Rapha Manchester

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Comments

  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    type:epyt wrote:
    Got to agree with Cookeee, £3 isn't a lot for a hot drink out and about. Besides, unless you really liked the ambience of the place and intend to go regularly then it was a one off to check the place out.

    My LBS sells coffee and Rapha and it's less than a £1 cheaper so the change ends up in the tips cup so it all ends up even.

    I guess I've been away from London / UK for too long.

    I don't even drink much coffee, but I can't resist my favourite cafe in the centre of Palma old town; delicious big café con leche, served by attractive young Spanish lady, in the sun, in the middle of a small plaza.

    1.50 Euro.

    Given that you may well be spending £20 on some socks / £300 on a jacket / £190 on some shorts (delete as appropriate), couldn't Rapha stretch to a free coffee? I seem to remember we got a free one in their Alpe d'Huez shop during the Tour de France.
  • epo.wks
    epo.wks Posts: 47
    Maybe sales of their £1,000 coffee machines were down that day so they pulled a £3 coffee offer?
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Was in this am. Coffee was average imo but perhaps the machine needed more time to warm up. But you get to see all the kit. manager is great, he used to work at H.Halls. They have bike locks and a v.high standard of service. It's Rapha so a maybe some flim-flam but overall I was v.impressed.
    M.Rushton
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,435
    Do you know which guy from Harry Halls? Used to live in Manchester, really liked that bike shop - friendly and great service. Aberdeen's just not got anywhere as good :(

    Need to make an excuse to get back down there so I can check it out.

    Also £3 for a coffee doesn't strike me as being tremendously expensive. I mean, I'd rather not, but I'm not going to get upset about it.
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    I see they are in designer alley -King Street. Still, I'll no doubt make a bee-line for it the next time I'm in Mcr!

    Have a look at the gallery:

    http://pages.rapha.cc/clubs/manchester

    I'm sure that Frankie Boyle is in the first picture, staring right down the lens of the camera in the middle of the picture. It's the last place I'd expect to see him! Actually, The Conservative Party conference is the last place I'd expect to see him, but you know what I mean...
  • LegendLust
    LegendLust Posts: 1,022
    Love em or hate em - Rapha have been the most influential cycling brand in a long while.
    Selling my Legend frame
    http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Manager is a tall guy. Has been at H.Halls for some 10 years. I get free coffee for buying too much Rapha over the years. I'd rather such a shop existed than didn't and it's in our city. Worth a look but if you don't like Rapha you won't be convinced. Fantastic kit tho'. The green Pro Team jersey is lovely.
    M.Rushton
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    went yesterday with a pal, coffee was cold when I asked the guy who served us what he thought? he told me they had been having problems with the machines and "sorry about that"

    !! GREAT!!

    Then thought I would look at some gloves, only to find they were locked away in a glass cabinet in the middle of the floor that you had to keep moving out of the way of people who were trying to get past. More thought to use of space would have been clever (not like it show's in those photo's above)

    all in all not a great experience.

    Oh the cake was pretty good :)
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    it's a display cabinet and they are happy to bring the stuff thro' for you to try. You know why those small items are not out on shelves. Expensive/desirable/nickable. they had power issues this am. may go back in tomorrow so I may report further
    M.Rushton
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    I know what it is fella, just don't want to have to find a member of staff so I can try a pair of gloves on. Not a great position for the display cabinet as well really.

    If they are having power issues and know the coffee is cold they shouldn't be selling it, not to even offer to put it right was pretty sh** as well.
  • super_prestige
    super_prestige Posts: 300
    The coffee was hot and free today.
    Building:
    S-Works Venge, Ultegra DI2, Carbon Clinchers
    Race:
    Moda Stretto, Force Groupset, American Classic Carbon 58`s

    Winter:
    Whyte Suffolk, Hydro Disks

    Retro:
    Tommasini Super Prestige Full Campagnolo C/W Delta`s
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    It was and very useful after an 'off' in the city centre. They currently have no power due to a building snafu so are having to use a Rocket domestic machine branded for Rapha as the big plumbed in machines are/were out of service. Ironically, Prendas sell a l/s jersey celebrating Rocket espresso machines!! I had a word with the barista as the coffee wasn't right imo and she agreed. Poss because of the machine issue. Those who mess around with coffee will know it's a constant fiddle to keep it right. But still a good place to stop and browse or just have a coffee. It's better we have it than another Tarbucks
    M.Rushton
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    Im sure they will get it right.

    I think the shop/club is a great idea.

    Anyone been on any of the ride out's yet?

    Should be a good place to watch some racing next year and I believe the London shop hold's film evenings and generally tries to promote road racing so should all be good if the mcr shop goes the same way.
  • super_prestige
    super_prestige Posts: 300
    There is a another floor above the shop, which currently has a photography exhibition, which is similar although smaller than the London shop. This could be used for film evening and guest speakers.
    Building:
    S-Works Venge, Ultegra DI2, Carbon Clinchers
    Race:
    Moda Stretto, Force Groupset, American Classic Carbon 58`s

    Winter:
    Whyte Suffolk, Hydro Disks

    Retro:
    Tommasini Super Prestige Full Campagnolo C/W Delta`s
  • BlackMarketSuperstar
    BlackMarketSuperstar Posts: 19
    Super Prestige wrote:
    There is a another floor above the shop, which currently has a photography exhibition, which is similar although smaller than the London shop. This could be used for film evening and guest speakers.

    it is going to be used for that plus showing races
  • ben@31
    ben@31 Posts: 2,327
    LegendLust wrote:
    Love em or hate em - Rapha have been the most influential cycling brand in a long while.

    Er, I don't get it. What have they influenced exactly? They certainly haven't changed my cycling in any way. I can think of certain technologies that have influenced or changed cycling (for example, deraillieur gears as opposed to having to replace the rear wheel for one with a different sized sprocket. Then the change from downtube gear shifting to STI ). But not any clothing brands.
    "The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby
  • BlackMarketSuperstar
    BlackMarketSuperstar Posts: 19
    ben@31 wrote:
    LegendLust wrote:
    Love em or hate em - Rapha have been the most influential cycling brand in a long while.

    Er, I don't get it. What have they influenced exactly? They certainly haven't changed my cycling in any way. I can think of certain technologies that have influenced or changed cycling (for example, deraillieur gears as opposed to having to replace the rear wheel for one with a different sized sprocket. Then the change from downtube gear shifting to STI ). But not any clothing brands.

    they have made cycling apparel into a status symbol much like watches, handbags or designer clothing

    the statement was about influence not innovation

    #rapha on a social media site like instagram & you will see the influence they have
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    I went to their London store today - generally impressed. They only do "full fat" coffee so I had a tea instead, they gave me a refill too which was nice. People working there were friendly and helpful, but not "in your face". Ended up buying a winter cap and a neck thingie - spent more than I meant to but they will do me through this winter and no doubt a few more.
  • nibby
    nibby Posts: 246
    Full fat is the best kind :)

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