I don’t think it’s a question of the quality in China, it’s more the marketing of Rapha being a British brand

Very few British brands manufacture in the UK….

Shutt Velo Rapide do.
Nice stuff and cheaper than Rapha

In your opinion, so you buy it.

People can buy what they like, it’s the inverted snobbery superiority that gets me.

I like Rapha gear generally. It fits me well and I can afford a few peices every now and then but struggle to bring myself to pay list price (but that’s the same with everything if I’m honest). I find it lasts a good amount of time and feels good whilst wearing.

If you want similar styling but made in UK then try Velobici. Based in Leicester and all fabric UK sourced and made in Leicester.

Not heard of Shott before – I like it!!

As luck would have it, Howies just announced a deal on their Merino, so I’ve now got 2 for not much more than the Rapha one. Enter MERINOTWENTY at the checkout. 🙂

their stuff is still made in China,

couple of the recent ones I’ve got are Lithuania

decent price from the outlet

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rapha-Super-Lightweight-Jersey-/161697501633?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item25a5ec11c1

I’ve never really liked Howies. It stems from way back when Mrs SWSD tried to buy some size 16 stuff and found out they only went up to 14. Their reason was something along the lines of “fat birds don’t exercise” (I may be paraphrasing there). It kind of jarred with their “we’re so cool and trendy we kayak to work” website. I prefer Rapha’s cheezy marketing.

I see they go up to (but only up to) size 16 now. Perhaps somebody had a word.

ojom – Member
Why do you think China made wouldn’t be worth a high retail?

Chinese manufacturing is comparatively cheap at approximately 1/3rd of UKmin. With such a high retail price, I’d like to see their clothing made in the UK.

I’m not making any judgement on the quality of Chinese manufacture, indeed I’d imagine it to comparable to or in excess of here in the UK.

decent price from the outlet

If your a small boy or a giant maybe.

decent price from the outlet

If your a small boy or a giant maybe.[/quote]
Well I’m the latter but really don’t need any more jerseys Any chance anyone can buy all of those before I’m forced to?

decent price from the outlet
If your a small boy or a giant maybe.

Not judgemental at all there. Rapha XL is hardly obese 🙄

And it’s a bloody brilliant price – I might have just bought the last one

Not judgemental at all there. Rapha XL is hardly obese

Yes, apologies there. Just annoyed that us M’s hardly ever get a bargain 🙂

And it’s a bloody brilliant price – I might have just bought the last one

Thank you, just saved me a couple of quid.

Some Rapha stuff is made in Hawick, about 200m from where I’m sitting. A few years ago there were a lot of Rapha clad riders on the roads, all clad in seconds.

I’m a fan buy offers only. Saying that i fell for the 10%off and free arm warmers recently.

I was so very close to caving in on that offer but remained strong.

Mr B – I guess that must be the same for a lot of stuff – rarely much M/L kit falling through to the sales.

Sorry, on re-reading your post, you weren’t being judgemental. It’s just the standard response on a Rapha thread seems to be that way.

Just had a nice 30% off code from Rapha, now it’s definitely worth it 😀

anyone else have this issue? (called and emailed them today, phones not answered and email not replied to)

options for shipping are

3-5 day
2 day express
saturday delivery
sunday delivery

no option for next day even though its listed in the customer services > shipping options

😕

Their bib shorts are very good and IMO worth the money at full price. I have a pair of pro team and the classics.

One thing I didn’t notice mentioned was their free crash repair service.

Nope – not when Endura & others are so much cheaper.

It’s not as their stuff is that much better, makes you X times faster & Y times more attractive to which ever sex you so desire…

I was passing the outlet in Shepton Mallet a few weeks ago and picked up some bib shorts for £68. They are bloody comfortable, first Rapha gear I have ever bought.

Rapha sale shopper here… Love the tops (also not made in China according to the label) I also own a carbon santa Cruz but my road bike is a 10 year old mid spec specialized what does that mean? I also wouldn’t ever join a road club or go on these club rides as they sound full of judgemental tossers.

Based purely on the number of riders (of all abilities) I see local to me dressed head to toe in Rapha I’d say there are a lot of people out there who can afford it, see their pricing as acceptable, and regard the kit as worth the cost.

I can’t really justify the cost – but if I had more disposable income – I’d join the hoards – I really like Rapha kit.

Everyone ignore my question then and just jumped in replying to the OP in a 11 month old thread 😆

😉
Castelli is my high end brand of choice. Found a nice soft shell in Aldi though.