Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

To anyone with the pennies to spare...

Yeah it is. Not cheap I know, but you can't beat merino wool in the winter.

When you've got 'em down to £15ea I'll think about it.

Don't hold yer breath fella! Or do you have a secret source of cheap merino wool gear? hahahaha

It's still expensive.

Merino wool = Ski wear.

Just go buy some ski base layers, they're nearly all merino wool and much cheaper than Rapha.

No-one will see the label anyway, it's under your clothing.

ski base layers, will check it out..

Ok i've done some research and i can't find much online for less than £30 per garment.
I'm up for a 3-person buy ..but i don't want 3 for me, who wants in!?

it'll be good all winter! and i predict a long, cold winter...

these are good.

htay these are good.

Sounds good too. I really like the normal LIFA base layers that Helly do - don't go smelly at all and wick perfectly.

My Helly Hansen is ok, but I have not found any merino wool for that money? Cheapest is about £35?
Anyway - I need to replace all mine bar the HH so thought that wasn't too bad a price.
Probably wear them casually too?

bugger..they only have short sleeve, not long sleeve

I bought a too-large merino sweater for about £5 in a charity shop today, shrunk it down in the wash, and darned a small hole. Voilà: long-sleeved merino cycling top for a fiver!

That's not a bad price. I'm a real fan of Icebreaker myself - widely available, very well made and about the same sort of price. Perhaps that final point is the key one though - the Rapha kit is similarly price (almost reasonable for them!) and you're supporting a small company run by enthusiasts.

Does anyone know if the sizing runs small like most of their products?

i was looking for something simular the other day and stumbled upon some in Kathmandu,
they have merino wool underlayers for half price and still quite a few choices on colour/style/size.

got a short sleeve one for 20 pounds. they are great and almost identical to the rapha ones.

Kathmandu in London
1-2 Berners Street
London
0207 436 7499
Trading Hours
Mon - Weds, Fri & Sat: 9.30am to 7pm
Thurs 9.30am to 8pm
Sun 12pm to 6pm

In Oz Kathmandu have a twice yearly sale where almost everything is half price. They might do the same here?

could be the case Hippy, i only looked at the undergarments section but i have a feeling there are other items on sale too. some nice windbreakers and wet weather gear.

could be an alternative to cycling specific brands? prices are reasonable for what it is.

any of the handy FGSS fancy trying a hand at making merino base layers? I'd buy up a few. Ooooh that'd be cool. Maybe FGSS jerseys actually made by FGSSers

cheers Yang, will check it out tomorrow if i can.

The khatmandu merino tees in petrol or green are now down to £10 still with a good few sizes, only the black ones are still £20. Go towards the back of the shop look right up the steps and there is a clearance section.

adoubletap The khatmandu merino tees in petrol or green are now down to £10 still with a good few sizes, only the black ones are still £20. Go towards the back of the shop look right up the steps and there is a clearance section.

No wonder they're cheap! ;-)

Rapha reaches new heights of pretentiousness...

I know they're pretentious - but they do it in style? They have the best looking cycle site IMO.

The Rapha website is one of the most attractive websites I've seen. If money was no object I'd definitely rush out and buy all the Rapha gear I could get my hands on but money is an object so Rapha gear is a little out of my reach. I don't really see why everyone hates Rapha so much. Is it because you really want it but it costs more than you're willing to pay? I don't hate Rapha for that. I hate my bank balance for that.

if you like it, you can get it for cheap when they have their sales. that's IF they do the same next year

I don't hate them, just don't particularly like the stuff

I'll have to look out for the sales then. Thanks for the tip.