The Rapha hater thread

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

BroDeal, do you still have that Rapha gift pack, or did you re-gift it already? If it's still in your possession I may take it off your hands if we're the same size.

 

[BroDeal]

BroDeal, do you still have that Rapha gift pack, or did you re-gift it already? If it's still in your possession I may take it off your hands if we're the same size.

They were individual gifts. I am keeping the gloves. They will come in handy as driving gloves if I borrow my parent's Jag XKE. I'll need a flat cap to complete the ensemble. Does Rapha make one of these:

 

[mewmewmew13]

BroDeal, do you still have that Rapha gift pack, or did you re-gift it already? If it's still in your possession I may take it off your hands if we're the same size.

I'm pretty sure he secretly owns that plaid shirt upthread...
that was on an actual Rivendell website...makes a great accent pairing with the flatcap

a closet Rapha collector

 

[Bespoke]

You have to account for the thirty-five year old and over wouldbe hipsters and their faster backwards bikes. The real hipsters don't have the kind of money to take Rapha where it wants to go. The trick is to convince middle aged tubbys that although they sit behind a desk for fifty hours a week, on the weekends they can put on a $1000 cycling costume and recapture the vibrant style that is in vogue with the youth.

It's sort of like seeing a thirty year old at a high school party.

"Not that there's anything wrong with this..."

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

They were individual gifts. I am keeping the gloves. They will come in handy as driving gloves if I borrow my parent's Jag XKE. I'll need a flat cap to complete the ensemble. Does Rapha make one of these

Dang! Oh, well. Say what you will about their marketing, their product is really top notch. I have the Classic Softshell jacket and it's probably the best I've ever owned, ride in it every Winter for the last 4 years now.

 

[BroDeal]

I'm ready. Giddyup!

 

[BroDeal]

Dang! Oh, well. Say what you will about their marketing, their product is really top notch. I have the Classic Softshell jacket and it's probably the best I've ever owned, ride in it every Winter for the last 4 years now.

I am pretty sure I underweigh you by twenty or so pounds, depending on what type of shape I am in.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I'm ready. Giddyup!

It looks like the only thing you might be missing are some nice shorts/knicks

and here is the link....looks like they come nice and roomy for you
http://istanbultea.typepad.com/largefellaonabike/2006/11/rivendell_musa_.html

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

I am pretty sure I underweigh you by twenty or so pounds, depending on what type of shape I am in.

Just weighed in at 175, I know you're less than I, but I'm also 6'2". 39 now, but when I was racing every weekend in my 20's I was no less than 172, almost there. When I first moved to CO a year and a half ago I was 198lbs. I accept back pats.

 

[simo1733]

Cooper Bikes would make even Rapha blush.
http://www.cooperbikes.com/
Take a look if you dare, but have a bucket handy.

 

[fatsprintking]

Great - just what the world needs "urban road" bikes. Why cant hipsters just go back to vespa's?

 

[BroDeal]

Cooper Bikes would make even Rapha blush.
http://www.cooperbikes.com/
Take a look if you dare, but have a bucket handy.

 

[mewmewmew13]

You have to wear sensible shoes with those bikes.

 

[Race Radio]

interesting article on the origins of the name and the brand

http://inrng.com/2012/05/original-rapha-history/

 

[Race Radio]

The Rapha RV drew a big crowd on the mountain today

 

[mewmewmew13]

Loved the history link.
The original jersey definitely has style. Old. Retro. Class.

the new driving gloves and plaid shirts...not

 

[henryg]

Yes, I do. I also own a metric buttload of Assos. Some of the Assos stuff I still use was bought before Rapha existed, yet Rapha's advertising is filled with fake imagery connecting itself to the sport's history. That is my chief beef with Rapha. I do not like lifestyle marketing. Some companies take it to such extremes that it becomes a joke. Rapha is one of those companies. Every time I see their advertising I want to puke because it is so phony.

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.

 

[Race Radio]

I love the Assos gear but I find the Assos equipe campionissimo marketing every bit as ridiculous as anything Rapha has come up with.

I also own a few pairs of Assos bibs, but the Equipe Campionissimo stuff gives me ****** chills. Any team that asks what kind of jet you have on the application is not for me

 

[ultimobici]

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.

Exactly. Rapha is no different to any other clothing company out there, in that it needs to generate new customers to survive. Like many newer and smaller companies they promote events to help with this.

http://www.londonnocturne.com/event2007.php

This has been going for several years, 2012 being the sixth one. It is totally free to the public and a great advert for the sport as well as Rapha.

 

[ultimobici]

I also own a few pairs of Assos bibs, but the Equipe Campionissimo stuff gives me ****** chills. Any team that asks what kind of jet you have on the application is not for me

Swiss tongue in cheek doesn't really work, does it?

 

[henryg]

Swiss tongue in cheek doesn't really work, does it?

Swiss textiles, apparel, time pieces, bicycle components, chocolate... superb

Swiss comedy... not so much.

Although I get the feeling a lot of the people ponying up € 250.00 to be part of the "factory team" don't really know its a joke. But the fact is Zipp, Campagnolo, Colnago, et al don't stay in business selling to pros (they actually have to pay teams that use their stuff). It's well heeled hobbyists that keep the high end cycling industry afloat. So I hope they keep spending and the advertising stays "epic".

It's tough to survive in business and there are not an overabundance of companies plowing research, money and effort into cycling- so I'm hoping both of them thrive.

 

[Race Radio]

regardless of how you may feel about their advertising it is hard to ignore the great events and content that Rapha have given the sport. This group of books is breathtaking

 

[Notso Swift]

I actually miss Damiano Machiavelli, he was entretaining
Sure he was usually a deckhead, but still entertaining

 

[mewmewmew13]

I actually miss Damiano Machiavelli, he was entretaining
Sure he was usually a deckhead, but still entertaining

He is here and going strong

 

[BroDeal]

I actually miss Damiano Machiavelli, he was entretaining
Sure he was usually a deckhead, but still entertaining

Do know what really grinds my gears? Forums that have had the life sucked out of them so they are no longer worth taking the time to make fun posts. That and Rapha. Rapha grinds my gears. How can real people ride in that stuff. Wander into a rustic town and you'll be hearing mulleted rednecks with trucker hats calling out to their friends, "Hey, Seabass, kick his ass." It is illegal to wear a helmet while wearing Rapha, so when the wifebeater wearing dude with a handlebar mustache smacks you, you will fall down, hit your head, and die. That's right die. That is why Rapha grinds my years. Rapha kills cyclists.