Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Fido, on the other hand...

So Richey are you suggesting that RPM or my Mrs is shagging dogs? I think we should be told.

Not *your *Fido...

yeah come on mouse, I don't mess with my mates stuff!

never stir your mate's porridge, and all that..

Is the 'hate' because they are slightly more 'niche' (read expensive) than other brands, are more aesthetically considered, and therefore feel more aimed at the 'fakenger'?

So Richey are you suggesting that RPM or my Mrs is shagging dogs? I think we should be told.

mouse, i can't lie, if she wanted to i wouldn't refuse!

Hardy ha ha.

Doubt you'd refuse RPM, either.

Are you coming out for a drink?

yep, leaving now! actually, when are you getting there?? ;)

Is the 'hate' because they are slightly more 'niche' (read expensive) than other brands, are more aesthetically considered, and therefore feel more aimed at the 'fakenger'?

rapha isn't messenger clothing though is it? i know they have their fixed range but i have never seen a messenger wearing any of this stuff. i don't think the brand is aimed at "fakengers" or real messengers either.

i think it's aimed at people like me, i don't want to wear a lurid 'team' jersey because i don't follow the sport enough and i think they look horrible, to me it seems odd to have a cream cheese or tile adhesive logo on your jersey. i find most of the endura stuff boring if functional (i do own some commuter/mtb stuff though) but i do want to wear bike clothing that looks smart and is made of technical fabrics that perform well (so no jeans). i find rapha, descente, assos, etxeondo, gore, castelli and craft all make stuff that is well designed and well made, i guess some people have issues with the price but if you can't afford it don't chastise those who can or buy it in the sale :-)

Mr Smith, do you think we bit on this one? :-)

Mr Smith, do you think we bit on this one? :-)

i indulged myself in some idle banter before doing so :-)

it's not aimed at fakengers, it's aimed at roadies. most people on here don't own a road bike. they own a fixed wheel which they pootle around on.

Get you Mr Ventoux! ;-)

Sorry, not fakenger, should have said aesthetically led cyclist.

;)

Get you Mr Ventoux! ;-)

i was waiting for someone to upbraid me.

i've been totally full of piss and vinegar since i conquered le geant.

that must be uncomfortable!

I'm certainly no fakenger on my Fuji but I like my Rapha gear.

The merino fixed jersey is a dream for commuting -- completely non-stinky, even after a couple of days' wear.

The fixed shorts have a jaunty cut and come in a nice slimming colour. Okay, so they aren't waterproof - but I wore them last year on the Dunwich ride and although the were soaked through I felt comfortable in them all the way, and they dried really quickly. Surprisingly good quality as well; I have this terrible habit of sliding off drain covers in the rain, and although I'm grazed and bruised underneath, the shorts aren't even scuffed. I'm thinking about buying a pair of the new green ones.

I also wore a the fixed-t to Dunwich, and although I was wet, I still felt comfortable and it dried quickly.

It's ironic that the rapha condor team kit isn't made by Rapha

^^^^have you been drinking madam?

rapha isn't messenger clothing though is it? i know they have their fixed range but i have never seen a messenger wearing any of this stuff.

So let me get this straight, you've never seen a messenger wear anything made by Rapha? Not even... a hat?

It's ironic that the rapha condor team kit isn't made by Rapha

Isn't it? Rapha sell it on their website and I just assumed that they made it.

didn't really think about the hats but then i don't own or wear one and i don't admire/covet them either as i always wear a lid with a buff underneath.

Isn't it? Rapha sell it on their website and I just assumed that they made it.

lots of team stuff is often not as it seems frames/wheels/tyres/components are often substituted for what the riders prefer then rebadged to keep the sponsors happy.

mr smith styling his lid and 'buff underneath'

If i was a were a girl I would instantly find any man dressed in Rapha gear more attractive than an man not dressed in Rapha gear. And that is what is really important.