Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

r I don't see much difference between white labelling and going to a supplier who can because you can't

If rapha don't own any factories then they've gone to suppliers who can because they can't for every one of their products. There is a difference.

We for example have multiple suppliers all over the globe some of whom specialise in jersey fabrics, we wouldn't have them make a wool coat, we go to a supplier with experience of wool outerwear. Its still designed in house though.

Who owns their factories these days? Literally no one.

Reminds me of the £10 West German army surplus sleeping bag I bought for Reading '96. Those arms are great for swigging Frosty Jacks whilst keeping nice and toasty. The Rapha model is no stranger to 3 litres of high-ABV white nectar by the look of things.

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If rapha don't own any factories then they've gone to suppliers who can because they can't for every one of their products.

This isn't what I mean. I'm talking about capabilities. Rapha can because they can design, prototype in house and produce product runs. They have the capability. They go to a supplier to increase margin and other effects like volume. They could make them all in house but they'd cost 25x as much, or they could open a factory but they chose not to because it's unattractive for many boring reasons that have been done to death here.

In the case of userblahblah's comment, I think he's suggesting they don't have the capability, so they white labelled - or some similar process where the bulk of the expertise is on the supplier's side - someone else's.

But yeah you know that, I get it, I was suggesting your comment if interpreted in a certain way could be seen to be dismissive of Rapha's capabilities, and might go some way to explain the reply you got from @monkdagola , that's all.

What does “supply chain” mean?

Yeah, something. I think I'm getting old, I can't even be bothered keyboard warrioring any more

Buy @Señor_Bear a beer and he’ll give you chapter and verse on them.

I never thought I would come to the Rapha thread and go buy a Decathlon jacket but that's just what happened.

userblahblah

It's "user boobies 90210". best username on the forum

Rapha kit already getting flogged to the peasants at 40% discount on Wiggle...

Some archive-ey items in there too.

Very pleased to get the brevet gilet with pockets. I missed out at Rapha.cc.

Thanks!

I didn't know this term 'white labelling', and I had just assumed that Rapha make their own stuff. It would be interesting to find out more about it but perhaps it's not really the scope for this thread - unless Rapha start putting out a lot more weird clothing that lie outside the traditional bibs-and-jerseys market

Yep.

£180 is a lot to pay for some misplaced logos.

I would have thought some discreet coloured stitching would be enough, but clearly Rapha customers want it known where their sleep system was purchased from.

PHD down jackets on special sale this week only - much better than Rapha for the same ££

Any chance of a 'best buy' summary for lightweight sleeping bags as well?
Thanks!

Can we have a 'Platypus's sick clothing / gear recommendations' thread?

this is a little more complicated, but I might have a go soon.
are you looking for something specific?

Lightest most minimal / efficient sleeping setup for ultra cycling in Ireland in June. On a budget! Will prob do some nights in hotel/B and B but want the option to push on and sleep in a barn or ditch somewhere.

Second hand PHD sleeping bag (5º to 10º rated) via eBay - 400g, £150
Karrimor X-lite bivi - 200g, £30
Optional mat - cut length of 1/8" closed cell foam - 80g, £10?

If you're racing, you don't need an insulation layer. So no down/synthetic jacket. That saves a load of weight and space. Make sure you have a good waterproof layer.

Thanks, we can all go back to discussing the Rapha sale on Wiggle now.

^ brevet insulated jacket for £90, good deal?

yes, at full price its a good deal let alone any discount

Is it just me or someone can agree that Rapha is loosing its status in cycling culture ?

Since Rapha was sold to Walton family. They just trying to tap in everywhere they possibly can. Wiggle/sleeping bag/flip-flops/that hideous last movie and so on.

Charging same money for an old story.

Quality is still there and pattern cutting is great but from marketing point not sure where they going.

Thought that was their intention? Won't ever be able to grow if you remain exclusively premium.

On a long car journey yesterday my girlfriend explained growth marketing IE it makes more sense for Rapha to get a load of new (presumably US) buyers to purchase one bit of kit instead of @amey and I waiting for a discount to buy more insulated brevet layers.