Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Like I said, it doesn't bother me that much, grown men bun fighting for cheap overstock; after all, they've got to live with themselves.

cough assos cough

This is often said but for me personally Assos is not a substitute. I wouldn't be seen dead in 90% of their range and I wear some really crap clothes. Also, as loafheads points out, Assos' are similar to Rapha's prices anyway.

As far as I can see Rapha have hit the nail on the head with their balance of style and function, where you could realistically wear it to work and not look like a bellend.

I was 5th or 6th in the queue

When? Today?

cough assos cough

beat me to it!

If you find the markup to be astronomical, are you really saying that you don't see that the money you paid is in the item itself? I mean, as long as you perceive the value of the item to be worth what you paid for it... does it matter what the figure is?

I own both Rapha and Assos stuff (related by price), I would say that I do feel the value of Rapha when it comes to some items. Those items being things like the sportswool jerseys, the magnificient socks (they are superb, insert other superlatives as necessary) and the caps. I'm also assured that the stowaway is awesome but I've never actually been up close to one.

I haven't found Rapha to be value for money when it came to the softshell. I've had 2 and both of them have fallen apart relatively quickly, starting with the thumb holes and then working up the sleeves. In fact, I would say that they are an example of massively over-priced items... in that my experience means I wouldn't now spend more than £20 on one... they are disposable due to their lack of quality manufacture.

On the flipside... Assos. Assos is even more expensive than Rapha, and the Assos I own has been consistently great value for money. It's flawless, it lasts ages. The shorts are incredible, the jackets are so well made it's ludicrous and makes me think of the cut of Balenciaga in his prime. These are items that I touch and see, and when I do I see the money I've spent, it's there in the fabrics and the manufacture, the design and the utility. Assos for me, even being more expensive than Rapha, represents great value for money. It's sterling stuff.

But my point is simply that... the perceived thing is value... has the money that you pay been given back to you in whatever measure you have. Has it provided the life, the utility, the looks... the value as you perceive it. If it has, then the price tag is irrelevant, the value is there and it was worth it. If it hasn't, then even if it were a lower price tag it's still poor value.

Measure things by their value to you, and you decide whether this translates to a price that delivers that value. If you decide it isn't, this is your personal take on it and it doesn't invalidate another persons view that it offers value to them.

compare the cut and styling of a rapha shirt with one from prada, they are both lovely, but one fits better when cycling and is significantly cheaper than the prada one

considering the time i spend cycling and that i always have a bike with me its useful to have clothes that are not so obviously cycling specific but work well on a bike

consider the cost of fashionable clothing (eg a super dry jacket) and rapha is not badly priced at all

When? Today?

yeah, this morning.
It was all very polite and friendly. No jostling or anything.

i wouldn't be seen dead in a lorry drivers cap emblazoned with the logo of a city i have never visited and a baseball team that i couldn't name any of the players and have no interest in.

plenty of people think they are the shizzle. it's down to personal choice.

£25? i could buy a rapha cap for that.

i wouldn't be seen dead in a lorry drivers cap emblazoned with the logo of a city i have never visited and a baseball team that i couldn't name any of the players and have no interest in.

You obv. have no taste.

OK, finally, an actually interesting discussion about this instead of the usual quips and polarised opinions.

Velocio and DJ, for what it's worth I absolutely agree about value. I have Rapha socks, a jacket, a cap, a merino baselayer and a neck gator, and all have proven to be absolutely wonderful in use. This value, combined with a sexy brand appeal, equates to what people are prepared to pay and in turn informs the prices.

However, there can be little doubt that they fully and rightfully capitalise on this fact. Perhaps if there were other brands offering realistic alternatives and competition, the prices would come down to a slightly less ostentatious level. If anything Rapha proves that the market is absolutely wide open.

I have no knowledge of Superdry, other than knowing the name.

yeah, this morning.
It was all very polite and friendly. No jostling or anything.

So was yesterday! But i found what i was looking for and so didn't need to attend today thats why i didn't see you!

rapha uses the industry-standard price mark-up. the retail cost reflects the manufacturing cost. they don't artificially inflate prices.

Really? that's really interesting to hear. Would you care to expand?

i don't see much difference between rapha products and expensive bits of plastic to protect your top tube or a pair of cranks with 3 letters stamped on them or a frame made from steel pipe in japan and painted with sparkly paint.
there is a willing doe-eyed market ready to pay for the exclusivity and perceived attributes of a luxury item.
you are not exempt from this irrational purchasing.

You're right, I'm as much of a sucker for nice things as anyone else.

You're right, I'm as much of a sucker for nice things as anyone else.

I have a Missoni scarf.
I like it a lot, i saw it in libertys and decided to treat myself.
It was nearly £100 (was a long time ago so can't remember the exact price) but i don't care how much it cost to make or what profit missoni/libertys make.

the chelsea scarf that was given out free at a european game will keep my neck warm just as well.

The majority of the cost of Rapha is clearly R&D, there is a reason it fits better and has a few more nice features than similar brands like Colomba...

However, the direction they seem to be moving in is disturbing, with too many gaffe products and trying to appeal to different target markets.

The sartorial marketing BS is really for the Americans...

Also some of this years colourways are positively atrocious, http://www.rapha.cc/club-jersey-2010

Assos v Rapha is really about synthetics vs sportwool

I love the bit of Rapha I've got and will no doubt be getting some more.
Would be more fun if the sale was online ?

consider the cost of fashionable clothing (eg a super dry jacket) and rapha is not badly priced at all

The thing is, I'm not sure I like their designs. Especially the ones. It's all nice, great finish, but I'm too fussy or something. If I pay over £100 for anything I have to like it for real and it's not about the money.

I** see those black and white pushed photos of slender handsome cyclists sipping esspresso and not wearing helmets and I want to belong too, but my heart isn't 100% there**.

The thing is, ..........blah...........blah........the money.

I** see those black and white pushed photos of slender handsome cyclists sipping esspresso and not wearing helmets and I want to belong too,..........blah.......**

that is so reckless. i always wear a helmet if i am drinking tea and especially if i am drinking/sipping espresso.

sorry if i missed something.

^ah!

They are supposed to cycle, not hang out around the bars wearing obsolete cycling caps :-)

OK, having a pint of ale and a cigar is completely different, though.

Those aren't obsolete cycling caps, they're for sale too!

Most of their beautiful photos are of people cycling to be fair.

Maybe there should be a 'cycling' photo of East Ends Images sat at his computer in lycra? ;)

Those aren't ........blah.......blah....to be fair.

Maybe there should be a 'cycling' photo of East Ends Images smoking a big fat cigar and "respoking" a wheel?

raphaed

Ha ha, repped!

I've bought some Rapha, but this is exactly how I feel about it. I think I prefer Swrve really...

The thing is, I'm not sure I like their designs. Especially the ones. It's all nice, great finish, but I'm too fussy or something. If I pay over £100 for anything I have to like it for real and it's not about the money.

I** see those black and white pushed photos of slender handsome cyclists sipping esspresso and not wearing helmets and I want to belong too, but my heart isn't 100% there**.

Those aren't obsolete cycling caps, they're for sale too!

Who are you kidding? You know what I mean. It's about style, nothing more. I've got a couple of them too, but... The quality of the Condor ones is shite. They look like oriental copies of themselves.

Maybe there should be a 'cycling' photo of East Ends Images sat at his computer in lycra? ;)

Childish, mate.