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Comments - Our Visit to the Rapha Cycle Club in San Francisco
June 17, 2011
Um... Does anyone really believe materials and construction quality are the only factors that determine the price of clothing? Or even that they should be? If they were, we'd all be wearing Wranglers. I guess my point is that fashion, like many industries, operates on its own scale. The Rapha stores are cool, the clothes look pretty cool, and, ultimately people should just buy what they feel like wearing on the bike. If you can afford it and it makes you happy, go for it. If you don't like it, don't buy it... Some of you seem to be mad that it even exists, and that's just... weird.
- Brian, Washington, DC
June 09, 2011
After so many years of busting my ass on the saddle - scraping for watts - I've lost the elitism. Why hate anybody for riding a particular bike or wearing a particular jersey - what the f@$#. They're stimulating the cycling economy and for f@#$ sake - that's a damn good thing. Assos would be crippled if they lost the fatties wearing XL or TIR. They make those sizes for a reason. Rapha sponsors a team. More teams = more fun @ the races. Just ride. There's bigger things to get yer chamois in a pinch.
- Anon, Anon
June 03, 2011
where is Lance?
- Bobby Pimple, LRAR
June 03, 2011
Steve, your appreciation for cycling itself seems rare these days and I could not agree with you more.
- kelsey , illinois
June 02, 2011
I'm ready for a new post. This one was sort of lame to begin with, the comments are an exploration of all that is truly lame about cycling and we just had the Giro for cryin' out loud!
- steve, miami
June 02, 2011
The last time I wore a pair of Rapha bibs was when I got dropped by a guy riding a steel Nishiki. I think he was wearing denim cutoffs and a pair of lime-green Chuck Taylors. (I can't be sure though as he was going by much too fast). I took solace in the fact that he was probably jealous of my cool looking bibs.
- PillyWillnutz, NYC
June 01, 2011
Rapha is newspeak for over-marketed trendy fashion and if you're even considering wearing it, let alone defending it, you're probably a certain type of cyclist who doesn't compete but may very well appreciate competition. But it's so not PRO as to be laughable that it could even come up for discussion. Hands down the best shorts and jerseys for the price are made by Vermarc.
- John, Nutley
May 31, 2011
I have 3 Rapha jerseys and one pair of bib shorts. All jerseys are merino and they all pilled and looked old very quickly. Capo are better made in my worthless opinion.
- Ron, NYC
May 31, 2011
Ken, in Fairbanks; sounds like you have time to sit at the computer and mouth off (more than most). Chill out dude, go hang with Sara Palin and go shoot and kill some wildlife. relax.
- - PawleeWalnutz, NYC
May 30, 2011
for what it's worth, my wife doesn't know a thing about cycling but thinks the Rapha stuff looks good. gotta be worth something.
- adam, hamilton
May 28, 2011
This is directed to the folks at Rapha, who I assume are reading this forum. Based on a handful of times wearing your jersey, price does not equal quality.
- cc, SF
May 28, 2011
Funny how something like this can cause so much drama.
Here's the thing I think is funny:
Let's take any pro-tour rider, put him on a $129 bike from WalMart and have him wear $19 shorts from Performance and a cotton tshirt.
You pick $10000 worth of bike and clothing.
3 day race, ITT, 200k road race, and a crit. Guess what? More than 99% of you are still going to get your asses handed to you.
So I say this, to those of you accusing the Ralpha crew of being posers and pretentious snobs, please STFU and go ride and be happy to be on a bike. Think of the people who are laid up with injury that are unable to ride. Think of those people that are too ill to ride. Think of those people that have sold their bikes to make their mortgage payment. Think of them while you're sitting behind your computer telling another rider, who shares in your passion, that they are *wrong* for not agreeing with exactly what you think.
Just go ride and be happy.
- Ken, Fairbanks, AK
May 28, 2011
All I know is that I am not good enough to even view their "exclusive" offerings. What a bunch of preening snobs. I would rather pay more for Assos who cater to real cyclists, not fashion victims. See - http://bit.ly/m1OCtm.
- Marty, Madera, CA
May 27, 2011
I don't mind being a neon poser either.
- kelsey, illinois
May 23, 2011
Anyone who in the same breath compares Rapha to Assos in regards to construction and quality needs to have their heads examined. Don`t get me wrong, Rapha make some nice stuff (I own some pieces myself and quite like them), but use low tech fabrics to do it, and use high end marketing to charge more than the product is actually worth. I can think of a few other companies out there who make much higher tech clothing with cutting edge fabrics who charge less because their marketing departments can`t market themselves out of a box. To each their own however. As for fit of Rapha bibs, you won`t know until you wear them - fit is such a subjective issue that no one can be an authority on any specific piece of kit.
- nacho libre, sans-cashville
May 23, 2011
Doping is PRO, Rapha is not.
- Bobby Pimple, LRAR
May 20, 2011
@ Andy: I've got a couple of Rapha bib shorts that I purchased three years ago. They're still going strong. The pad is by Cytech (same company that makes the Assos pads), stitching is good although not fantastic, and they're comfortable and hold up well.
I also own Assos with the same pad. I would say the Assos stitching is better, and they don't stitch through the centre of the pad. Interestingly, the lycra of the Assos is wearing out faster than the Rapha.
Overall, I'd say the materials of the Rapha bibs are the same or slightly better than my Assos bibs. But Assos is stitched better. I paid less for my Rapha bibs than I did for the Assos.
- Marc, Toronto
May 20, 2011
Oh....just to add one thing...Rapha stuff is great qualtiy made for cyclists and real commuters. Not for neon posers. Ok...it is not cheap...but quality wiil be remembered every ride long after the price has been forgotten...(-:
- John , Antwerp
May 20, 2011
Was in the Rapha Cycle club in London last year and it was just unique....few places where hardcore roadies sit together with a nicely dressed lady on a Brompton and share a laugh, good coffee and have a glance at one of the 29633 magazines splattered over the table...
Next year Amsterdam? SF is a bit too far away...(-:
- John, Antwerp
May 19, 2011
I just like to ride fast
- kelsey , illinois
May 19, 2011
Been wanting to try a pair of Rapha bibs for a while now. I've heard everything from, 'this is the best piece of cycling gear I own' to other negative comments similar to some on this post. Anyone here have some experience with their bibs?
Does seem like good marketing to me - but why does good marketing have to = snakeoil? Sounds like they get pretty good reviews by in large - but everyone has owned a piece of 'quality' gear that hasn't lasted long due to some reason or another. Had to stitch up my 2xu stuff I tried last year after a few uses. Still works fine now - no more problems. Should I have just sent it back? Maybe.
- Andy, Blaine
May 19, 2011
People always bring up Rapha's price. When it comes to the basics like jerseys, bibs and such, Rapha's no more expensive, and actually less so, than Assos, Capo, Castelli and others.
I wear it. It's a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the pack. I love their videos, books and blogs. I figure I pay for a jersey and all the other cool stuff they do, including the Rapha CC. I went to the London one last year. I was surprised it wasn't more of a store. It was simply an extension of the brand to convey fashion, cycling history and community.
I get it. Too bad others have to bash their efforts to show the beauty in the most beautiful of sports.
Call it marketing. Call it something else. They're doing a much better job capturing this sport than any other cycling company out there.
What has Assos done? Castelli? They just make clothes. Rapha makes something bigger than just jerseys and bibs. And I love it.
Give me more.
- EmSee, Big D
May 18, 2011
The only Rapha items I own are several of their baselayers. Expensive, yes, but I wear them on every ride and they really are every bit as good as advertised. I do imagine that given their manufacture in China they do produce a pretty sizeable profit margin for the company. But merino baselayers by other companies (Ibex, Endura) don't seem to be much cheaper.
- Marty, Nashville
May 18, 2011
I should add that if I came across a Rapha product that showed itself to be equal to the competition, I wouldn't refuse to buy it, necessarily. I just haven't found it yet, although I think one or two of their jackets might have potential. So no hate, really, just skepticism and a belief that you get what you pay for. With Rapha, what you pay for often seems to be the halo or penumbra created by the marketing, with perhaps a bit less of the $ left over to go toward making the product a comparable value to the competition. With Assos, those cheesy Euro models must come cheap, because don't they use that same guy every year?
- Slim, Portland, OR
May 18, 2011
I love the commentary about Rapha, both for and against. I find the brand contrived, but whatever. I don't hate, but IMO there's plenty of stuff with good style out there, of better quality (Wabi Woolens - look it up!). A lot of the positive commentary focuses on the "genius" of their marketing. OK, sure, I suppose they're leading the way with a newer-school marketing approach, and if you want to pay for that, go for it. II don't buy things because I appreciate the way they're marketed; I buy because of the quality, functionality for my intended use, and other more personal considerations (style included). I think Assos marketing, for example, is almost comically absurd, but if the product works, I'll buy it. Ripping off culture or celebrating? Eh, I'm not sure, nor do I care. I'm on the bike every day and have been for most of the last 15 years; give me top of the range gear that works and I'll pay, but Rapha? Usually pass, thanks. I celebrate the culture of cycling by doing, not by wearing.
- Slim, Portland, OR
May 17, 2011
A bike shop without the pretension? Without trying to sell someone a bike component? Have these people SEEN their prices? Holy Smokes!
- Herbert, Hooverville
May 17, 2011
Something is very badly wrong with the Rapha visit vid................
............... .and it doesn't run continuously either :-)
- Axel, Doylestown, PA
May 17, 2011
Uber cool Rapha knee warmers. Bought on sale from CC. White. A couple of little colored stripes. Paul Smith approved, no doubt. Too bad they don't stretch enough to let me peddle. Only shown them off a couple of times. Threads are coming out all over the place. So much for price = quality.
- Smith, Marin
May 17, 2011
Bought a pair of Rapha Merino socks a year ago. They fell apart like a candy cigar after 5 rides but, man, were they cool looking. They were white and they had this black stripe which made them so visually stunning.
- WallyPawlnutz, LA
May 17, 2011
I gotta say, went there in NYC last year to watch the tour - it stunk - they had a guy on a loud speaker talking to other riders and it was just, the shop itself was OK, but watching a race it was bad. Check the review http://brumblebikesnews.com/index.php/watching-the-tour-at-rapha-cycling-club-nyc
- Tom, DC
May 17, 2011
Lust, jealousy, envy, hate. The disparaging comments are transparent.
Rapha makes exceptional gear, in every regard, so much so that their style has been Xeroxed by unimaginative ProTour teams. They're in business to sell, and if you choose not to buy expensive, exclusive, or conspicuous cycling clothing, then you're already in the wrong place. This is a commercial site, and this blog is a marketing tool for the site. It does a great job.
If you want to save coin, check out Performance. They sell perfectly good stuff, too, and your attack my well work at your next race. No one's going to mark the guy in the Scattante kit. I second the comment of Hamilton in Flagstaff: Rapha's ads look nothing like Assos', thank God.
- Puddle Jumper, Santa Monica
May 17, 2011
I have one Rapha jersey - the Country Jersey (France.) It's fine. It doesn't have the brand name or logos plastered all over (pay attention Capo!) and has a zipped pocket so I don't have to jam my phone in the saddle bag or worry about it flying out of the regular pocket. Quality wise it's no better than a jersey at half the cost (I bought the Rapha on sale at half regular price.)
- Tony, new Jersey
May 17, 2011
The business men behind Rapha are not "celebrating cycling culture": they are ripping of French (and Italian) cycling culture (with French spelling errors to boot on their "historical" jerseys) for mucho profit! See what the inner ring has to say on his blog about these con men, it is spot on. To top it all off, their products have consistent issues in terms if durability (especially the gloves, but also jerseys, and even caps...). Not so surprisingly, a lot of their stuff is -- badly -- made in China...So what justifies the prices? What are they doing well? A lot. Paying a bunch of bloggers to shill their stuff. Image (giving gear to Paul and Phil, to Lance, to Hinault, etc....). And marketing to older, wealthy wanna be riders. Show me a strong cyclist who is wearing Rapha gear (and has paid for it) and I'll buy you a drink!
- Rafric, Raleigh
May 17, 2011
next time, tripod & sick mic, please.
thank you for your time and consideration.
- al b, madison
May 17, 2011
I say AMC, b/c that is Vudi on guitar. The heart of AMC.
- Hung Low, Philly
May 17, 2011
AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB!!!!!!!! here ? Really? awesome vid. Though Mark is looking a bit fat here.
- Hung Low, Philly
May 17, 2011
You may think Rapha-ites are a bunch of pretentious posers and their product not worth the cost. (both fair opinions in my book.) But, they've obviously done something right. They have a following that buys their stuff, whiles away time in their store soaking up the cool-aid, and defends their contribution to the cycling community on blogs like this. Cant deny that is value for a business.
- Stephano, SF
May 16, 2011
and we care what you think, Jason T-town?
you fell for it, hook, line and sinker.
hang out, drink coffee, no pressure to buy, club rides........,
And I thought americans were savvy to the ways of snake oil huksters.
Subliminal seduction. prattle on suckers!
- - PawleeWalnutz, NYC
May 16, 2011
I agree with Rob. Nice shop and great folks working there and hanging out. You can like Rapha or not, but enough with the personal comments. They're not very clever and really add nothing to the discussion.
- Zach, Berkeley
May 16, 2011
That Citroen rocks!
- donncha, Sydney
May 16, 2011
Been twice now, and really like the shop. They are not there to pressure you into buying anything at all. But they're totally willing to answer questions or help if you ask. They don't care if you don't own anything from the brand and don't care if you sit there for hours with no intention of buying anything. Four Barrel coffee served, free wifi, and cycling shown on the tv's non-stop. Also, weekly club rides. What isn't there to like? Cycling can be a social activity sometimes too, right? I hope it becomes a permanent fixture in SF.
- Rob, SF
May 16, 2011
As a designer and cyclist, I'm fascination with the Rapha haters out there. While I would agree that some of the films are a little melodramatic and even contrived at times, what you can't deny is the quality of their products and their love for cycling. Their web/video content is creative and marketing genius. Watch any of the Rapha films, particularly the new Tour of Cali recon rides featuring Tim Johnson. Taking relatively average guys on the road and documenting the beauty in the ride. While their films are obviously meant to help sell clothing, they do one very important thing ... they inspire you to go ride your bike! Rapha's website, photography, films and clothing line share one thing: a consistently high level. Rapha might not be perfect, but at least they aren't another visual dumpster fire like most cycling clothing. If you want to hate on a clothing company, start with those robo-muscle models Assos is using: http://assos.com/en/25/products.aspx?cat=6,19,22
- Hamilton, Flagstaff, AZ
May 16, 2011
Pawlee Walnutz, NYC: If you are going to borrow (and bastardize) my moniker, the least you could do is offer up something amusing in your comment. That said, I agree with most everything you wrote ;-)
- PawleeWalnutz , NYC
May 16, 2011
Being able to try stuff on before you buy is a really great incentive. I'd go try on everything they make at one of these shops, without the pressure to buy it on the spot. Then I could order on-line or from a retailer like Competitive Cyclist without worrying about what's going to show up at my house. Returns and exchanges are a pain, even with a great policy, it's still a barrier to buy.
- Gee, Toronto
May 16, 2011
You guys are so right! Anything that costs more than your 105 equipped Aluminum Trek and Pearl Izumi kits just ISN'T worth it! I mean, how could it be?! Seriously, guys... Rapha is a company who is trying to do something different and, it would seem, they are doing a good job at it. Just because you can't or wont spend the money on their products doesn't mean they aren't worth the cost. Not only that, Rapha promotes cycling as a lifestyle, not just a form of exercise or transportation, they celebrate it through magazines, art pieces, films, photography, their cycle clubs and rides. I am pretty sure what their doing isn't having any adverse effect on the cycling world so maybe, even if you don't like what they make, you can appreciate them for their contribution to the sport we all love.
Not only that... I am pretty sure nobody cares what you think.
- Jason, T-Town
May 16, 2011
Dont own the stuff because it is pricey as hell- but how can you crap on a company that spends so much of its dollars on bike culture? I am ok with their branding because of that. I am really tired of the stupid mustaches....
- fat chance, NYC
May 16, 2011
I was a few heads away from the photog of the Creed pic. Special day indeed.
- Jim, Oakland Cali
May 16, 2011
One would think that a brand that is all about style would make good looking stuff. Instead, it's mostly unexceptional or downright ugly. But, that's ok. It makes it easier to laugh at their silly and pretentious marketing. I do give them credit for pulling the Rapha Sportwool over the eyes of their fleeced cycling obsessed customers.
- Ralph-a, Piccadilli
May 16, 2011
Did she say "...without the pretension?!"
- NFZ, LA
May 16, 2011
what a bunch of posing dorks. Rapha, I need to get some body piercing and stupid facial hair arrangements, so I can join.
then spend way too much money on their gear.
yawn....., just ride and shut the @#$@% up!!
- Pawlee Walnutz, NYC
May 16, 2011
that's really awesome there's a rapha store up north
- Duan, The OC
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