The whole Rapha thing

[Brian Robinson]

Am I just a sucker or have these guys developed an uber cool brand.

Just received the latest catalogue through the post and it just makes me drool. I must say that I have been quite restrained on the Rapha purchasing front (1 softshell jacket and cap purchased by myself and 2 T-shirts purchased by my dear wife as presents).

They have really gone for the old skool cycling lifestyle thing and I love the effort they have gone into with their photography, writing etc. It is all about the detail!! And boy do they love detail or what.......and they must love cycling to be doing this.

I agree that the bike journal (and leg shaving kit) etc are a bit OTT but I suspect they don't expect to sell too many, just adds to the whole brand.

I wonder if they make much money as it is so niche. Are they hoping that a bigger clothing firm will buy the brand? Still they have been around for a few years. I first saw the brand nearly 3 years ago when they had their little french van outside the design centre in Islington. From that moment I was hooked.

Interested in anyone else thoughts on this. Maybe it is just because I have a broken shoulder and am really missing getting on the bike .

Bri

[Snoop Doug]

I must say the Liverpool manager did indeed do an excellent job of running the show in the 1st leg of their Champions League game last night. Whassat..? Oh sorry, I thought you meant raffa the gaffa

[Brian Robinson]

Sean, it was indeed me marshalling with the sling (and beard!). Gotta get my fix somehow

On the making money front, I agree that the prices most certainly aren't old skool and I have no doubt that the mark up is eye watering. It is more in terms of the volumes that they need to shift to run a business.

Bri

[Marek]

I too have the Rapha mark 1 softshell jacket and a cap. The jacket is fantastic although the one design fault is that the pockets at the back are too shallow. I have informed them of this and they are looking into it.

I use this jacket when it is cold and also when it is really really cold. I used it in Poland in minus temperatures that would freeze the gonads off a polar bear and I still felt fine. All I wear underneath is a vest and that is all you need, you stay super warm and it does not build up sweat too much either.

I think it is brilliant and if all their range is as good as this then I will buy more when I can afford it in 2012 or sometime around then when I have saved up enough.

Cheers

Marek....

[Andrew G]

I was drawn to the Rapha stuff by the look as I like a lot of the old fashioned style kit, but very few people (nobody when Rapha first came out) do it.

Hugely over priced but excellent quality, I just wish they'd do some stuff at lower prices that aren't so over engineered, who the hell needs sniper padding on gloves!

I have the Epic Cap and the Winter Cap which are both excellent.
I would like the Soft Shell and Water proof as everything I've heard about them is praise (bar the price). I guess I'd have to find a similar deal to you Sean.

Would never get any of the jerseys as they aren't unique enough, and others make very good jerseys.

[-Adam-]

Interesting, i do think there stuff is unbeliabley attractive etc and everyone whos got something by them says its the best bit of kit they own (well they would wouldnt they after spending all that cash )

I just cant justify the prices, i mean its £45 for armwarmers, i mean c'mon, everyone elses bar assos are £15, and they perform just as well!

I dont buy designer clothes of the bike, so why buy designer on!?

[Elliot M]

i haven't bought any, but i agree a fantastically effective brand. must have cost serious money to set everything up (the van, the website, the high end print, the image licensing). who's behind it - am i right in thinking it's part condor owned as well as sold there?

[Grahame]

I think it's in danger of becoming a sort of Burberry for the bike world.
Overpriced, seen as a sign of "wealth", and most people can only afford the hat. Yup, it's in danger of becoming the chavwear of choice for the cycling "community".

[Sylv]

I rode to their Kentish Town offices at lunchtime the other day, to drop my Softshell for repair (arm was slightly damaged in my incident last week) - boy I wish I'd had my camera. Super stylish place, wooden floors, full of bikes, bike memorabilia and posters everywhere, and friendly people working there. Didn't feel "cliquey" at all (I had to laugh when one guy looked at my 5-year old Nike ACG cycling shorts that I paid £5 for and said they were developing a similar product ).

But I knew it was dangerous to go there ... I still didn't own a 100% waterproof jacket, so I questioned them about the Stowaway, tried one on, thought it looked good on me (sic), and when she said it was part of the 1/3rd off "secret sale" (as they are releasing a new, more breathable version next year) I walked away with a new cream jacket (which was handy as I didn't have one for my ride back and it was getting cold and grey).

Felt a bit bad for owing not one but two of those super-expensive jackets, but I paid little over the price of a single one for the two of them, and like Marek says I've been using the Softshell all winter commuting in various temperature ranges, and it's been the best jacket I've owned. The waterproof doesn't breathe too well (the inside fabric is a bit like plastic) but way better than the ones actually made of plastic, and it is light and small enough that I can pack it in the rucksack or a jersey pocket if it looks like it might rain later. Remember Huw saying it was the best he'd tested.

I was wondering why one feels attracted to the brand and, other than the #1 which is the style and the exclusivity, I think the fact the products are designed 100% for proper cyclists helps, they are full of little useful functions and details, and the fit is always second to none. Also for jackets brands like Gore or Altura can be a bit overwhelming as they had dozens of different models, here it's simple, one waterproof, one weatherproof and that's it (by the way I saw the new(er) Softshell at Condor and it doesn't look as good, but it does have larger pockets).

[Alan M]

Well I could make accusations of style verses substance but i suspect I would get short shrift on this forum!

[Ian A4size]

I really like the stuff and the clothes that joanna and i have so far have been hard wearing. If you get a few seasons out of something yer bang per buck goes up.
Love the new gilet and white sportswool top.

[Paul on the Pearson]

A couple years ago rapha set up a big screen in an empty shop off Brick lane to show live coverage of the Tour with a lot of old bikes and memorabilia which was very decent of them but its all a bit understated for my more garish taste in cycling and for that matter general day wear apparel, the white leather track mitts look good though especially if one was to accessorise with white bar tape but at 90 quid a pop at that price you'd have to go for the real chav look leave the price tag on.

[Will]

Just seen the leg shaving kit

Can't quite believe it's £200 for a jacket

But I guess when you make gloves from such rare-sounding fabrics as "perforated African hair sheep leather" I suppose it's not such a surprise