Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

both of the above posts are true, but do you not understand, this is the thread for idiotic indignation at the cost of the products that tend to do a very good job, at a similar price point to their rivals

They are a bit pricey.

assos ll bonka tights (that is really their name) £212

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-llbonka-unpadded-bib-tights-aw12/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360524897

Lookbook - WTF?? What marketing tool invented that term?

its a fairly common term in fashion (seriously who hasnt heard of a lookbook?), rapha is a fashion cycling brand

(seriously who hasnt heard of a lookbook?)

#raiseshand

assos ll bonka tights (that is really their name) £212

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-llbonka-unpadded-bib-tights-aw12/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360524897

Its all about the fugu.

I know layering is the smart thing to do. But having two sets of straps just pisses me off. I've used padless winter bib tights with a padded boxer type thing (taken from a pair of baggy mtb shorts. Which was ok comfort wise. Plus the bibs rarely needed cleaning. So they last better. But if you're doing a lot of cycling in full legs, for me, padded tights, or bibs and leg warmers.

I have some Pearl Izumi Amfibs for this winter. They seem bonkers warm, if a tad stiff.

Lookbook - WTF?? What marketing tool invented that term?
It's a whole new language Spock, they fall for it at every frontier.

C0ckring woppity gonads.

It's a fashion industry term, synonym for portfolio, and I wholeheartedly agree with you.

I continue to think that Rapha are missing a really big trick about how to present clothing online. It could be done in a way that gets to the point sooner, and more effectively.

Rapha may know branding, but they've never fully got the web. Fuck, I'd give them some of my time for free if they were ready to listen.

Some of their stuff isnt even represented with a useful photo. Half a dozen black and white senic ride pics, and a CGI. Considering the international appeal, and low number of walk in stores it seems silly.

I tend to see if someone has sold a similar item on EBay. So I see a decent real word photo.

#raiseshand

You're from Derby. Derby and fashion are unhappy bedfellows.

Vivienne Westwood.

That just proves Andy's point.

It's a fashion industry term, synonym for portfolio, and I wholeheartedly agree with you.

I continue to think that Rapha are missing a really big trick about how to present clothing online. It could be done in a way that gets to the point sooner, and more effectively.

Rapha may know branding, but they've never fully got the web. Fuck, I'd give them some of my time for free if they were ready to listen.

Lookbooks have existed as far back as I can remember. Digital lookbooks made their entry around 2009 and started popping up in almost every RFP we got that year. It exists at a balance point many branding and online retail discussions end up at after trying to meet requirements of storytelling, photography, branding and a larger than life (web) type of presentation. It allows for great control over how to present lifestyle products. Many companies feel this helps tremendously when you base your product strenghts around points that is best experienced over time or just in person. Whereas giving it a 300x200 thumbnail wont do it justice or even worse hamper the product. Many of these companies dont want to sacrifice their high profile branding based retail platforms and instore experiences to make broad appealing ecommerce. In some ways it can hurt them more than they gain in the end.

A commonly used example in consumer marketing where the demand is kept high by keeping supply below the demand is harley davidson.

Hah - Rapha is Harley Davidson for the more active middle manager.

I'm going to cruise up to lights going vrmmm-nmmmm-nmmmm-nmmm from now on.

Pop it in neutral and shake out that left hand cramped up from a heavy clutch.

I think it's potato-potato-potato....

^^^^

Testimony to brandings enduring capability to brutalise language.

English is not my first language : / would sound even more harsh put in Swedish

Not a criticism of your writing, rather the innate character of business language. For example,

high profile branding based retail platforms

is correct, but soul destroying.

I used to hate it but it saves an incredible amount of time and confusion when you adhere to a conform a nomenclature. But yeah, it really highlights the fact that we approach everything from the money rather than from the heart

Rapha makes you fast. There is no doubt. Bumped into a Rapha ride on Lea Bridge Road on Saturday by accident. Fastest 50 miles ever.

Recieved my Rapha winter bibs. Very nice indeed. The legs go all the way down to a cm or so above my knees. Which looks odd. But is exactly what I'd hoped for. Slightly thinner material than my DHB thermal bibs. Which is also what I'd hoped for. Should make them more versitile. Really nice fit. Even with my lack of height the straps are nice and tight when standing.

Not a great test admittedly. But I've now fondled, and tried on both the Rapha pro team thermal bibs (m), and the Assos T.607.S5 thermal bibs (m). Both felt equally nice in terms of material quality, and chamios. But the Rapha was a little tighter which I preferred (plus the legs were longer).

Used my deep winter gloves and the merino liners on the commute this morning. Nice firm grip on the brake levers and the fingers weren't sweaty despite the low sun.

I've got the 'small' and the gloves are still roomy, even when curled over the bars/levers, possibly enough for another liner if the temp drops to more than my Raynaud fingers can handle. My heated gloves are the ultimate backups though.

Used my deep winter gloves and the merino liners on the commute this morning.

lolwut?
It was 16 degrees.

lolwut?
It was 16 degrees.

I know, but I wanted to see how the fit was whilst cycling. Poor circulation in the fingers so I'm in full-fingered gloves (with liner) this time of the year anyway.