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My complaint (for what it’s worth) with it is that I was expecting maybe a bit of a wider range, given that they’re owned by mountain bikers now, and have had a year to organise themselves
When they first launched, they had about 5 items.
I think it's a carefully planned release - there's nothing in there too outrageous that would offend the current roadie / gravel clientele, there's nothing too offputting for MTBers new to the brand. But at the same time it looks to be decent quality and reasonably priced.
If it goes well, it'll probably be that start of a more comprehensive range. Although as noted previously, it's all just cycling - nothing to stop anyone wearing a "roadie" jersey for MTB.
I was surprised at the price,
Price needs to be viewed along with quality, materials etc,. I have a Rapha long sleeve core jersey from 5 years ago. It is very comfortable, made of nice materials and to me looks very nice.
I wear it 9 months of the year either on it's own or underneath another layer (even wearing it this week as I always cycle early morning) and have done for 5 years. It still looks like new after all that time. It probably cost about £20 more than in my mind lesser alternatives so £20 very well spent.
When they first launched, they had about 5 items.
Yep, but they aren't the same company now, and they're owned by a pair of guys determined to make Bentonville into "The home of mountain bikes" I understand about the marketing ploy of "here's some stuff to whet your appetite, and there'll be more coming along". But they've essentially made MTB-usable stuff already (just called it gravel), this just feels kind of like a really timid extension of that.
That first signature sport-wool jersey that Rapha released all that time ago felt kind of ground breaking and new, where's the MTB version of that? Because this doesn't feel like it. This just seems the same as everyone else's stuff, if it was a new couple of jerseys by TLD, or Fox they'd look like this.
Have they regained their old quality of manufacture? I stopped buying Rapha a couple of years back because the last two items didn't last.
I think they peaked with the Brevet range around 2014! They are the best pieces of cycling kit I own and still going strong.
In my opinion Rapha kit excels for gravel,bike packing,commuting and touring.
For high energy road cycling I prefer Castelli and Aussie Grit is my go to for mtb now as I basically bought 3 of everything in the sale!
". . . but can anyone explain why so many cycling jerseys (not just Rapha) have different coloured sleeves? Is it a roadie thing?"
Apologies, I didn't explain myself properly. I meant why is the right sleeve different to the left sleeve on so many cycling tops? For example:
(That said, Rapha is fairly discreet, with just a coloured hoop on one sleeve)
That first signature sport-wool jersey that Rapha released all that time ago felt kind of ground breaking and new, where’s the MTB version of that? Because this doesn’t feel like it. This just seems the same as everyone else’s stuff, if it was a new couple of jerseys by TLD, or Fox they’d look like this.
Yeah but they launched in what, 2004? When your choice of "roadie jersey" was limited to what your cycle club sold you or a range of polyester pro-team replica stuff. There was very little else out there other than the budget end stuff like Altura which again was largely just polyester.
So something that wasn't a garish billboard, made to a high standard with "new" (or at least "not commonly used in that market") materials WAS groundbreaking.
I think now, 17 years later, you'd struggle to do anything as groundbreaking as that since the range of kit now is exponentially greater than back then.
Is it a roadie thing?”
I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.
you’d struggle to do anything as groundbreaking as that since the range of kit now is exponentially greater than back then.
If you're talking about Roadie Kit, then yeah, I'd agree with you, Rapha essentially made all that "keep away from naked flames" stuff; old tat literally overnight, Now in roadie gear, you can't move for really nice, well made, thoughtful stuff ...meanwhile in the MTB world, we're still in square cut massed produced polyester PJs (only we like to kid ourselves that it's "technical" fabrics)
I was hoping that Rapha would offer a version of their most famous bit of kit as their first release into 'proper' MTB kit, y'know? A proper sport wool based heritage made-to-last, good looking timeless well made well thought-out bit of kit.
Instead they got marketing to hash up some Troy Lee copies...Mleh, at least I've saved myself some cash
I have a merino long sleeved jersey of theirs, 14 years old, still going strong!
I’m thinking, I might try the lightweight bib shorts (as I like the rapha pads) and the shorts.
S'alright. Would consider it half price in a sale. Wouldn't buy though, cos of the Rapha badge.
Always reminds me of that Spandau Ballet bloke saying he got into cycling just cos he liked Rapha kit.
I like it. What more do you need for a core MTB range?
Liner Shorts
Baggies (3 colours)
t-shirt (4 colours)
3/4
Jacket
socks
Helmet
Glasses
Bumbag
Only thing missing seems to be gloves? What else do people ride in (especially in Summer)?
Fits their style - simple, "refined", discreet branding. Like the look of that 3/4 top with 'abrasion resistant' sleeves.
I have a merino long sleeved jersey of theirs, 14 years old, still going strong!
Exactly my point, could you imagine keeping either of these two jerseys for 14 years?
Always reminds me of that Spandau Ballet bloke saying he got into cycling just cos he liked Rapha kit.
You say that like it's a bad thing, imagine taking up a sport just because you like the kit! **** it, it worked for HebTroCo, it can't be that hard,
Prolly not the jersey, but I like the shorts and bibs.
I’d like to see a zipped jersey in Marino with a slightly looser fit than their roadie stuff.
I’d like to see a zipped jersey in Marino with a slightly looser fit than their roadie stuff.
Take my money! The sleeves could do with being looser for mtb, for sure. I'm sure there are other additions/changes they could make as well, without it becoming just another tech tee (although their ones are really good).
I’d like to see a zipped jersey in Marino with a slightly looser fit than their roadie stuff.
I've wanted one of those since I bought one of the really early Rapha roadie tops. I bought a new one last year and the newer, lighter, version of the merino mix is even better. That's what I'd hoped the body of those new Trail tops would be made of.
I’d like to see a zipped jersey in Marino with a slightly looser fit than their roadie stuff.
Go for their Brevet or Brevet Lightweight jersey. Both looser fitting than regular road tops. My Brevet must be about 7 years old now, it's slightly faded but still in perfect condition, one of my most used tops.
I am really just waiting for the RCC trail wear... 😬
I am really just waiting for the RCC trail wear…
Yes, stand out from all the plebs in non RCC attire...
I was in London yesterday and popped into their Spitalfields store to have a look. Don't bother, apparently only their Soho branch has it in stock!
Don’t bother, apparently only their Soho branch has it in stock!
Is that the one behind nationwide?
Don’t bother, apparently only their Soho branch has it in stock!
I imagine it will sell out pretty quick, they seem to do small batches of stuff now, completely sell out then re-order more if it was popular. I'm always finding stuff on their website that I'd like to buy is out of stock.
I was in London yesterday and popped into their Spitalfields store to have a look. Don’t bother, apparently only their Soho branch has it in stock!
They're closing that store shortly, moving everything to the newly refurbished and expanded Soho site so it's logical that they're not putting new stock into the place.
The soho shop has always been pretty hit and miss regarding stock. Seems a strange business model to have a store which consistently doesn’t have a full range of stock whereas the Assos shop has always been pretty good in that resort.
Just like a lot of others have said, I'm a little disappointed in the new range. I was hoping for more innervation.
It does make sense making their first launch in the summer to test the water then they don't need to use any expensive water proof/windproof fabrics that you often find on winter kit.
I'm in the market for a long sleeve lightweight mountain bike jersey as I'm getting sick of scratching my arms on bushes etc. I think I'll have to look elsewhere.
Fwiw I bought a pair of their trail shorts and the bibs that sit underneath. The trail shorts are very well finished and cut, baggy without being flappy and a good length. The design thought matches other rapha kit I’ve had, for example there’s no stretch in the waist band so they don’t slide down once adjusted and the phone pocket is unobtrusive when riding. If they last as well as other rapha stuff then I’d put them ahead of my 7mesh shorts at the moment. Bibs are good too, cooler (as you’d expect) under baggies than my other rapha grinduro cargo bibs and the cargo pockets are cut so they sit above the waist band of the shorts. It’s not cheap kit but I don’t feel I’ve paid for name over substance.
The trail shorts are very well finished and cut, baggy without being flappy and a good length.
Good to hear. Tested for twit gap?
TBH I thought, apart from the arm band (rather than the awful pink) which is their trademark, the tops (and shorts*) are indistinguishable from pretty much everything else.
As a part time roadie with some rapha bibs and jerseys. Their stuff is really good quality with a plain aesthetic which appeals to lots of people. There is a "rapha ****er" image that goes along with it but roadies are generally pretty thick skinned. Their merino blend classic jersey, which is what they built the company on, is comfortable and has a more "normal" feel and look to it than a tighter fitting man made fibre jersey.
The bib shorts designed to be worn under baggies look good, Rapha bibs are great and fit me really well so I'm certainly tempted by them. The hip bag looks really well made and thought out, also the trail jacket packing away with a strap to attach to your frame looks great. Not sure exactly what amazing innovation people were expecting.
I think people are really just a bit put out that the prices aren't higher, so they can't go "HOW MUCH!?!?!?" etc.
Not sure exactly what amazing innovation people were expecting.
TBH, I was expecting them to use the material that they're most famous for in innovative ways to suit mountain bikers...In the same way that they did with roadie gear all those years ago.
I can buy any number of copy cat 'techincal' tee-shirts and waist packs and pertex lightweight jackets from a hundred or so stores trying to be the next TLD or Fox, and now I can add Rapha to that list...whoopee. What I can't order on lie is an MTB-ised version of the sport-wool jersey, which is one of the best bits of cycling kit I've got. I want one without a zip, without pockets, some re-enforcement and a bit less fitted, May be I should just do it myself.
I quite like the look of the new MTB stuff. It's pretty toned down, which I like, unlike loads of MTB kit.
I've just ordered some shorts, bibs and a top to see if they're any good. If it's as good as Rapha road kit then I'm sure it'll be worth the slightly higher price.
Tested for twit gap?
Yep, not a problem for me, I find them spot on length wise and being 6ft 3 I often find the gap issue an errr issue.
I've just had an email with their updated Brevet / gravel range as well. Us posh RCC types get 48hrs exclusive access before the plebs are let loose on it. 😉
Nothing massively new though, more a re-working and some updated colours.
Took delivery of a jersey this morning, quality is good, as you would hope from Rapha. The 3/4 sleeves come to midway on the forearm, enough room for pads. The repair kit is interesting, several stick on patches, think of the old cut to size rubber inner tube patches and you get the idea. The left sleeve band doesn’t go completely around the upper arm. Certainly worth its money and welcome now the warmer weather has arrived.
“. . . but can anyone explain why so many cycling jerseys (not just Rapha) have different coloured sleeves? Is it a roadie thing?”
Apologies, I didn’t explain myself properly. I meant why is the right sleeve different to the left sleeve on so many cycling tops? For example:
Apologies for trying to answer a 6 day old question... but i had always assumed it was to put brighter more visible colours/patterns on the road side to make you more visible. But this would only hold true if the opposite sleeve has the colour in other countries.
No ebike specific kit...i'm oot
but i had always assumed it was to put brighter more visible colours/patterns on the road side to make you more visible.
I just assumed it was to confuse Apex predators such as car drivers when they were trying to run you down. Similar to stripes on Zebras....
I want one without a zip, without pockets, some re-enforcement and a bit less fitted
Certainly worth its money
I love a humorous post, me! huhhuh 😆
I love a humorous post, me! huhhuh
I'm sorry that you're poor. 😘
I used to think Rapha was overpriced style over substance stuff for posers, but then I bought some of their trousers when they were on sale and actually the quality and design is really really good.
Just like a lot of others have said, I’m a little disappointed in the new range. I was hoping for more innervation.
I was hoping for lots of really pointless gimmicks so people could slag them off cloaking their weird inverse snobbery thing with a thin veneer of rationality. 'It's bad enough that the jerseys have 3/4-length sleeves without them also featuring an integrated Go Pro mount that's also a picnic table', that sort of thing.
I like the stuff. Looks understated, neat and Rapha-esque - they done a neat job with the signature arm-band so it's different from the road stuff, but still obviously from the brand.
I bought some of their trousers when they were on sale
I'm sorry that you're poor 😘
They're doing kit with Snow Peak too!
https://bikepacking.com/news/rapha-x-snow-peak/
This bit in the article made me smile - "Additionally, it’s worth noting that these same camp staples (without the special edition co-branding) can be purchased from your local Snow Peak retailer or at SnowPeak.com at a slightly reduced price."
All in all, good for them. Nice to see them branching out
Wow. I've learned something today. There must be people willing to pay 165 English pounds for a titanium water bottle. Wow😮
The 3/4 sleeves come to midway on the forearm, enough room for pads. The repair kit is interesting, several stick on patches, think of the old cut to size rubber inner tube patches and you get the idea. The left sleeve band doesn’t go completely around the upper arm. Certainly worth it
[reads this and fishes repair kit out of bin, having discarded it as more over thick tags]
Like it. I've got a Fox long sleeve from a year or two back which has a similar fabric on the arms (but a super lightweight, feels like it's going to shred when it sees a bramble, body). it's great in the second half of summer to keep the nettles and brambles off, same principle here, with a more robust feeling body.
Arms are a little tight on my forearms (but I'm 195cm so my arms are probably a few cm longer than most. I might have to cut the cuffs and sew in a V (which I had to do on the Fox to even get it over my hands...likely why it was going cheap)