Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

totally with you on the DHB bibs...very, very good value.

however, i picked up some Rapha bibs in the sample sale - and fuck, they are nice. better than the dhbs, pad is much better, material nicer.

but are they worth the price difference over DHBs? probably not, but they are better..

this is where it comes down to personal choice- can you justify a 50% price difference for a 10% increase in performance?

i'm with you all the way on how good rapha are but for some items i can't justify it, even if a can afford it. (i'm scottish though........) of course, if they were in a sale, i might be able to talk myself round.........

Because I'm more of a 'cycle for fun' and 'cycle to get somewhere' kind of person than 'cycle for training', Rapha appeals to me more. In terms of my wardrobe, because I prefer stuff that I can wear for both bike and social, it actually saves money because I don't have to buy two things when one alone will do.

That said, the only Rapha things I own are the socks that came with my Rouleur subscription.

im kind of temted by this neck scarf thingy warmer, does anyone know a cheaper but plain version?:
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=549

Thanks
H

Buy a wool jumper from a charity shop. Cut the arms off it, then cut the cuffs off the arms. You now have two neck scarf thingy warmers. Two matching wrist bands and lovely tank-top.

im kind of temted by this neck scarf thingy warmer, does anyone know a cheaper but plain version?:
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=549

Thanks
H

http://www.sportingtriangle.com/html/buffshop.html?gclid=CI735dia35cCFcse3godVTQwCw

i'd choose rapha over assos any day - no-one wants to look like a novelty condom, do they?

Depends if you are riding 5mi to the pub or 100mi out in the sticks.
If Rapha made decent cycling kit, one of the pro teams would be using it.

I quite like my novelty condom look. :)

I love Rapha, but it's a bit on the pricey side

I agree, it is quite pricey.

I agree, but can't afford their prices.

Depends if you are riding 5mi to the pub or 100mi out in the sticks.
If Rapha made decent cycling kit, one of the pro teams would be using it.

is that the case? it was my understanding that teams use the kit that the manufacturers pay them to use. therefore rapha would have to stump up shitloads of cash to get a pro team wearing it.

that's how it works with the bikes, at least.

is that the case? it was my understanding that teams use the kit that the manufacturers pay them to use. therefore rapha would have to stump up shitloads of cash to get a pro team wearing it.

that's how it works with the bikes, at least.

Maybe for the jerseys and bibs, but you don't see every single guy on the same team wearing the same shoes, mitts, helmets, glasses, etc

well, yes. jerseys and shorts are produced in the teams design, as are mitts. helmets attract sponsorship of their own, ie: Giro spnsors Astana.

so yes, it doesn't leave much. shoes, perhaps, but Rapha don't make them.

is that the case? it was my understanding that teams use the kit that the manufacturers pay them to use. therefore rapha would have to stump up shitloads of cash to get a pro team wearing it.
that's how it works with the bikes, at least.

Yes and no. If Pro X wants to ride his favourite brand of bike or favourite kit and he's good enough, he'll get it, it will just be rebadged.

There's a pretty cool cyclingnews.com article about the lengths teams go to to make Brand X product look like Brand Y. They even reprint say Veloflex tubs to look like Michelin ProRace clinchers.

There's a pretty cool cyclingnews.com article about the lengths teams go to to make Brand X product look like Brand Y. They even reprint say Veloflex tubs to look like Michelin ProRace clinchers.

they did who in the what now?

Yes and no. If Pro X wants to ride his favourite brand of bike or favourite kit and he's good enough, he'll get it, it will just be rebadged.

You mean like Tom Boonen riding the final stage of the Tour a couple of years ago wearing Rapha Grand Tour gloves? ;p

Frank Schleck actually rides a rebranded Unipack. They surprisingly similar to those Cervelo's, geometry wise.

You mean like Tom Boonen riding the final stage of the Tour a couple of years ago wearing Rapha Grand Tour gloves? ;p

not to mention the Rapha Tom Boonen Edition Razor Blade and Mirror - £199

You mean like Tom Boonen riding the final stage of the Tour a couple of years ago wearing Rapha Grand Tour gloves? ;p

You mean about the same time he started doing coke and e? :P
Fucking hipster.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-apparel/2008-rapha-criterium-gloves-4908.13.1.html

Looks like Millar and Boonen were wearing a bit of Rapha kit. The gloves. Not exactly the kit I'm referring to but anyway. What's the deal with only wearing it for the UK stages and "not being a paid endorsement"? Bollocks. Seems like a pretty obvious paid endorsement, otherwise they'd wear them all the frickin' time.

A saw a interview with Cav a year ago or so in which he said that a lot of riders had admired his white leather Rapha gloves and asked him where he got them.

Funny, he's not won anything wearing them though. He was also in the VIP box at the Nocturne.

"Hey Mark, wanna wear these for a bit? England will think you like 'em and fall over themselves to buy some. Sweet mate." ;)

im kind of temted by this neck scarf thingy warmer, does anyone know a cheaper but plain version?:
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=549

Thanks
H

Sorry to dig up something someone said 3 weeks ago, but if anyone is interested in a cheaper, plain, neck warmer then head down to your local Motorcycle shop. Motorcyclists use these all year round to keep the wind chill on the neck down and they're fucking cheap, under a tenner for most of them. I've got a Spada one I bought when I started riding a motorcycle a few years back and I remember it only being a fiver plus some pocket shrapnel. They may not be Merino, but they're still really warm and breathable.

just grow a beard. i did and it works. it did ice up a little on this mornings ride....and my water bottle froze but my face and neck were fine. i just need to sort out my fingers and toes.

Ah I like to keep my face clean shaven but my fingers and toes are ape-like so they're OK.

What's the deal with only wearing it for the UK stages and "not being a paid endorsement"? Bollocks. Seems like a pretty obvious paid endorsement, otherwise they'd wear them all the frickin' time.

From what I heard they just came into possession of some and thought they were cool. But you can't wipe your nose on these gloves, with the satisfaction that the usual bit of towelling on the thumb gives, meaning they're totally impractical to race with when things get hardcore.

oh my actual fucks sake, found this on the r***a site...