Rapha to be sold?

2

Comments

  • rnath
    rnath Posts: 176
    ben@31 wrote:
    I've got a few pairs of Assos S7 shorts which are going strong on a weekly rotation after 3 or 4 years, they are the short of choice

    Seconded.

    A fantastic pair of bib shorts.

    I've still got S5's in good shape! A bit more grey than black these days, but still do the job.
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    The Pro-Team bibs are nicer, better quality lycra, keep their colour and don't become semi see-through! I used to swear by Assos bibs, now only worn on the turbo.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    Flasher wrote:
    The Pro-Team bibs are nicer, better quality lycra, keep their colour and don't become semi see-through! I used to swear by Assos bibs, now only worn on the turbo.
    Likewise with my old Classic shorts. Have lasted longer than my now binned Assos with equal wearing and look like they will just keep going. Don't seem to get on with the new gear though and hate the Sky branding.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    Teebs_123 wrote:
    Trivial poursuivant wrote:
    I can't remember seeing many people wearing Rapha except those in Team Sky kit. The team pretty much propped up the brand and now they have gone to Castelli I doubt many people will buy it. They will still have a small following to survive as they do make good kit just not spectacular. I only think they will hang about because if Assos or Etxeondo can continue with their ludicrous prices anything is possible.

    There's loads of Rapha loving cyclists round York/North Yorkshire area. I'm pretty sure they'll be happy that the Rapha/Sky partnership has ended.

    plenty round East Anglia too, youll see more Team Sky kit on sportives & climbing up Box Hill for sure, but I see more Rapha kit around on the roads in these parts than Assos.

    and for all the they just make expensive kit, no-one else seems to have outRapha'd Rapha yet.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    Rapha make great kit that's backed by great customer service. The marketing isn't really my thing but that's subjective. I've a lot of Rapha gear because it's very good, there isnt much out there that combines technical innovation with style. Personally I think Rapha made everyone else lift their styling game.

    The sky deal wasn't renewed because Rapha had spent a huge amount of cash expanding and needed to lift profits up. Sponsoring sky isn't cheap and Rapha made a call on cost v reward.

    Good luck to them, it's a shame that the brand seems to be in danger of becoming the Burberry of cycling but whilst the products are strong and the customer service offering stays as it is, then I personally will always be tracking their products.
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    Rapha's collaboration with Sky I think has improved the offerings from Rapha. Although I think their line up is a bit messy now
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    Stueys wrote:
    Good luck to them, it's a shame that the brand seems to be in danger of becoming the Burberry of cycling but whilst the products are strong and the customer service offering stays as it is, then I personally will always be tracking their products.

    I'm a fan but aren't they that already :D
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    Flasher wrote:
    Stueys wrote:
    Good luck to them, it's a shame that the brand seems to be in danger of becoming the Burberry of cycling but whilst the products are strong and the customer service offering stays as it is, then I personally will always be tracking their products.

    I'm a fan but aren't they that already :D

    If you hit Mallorca in April then definitely......
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    They'll probably get bought by Louis Vuitton, like Pinarello. I dislike the brand and everything it stands for, but as an ex-marketing man, I have to admire what the people in the driving seat there have achieved.

    Pinarello didn't get purchased by Louis Vuitton. They were purchased by L Catterton, however 'Louis Vuitton bought by L Catteron' wouldn't have generated enough click bait ad money for web rags like Bike Radar/Cycling News/road.cc etc etc. This non Rapha story is exactly the same thing. It's business, it happens all the time, the brand won't change one bit. It'll still get the backs up of all those 'proper cyclists' out there...
    What are proper cyclists?
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    on-yer-bike wrote:
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    They'll probably get bought by Louis Vuitton, like Pinarello. I dislike the brand and everything it stands for, but as an ex-marketing man, I have to admire what the people in the driving seat there have achieved.

    Pinarello didn't get purchased by Louis Vuitton. They were purchased by L Catterton, however 'Louis Vuitton bought by L Catteron' wouldn't have generated enough click bait ad money for web rags like Bike Radar/Cycling News/road.cc etc etc. This non Rapha story is exactly the same thing. It's business, it happens all the time, the brand won't change one bit. It'll still get the backs up of all those 'proper cyclists' out there...
    What are proper cyclists?

    They're in the same category as the 'inverted snob'.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    on-yer-bike wrote:
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    They'll probably get bought by Louis Vuitton, like Pinarello. I dislike the brand and everything it stands for, but as an ex-marketing man, I have to admire what the people in the driving seat there have achieved.

    Pinarello didn't get purchased by Louis Vuitton. They were purchased by L Catterton, however 'Louis Vuitton bought by L Catteron' wouldn't have generated enough click bait ad money for web rags like Bike Radar/Cycling News/road.cc etc etc. This non Rapha story is exactly the same thing. It's business, it happens all the time, the brand won't change one bit. It'll still get the backs up of all those 'proper cyclists' out there...
    What are proper cyclists?

    They're in the same category as the 'inverted snob'.

    So what's an 'inverted snob' then - someone who doesn't like Rapha?
  • fat daddy
    fat daddy Posts: 2,605
    Its the same as a snob only with a view point that is as strong but from the other side of the coin.

    Ironically, the inverted snob rarely realises that they are exhibiting ALL of the same attributes as the snob regarding perceived image and lifestyle. ........ ie not wanting to wear something because it isn't your image, is the same as wanting to wear something because of an image ...... its all a perceived lifestyle statement
  • mellex
    mellex Posts: 214
    I have no interest in the brand or the marketing. That said, I have no interest in any brand or marketing. I'm purely interested in how well something does its job and for how long it can do that job.

    My Classic bibs were, are and probably still will be brilliant in years to come. Repaired twice (I need to learn which way up a bike should be) and they're comfortable, pure and simple.

    Not sure why people even have an interest in what someone else is wearing whilst on a ride, unless your the only one in your group who's constantly uncomfortable.
    ARC
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    fat daddy wrote:
    Its the same as a snob only with a view point that is as strong but from the other side of the coin.

    Ironically, the inverted snob rarely realises that they are exhibiting ALL of the same attributes as the snob regarding perceived image and lifestyle. ........ ie not wanting to wear something because it isn't your image, is the same as wanting to wear something because of an image ...... its all a perceived lifestyle statement

    Otherwise known collectively as 'freedom of choice' and 'freedom of expression', yes?
  • fat daddy
    fat daddy Posts: 2,605
    Imposter wrote:
    Otherwise known collectively as 'freedom of choice' and 'freedom of expression', yes?


    you are free to choose and express yourself as you wish, but I don't think that invalidates the snob label :-

    a person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors and looks down on those regarded as socially inferior

    I guess you could say a Rapha hater that looks down on those that like the brand and seeks to "dis"associate themselves with those people at the same time associate themselves with the anti brigade is just a freedom of expression .... but they are still a snob ... an inverted one
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    You've obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this....and got nowhere.

    Ironically, what you are expressing is the very definition of snobbery itself. Either you accept someone's view, or you dismiss it as 'snobbery' - which in turn makes you a snob, an so on and so forth.

    Anyway, I'm off to watch some paint dry now...
  • fat daddy
    fat daddy Posts: 2,605
    Imposter wrote:
    You've obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this....and got nowhere.

    Ironically, what you are expressing is the very definition of snobbery itself. Either you accept someone's view, or you dismiss it as 'snobbery' - which in turn makes you a snob, an so on and so forth.

    I have spent a long time thinking about it ... but I wouldn't say I got nowhere ... I got to exactly where you pointed out. I am an inverted snob snob
  • PTestTeam
    PTestTeam Posts: 395
    mellex wrote:
    I have no interest in the brand or the marketing. That said, I have no interest in any brand or marketing. I'm purely interested in how well something does its job and for how long it can do that job.

    My Classic bibs were, are and probably still will be brilliant in years to come. Repaired twice (I need to learn which way up a bike should be) and they're comfortable, pure and simple.

    Not sure why people even have an interest in what someone else is wearing whilst on a ride, unless your the only one in your group who's constantly uncomfortable.

    Are they Trigger's bibshorts?
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    Imposter wrote:
    fat daddy wrote:
    Its the same as a snob only with a view point that is as strong but from the other side of the coin.

    Ironically, the inverted snob rarely realises that they are exhibiting ALL of the same attributes as the snob regarding perceived image and lifestyle. ........ ie not wanting to wear something because it isn't your image, is the same as wanting to wear something because of an image ...... its all a perceived lifestyle statement

    Otherwise known collectively as 'freedom of choice' and 'freedom of expression', yes?
    Correct.
    You will be judged on those choices and expressions though.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    This thread is so English.

    The amount of hang ups about status. Christ.
    _
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    This thread is so English.

    The amount of hang ups about status. Christ.

    Welcome to Britain, 2017
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Simon's doing a frankly amazing job at starting a brand, getting it to be one of the most premium out there while juggling the massive demands at home. Massive kudos to him and, if he gets to cash out, nicely done.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Simon's doing a frankly amazing job at starting a brand, getting it to be one of the most premium out there while juggling the massive demands at home. Massive kudos to him and, if he gets to cash out, nicely done.

    +1
  • fat daddy
    fat daddy Posts: 2,605
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    This thread is so English.

    The amount of hang ups about status. Christ.


    :D
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    This thread is so English.

    The amount of hang ups about status. Christ.

    Status is absolutely critical when engaged in such a utilitarian pastime like cycling, apparently..
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    http://alaindebotton.com/status/
    _
  • Gromson
    Gromson Posts: 100
    PTestTeam wrote:
    mellex wrote:
    My Classic bibs were, are and probably still will be brilliant in years to come. Repaired twice (I need to learn which way up a bike should be) and they're comfortable, pure and simple.

    Are they Trigger's bibshorts?

    Kudos-worthy comment.
    A shame that none of the "proper cyclists" (inverted or not) knew what you meant.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    This thread is so English.

    The amount of hang ups about status. Christ.

    I was thinking about this and was trying to think of countries I know about that aren't status-conscious and I really struggled. All of Asia is (more so than UK), so is USA (especially when it comes to job titles), Germany has its qualification titles (Dr, Ing etc) - only NL is status very flat (which presents its own challenges in the work environment) and I can imagine the Nordics to be similar.

    And with the Dutch it's the "live and let live" thing (which translates to "I don't care what you do so long as I can do precisely what I want to").
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Gromson wrote:
    PTestTeam wrote:
    mellex wrote:
    My Classic bibs were, are and probably still will be brilliant in years to come. Repaired twice (I need to learn which way up a bike should be) and they're comfortable, pure and simple.

    Are they Trigger's bibshorts?

    Kudos-worthy comment.
    A shame that none of the "proper cyclists" (inverted or not) knew what you meant.

    So you can't be a 'proper cyclist' unless you're also a fan of a certain 'classic' BBC sitcom? This is getting weird.
  • KevinA
    KevinA Posts: 492
    fat daddy wrote:
    phew ..... my dreams still live on

    Why not try Velobici

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