Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Looking at the La Doyenne Classique cap. What size does it go up to? It says one size fits all, but I've got a big head - being 6 ft 2.

I don't mind the look of the city wind jacket. Surely it's subjective? It's made from a translucent fabric. If you can't see past the idea that it looks like a condom then maybe it's your problem. Does it make you feel anxious?!

Also, the prices aren't all that ridiculous it seems to me, given that it is a 'luxury lifestyle brand' (cringe). If you're judging the prices against Endura then your logic is fucked. Even Assos, another higher-end brand, does something entirely different. As far as I can tell no one else offers what Rapha do, i.e. high spec in both performance and aesthetics.

Fuckin' hell, listen to me... blah blah blah. This is such an ongoing thing. People hate the pricing bitterly but utterly cream themselves over the products/image. I wonder how many Rapha disciples are also habitual crywankers?!

+1 I think Rapha annoys a lot of the 'serious' cyclists because of the marketing and price, which means it does get bought by 'all the gear but no idea' riders, who buy it for style rather than substance. The truth, ruth, is that Rapha has substance too, well made, good technical wear and great customer service.

Those that love it wear it, and those that hate it want it.

Mind you, loving my Torm jersey: performance, style and £45

I don't mind the look of the city wind jacket. Surely it's subjective? It's made from a translucent fabric. If you can't see past the idea that it looks like a condom then maybe it's your problem. Does it make you feel anxious?!

looks like rapha have copied the assos climajet jacket..
so i must look like a dirty old condom in wet weather as mine is 6 years old
i'm comfortable with that i s'pose

The touring shorts do look slightly useless, glad I didn't get the boxers, I was close but went for the bibs instead. It was more of a joke with respect to defending rapha. If something is shit then it is shit no matter what brand, I don't think however the condom jacket is shit, just per priced. They are also transparent as a reflection of the old style anoraks that where clear so sponsors could still be visible on underlying jerseys

And new style 'anoraks' too.

I like the touring shorts - I use them as mountain bike baggies - but without the ludicrous patch pockets, stupid detailing etc that makes so many mtb shorts look like cargo shorts from ten years ago.

The merino boxers with pad work well for me - though i understand that for some people the pad does not seem to stay in place well enough.

Other dodgy items - some of the colourschemes they have chosen have been fairly awful, the saddle bag keeps trying to kill me, and some of the knitwear is too fine/delicate to wear under bag straps - they just rub holes through them. And the jeans won't fit my (ahem) sprinters thighs.

The chamois cream and embrocation are great.

I bought the boxers in the sale last summer. I'd hoped they would provide a little extra comfort when riding in jeans

Completely bloody useless, and eventually went on eBay last week after one use. Some muppet lovely person paid £15.55 for them.

I just got a free sachet of Chamois cream and a small satchel baggy with my bibs, very nice. Have you got any merino base layers James? Kinda want some and their 3 for 2 is too good to pass up. I can't really talk about the boxers, not got any, although merino must sure feel nice

the baselayers are brilliant and the triple packs are good value

baselayers for hiking etc are probably a little too thick and warm - cycling generates a higher level of heat

Yeah I think my mind is made up, plus I have 10% off, ah but I really want a pro jacket...dilemma

Its more of a saving if you buy both at the same time using your 10% discount.

#flawed logic

I know, but that's what they want you to think and I don't want to be sucked in!

The Rapha gods say:

Yes! Yes! I will DO IT!

I just got a free sachet of Chamois cream and a small satchel baggy with my bibs, very nice. Have you got any merino base layers James? Kinda want some and their 3 for 2 is too good to pass up. I can't really talk about the boxers, not got any, although merino must sure feel nice

Just a note of caution. The base layers are indeed ace but with frequent use and cleaning they wear out relatively quickly. I mean I've abandonded 2 Rapha merino ones because of holes whereas my synthetic Defeet ones are still going strong.

Maybe it's comparing apples with oranges but they get holes in quite quickly.

Holes from abrasions or moth attack?

My experience is the opposite, the baselayers last for much longer than I'd expect and I usually get 24 months service out of them.

What washing powder are you using?
A bio detergent will weaken animal yarns, the enzyme action works on the proteins in the fibres to break them down in the same way they work on grease.

Yeah, I always make sure uneasy merino with wool detergent, and keep it on a low temp

I never ever bother with bio detergent. If work in a sewer and your clothes get properly filthy then fine, but non-bio is fine for a bit of mud or B.O.

martin - i see you lurking - did you think the new IW collection was a little meh?

Ha, yes, I looked and was not stirred to click :-)

Ah, where Fred West went wrong...

Based on the Castelli Condom, I'll wager Rowhan buys one.

maybe they thought they could get away with it,

£13m turnover last year or something like that... they are getting away with it. I guess there are a lot of city boys who need to justify spending less than £10000 a year on commuting costs...

Ibex is pretty good (and all merino) if you have a mate holidaying in the US. Otherwise the admin fee and duty makes rapha look cheap.

http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Mens-Ride