The Rapha hater thread

[MarkvW]

It's advertising.

I don't own any Rapha kit and I do have quite a bit of Assos. I love the Assos gear but I find the Assos equipe campionissimo marketing every bit as ridiculous as anything Rapha has come up with. But it's all just marketing. If you think some marketing campaigns are more "authentic" then others I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

More choice and more manufacturers investing in the sport and culture of cycling is fine by me. Advertising is advertising and these guys all have to find a way to get buyers to buy. Sometimes it's clever, sometimes it's boring, sometimes its stupid and sometimes it might make a connection with you, but it's nothing to get worked up over. You'll find plenty of people who think you are an idiot and poser if you buy Assos or Rapha or pick your brand. So what. Get whatever works for you.

I saw an Assos winter jacket and it was (a) beautiful; and (b) insanely overpriced. Conspicuous consumption, daddy.

 

[dolophonic]

Bro Dude your hatred for Rapha is pure comedy gold..

Who wants to ride their bike ? too busy hating? i understand.

Whats Authentic? Whats not ? riding is good.. that's it.

 

[eljimberino]

Nothing like acquiring nemesis' to fabricate a sense of purpose.

 

[rickshaw]

machine generated post?

Nothing like acquiring nemesis' to fabricate a sense of purpose.

I dislike ANY word with "pha" in it and I HATE when it ends in "pha"... or when the British Islanders pronounce Ralph (ralf) as "Raif" WTF is that all about?

 

[ultimobici]

or when the British Islanders pronounce Ralph (ralf) as "Raif" WTF is that all about?

Because it is a pronunciation that dates back to the 1600's, before Webster got his grubby mitts on the English language and mangled it.

 

[blutto]

...kinda as much fun as when Yanqui's pronounce Favre...Farr-vvv...and not Fav-ré....which in some folks minds speaks volumes about something because that ain't even close...though as long as they can tell the difference between a Chevy and a Ford at the red-neck roundee-round I guess things is ok....

Cheers

blutto

 

[twothirds]

Yanqui's? You must mean 'Mericans.

 

[blutto]

Yanqui's? You must mean 'Mericans.

...the kinda sorta officialistic defintion is as follows...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yanqui

...though keep in mind this is from Webster's and not the Oxford dictionary... but given the forum context I think it should be acceptable......

...but 'Merican would probably do in a pinch...

Cheers

blutto

 

[PCutter]

Here's one for the haters

A rapha misprint....

http://inrng.com/2012/06/tourmalet-altitude-rapha-jersey/#more-9080

 

[BroDeal]

Here's one for the haters

A rapha misprint....

http://inrng.com/2012/06/tourmalet-altitude-rapha-jersey/#more-9080

I give props to my Inrng bros for the comments section. It's gold. Although I do think that in addition to pointing out wrong altitude, some space should have been devoted to the laughable pretentiousness of having this stuff embroidered on the collar in the first place. Every time I look at me "bon courage" essentials case, I feel like a tool for even considering using it.

It sounds like Rapha is have a bit of design quality issues. Since they say they cannot find any westerners to make their stuff with the level of quality they require, maybe they should consider sending the design work to China as well.

 

[eljimberino]

ghost in the machine

I dislike ANY word with "pha" in it and I HATE when it ends in "pha"... or when the British Islanders pronounce Ralph (ralf) as "Raif" WTF is that all about?

Ralpha: cycling apparel that makes you want to hate everything and then spew.

 

[LugHugger]

I give props to my Inrng bros for the comments section. It's gold. Although I do think that in addition to pointing out wrong altitude, some space should have been devoted to the laughable pretentiousness of having this stuff embroidered on the collar in the first place. Every time I look at me "bon courage" essentials case, I feel like a tool for even considering using it.

It sounds like Rapha is have a bit of design quality issues. Since they say they cannot find any westerners to make their stuff with the level of quality they require, maybe they should consider sending the design work to China as well.

If this was true, it seems strange that the pro team shorts have 'Made in Italy' on the label. Sounds like they need to fill their Sourcing Manager vacancy quickly.

 

[L'arriviste]

Rapha announcement

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17553_8032258,00.html

Headline: Rapha Performance Roadwear will become the official clothing provider to Sky Pro Cycling from January 2013

Subheading: Deal clinched with poncey, overpriced, élitist, Fredwear firm gives haterz yet another reason to hate

 

[simo1733]

Rapha announcement

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17553_8032258,00.html

Headline: Rapha Performance Roadwear will become the official clothing provider to Sky Pro Cycling from January 2013

Subheading: Deal clinched with poncey, overpriced, élitist, Fredwear firm gives haterz yet another reason to hate

How does woolen jersey's fit in with marginal gains.Maybe they will have a new kit design for next year.All black with just a hint of pink.

 

[Bala Verde]

Rapha is the high end, mutton chops accessory par excellence.

 

[trompe le monde]

Rapha is the high end, mutton chops accessory par excellence.

No, no, it's Fred Perry par Bradley Wigans

Here is a picture of Wigans looking like the ersatz/pseudo/crypto/quasi rock star only he seems to think he is:

 

[BroDeal]

Rapha announcement

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17553_8032258,00.html

Headline: Rapha Performance Roadwear will become the official clothing provider to Sky Pro Cycling from January 2013

Subheading: Deal clinched with poncey, overpriced, élitist, Fredwear firm gives haterz yet another reason to hate

Another reason to hate on UK Postal.

 

[knewcleardaze]

No, no, it's Fred Perry par Bradley Wigans

Here is a picture of Wigans looking like the ersatz/pseudo/crypto/quasi rock star only he seems to think he is:

Perry is my guiding hand
Scooter polo sweeps the land.

 

[leftover pie]

speaking of hating rapha. .

in july i rode the L'etape (Act 1) - Albertville to La Toussuire .

i ordered the rapha jersey but got a size too big (L), i really should have ordered the M, silly me.

Aaaanyways, so they've sold out of Ms now so if anyone has a size M of this jersey in surplus and would like to sell it to me, i'd be really happy to take it off your hands.

 

[winkybiker]

I can't be hating on Rapha (much). I bought some jerseys about 7 years ago and they're still going strong. Super durable. I wear them a lot, machine wash them, and hang them to dry. Still like new. Pricey, but the best value I've ever had in cycling clothing. (Alongside my Assos bibs from about the same vintage - best value ever by some margin)

Their marketing is an acquired taste, but I do like some of the photos, and TGRCOTP is a great book for anyone who has spent time cycling in the Pyrenees.

 

[Benotti69]

apparently levi's are now doing hipster cycling clothing along the lines of rapha.

No i have not got a link. not that interested, read the article online and cant find it again

 

[simo1733]

apparently levi's are now doing hipster cycling clothing along the lines of rapha.

No i have not got a link. not that interested, read the article online and cant find it again

Having difficulty imagining Levi as a style icon.
Maybe there is a maket for longsleeved short armed skin suits.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Having difficulty imagining Levi as a style icon.
Maybe there is a maket for longsleeved short armed skin suits.

Like denim cycling shorts? Ouch

 

[BroDeal]

Like denim cycling shorts? Ouch

Claudio says, "Ouch!" But mostly from his wounded sense of Italian style.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Claudio says, "Ouch!" But mostly from his wounded sense of Italian style.

Oh ghod