Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

Imperial Works Club Jersey

An exclusive re-issue, the Imperial Works Club Jerseys celebrate legendary people and places from the history of road racing. Originally launched in 2005 to critical acclaim, these jerseys were the first editions in the continuing series celebrating icons of the sport.
The royal blue BRIVE-AGEN version alludes to the 1951 Tour stage where Hugo Koblet, the Pedaler of Charm, rode away on a climb from a bunch including Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet and soloed 135km for the victory. The Giro pink MORTIROLO version hails the Mortirolo Pass in Italy which, as well as being regarded as one of the hardest climbs to ever feature in the Tour of Italy, was Marco Pantani's favourite climb where there is now a monument to Il Pirata.

"We're sorry but this page can only be accessed by members of Rapha's Imperial Works programme. Imperial Works is an annual series of products available in extremely limited numbers and created exclusively for Rapha's highest-spending customers."

For some reason the above statement makes me feel bad about myself.

makes me feel better

just kidding, ask someone you know to get one for you

What is the Imperial Works Rain Jacket like Prance?

Out of interest,what sort of Big Rapha Spender amounts might we be talking about so as to be invited to spend more money? ...

£1k+
£2k+
higher?

On another tangent,Rapha seem to be taking longer and fucking longer to process orders these days.
Back in the day one would place an order and it would be out of the Perren St door next day then delivered by a whistling postie day after that.

Few weeks ago I added a sexy little number to my collection and wasn't processed for about 5 days.so that's a Sunday to Saturday click to door.

Still no sign of most recent Sale spending spree being sent out in a large box to my abode.
Click to still not processed is curently 12 days and counting.

Whilst you are reading this Rapha-bods,your stitching quality has steadily been going downhill.
Also fallen victim to several crappola needle n thread QC issues -PS jersey,classic jersey,tour shorts,mitts,one very expensive jacket,3/4 bibs to name but a few.Most of which I have elicited bodge job repairs myself rather than having the hassle of returning.

Imperial Works Rain Jacket Pics

Rep for lols.

That would be the jacket Luke wears in the medal ceremony at the end of A New Hope. So it's not Imperial. Sorry.

^nerd^

Just checked and we are now at the Awaiting Shipping stage.
So if it arrives on Thursday that'll be 14 days click to door.

Mottram,why haven't you been working overtime in dispatch like the good ol days..

And stop sending those postcards ffs.Totally useless to anyone.Some quality confectionary tastefully wrapped in black with a pink bow please,there's a good chap.

Repeatedly self-confessed nerd. So nothing new there.

^self-confessed nerd^

i have no idea what makes someone qualify for the imperial works stuff

i also ordered items in the bank holiday sale, and also still pending dispatch. that weekend they got a huge load of orders, so i guess a little delay is to be expected

am not sure re the QC issues people have noted, i do know of entire batches of clothing that failed their QC standards so never got sold. i am guessing just as they sell more stuff that there will be more items that fail (but actually at the same %age as ever), though afaik, the actual QC controls are still as stringent as ever

i have on occasion sent items back and always had a prompt repair or replace, no quibbles.

Imperial Works Rain Jacket Pics

my softshell sleeve ends are falling apart after only a few months wear, stitches here and there dropped too :( hopefully they can sort me out as it's my fave jacket, have been very nice and friendly about sponsoring rides and stuff so we'll see...

I need to get my softshell repaired but I'm wondering if it's another grey area.
The website says it's only for things bought direct from the website, but what about things that were warranty replacements for things bought from the website (which got set on fire by ditzy girls)

It also has the cuff extension stitching fault on the left sleeve, but the main thing is a hole on the right elbow from my epic Bridges Ride crash that needs patching.

Hmm, these Softshell's are sounding a bit troublesome at 240 sods. Is it a hard material to work with? Would assume not, as its widely used with no issues from other manufacturers. Not quite the same, but a friends Rapha Softshell gloves showed signs of loose stitching straight away, pretty bad in the cut as well, compared to other Rapha gloves.

are they selling off the fatty-spec discards? If so, sign me up!

Could the size dropping be down to the rapha customer base comprising plump middle aged mamils, entering a cycle-vented mid-life crisis?

if they had proper flat seams or the light taped seams they wouldn't have this problem with the softshells..

Forgot to mention that the pit zips are unbacked - which can lead to a nasty draught when it gets really cold. Pretty much my only complaint though.

Mine was 1/2 price thank the gods or I'd be more pissed off right now. Yep, pit zips same issue here. Bit of an odd sensation...

I have a medium Softshell for sale if anyone is interested.Must get round to advertising it.
4 months old,minimal use,no stitching issues.

i must say, as a lover of cycling caps, that the classic black rapha cycling cap is one of the best purchases i've ever made

Hmm...just got an email from the A.S.O. who were introducing Rapha. Interesting marketing push methinks towards the continent. Anyway - 10% off and free shipping until the 15th if you say "ALLEZALLEZ" at checkout.

@ Not the Dude: Dibs. How much you looking for?

Hmm...just got an email from the A.S.O. who were introducing Rapha. Interesting marketing push methinks towards the continent. Anyway - 10% off and free shipping until the 15th if you say "ALLEZALLEZ" at checkout.

They will have paid a fair old whack to get hold of that mailing list too.

.

FFS, Dan - they sell caps, amongst other things, and not helmets so you'd expect their promotional material to show this, no?

And I imagine this mail out to the ASO list has been planned for a while.