss riders wearing Assos; but no, it's not right we're British don't you know got to grumble.
I just think it's a real shame that a British bike manufacturer (Dolan or Boardman say) doesn't have the financial clout to sponsor the team.
Team Sky, they ride bikes. Rapha they make bike kit. What's the problem? If you don't like Sky there are other teams to support. Don't like Rapha go and buy some other kit. Get over it, there are worse things going on than what label is on Team Sky's kit.0 -
^^^ hear hear0
-
Rick Chasey wrote:C'mon people. Everyone's a snob.
I always liked Rapha's kit and I half bought into the lifestyle thing. It's nice to see a brand really romanticise the sport. Makes a change from garish Tour sh!t and doping. I even liked that they didn't appear to go anglo-saxon on it, and made it all (a bit pathetically) European. It's not as bad as the American Euro-rules, so I was quite happy with it.
Never could quite get over the poser-yness. Some days I liked it, others not. I wear the kit, it looks nice and is comfy, if not always the best fit for someone of my shape.
I think this sky thing probably ruins the illusion for me a bit, but that's fine.
I'm obviously a bit of a sucker for it. I had coffee and pastries in their pop up shop. 2 pastries and 2 coffees were £11...
Coffee was lovely though.
I think I can see what you are saying. The fact that an exclusive/eccentric brand is going mainstream lessens the appeal? A bit like Bentley and pro footballers.
In many respects it is the price that is being paid for cycling becoming a mainstream sport. Lots of newbs outside of London will discover Rapha on the back of Sky and they will have a golden time in sales. It is then a matter of managing the brand as in avoiding copies and market glut which is probably what happened to Burberry a few years ago.
whether thay can maintain the retro romance at the cutting edge remains to be seen but other makes will come and fill any space. cycling needs its quirkiness as DDraver reminded me on another thread this morning.
Pross as for Assos I saved up my pennies a few years ago and bought some bib shorts in a sale from Parkers. Quality is good BUT...the pad isn't the comfiest. they are last choice shorts in the drawer I'm afraid. I'm a big Giordana fan though....mmmh comfy.0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:I'm obviously a bit of a sucker for it. I had coffee and pastries in their pop up shop. 2 pastries and 2 coffees were £11...
Coffee was lovely though.
The cost wouldn't be much different in a provincial Starbucks to be fair, the main difference would be you would be paying it for s*it coffee at the Starbucks!0 -
Problem with most other high-end performance brands is they look sh!t.
Rapha's one of the few that look good, though it's a little ubiquitous round my commute and club run.0 -
The Mad Rapper wrote:Pross wrote:If they're Rapha quality then the prices are very reasonable. I've not heard of them before. How comes they don't do shorts? Seems a bit of an oversight (or have I missed something on the website?).
They will be releasing bibs next year.
I might give those a go then, more my normal price range as I tend to go for the Endura or Giordana top end stuff normally.0 -
It's a clever business model.
They obviously have good quality kit, make it look nice, and off the back of that core (which isn't especially overpriced compared to the rivals) sell an awful lot of overpriced stuff - like silk scarves for £50 and carbon fibre coffee patters or whatever they're called for £90. Don't have to sell too many of those to make some good money.0 -
Coffee tamper, don't you know 8)Rick Chasey wrote:It's a clever business model.
They obviously have good quality kit, make it look nice, and off the back of that core (which isn't especially overpriced compared to the rivals) sell an awful lot of overpriced stuff - like silk scarves for £50 and carbon fibre coffee patters or whatever they're called for £90. Don't have to sell too many of those to make some good money.
0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:It's a clever business model.
They obviously have good quality kit, make it look nice, and off the back of that core (which isn't especially overpriced compared to the rivals) sell an awful lot of overpriced stuff - like silk scarves for £50 and carbon fibre coffee patters or whatever they're called for £90. Don't have to sell too many of those to make some good money.
Exactly. Someone in the shoe business told me once that the real money is made in all of the polishes and protectors that they palm you off with at the point of sale when you buy your loafers.0 -
Will all those people slagging off Rapha please just p!ss off back to your council estate :P0
-
Rick Chasey wrote:It's a clever business model.
They obviously have good quality kit, make it look nice, and off the back of that core (which isn't especially overpriced compared to the rivals) sell an awful lot of overpriced stuff - like silk scarves for £50 and carbon fibre coffee patters or whatever they're called for £90. Don't have to sell too many of those to make some good money.
Indeed. A quick (and admittedly crude) look at their abbreviated accounts shows that their net assets increased from £906,380 to £2,065,073 and their cash holding increased from £177,165 to £614,307 in the financial year to 31 Jan '12. They would appear to be doing something right."I have a lovely photo of a Camargue horse but will not post it now" (Frenchfighter - July 2013)0 -
inkyfingers wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:It's a clever business model.
They obviously have good quality kit, make it look nice, and off the back of that core (which isn't especially overpriced compared to the rivals) sell an awful lot of overpriced stuff - like silk scarves for £50 and carbon fibre coffee patters or whatever they're called for £90. Don't have to sell too many of those to make some good money.
Indeed. A quick (and admittedly crude) look at their abbreviated accounts shows that their net assets increased from £906,380 to £2,065,073 and their cash holding increased from £177,165 to £614,307 in the financial year to 31 Jan '12. They would appear to be doing something right.
Absolutely casquette-tastic!0 -
One of the top 100 fastest growing companies in the UK.
It's a shame I have no retail experience really. The Dutch market is primed and ready.
Wilfred de Jong did his Paris-Roubaix documentary in full rapha kit - leather gloves and all, and he got so many comments asking what his kit was.
Similarly, every Dutch roadie I see riding outside of the Netherlands is riding about £5k worth of kit.
Primed I tell ya.0 -
Where is Rapha kit made?
If it's made in some factory in China I'm sure reasonably priced fakes will soon be knocking around on eBay.
Would actually add more to the brand (for me) if it turned out to all be manufactured in the UK.0
