The Rapha hater thread

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87'Start

Apr 26, 2011
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Just took delivery of a Rapha Hardshell jacket and long sleeved merino base layer. I don't buy into their marketing/lifestyle vibe and so don't purchase their cycling clothing because of it. I buy Rapha gear (bases, bib, jackets and 3/4s) because of the quality of the finish and long lasting nature of the gear, that is why I pay the extra money. It is stylish to boot; simple and subtle.

Personally I don't get the hate. For those that do, don't just take it as read that anyone in rapha gear is a posing a'hole who takes him/herself too seriously – at least one person doesn't – me. And not being an a'hole I don't judge other people by the company that makes their gear.

teamjva is very funny through... who doesn't love a good parody.
 
M Sport

M Sport

Jul 27, 2009
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Love some of the comments ...

'There’s even a story about an epic ride sewn inside one of the rear pockets (not shown). It’ll probably be made from Sportwool, the wool having come from sheep that graze on Alpe d’Huez or from Bernard Hinault’s private flock.'

http://road.cc/content/news/71023-paul-smith-design-rapha’s-team-sky-kit

paulsmith-rapha1.jpg
 
B

Barracuda

Jul 16, 2009
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87'Start said:
Just took delivery of a Rapha Hardshell jacket and long sleeved merino base layer. I don't buy into their marketing/lifestyle vibe and so don't purchase their cycling clothing because of it. I buy Rapha gear (bases, bib, jackets and 3/4s) because of the quality of the finish and long lasting nature of the gear, that is why I pay the extra money. It is stylish to boot; simple and subtle.

Personally I don't get the hate. For those that do, don't just take it as read that anyone in rapha gear is a posing a'hole who takes him/herself too seriously – at least one person doesn't – me. And not being an a'hole I don't judge other people by the company that makes their gear.

teamjva is very funny through... who doesn't love a good parody.
Click to expand...



Correct ..... had previously bought into the hate ..... but ....... a friend has a kit and bloody hell its awesome..... i have champagne tastes but only a beer budget so im along way off a full kit but definately going to aim at some... Id rather one extremely good kit without all the bull**** sponsors logo's than 4 average kits with sponsors that I cant relate too.

Start saving I guess as its bloody expensive.

I have lost the hate and know feel the love. :)
 
FignonLeGrand

FignonLeGrand

Apr 1, 2009
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Barracuda said:
I have lost the hate and know feel the love. :)
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Well good for you. Not sure why a past time thats good for you, your town and the world can create so much hate and contention.

Stop hating! And free Hat!!
 
Joachim

Joachim

BANNED
Dec 22, 2012
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Great kit, but double the price it should be and the ****y marketing makes it a no-no for me
 
Bustedknuckle

Bustedknuckle

Jul 23, 2009
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Joachim said:
Great kit, but double the price it should be and the ****y marketing makes it a no-no for me
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Like any high end bit, the marketing makes the product. Other things, like purses, shoes, most clothing, jewelry, watches, cars..none of them reflect real 'cost to make' prices.

Personally, looking at the Rapha cafes, and where they are, it reminds me of Apple stores. They have the 'feel' and 'look' nailed and they are very successful.

Like 'em or don't. I just got my first(and probably last) Rapha jersey, long sleeve 'country' jersey and it is VERY well made, more importantly, VERY well designed.

They know they have detractors but don't think they will change how they do biz...
 
Joachim

Joachim

BANNED
Dec 22, 2012
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I agree in that the marketing is attempting to imbue the product with some kind of ethereal value. That is simply because they have to. The product on its own doesn't justify the price. Equating cycling clothes to other luxury items, say Rolex watches, doesn't quite work, because unlike a watch which is either accurate or it isn't, cycling gear can function better in all sorts of ways.

I have one Rapha item, a jersey. It is excellent, but it costs at the very least 40% more than it should do. I have a near identical jersey from Torm Clothing, which cost about a third of what Rapha charge. Ridiculous, but of course people are free to spend their money where they want, even if it is an ostentatious display of what they can afford or whether they feel they are buying into some kind of mythical cycling heritage thought up in the mind of some marketing man.
 
S

simo1733

Jun 15, 2010
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Joachim said:
I agree in that the marketing is attempting to imbue the product with some kind of ethereal value. That is simply because they have to. The product on its own doesn't justify the price. Equating cycling clothes to other luxury items, say Rolex watches, doesn't quite work, because unlike a watch which is either accurate or it isn't, cycling gear can function better in all sorts of ways.

I have one Rapha item, a jersey. It is excellent, but it costs at the very least 40% more than it should do. I have a near identical jersey from Torm Clothing, which cost about a third of what Rapha charge. Ridiculous, but of course people are free to spend their money where they want, even if it is an ostentatious display of what they can afford or whether they feel they are buying into some kind of mythical cycling heritage thought up in the mind of some marketing man.
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That is part of what put's me off Rapha.The logo might as well say "Loadsamoney"
I have got a fair amount of Assos gear , and you could put them in the same category, although they have been around for ever and created their name through product excellence and innovation rather than marketing.
I think that Rapha is the brand of choice for the wealthy Fred.Unfortuneately if you wear Assos and ride a C59 you can be mistaken for the same.
 
L

LugHugger

Mar 10, 2009
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Both Assos and Rapha are expensive. Do they offer a better than average fit and materials? Yes. Do you prefer Assos' techno look or Rapha's 'heritage' look? Make your choice. In the summer I occasionally ride with white collar professionals bedecked in these brands on pristine Italian frames. I ride 52 weeks of the year head to toe in Rapha gear acquired over the last 8 years or so. My original bibs are still going strong and were repaired for free when some of the detail stitching came loose last year. After 20+ years of riding almost every mtb and road brand available, nothing fits better than Rapha. Some people are too quick to judge based purely on appearance and marketing alone.
 
Bustedknuckle

Bustedknuckle

Jul 23, 2009
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LugHugger said:
Both Assos and Rapha are expensive. Do they offer a better than average fit and materials? Yes. Do you prefer Assos' techno look or Rapha's 'heritage' look? Make your choice. In the summer I occasionally ride with white collar professionals bedecked in these brands on pristine Italian frames. I ride 52 weeks of the year head to toe in Rapha gear acquired over the last 8 years or so. My original bibs are still going strong and were repaired for free when some of the detail stitching came loose last year. After 20+ years of riding almost every mtb and road brand available, nothing fits better than Rapha. Some people are too quick to judge based purely on appearance and marketing alone.
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I agree..don't get it, the people that 'hate' Rapha(big word-hate).

As for Torm and what Rapha 'should' cost..let the market decide. Rapha is HUGE, Torm could learn a few things from Rapha and how they are marketed.

Do like this one-

http://www.torm.cc/t12.html

But generally, their marketing and product smack of 'boredom'.
 
F

Fenald

Jan 8, 2013
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Hello,:p

Greetings to all of you. I am a new member here. hope all friends will cooperate with me in this community.

Thanks!
 
Joachim

Joachim

BANNED
Dec 22, 2012
934
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Bustedknuckle said:
I agree..don't get it, the people that 'hate' Rapha(big word-hate).

As for Torm and what Rapha 'should' cost..let the market decide. Rapha is HUGE, Torm could learn a few things from Rapha and how they are marketed.

Do like this one-

http://www.torm.cc/t12.html

But generally, their marketing and product smack of 'boredom'.
Click to expand...

In what way does marketing affect the physical qualities of a product?

Surely, an intelligent person disregards the marketing and assess the product on its own merits?
 
Bustedknuckle

Bustedknuckle

Jul 23, 2009
5,412
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Joachim said:
In what way does marketing affect the physical qualities of a product?

Surely, an intelligent person disregards the marketing and assess the product on its own merits?
Click to expand...

The marketing department at Nike spends on the order of a $1,000,000,000+ per year.

Trek and Specialized have huge marketing budgets as well. In a perfect world, one would assess the product on it's own merits but marketing is a very strong force when it comes to 'selling'.

Look at magazines, website, THIS website..and all the banners..marketing is very big.
 
Wallace

Wallace

Mar 18, 2009
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Bustedknuckle said:
The marketing department at Nike spends on the order of a $1,000,000,000+ per year.

Trek and Specialized have huge marketing budgets as well. In a perfect world, one would assess the product on it's own merits but marketing is a very strong force when it comes to 'selling'.

Look at magazines, website, THIS website..and all the banners..marketing is very big.
Click to expand...

Best proof the Rapha marketing is working? This thread.
 
G

gaz0303

Jan 24, 2013
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Is there any detail on the provenance of Rapha merino wool or Torn wool? Merino wool has huge variations in specs and price and may account for price differences and product quality. If you want quality and a different marketing spin, I like Icebreaker jerseys. Haven't tried their knicks yet.
 
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