[Closed] Rapha article in guardian.....

Erm. That business strategy wasn't a secret...

I think Rapha have made a lot out of cycling but also put a lot back in. They have supported domestic racing in uk and us from really early on and their events like supercross were in the right direction. They do seem to have knocked the outgoings on the head with sale which is a shame.

“The amount of people on bikes was amazing because it was a sunny morning but actually nine out of 10 looked absolutely appalling,” he says. “Not only did they look terrible but the stuff they were wearing …” He tails off muttering about sweaty high-vis jackets and the probable chafe caused by baggy shorts.

😀

I think for at least 9 out of 10 people, looking good on a bike means wearing anything other than lycra.

My Aldi winter cycling jersey was a revelation to me, and works just as well as much more expensive gear. Often the biggest downside to cheap clothing is the fit...

People buy into it, believing that anything less than Rapha is a lesser product. And so they must have it.

Whereas I like the brand even more... strong mission statement, good clothing, and when it boils down to it, there are many many more expensive brands out there.

Sales are on at the mo with 25% off everything for doing a survey.

Everything I've bought has been perfect and washes well and lasts.

Love it.

I've had aldi bibs and thought they were the bee's knees... but the truth is they're not half as comfortable as rapha, Morvélo or endura... and they look s***e

fashionable cycling gear

latent demand for fashionable cycling gear and opened stores – or “clubhouses” as it calls them

Mottram’s commuting outfit of reflective jacket, tights and overshoes would give little change from £500

It even has its own riding club with 9,000 members paying £135 a year for perks including free coffee in its clubhouses.

Inside, the white-painted brick walls are adorned with cycling memorabilia, while the reception cum coffee bar buzzes like an Apple store.

Has there ever been a worse time to be a cyclist?

I like their kit, it's comfy, it lasts and it has some clever features, and I buy it when it's at a price I can afford, either on sale or on ebay. They have done a lot of good for cycling in the UK as mentioned above, and made no secret of their views on pricing and image as part of the process.

And I'm now a "brand ambassador" for another cycle clothing brand, so I have to be careful no one sees me in Rapha socks if my others are in the wash..... 😉

cum coffee

Think I'll have a tea thanks

Okay, tell me what they have done for cycling in the UK ?

I'm not a member but if you live close to one it's a cheap way to get coffe and discounted cycling gear.
I'm also not a fanboy but there are plenty of fat lads on here who should check out their policy for allowing you to buy bigger sizes and change for highly discounted smaller gear as you loose weight.

If you don't like it, don't buy it. No need for a snide thread on the forum every week.

The only reason their kit lasts really well is because it's worn by fair weather cyclists who ride no more than three thousand miles per year.

davidtaylforth - Member
The only reason their kit lasts really well is because it's worn by fair weather cyclists who ride no more than three thousand miles per year

LOL, that'll get a few 😉

Dislike the brand more now.

why? Beacuse they won't make a £20 cycling jersey? seems an odd reaction

Stop trolling taylforth! 😆

What have they done - they've sponsored and run their own successful UK based cycle team with Condor, they've set up/supported a load of different cycling events over the years, races, gravel rides etc, and they had those 3-4 years with Sky.

They've never hidden the fact that they think they are the bees knees and will happily take all your money IF you want to give it to them.

on an on - with my brand ambassador hat on, there are other cycle clothing retailers who also cater for the Fat Lads (and Lasses) who like their lycra 😉

Okay, tell me what they have done for cycling in the UK ?

Oh where do you want to start?
At pro level they sponsored the Rapha-Condor-JLT squad for many years (probably one of the best and most consistent domestic UK teams)
They've organised dozens of CX races (the Rapha Supercross events)
Theyve sponsored loads of local level races too - near me in Manchester they've done the local hill climb, the Tameside circuit races and down in London they did one of the Eastern Region road race league events.

They've coordinated with Strava to do the Festive 500, various climbing challenges and other things like the Women's 100 to get people out on bikes.

Regular rides go out from all their clubhouses, they also use them as a base for talks, exhibitions & social nights.

They've brought smart practical kit to people who would never have bought into the fluoro Euro look (at a time when that was really all that was available)

it’s a piece of polyester.

meow, feel the burn 😀

you don't like it, don't buy it. No need for a snide thread on the forum every week.

Surprisingly I was reading the Guardian and was taken aback by the staggering hubris, tremendous marketing and self aggrandisement of the CEO and brand. In a capitalist consumerist buy the life style brand then you pays your money and makes your choice.

No longer buy after found it pretty poor quality for money, merino wool jersey especially. In contrast my aldi base layers from last winter have been pretty amazing in wicking away sweat from my body.

Placed the thread really to see what people thought, suprsingly in a forum on bikes and biking.

tribal cycling community

There is at least one bit of the article that everyone can agree on at least 🙂

I've got some Rapha stuff and it's nice. It's probably not 10 times nicer than the stuff from Aldi (I don't own any stuff from there so I can't say) but it's all diminishing returns with these things. If someone is happy to spend the cash on it then that's fine. Equally if you're happy with kit from Aldi then that's fine too. It does the job you need it to for the amount of money you're willing to spend.

It's only cycling kit after all.

Henrie Westlake is 42 and has been road cycling all his adult life, but would never contemplate wearing Rapha’s clothing. His choice is not down to the cost, nor the quality. “It has become the uniform of a certain sector of ‘new’ cyclists,” he contends, “and by that I refer to the stereotypical cliché of ‘all the gear, no idea’.

There are sections of the cycling community who are dismissive of those who spend more time talking about kit in the cafe than actually riding a bike. “I’ve frequently heard cyclists say that you rarely see a good amateur cyclist in Rapha.” In his opinion, “the best way to look good on a bike is to drop everyone on a climb.”

😀

vondally Sorry, that wasn't directed at you. Just a general,FFS, another Rapha thread with a load of the usual bitching.

Crazy legs thanks for the detail.....great they are promoting cycling but ( for debates sake) didn't and don't local cycle shops and clubs do that?

Excellent point on the euro fluro colours and kit sponsor's.

On and on...no worries and I was am interested in the thoughts, like crazy legs pointing out what they do

Equally if you're happy with kit from Aldi then that's fine too

Yeh, but it's not though is it?

You look like shit wearing it, and hence do untold damage to the image of the sport.

Can see why Sky ****** off to Castelli now, MD of Rapha comes across as a complete knob.

why? Beacuse they won't make a £20 cycling jersey? seems an odd reaction

Don't think it is anything to do with a £20 jersey. Rather the fact that the bloke comes across as a complete tosser.

I was out on a group ride this weekend, noticed a rider in a Rapha top paired with dhb shorts, made my inverse snobbery monitor go into meltdown.

Anyway Rapha is for knobends assos is better kit, luckily I cant afford either!!

my inverse snobbery monitor go into meltdown.

😆

Rather the fact that the bloke comes across as a complete tosser.

That's not exactly news though, given interviews he's done in the past. He's very driven and been very successful. A lot of those type of people come across as complete tossers, though that might be my jealousy talking.

Who is worse? Frapercino rapha hipster wannabes or total mix and match pro kit ****ers? At least with the first lot they are buying into the latest fashionable hobby. With the mix and matchers they always offer the excuse that it was cheap and it works well. Yeah right, you love the advertising! Makes up for all of the disappointments in your life. Don't even get me started on the retro jersey lot. Insufferable bellends.

Rather the fact that the bloke comes across as a complete tosser.

I've read the article again, and I can't see it myself, but haters gonna hate I guess.

Not a fan, I tried some stuff a few yes ago which fell apart in no time.

Personally I think there's better availabile for less.

As for looking good?

When your kit is spattered in mud, snot, sweat & your heart is beating fit to burst......how good do you look then??

didn't and don't local cycle shops and clubs do that?

Yep, but none on the size and scale of the Rapha events. How many other multinational clothing manufacturers organise stuff like this?

I know a lot of people have a chip on their shoulder about them, they need to get over themselves. It's cycling kit, I find it to be very good cycling kit, not the cheapest, but definitely the best I own which is what I care about, rather that who else is wearing it, or what others think of me wearing it.

Rarely ride without their bibs, on or off road, and the brevet jerseys are pretty much my default jersey on all but the hottest days.

That said, I don't care for their marketing...

Not a fan, I tried some stuff a few yes ago which fell apart in no time.

I assume you used the free repair service?

A successful British brand - let's shoot them down for their success.

I read the article and didn't detect any particular bell-endery on display.

I don't own any Rapha stuff and probably never will, but it looks like good kit and I don't see any problem with spendy kit existing and people buying it who haven't necessarily been riding for 20 years.

A lot of the Rapha/MAMIL bashing strikes me as a variation on tedious pub bore snobbery and people showing off the chips on their shoulders. Cycling has no shortage of people desperate to tell others that they're doing it wrong.

dirtyrider - Member

That is amazing 😯

 

AFAIK the free repair service is only for kit that was damaged in a crash or an accident - my stuff just fell apart........

Mind it was about 10 yrs ago, they may well have improved the quality of their products since then.

I still think there is better available for less..

I've no issue with the gear itself.
The replacement policy makes the shorts good value if you put in the arse miles, as it were.

It is occasionally worn a little over enthusiastically by a certain type of 'buy a lifestyle' throbber.
You can spot them on threads like this now and then.....
🙂

I still think there is better available for less

Such as?

The thing outsiders don’t realise is how pure what we do is. I’ve been allowed to create the perfect model of what I think a consumer brand should be.”

That there is hubris and self aggrandisement, or a very aware of what they are doing as a consumer brand, or a combination of both.

Mavic seem better priced, Endura works just fine too.

They may not have the "style" of Rapha but I couldn't give a hoot what someone thinks of what I look like when I'm on my bike.

I'm a cyclist, not a frikkin clothes horse..

there is hubris and self aggrandisement

Also known as knocking one out over your reflection in the mirror!

AFAIK the free repair service is only for kit that was damaged in a crash or an accident - my stuff just fell apart........

I've got one of the early (2006 I think) Rapha Softshell jackets which is superb. However the thumbloops came unstitched after a while so I sent it back along with my card details.

It was returned to me a week later completely restitched and free of charge.

Never actually had to use the repair service outside of that. I did have the zip come off a pair of overshoes (they don't repair zips...) but the overshoes still work albeit it's very fiddly now.

Mavic seem better priced, Endura works just fine too.

so, just cheaper then? But then that's true of most gear. 😆

Never seen a brand make people froth as much as Rapha.

H8terzgonnah8.

o, just cheaper then?

Yes & does the job just as well.

Why line someone else's pocket when there's mine to take care of?

Yes & does the job just as well

Spam fills you up just as well as fillet steak.

Yes & does the job just as well.

well, depends... Given the amount of threads on here slagging off Endura's sizing (for instance) they seem to have some work to do (especially their shorts). but you know, whatever. No is forcing anyone to buy Rapha stuff are they?

Brands

Scott... especially in the start cycles discount
Rivelo...
Mavic
Ground effect
Troy Lee....in more muted shades
Endura

Rapha top paired with dhb shorts.

As for Mavic I own some of their gear. I like their helmets and shoes but the mountain bike shorts suck. A couple of muddy rides and they look like the arse is going to fall out of them.

I was unaware of Rapha until somebody wearing it head-to-toe sat in a train carriage opposite me, and proceeded to drop his orange peel and banana skins all over the floor until I pointed out there was a bin behind him. ****+

Like most brands, they make some nice stuff and some stuff that is a bit crap (except for Endura who just make crap in my experience). Wind jacket - very expensive but long lasting with a really nice cut and fit. Their original sport wool tops were sized for blokes with wee shoulders and fat bellys while the inner face fabric separated from the garment after a handful of washes. Their original softshell had all the water resistance of a soggy tea bag.

Personally, I prefer the likes of the traditional brands such as Castelli. Each to their own though. 😀

All brands will have their good and bad gear. Keep the good, send the crap back and keep peddling.
The only true cycling knobs are the pro team ankers

Bit of a shame how incredibly uncool he looks in his picture extolling the virtues of 'trendy' super-expensive cycling clothing.

I was a staunch rapha hater for years !! Family member got me pair of rapha arm warmers 8 years ago they are worn to death and only now showing signs of wear.

Have two winter jerseys and they are my most worn top on colder days and washed lots and look good as new.

Had a pair of pro shorts over year old I remember pulling at a thread on leg band(after washing it was hanging off) sent back and received brand new pair no quibbles.

Had winter tights for few months but always felt they were not as snug as I'd like. Again sent back and swapped for smaller size no problem.

Only bought my kit in sale and I've ridden around 20 years now and I've tried pretty much every make of kit on the market in that time ..

The kit I have works very well and I ride all year round

Have few casual bits of rapha kit and it's refreshing in the sea of "superdry" clones 😉

“The amount of people on bikes was amazing because it was a sunny morning but actually nine out of 10 looked absolutely appalling,” he says. “Not only did they look terrible but the stuff they were wearing …".

"Aldi does a cycling jersey for £15 to £20 but we won’t do that because that isn’t really a cycling jersey – it’s a piece of polyester".

After actually reading the article, I've changed my mind.
He can throb off.
🙂

Given the amount of threads on here slagging off Endura's sizing (for instance) they seem to have some work to do (especially their shorts). but you know, whatever.

Which is odd as I've never experienced any of that.... 😕

Scott... especially in the start cycles discount

Bought some Scott tights from there, good for the £30 paid, shit for the £95 rrp. Rapha Core bibs i have on the other hand still look and feel brand new after a fair amount of use*

*riding in fair weather and sitting in coffee shops

davidtaylforth, that quote you posted was very good. But there are a few things to be said in response.

Henrie Westlake is 42 and has been road cycling all his adult life, but would never contemplate wearing Rapha’s clothing. His choice is not down to the cost, nor the quality. “It has become the uniform of a certain sector of ‘new’ cyclists,” he contends, “and by that I refer to the stereotypical cliché of ‘all the gear, no idea’.

This is true, but then again, it has always been true. I remember riding in a provincial cycling championship back in Canada in my teenage years, and showing up to ride in a simple pair of black lycra shorts and a cotton nike shirt. I didn't even really know that proper kit was available. But there were kids at the race fully kitted out in 7-11 Team gear, and they didn't do any better than me in the race.

“I’ve frequently heard cyclists say that you rarely see a good amateur cyclist in Rapha.”

I don't think this is entirely fair. I hate the fact that here in the UK, people tend to get categorised by what they wear/ride/drive and a whole host of other things. The man may have a point, but I figure, if your concentrating on getting better, yourself, then how do you have time to notice what others are wearing?

Live and let live (x1000000000). The fadders will weed themselves out.

In his opinion, “the best way to look good on a bike is to drop everyone on a climb.”

And this I agree with 100%. The thing is, as I said above, if we all actually lived by this, then we wouldn't be at all bothered if others wore Rapha or anything else!

Maybe it's worth adding that I get most of my tights and shorts from ebay (Tenn stuff has been brilliant!), while I tend to get my jerseys from sales, whatever the brand. Consequently, I have stuff from Stolen Goat, Northwave, some brand I found on Sport Pursuit, and... Rapha.

But man, do I ride.

So I guess that makes me another one of those Rapha + dhb offenders.

Rapha? it could be worse. They could still be wearing their replica Team Sky kit.

I dont like Rapha because of the brand styling and what you are buying into. Its just not me I see it as just for knobbers riding 4k aero bikes round Richmond park.

AA, after they have watched England at Twickers...???... 8)

You've got it...
Bloody rugby I won second prize in a Telegraph ( I know!!) competition to win a trip for two to the Lions first test last week...lwts just say second prize wasnt as good as first!!

Ahhhh so a Rapha sky kit?

It's clothes. Wear it, don't wear it...each to To their own. But if you judge someone for what they wear, or the bike they ride, then it's you that's the knobber , not them.

[quote=homer ]It's clothes. Wear it, don't wear it...each to To their own. But if you judge someone for what they wear, or the bike they ride, then it's you that's the knobber , not them.

True - and some folk don't want to wear kit sold by such knobbers.

It's clothes. Wear it, don't wear it...each to To their own. But if you judge someone for what they wear, or the bike they ride, then it's you that's the knobber , not them.

I'm genuinely not sure if you're referring to people on this forum, or Rapha themselves?

Personally, I completely agree. I have nothing against Rapha. Some of their stuff does look pretty good. It's obvious they put a lot of thought into it. But when they start calling people out for what they wear, yes, they sound like complete nobbers.

Its just not me I see it as just for knobbers riding 4k aero bikes round Richmond park.

Maybe - just maybe - that "knobber" only has the one bike or perhaps it's a nice day so he/she will use their best bike.
Perhaps they're cycling slowly because it's a recovery day after their epic race the previous week or they're on a taper before their triathlon next week or maybe they're recovering from illness/injury. Or they're on a warm down lap after a 100 mile ride. Possibly they are actually a beginner but they'd appreciate some support and encouragement rather than a sneering reference to "Rule 5" or some other such shit.

I long ago gave up caring what people ride or wear.

They're on a bike. They've put money into the cycling industry. It may mean that next time they're driving their Audi they give the next cyclist just a touch more room because they understand it.

I don't doubt for a second that there are some knobbers on bikes but then there are knobbers in cars, in the supermarket, in the pub and in the park so at least they're relatively benign in the knobber scale of things. And what they are wearing is often irrelevant to the level of knobbishness.

This ^^ +1

bikebouy - Member
H8terzgonnah8

Marketing is working just fine

Yes indeed and good luck to them. But any brand that builds such a loyal following, which such an emphasis on "lifestyle" for want of a better word is likely to produce a polarised reaction.

I'm glad I ride mountain bikes 99% of the time.

I'd feel a bit shameful going past a "clubhouse" on my mass produced defy, wearing my altura bib shorts and aldi top as those hanging around outside pour scorn on me.

Endura; I agree the sizing is off. Two pairs of shorts from different years: Both L, one fits, one doesn't.

I'd feel a bit shameful going past a "clubhouse" on my mass produced defy, wearing my altura bib shorts and aldi top as those hanging around outside pour scorn on me.

olly2097 - Member
I'm glad I ride mountain bikes 99% of the time.

Just swap "Rapha" for "Enve" or "Santa Cruz" you want included in the thread

Crazy legs for President!

Agree Endura sizing can be random. Mind you, when Rapha started selling in America their sizing changed, and I went from XL to L.

Which was nice.

Well it proves to me that a good portion of society like to belong to something and this is often exploited by many organizations (the list is endless).
Rapha are no different. Having said that, the group head to foot in Rapha who thought I was in their way in the Etape de Caledonia a number of years ago could have done with some lessons in good road manners and hill climbing skills. They knew how to wheel suck though, which was nice.

They knew how to wheel suck though, which was nice

Pro skills.

"Aldi does a cycling jersey for £15 to £20 but we won’t do that because that isn’t really a cycling jersey – it’s a piece of polyester".

My Aldi jersey's my most worn bit of riding kit after my indestructible Altura shorts- done most of the XC races I've done, at least half of the commuting, it is awesome. But you can't buy that exact model any more which is annoying, if Rapha made one just the same I'd be tempted to buy it even at their prices but tbh they don't make anything I like as much.

Well I ride my mtb in Rapha...:)

DHB and Howies short for a long time now but recently bought some Rapha bibs in the sales are they are very nice. However, been a fan of their jerseys for years (after getting some in the sales) but I do find myself going for the subtle stuff, nearly passed on a gilet as it had Rapha on the tail.

Basically haters gonna hate.

Well I ride my mtb in Rapha...:)

Same. It's a Santa Cruz, and has Enve wheels. I'm powered by a frothing wave of hatred.

Unless I ride the ebike. Then it's a motor assisted wave.