Guardian Article on Rapha

2

Comments

  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 28,170
    Daniel B wrote:
    I wouldn't say there are any brands I hate though - why would I hate a brand, it's just a business that makes clothes, which I am free to choose to buy or not.

    Hate might be a bit strong, but a business that makes clothes and sponsors athletes can do many things that make it possible to view them with distaste. I'm not a fan of Nike, however good or bad their clothes are.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Good luck to them I say; they clearly have a decent business model. Nobody makes us buy their stuff.

    I don't have any Rapha gear, but that's not because I've got anything against them. I've got expensive stuff from Assos, Castelli and Gore, so I'm not averse to that kind of spending on cycling kit.
    My son has a ss jersey and arm warmers he bought in the Rapha sale and he loves them. They look to be well made and they are subtle / tasteful. He's a design teacher and the appearance and design of everything is a major consideration for him.

    My main buying criteria are fit and function. Clothing has to work well for me.

    The one thing I don't like is paying a premium for something and then thinking it's no different from a much cheaper equivalent. Then I feel like I've been conned, and stuff invariably goes back.
  • mikpem
    mikpem Posts: 139
    I bought a Rapha core jersey once and it fitted similarly to his in the main picture of that article. You can get a better cut/shape from a binbag!
  • ben@31
    ben@31 Posts: 2,327
    Simon Mottram of Rapha: ‘Nine out of 10 people on bikes look absolutely appalling.’

    Theres been about 20 replies on here, so who is it?

    Personally I dont give a f*ck what some random stranger that I cycle past, thinks of me. Why should I ?
    "The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    ben@31 wrote:
    Simon Mottram of Rapha: ‘Nine out of 10 people on bikes look absolutely appalling.’

    Theres been about 20 replies on here, so who is it?

    Personally I dont give a f*ck what some random stranger that I cycle past, thinks of me. Why should I ?

    That's me too. Honestly far too much fuss is made over clothing and how the bike looks.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    I really rate the Rapha stuff that I have bought over the years. However, Simon Mottram makes me cringe every time I read anything he says.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Garry H wrote:
    I really rate the Rapha stuff that I have bought over the years. However, Simon Mottram makes me cringe every time I read anything he says.

    He's actually a really nice guy. I've had a couple of long chats with him - one on the inaugural ride of the Rapha store in Amsterdam.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Of course he is, you give him money :wink:
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Garry H wrote:
    Of course he is, you give him money :wink:

    Ha - yes, but we actually talked mostly about having sick kids - as two dads rather than business owner and customer.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,700
    I like them, I have a lot of their stuff from when I could afford it (a lot of it looks rather worn now).

    However they don't help themselves sometimes with the Hashtag Epic black and white photo marketing and the general sufferfest-ness (small s). For example one of my mates went into the Piccadilly Store with a flat tyre and asked if they had an inner tube to be told "Sorry, we re not a bike shop, we re a club". Fuuuuuuuck offfff!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    meanredspider wrote:
    Garry H wrote:
    Of course he is, you give him money :wink:

    Ha - yes, but we actually talked mostly about having sick kids - as two dads rather than business owner and customer.

    On the subject of which, any news?
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    keef66 wrote:
    meanredspider wrote:
    Garry H wrote:
    Of course he is, you give him money :wink:

    Ha - yes, but we actually talked mostly about having sick kids - as two dads rather than business owner and customer.

    On the subject of which, any news?

    In the ward again - temp spike so precautionary antibiotics. Heading to bone marrow transplant in late July/early Aug. We're all good. Thanks for asking.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • twist83
    twist83 Posts: 761
    ddraver wrote:
    I like them, I have a lot of their stuff from when I could afford it (a lot of it looks rather worn now).

    However they don't help themselves sometimes with the Hashtag Epic black and white photo marketing and the general sufferfest-ness (small s). For example one of my mates went into the Piccadilly Store with a flat tyre and asked if they had an inner tube to be told "Sorry, we re not a bike shop, we re a club". Fuuuuuuuck offfff!

    Sure this mate is not telling porky pies?

    https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/rapha-i ... 01XXBLKXXX

    They have them on the shelf in Rapha Piccadilly as well. I have never had any rudeness from that particular store. They have always been helpful.
  • mellex
    mellex Posts: 214
    Out of interest, how many people took the time to complete the most recent Rapha survey? Plenty of opportunity to give quality feedback that 'could' influence their projected business model.

    25% off your next purchase was too bad either.
    ARC
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,700
    twist83 wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    I like them, I have a lot of their stuff from when I could afford it (a lot of it looks rather worn now).

    However they don't help themselves sometimes with the Hashtag Epic black and white photo marketing and the general sufferfest-ness (small s). For example one of my mates went into the Piccadilly Store with a flat tyre and asked if they had an inner tube to be told "Sorry, we re not a bike shop, we re a club". Fuuuuuuuck offfff!

    Sure this mate is not telling porky pies?

    https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/rapha-i ... 01XXBLKXXX

    They have them on the shelf in Rapha Piccadilly as well. I have never had any rudeness from that particular store. They have always been helpful.

    well at least they learn...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • twist83
    twist83 Posts: 761
    They have been for sale in there for a long time now... Both there and the one in Spitalfields. But to be fair they are NOT a bike shop.

    No different than the Assos store which has opened on Regent Street. They are a clothing manufacturer, not a bike shop.

    I cannot fathom the hate toward Rapha to be honest. If you don't like the kit, don't buy it. Don't like the brand ethos, don't look at there marketing material. Don't like the people who wear it? Don't ride with or interact with them. Pretty simple really.

    I have a fair bit of Rapha kit along with numerous other brands including DHB. All the Rapha pieces I have, have been really hard wearing and robust. I also like the minimalist design of there staple items. IMO there rain jacket is one of the very best out there, and in the sale is a damn sight cheaper than other high end brands.
  • Thigh_burn
    Thigh_burn Posts: 489
    mellex wrote:
    Out of interest, how many people took the time to complete the most recent Rapha survey? Plenty of opportunity to give quality feedback that 'could' influence their projected business model.

    25% off your next purchase was too bad either.

    Yup I did. And they had some error with their system so they asked me twice. And I got two discount codes. Absolutely worth it. Just like I'm sorely tempted by the current Assos/Rouleur deal [cue the haters]
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    meanredspider wrote:
    Ha - yes, but we actually talked mostly about having sick kids - as two dads rather than business owner and customer.

    On the subject of which, any news?[/quote]

    In the ward again - temp spike so precautionary antibiotics. Heading to bone marrow transplant in late July/early Aug. We're all good. Thanks for asking.[/quote]

    Crikey, this isn't a quick thing is it? You must all be exhausted. We've spent the last week nursing a poorly old dog and that's been bad enough. I'll keep hoping for a happy outcome for her. Your daughter, not the dog. Well, both to be honest. I'm in a hole now; I should stop digging....
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    keef66 wrote:
    meanredspider wrote:

    In the ward again - temp spike so precautionary antibiotics. Heading to bone marrow transplant in late July/early Aug. We're all good. Thanks for asking.

    Crikey, this isn't a quick thing is it? You must all be exhausted. We've spent the last week nursing a poorly old dog and that's been bad enough. I'll keep hoping for a happy outcome for her. Your daughter, not the dog. Well, both to be honest. I'm in a hole now; I should stop digging....

    Hoping all will be complete by the end of the year if that helps give you some idea of timescales. Exhausting? Yes - but you have no choice so you just get on with it. It's great for your mental strength and stamina. Riding up mountains is a piece of pi55.

    Hope the dog is better.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    ddraver wrote:
    I like them, I have a lot of their stuff from when I could afford it (a lot of it looks rather worn now).

    However they don't help themselves sometimes with the Hashtag Epic black and white photo marketing and the general sufferfest-ness (small s). For example one of my mates went into the Piccadilly Store with a flat tyre and asked if they had an inner tube to be told "Sorry, we re not a bike shop, we re a club". Fuuuuuuuck offfff!

    Yeah I went into a <INSERT NAME OF CLOTHES SHOP HERE> and asked for a car tyre and they said the same thing...DISGRACEFUL I TELL YA!!!
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    All the best for your daughter's treatment and recovery.

    Dog's improving very slowly. Initially thought she'd had a stroke, and that may still have been the initial cause, but what she's left with is vestibular disorder. Head often tilted alarmingly especially when trying to make out things on the ground, seems only able to turn left, constantly staggering sideways and crashing, unable to negotiate even small steps up or down and can't even manage to get into her basket. She looks permanently bewildered / p1ssed.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Yup - elderly dogs are difficult. One of our labs is getting on a bit and needing more pharma help. But, because my daughter loves the dog and has hardly seen her this year, we're desperate for the worst not to happen.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,700
    CookeeeMonster wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    I like them, I have a lot of their stuff from when I could afford it (a lot of it looks rather worn now).

    However they don't help themselves sometimes with the Hashtag Epic black and white photo marketing and the general sufferfest-ness (small s). For example one of my mates went into the Piccadilly Store with a flat tyre and asked if they had an inner tube to be told "Sorry, we re not a bike shop, we re a club". Fuuuuuuuck offfff!

    Yeah I went into a <INSERT NAME OF CLOTHES SHOP HERE> and asked for a car tyre and they said the same thing...DISGRACEFUL I TELL YA!!!

    Yes cos that's exactly the same

    I think I recanted the story on one of the surveys so if you have something constructive to tell them, go for it. Looks like they do actually read some of them.

    (lots of love to all poorly dogs and daughters everywhere)
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    On the subject of flat tyres can I just say a big thank you to Josh in the Newmarket branch of Kwik-Fit for staying open last night till I got there with my son and the wheel off his car, fitting a new tyre in record time and for a reasonable price, and with a free cup of tea while we (briefly) waited.

    Not so much praise for Audi and their lack of a spare wheel / useless bottle of sealant...

    How do you tubeless riders cope???
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    keef66 wrote:
    On the subject of flat tyres can I just say a big thank you to Josh in the Newmarket branch of Kwik-Fit for staying open last night till I got there with my son and the wheel off his car, fitting a new tyre in record time and for a reasonable price, and with a free cup of tea while we (briefly) waited.

    Not so much praise for Audi and their lack of a spare wheel / useless bottle of sealant...

    How do you tubeless riders cope???

    Tubeless repair kits.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/the-cop ... gory/Coppi

    I like the differential state of these products. From the £170 wool thing that, well, looks a bit wooly. To the Coppi inspired piece of modern man made fabric.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • ayjaycee
    ayjaycee Posts: 1,277
    keef66 wrote:

    Not so much praise for Audi and their lack of a spare wheel / useless bottle of sealant..

    When I bought my Q5, I told Audi that the deal was off unless I got a spare. OK, it's only a space saver but it's still better than no spare at all and it was free.
    Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
    Kinesis Racelight 4S
    Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
    Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)
  • ben@31
    ben@31 Posts: 2,327
    bendertherobot wrote:
    https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/the-coppi-collection/category/Coppi

    I like the differential state of these products. From the £170 wool thing that, well, looks a bit wooly. To the Coppi inspired piece of modern man made fabric.

    I wonder what Fausto Coppi would have thought to spending £170 on one jersey?

    The "Coppi Silk Scarf" sounds expensive for what it is, £50 for one small square sheet of material that doesn't do much.
    "The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    ben@31 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/the-coppi-collection/category/Coppi

    I like the differential state of these products. From the £170 wool thing that, well, looks a bit wooly. To the Coppi inspired piece of modern man made fabric.

    I wonder what Fausto Coppi would have thought to spending £170 on one jersey?

    The "Coppi Silk Scarf" sounds expensive for what it is, £50 for one small square sheet of material that doesn't do much.

    You are clearly not their target demographic. They'll sell plenty of them. And the £170 wooly jumpers.
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    ben@31 wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/the-coppi-collection/category/Coppi

    I like the differential state of these products. From the £170 wool thing that, well, looks a bit wooly. To the Coppi inspired piece of modern man made fabric.

    I wonder what Fausto Coppi would have thought to spending £170 on one jersey?

    The "Coppi Silk Scarf" sounds expensive for what it is, £50 for one small square sheet of material that doesn't do much.

    I would imagine he'd be turning in his grave. I read his biography. They rode through snow in heavy woollen jumpers that their nans had knitted. No Pro Team Shadow for these guys!

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