Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

So I had a gift voucher and need new gloves so decided to get the grand tour gloves. Anyone have them? Decent?

Fantastic, but don't buy the white ones.

Fantastic, but don't buy the white ones.

Sweet, yeah would never buy white gloves.

So I had a gift voucher and need new gloves so decided to get the grand tour gloves. Anyone have them? Decent?

The price alone makes them an absurd choice! Love the text... "for the serious cyclist"..
And here is the matching head protection:

So I had a gift voucher and need new gloves so decided to get the grand tour gloves. Anyone have them? Decent?

they are. even 1000archangels agrees.. ;-)

The price alone makes them an absurd choice! Love the text... "for the serious cyclist"..
And here is the matching head protection:

Haha yeah their descriptions can be a bit much.

On a separate note I had to with their customer service people today. Very helpful and really switched on. #csb

they are. even 1000archangels agrees.. ;-)

But are they any better than any of the other companies that also make gloves using Cabretta leather.. even probably all sourcing them from the same place (I venture to think its Pittards)? I've had a number of Pittards gloves.. all fine.. Real disadvantage over modern synthetics is that Cabretta does not wear as well.. an issue with road cycling gloves..
I can understand 100 EURO tyres but 120 EURO (135 for the Team Sky fan version) half-finger road cycling gloves I can't.. that's even more expensive than very special Tanabe track gloves..

http://www.dotbike.com/p/13449

£34 Giro mitts - nice and not pricey :)

^^ WTF do you want from a jersey?

This thread's reaching new hyperbole heights.

rapha's jersey is as technical as alibaba's OEM jerseys.
the ones with Cannondale on them, you can have one for $25.

knyazb - they were nice, yeah. but, worth this kind of money? god no..

rapha is fancy accessories with a price tag, nowhere near *technical *sports gear.
they aspire to be one, oh yes.

Team Sky disagrees....

And I do too (not for all of it, plenty of overpriced tat they're selling, but the core range is strong).

I do however think Rapha may disappear up it's own monochrome sans serif arse eventually

rapha's jersey is as technical as alibaba's OEM jerseys.
the ones with Cannondale on them, you can have one for $25.

That doesn't answer my question. Unless you think having Cannondale written on your top is technical?

what technical do you expect from a jersey?

Exactly.

I want one that is gossamer soft and that shimmers in the evening sun

^^well I think I answered your question, and if you think you answered mine that would make it a tie.

I think you answered yours!

Everyone highfive everyone.

what technical do you expect from a jersey?

silk

Everyone highfive everyone.

Betrayal Five

Grand Tour gloves are fantastic. Best Ive owned. Don't need another pair after you purchase these - for about 3 years, I'd say.

The giro ones look good. Don't reckon they would last as long.

Selling mine one week old. PM me if interested

i'd be interested except i've sold my ford capri and i'm not murdering at the moment.

Will purchase some white Giro ones soon I think, not as nice but not as pricey..

giros are awesome.

^^ WTF do you want from a jersey?

what technical do you expect from a jersey?

Exactly.

^^well I think I answered your question, and if you think you answered mine that would make it a tie.

I think you answered yours!

....

?????????????????

miro_o is 1000archangels and I claim my each-way £10 amIdoingitright??

I bought the giro lusso (in black) as I could not afford Rapha at the time and wanted leather cycling gloves.

They were a bit crap. The colour ran in the rain (leaving black streaks on your hands (and on your bars if they are white)), though I read somewhere they have since sorted this…

Worse for me though was that they looked very tatty quite quickly (like old used rags of leather). I think it may partly be that the leather is so thin (?).

Since that time, Rapha had a sample sale (I think their last in London) where I managed to grab a pair for me and the missus (well two for me (black and white!) and one for the missus). The leather is much thicker making it way more luxurious. I also found the padding to be much better. The all over palm padding of the Rapha seemed to be more comfortable and do a better job than the Lussos patchy padding. After a year and a half of constant use our gloves are still looking really good.
I love the gloves but do suffer from sweaty hands (nice!) and so they are not the best on a hot day or if I’m really going for it. Also on my black pair the Velcro has lost it velcroness and keeps undoing as I cycle. Though to be fair I bought them at the ‘Sample’ sale so can’t complain. If this did ever happen with a pair bought directly I’m sure they would repair them. The only other issue with them is when my non cycling friends (which is all of them!) see me put on these gloves they think it’s part of my gimp/S&M outfit!

If anyone does go for a pair be careful with sizing. I have pretty large hands albeit quite skinny and the small are the size for me. They start off tight but stretch a bit.