Rapha sold for £200 million

slowmart

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... s-for-200m

Hardwork, great product, congratulations to all concerned.

Anonymous

Geez, let me get the sick bucket.

Weird beard hypefest, but hell yeah, well done on getting all that cash

Must see if I can get some Corbyn and/or Cable loo roll :twisted:

imposter2.0

"Company that sells bike wear for absurd prices, sells for absurd price"

flasher

That's a lot of dough for a company that only made a profit of £1.1m last year, good job the Walton family are worth north of $150b!

chippyk

EBITDA was £4.5m on £67m for the year ending 29th Jan '17 against £3.5m on £49m t/o for the previous year. If they keep that turnover for this financial year whilst losing the Sky sponsorship they paid it will be better.

milemuncher1

Rapha goes to Asda then. Massive lols.

surrey_commuter

lazy journalism (and reading) as per usual

they have bought a majority shareholding (not the company) so it is valued at even more than £200m
Simon Mottram will remain as Chief Executive and has retained a significant part of his stake in the business.

"they" are not Walmart/Asda "they" are the investment firm owned by the sons of the founder of Walmart

pedro118118

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Rapha goes to Asda then. Massive lols.

:roll: From what I've read, RCZ also own Allied Cycleworks (amongst others). I don't recall seeing >$5k USA-made custom carbon bikes in any Wallmart/ASDA. Which is hardly surprising given RCZ are in no way connected to Walmart/ASDA, beyond the fact that the two principals behind the vehicle have the surname Walton. Seems like a lot of money, even for a growth-orientated model. However, in the grand scheme of things, it's peanuts and represents a nice little project for a pair of wealthy fund managers with an interest in the sport. Rapha's growth has been constrained heavily by lack of capital. The RCZ fire-power will probably mean there'll be huge expansion of shops/clubhouses/cafes and the RCC (which I still don't get TBH)......seem to recall Mottram said that there was demand for 25 clubhouses in London alone................

meanredspider

pedro118118 wrote:

and the RCC (which I still don't get TBH)

I found RCC to be great whilst I was in Amsterdam - regular rides, events (like the 190k team-based Rapha Prestige Limburg), social stuff etc with a wide range of nationalities and visitors. I really got to know the shop/cafe staff. If there were more locations, it would make far more sense: fly to, say, Madrid for the weekend, borrow a nice club bike and go on a ride with locals. Since I've been back and don't live anywhere near a shop, it makes no sense.

Flâneur

Surrey Commuter wrote:

"they" are not Walmart/Asda "they" are the investment firm owned by the sons of the founder of Walmart

someone didn't mind seeing it.

So from one private equity fund to another investment firm.

Though I've moved away from Rapha recently. I still like a good chunk of their stuff (bib shorts for one) and as MRS says the shop/cafes are great when travelling and you want a quick hook up ride. But for this to be really attractive it does need to expand.

RE the profit versues value. pennies compared to Tesla, snapchat, facebook and loads of others.

sloppyschleckonds

Remember everyone got giddy when Wiggle was bought out.

Nothing to see

pedro118118

meanredspider wrote:

pedro118118 wrote:

and the RCC (which I still don't get TBH)

I found RCC to be great whilst I was in Amsterdam - regular rides, events (like the 190k team-based Rapha Prestige Limburg), social stuff etc with a wide range of nationalities and visitors. I really got to know the shop/cafe staff. If there were more locations, it would make far more sense: fly to, say, Madrid for the weekend, borrow a nice club bike and go on a ride with locals. Since I've been back and don't live anywhere near a shop, it makes no sense.

I can see the appeal of that. If you do a lot of travelling and/or split your life between locations, then the social/bike rental side of things is good. As you say, it does need massive expansion to make sense for the vast majority or - more importantly - me, as I don't spend a great deal of time in Boulder, Osaka, LA etc etc. If there were more clubhouses across Europe, then that would be good, as if could negate the need to pay extortionate bike carraige charges etc. That said, the more RCC members there are, the more pressure on things like bike rental etc, especially in popular locations. I suspect there is already high pressure on the bike fleet in Majorca.............although I admit I have no knowledge to support such and assumption!

milemuncher1

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

imposter2.0

pedro118118 wrote:

although I admit I have no knowledge to support such and assumption!

This is BR - no such knowledge is required...

sloppyschleckonds

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

pedro118118

Imposter wrote:

pedro118118 wrote:

although I admit I have no knowledge to support such and assumption!

This is BR - no such knowledge is required...

Matthewfalle

Never mind what you think about the product, the hype, the people who wear it etc you have to say fair play to the bloke who set it up and has made some decent money out of it. Hat in fact.

sloppyschleckonds

Matthewfalle wrote:

Never mind what you think about the product, the hype, the people who wear it etc you have to say fair play to the bloke who set it up and has made some decent money out of it. Hat in fact.

You forgot to add his charity fundraising

Ben6899

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

Matthewfalle

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

Never mind what you think about the product, the hype, the people who wear it etc you have to say fair play to the bloke who set it up and has made some decent money out of it. Hat in fact.

You forgot to add his charity fundraising

That as well then. Double hat.

sloppyschleckonds

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13083541&start=40#p20195037

Ben6899

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13083541&start=40#p20195037

Oh. Right. Yes. Heavens above, we have a Walter Mitty.

mrb123

viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=13060768&hilit=Flapping&start=120

Never forget the flapping.

Brakeless

MrB123 wrote:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=13060768&hilit=Flapping&start=120

Never forget the flapping.

Oh dear. Not seen that thread before :roll:

vinnymarsden

I for one was a slow convert to Rapha stuff...but I have to admit...despite the cost it is good gear...tried lots of stuff, and for me the only kit that comes close in my opinion, and it is MY opinion that matters when I'm paying isn't it..is Etxeondo.Both make quality stuff and I for one hope they both continue to do so..good luck to the Wal Mart guys who have bought in...keep it as it is..you have a tried/trusted formula...dont f..k it up please!!!

milemuncher1

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13083541&start=40#p20195037

Oh. Right. Yes. Heavens above, we have a Walter Mitty.

Not really, if you read the thread. But I guess you're just one of those Internet bellends that doesn't do reading the whole thread, especially the bit where I make the idiot who mis posted an old Strava plot, for reasons I never did fathom, to try to prove something ( I know not what), look like the tw@ he clearly is.

milemuncher1

VinnyMarsden wrote:

I for one was a slow convert to Rapha stuff...but I have to admit...despite the cost it is good gear...tried lots of stuff, and for me the only kit that comes close in my opinion, and it is MY opinion that matters when I'm paying isn't it..is Etxeondo.Both make quality stuff and I for one hope they both continue to do so..good luck to the Wal Mart guys who have bought in...keep it as it is..you have a tried/trusted formula...dont f..k it up please!!!

The thing that I do actually like about Rapha kit, is the free repair service, that's a nice perk.

turbotommy

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13083541&start=40#p20195037

Oh. Right. Yes. Heavens above, we have a Walter Mitty.

Not really, if you read the thread. But I guess you're just one of those Internet bellends that doesn't do reading the whole thread, especially the bit where I make the idiot who mis posted an old Strava plot, for reasons I never did fathom, to try to prove something ( I know not what), look like the tw@ he clearly is.

I've read the thread milemuncher. you seem a little tragic. Stop trying so hard, this is only an Internet forum...

Ben6899

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13083541&start=40#p20195037

Oh. Right. Yes. Heavens above, we have a Walter Mitty.

Not really, if you read the thread. But I guess you're just one of those Internet bellends that doesn't do reading the whole thread, especially the bit where I make the idiot who mis posted an old Strava plot, for reasons I never did fathom, to try to prove something ( I know not what), look like the tw@ he clearly is.

*sigh*

imposter2.0

Milemuncher can also be seen making a complete tit of himself on cyclechat too - under a different username...not hard to spot though...

slowmart

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

I'm going to shout "nice Asda kit" at any Raphabators I see from now on.

They will think you're an idiot.

Why? Do they know him?

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13083541&start=40#p20195037

Oh. Right. Yes. Heavens above, we have a Walter Mitty.

Not really, if you read the thread. But I guess you're just one of those Internet bellends that doesn't do reading the whole thread, especially the bit where I make the idiot who mis posted an old Strava plot, for reasons I never did fathom, to try to prove something ( I know not what), look like the tw@ he clearly is.