Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I mean rapha seem to be pretty open about where there stuff is made if you wanna check it out.

https://www.importyeti.com/company/rapha-racing

I don't doubt it and will take your word for it. I just buy my MTB and gravel gear from brands that specialize in that specific area. I see no possible benefit in ruining the strong brand with conflicting messages.

open source carbon frames are awesome.

Agree - although perhaps ‘some open source carbon frames are awesome’ might be better.

I see no possible benefit in ruining the strong brand with conflicting

Every time Rapha released a new collection there would be vocal cries for bringing back the old stuff. They'd listen, release the merino jerseys and classic shorts that everyone cries for and then shock, nobody buys it and it costs the company thousands.
You're in the minority if you think Rapha kit should still be as it was 10 years ago and that they'd be successful doing that. Nobody is buying that kit. They have to evolve or fail

You are absolutely right - every brand has to evolve. I just think Rapha had that possibility to become an iconic road cycling brand with their own design aesthetic that you can always go back to when you need new kit. Downside of making long-lasting gear is that you need to attract a wide user base to keep the business profitable. They chose to diversify and to me it seems in the process they have managed to dilute the brand message. I may be wrong, but it would have probably been wiser to setup sister brands for their offshoots.

Rapha is iconic, man. It hasn't changed, we've changed. We got old. All we are is dust in the wind, dude. Dust. Wind. Dude. Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.

that's a lot of sugar

The sister brand has become Rapha Core I guess. People know what they are getting there and it is still decent quality, but offers a cheaper entry point. May be some of the misty-eyed nostalgia is misplaced, like the favourite band that you go back to listen to and realise they weren't actually that good.

Rapha was set up for a piss take the day they released a £200 silk scarf
At the end of the day it’s just cycling clothing not a cure for cancer and any discussion should be centred around amusement/bemusement as it’s simply not worthy of sand in the mimsy levels of agitation.

That's straight from the label of a Rapha x Paul Smith Jersey, right?

Rapha x Bill + Ted sleeveless crop-top which fuckin hell is prob in development right now

Well, I'm putting it in the suggestions box now regardless. Would cop and rock.

Excellent!

True, I have been playing some 90s anthems lately and if they didn`t evoke those memories of long gone people and places I bet I would be much more critical. I have had some good times with Rapha gear too. The worst feeling is when your trusted friend betrayes you.

Well, I, for one, am shocked at this revelation.

I, for one, am shocked that replies to posts from people you've got on ignore aren't automatically ignored as well. It would make life so much better. I'll put it on my Christmas list.

Sick burnnn

I've had the Rapha Hooded Rain jacket as my main commuter jacket for the past few years. I'd say it hits a pretty decent sweet spot between water resistance, stretchability and breathability.

How would I get on with the Rapha Commuter? It's a bit cheaper, so what's the quality that I will get less of? Breathability?

I've not used it, but anecdotal evidence says, proper waterproof but does not breathe at all and feels cheaper. I'd stick with the Hooded Rain, much more versatile and feels better off bike for transitional duties, I would say.

Same, I've had a Rapha Hooded Rain Jacket for years but its too old for wet rides now and had the Rapha Commuter hooded jacket for a couple of years now.

The commuter jacket is in no way breathable, but its fine as long a the temp isn't above about 10c, the arms of the jacket do let rain in after an hour or so if its proper raining.

I have just bought one of there gore tex mountain bike hooded jackets in the sale but not had a chance to use it yet.

another sale? what happened to reeducation?

The drop off after COVID boom happened and stock numbers stayed high

Supply chain issues, cost of living crisis, economic in-activism, grumpiness at £200 trousers, saving for the new SL8
Delete as appropriate

Yup. I'd say that's right. Bought one a while back and it's poorly fitting, not breathable and has cheap and badly designed zips, hood strap and cuffs.

Brightly coloured though.

sad, hope they survive

Rapha is iconic, man. It hasn't changed, we've changed. We got old. All we are is dust in the wind, dude. Dust. Wind. Dude. Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.

This is pretty much it. Rapha is iconic. They are the reason brands like PAS and other upmarket brands exist. As a young poor b-stard, I sneered whenever they were brought up. Now I can appreciate the quality on offer (at sale prices). I remember pre Rapha cycling clothing market and it was uninspired. That weirdo complaining the owners are Republican when Rapha has a pretty in your face left leaning Diversity and Inclusion stance is hilarious. Their quality is less consistent than 10 years ago I grant you, and I'm not a fan of the latest colourways but no one is going to buy classic designs over and over to sustain their business. How many black jerseys with an white armband does one need? Fashion is a hard enough business, you evolve or you die at 44x P/E .

Delivery - there does seem to be some hold up in despatch these days. I don't blame delivery delays on Rapha but I do take umbrage with them continuing to use Evri.

Returns - Evri took my return and did jack all with it for 10 days. Chatted with Rapha CS and they refunded me on the spot. Their CS is top notch.

I had a crash on the weekend and tore holes in my Shakedry (tears), the crash repair team came back and said it wasn't repairable but offered me a very generous voucher for my next purchase. They didn't have to do that - thats an accident they had no hand in.

Criticize their price points, designs, and somewhat corny marketing, but their customer service is top notch and their kit is still really nice, thought out, technically very good (shake dry and fur insulated gilets are my fave) and you know they stand behind their products.