The Rapha hater thread

[LugHugger]

Now we are getting somewhere. How real was the start of the product line? The company was not set up by a couple of cycling pals with no money that started small and slowly grew the company into what it is today with the company's image following the products that were sold. It was set up by brand management experts who from the very beginning had a detailed plan to manipulate the public. Starting with a few products made in Britain sounds suspiciously like a plan to buy credibility before offshoring or a way to test the waters and tweak the marketing message.

For sure, a couple of cycling enthusiasts with well developed marketing skills decided to establish a new brand 7 or 8 years ago. Does that make them any less passionate about the sport and their business than a garage start up? Less entitled to success? Not in my eyes.

You appear to object to the iconography that they chose. Really, if you are building a cycling apparel start up, you have to choose from either the modern Euro Racer look or a more understated, 'classic' style. A certain Swiss brand has earned the top spot of the high quality Euro Racer niche and at the time that they started the business, presumably the Rapha guys decided not to compete with the Swiss but to try and create their own place at the top of the high quality 'classic' style. They appear to be enjoying a good degree of success. The quality backs up the branding. (They can keep their city cycling range for fashionistas though)

Brands are built very differently with the technology now available. And even long established (and therefore presumably permitted) 'classic' brands such as the Italian frame builders have offshored their production to maintain or increase their margins. The year of establishment does not determine the accountants search for the bottom line.

 

[biker77]

I applaud rapha for at least being different.

I also applaud Damiano - his hate is epic and deserves an inspirational film with appropriate music. Filmed entirely in a garage of course

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I also applaud Damiano - his hate is epic and deserves an inspirational film with appropriate music. Filmed entirely in a garage of course

Before that could happen I would have to pick a color. It is very important to have a color when building a new cycling brand by feigning tradition and heritage. Bianchi has celeste. The Tour de France has yellow. The Giro has pink. Rapha did not have the integrity to choose their own color. Those d-bags stole the Giro's. I on the other hand would choose a color of my own. I think maroon might be good.

 

[B_Ugli]

I agree with Damiano on this 100%

Unfortunately you have a large amount of "lifestyle" cyclists in the UK willing to buy into it.

Let them get on with it - probably the same people that ride races and sportifs with Classic tagged on the end for effect.

 

[rickshaw]

What?

The Giro has pink. Rapha did not have the integrity to choose their own color. Those d-bags stole the Giro's.

You mean those B..tards stole pink? That's just great./ What kind of animal steals pink? Slimy money sucking, fashionista, ... turds!

 

[blutto]

You mean those B..tards stole pink? That's just great./ What kind of animal steals pink? Slimy money sucking, fashionista, ... turds!

...we applaud you for your restraint in this matter....the most appropriate response would probably entail permanent banishment ( from the planet if the powers that be have their way )....gawd, how can those people live with themselves....

Cheers

blutto

 

[Notso Swift]

They will be first against the wall when the revolution comes

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

They will be first against the wall when the revolution comes

I approve of this post.

 

[rickshaw]

amen

They will be first against the wall when the revolution comes

let's make it a PINK wall..... with a single dark brownish verticle stripe... bang bang bang bang...

 

[ultimobici]

Before that could happen I would have to pick a color. It is very important to have a color when building a new cycling brand by feigning tradition and heritage. Bianchi has celeste. The Tour de France has yellow. The Giro has pink. Rapha did not have the integrity to choose their own color. Those d-bags stole the Giro's. I on the other hand would choose a color of my own. I think maroon might be good.

Actually their first range had barely any pink in it. It was used as an accent on the merino socks and the lining of their Softshell jacket. If anything their trademark colourway is black & white, with their first jersey that was all black with a white band on the sleeve or the reverse.

I would find it difficult to find any cycle clothing company that doesn't trade on image to the degree that Rapha does, if not more so. Assos, Castelli et al are all as "bad" as one another. Rapha looked at the market in 2003 and saw that no one was offering simple, understated cycling jerseys. They started out with that and built up from there. They're still operating from the same offices in Kentish Town, still riding their bikes & also providing increasing numbers of jobs for London based cyclists. What is wrong with that?

Sounds to me like you are miffed at their success as well as maybe a little chagrin at being unable to justify the cost of one of their jerseys?

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Sounds to me like you are miffed at their success as well as maybe a little chagrin at being unable to justify the cost of one of their jerseys?

As I said before, why buy a scam brand like Rapha when you can buy Assos?

 

[ultimobici]

As I said before, why buy a scam brand like Rapha when you can buy Assos?

Assos shorts are the best I have ever used, so that's all I do use. But, and it's a big but, their mitts & jerseys leave a lot to be desired. I have mitts from Santini that have outlasted my Assos ones. I have a pair of secondhand Rapha ones that have lasted better than the Assos ones too for that matter! Their jerseys are an acquired taste & seem to fare less well than the Rapha ones I have. Assos charge £105 for a plain jersey in a single colour, compared to Rapha's one at £125. But Rapha include armwarmers in the price, something that Assos charge £32 extra for. A plain jersey on its own is £95.
In truth, each of them has a strong suit. Assos's shorts, 3/4 & tights are arguably the best on the market. They cost but they are the best, at least for me. Rapha's jerseys, jackets & gloves are their strong suit. They are understated & well made and unlike almost any other manufacturer they have a repair service. So the jacket I tore a hole in when I was knocked of last year can be repaired for a nominal amount and carry on being used.

 

[ggusta]

Rapha Jeans Back in Stock !!

http://rapha.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/y/1022226ABC497155/DD02454B8C146EA2DCC9454293137CA2

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

http://rapha.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/y/1022226ABC497155/DD02454B8C146EA2DCC9454293137CA2

Look at that hipster d-bag. I rest my case.

 

[Benotti69]

Look at that hipster d-bag. I rest my case.

ah DM give it over, 'he's a model if you know what i mean'......

I like the Rapha ads for the bikes . I dont look at the blokes as they are not my cup o tea, so to speak but whateva floats yer boat

 

[Deagol]

Name one company that doesn't use cheap labour & slick adverts to make a living?

I found one by chance that I actually like. Made in Pensylvannia not China and priced quite reasonably.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/

Not any hype or slick image stuff here, they just manufacture & sell bike clothes.

 

[Boeing]

Look at that hipster d-bag. I rest my case.

the only guy in cycling who wears a Tneck in summer is JV. the only thing missing in this pic are the spock burns

my first thought was that dude in this was pinching his nipple though he wool... sex sells

dude would you rather wear a Performance neon yellow jacket? if you had the choice?

 

[Deagol]

I only heard of Rapha recently when Velonews stared posting videos of these guys pre-riding stages of the USAPCC. The way the video was edited made me think they were VIP's or some team pre-riding the course and were actually going to be racing it (followed by photographers and all). What's up with the "Grizzly Adams" dude ??


I was floored when I saw the prices mentioned in this thread and was turned-off by the pink colors, but I didn't "hate" them. But to see that the stuff is made in China and to compare that with these outlandish prices, you know they have to be making quite a profit.

I read this thread all the way through and it is quite entertaining. I have to say, even though I know it won't be "popular" is that the OP does have some good points. And it seems that the staunchest Rapha defender in this thread actually knows them, well then maybe he is a bit biased in their favour ?

I'm not saying the company is evil or anything, but, it is a bit arrogant I think to charge that much $$ for stuff made in China and then to promote some emotional connection to the roots of the sport and charge everyone for that "history" or whatever.

Not that I agree with most things the OP has posted in other threads, I think he may have hit pretty close to home here. His style may have been a bit abrasive, but that is normal in this forum. The mod's behavior in this thread has not been exactly "model" (no pun intended).

Edit: OMG those jeans are awful

 

[Boeing]

I only heard of Rapha recently when Velonews stared posting videos of these guys pre-riding stages of the USAPCC.

I was floored when I saw the prices mentioned in this thread and was turned-off by the pink colors, but I didn't "hate" them. But to see that the stuff is made in China and to compare that with these outlandish prices, you know they have to be making quite a profit.

I read this thread all the way through and it is quite entertaining. I have to say, even though I know it won't be "popular" is that the OP does have some good points. And it seems that the staunchest Rapha defender in this thread actually knows them, well then maybe he is a bit biased in their favour ?

I'm not saying the company is evil or anything, but, it is a bit arrogant I think to charge that much $$ for stuff made in China and then to promote some emotional connection to the roots of the sport and charge everyone for that "history" or whatever.

Not that I agree with most things the OP has posted in other threads, I think he may have hit pretty close to home here. His style may have been a bit abrasive, but that is normal in this forum. The mod's behavior in this thread has not been exactly "model" (no pun intended).

and what is up with the overpriced steel frames they sport....

and it just occurred to me that Rapha reared its monstrous head about the time Ralph Lauren dropped out of cycling

 

[Deagol]

dude would you rather wear a Performance neon yellow jacket? if you had the choice?

Ummmm, yes.

OK, this thread has me curious, going to check out the Rapha website for myself .....

Edit: Wow, are they serious , see that pic of Jeremy Powers ??

OK, Damiano, I'm on your side ..

 

[Boeing]

As I said before, why buy a scam brand like Rapha when you can buy Assos?

for real

this tossers shoes dont even fit DM irony in the least

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I dont look at the blokes as they are not my cup o tea, so to speak but whateva floats yer boat

I think Rapha wants you to look at the blokes. It is like, "Hey, look. You can be a toolbag just like this guy."

Assos has the right idea.

 

[Benotti69]

I think Rapha wants you to look at the blokes. It is like, "Hey, look. You can be a toolbag just like this guy."

Assos has the right idea.

i'll buy that for a dollar

 

[ultimobici]

And it seems that the staunchest Rapha defender in this thread actually knows them, well then maybe he is a bit biased in their favour ?

Would that be me you're referring to? If so, you're right I do know them. They aren't friends, but working in the London cycle industry one gets to meet people as it's a relatively small industry. That said the best I can hope for discount wise is 10-15% as I don't work for a stockist. After nigh on 20 years working in bike shops I am so used to paying cost, the only time I can justify buying Rapha is in the sale or secondhand.

I'm not saying the company is evil or anything, but, it is a bit arrogant I think to charge that much $$ for stuff made in China and then to promote some emotional connection to the roots of the sport and charge everyone for that "history" or whatever.

No different to Campag making most of their product in Romania, or Assos being produced in Bulgaria or Slovenia. Where something is made is irrelevant to the price if that product is built to last. If they were selling it at the prices they do but it fell apart à la Santini after one season there would be justification for the outrage. One thing you don't hear about is people complaining about shoddy quality or service from Rapha. That must be because it lasts and they deliver on their promises. Because one thing that is a sure bet is that if someone sells you duff goods these days it'll be shouted about from the online rooftops for all to hear.

Not that I agree with most things the OP has posted in other threads, I think he may have hit pretty close to home here. His style may have been a bit abrasive, but that is normal in this forum. The mod's behavior in this thread has not been exactly "model" (no pun intended).

Funny thing is he complains about Rapha's faux attitude, yet hold up Assos's models who evidently wouldn't be seen dead on a bike. At least all of Rapha's models actually ride. Also when I went by there to swap some purchases the office was full of staff bikes. They all ride from the top down to the bottom.
Edit: OMG those jeans are awful[/QUOTE]They're for riding FFS!!

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Funny thing is he complains about Rapha's faux attitude, yet hold up Assos's models who evidently wouldn't be seen dead on a bike.

I do not care if they ride...bikes.

Edit: OMG those jeans are awful

They're for riding FFS!!

Nothing says riding like underwear and jeans chafing your junk.