Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I have a perverse desire for that PBP pink tabard.

Is that wrong?

yep, its the same feeling i have

no no no no and no!

My main problem with Rapha (and Assos for that matter) is that I don't seem to look as impressive while wearing it as those dried up middle age guys from their marketing shots.

It's very flattering for crackheads as it gentrifies their svelte wrecks of the bodies. Local East London councils should give Rapha to the addicts and homeless to make our streets more attractive to tourists. We could pretend it's just affluent cyclists resting near the cashpoints with a cup of espresso.

he works for rapha and certainly rides his bike(s) more than you, maybe that's why he's not as chubby?
he's also a sound chap and was very hospitable when i chatted to him at roubaix and smithfield nocturne

^
I don't really care who he is. It's an example.

he works for rapha and certainly rides his bike(s) more than you

Let's say 90% of people on this forum rides more than me. I'm not divorced, I'm middle aged, I've got family to take care of and cycling is a free time activity for me at the moment.
I'm still sure I'm the Rapha's target audience more than a student who'd rather drive a Porsche Carrera, but will not able to afford one for the next 20 years, so is stuck with a converted Pug for some time.

if you wear some rapha at least you can aspire to that lifestyle.

I only have to make sure people don't bring any mirrors. It's a rule in my house.

hah - so what do you suggest rapha do? do a fatty range for the less svelte? - maybe a jersey with a built in girdle?

**"for the rider who aspires to look like he rides bikes but is actually to busy to get around to it"
**
it could have compression zones for moobs and beer bellys. that sounds very london style to me
:)

I don't suggest anything. The presumption that every cyclist is on smack and weights 60kg is a complete idiocy.

This guy cycled more than any whippet from this forum:

Let's say 90% of people on this forum rides more than me. I'm not divorced, I'm middle aged, I've got family to take care of and cycling is a free time activity for me at the moment.
I'm still sure I'm the Rapha's target audience more than a student who'd rather drive a Porsche Carrera, but will not able to afford one for the next 20 years, so is stuck with a converted Pug for some time.

Getting divorced won't give you more time to ride...less if anything, trust me...

Just in case you were giving it some thought

maybe a jersey with a built in girdle?

Smiffy wouldn't argue with that

Actually from a branding perspective, they've got it dead right. This is me with my professional head on, and not my not-exactly-rolling-in-dosh cyclists head on.

^this. Their branding is spot on for the demographic they want. Their control of the brand is tight as fuck too - total in house direction control.

Luke S is a genius - shame he's not there anymore.

^ agreed. There's a great interview with Luke on twmp. Same respect goes to the current CD.

I like Rapha, and I too have a perverse desire for the PBP jersey to wear for the DD next month.

I'm not denying that their branding is spot on from a business point of view, for their demographic maybe, but it just doesn't work on me. To it doesn't have integrity because it's so overblown. In the same way as when the Cadbury's Flake advert comes on... "It's just a messy chocolate bar, now get out the bath and stop frapping over confectionery!".

I loved that flake ad when I was a kid, she seemed so sexy.

#goestocheckmemoriesonyoutube

the idea of 'checking your memories' makes me chuckle :-)

I loved that flake ad when I was a kid, she seemed so sexy.

#goestocheckmemoriesonyoutube

But she's got Dicki Davies' eyes!!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCvs2w_Mjeg"]YouTube
- ‪HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT-DICKIE DAVIES EYES THE VIDEO‬‏[/ame]

I don't suggest anything. The presumption that every cyclist is on smack and weights 60kg is a complete idiocy.

I know, 60kg is fucking well fat.

Getting divorced won't give you more time to ride...less if anything, trust me...

Just in case you were giving it some thought

Drats!

I know, 60kg is fucking well fat.

Just because you need light action speedplays (GIRLS PEDALS)

Yes, Scherrit told me that - would appear that bike fitting doesn't have the same ethical code as medicine

Haha

dan makes Ob's slap list..

for the record I'm a fat fuck and I still had trouble getting into Zero's the first time

Haha

dan makes Ob's slap list..

That list is still looking about right and I haven't touched it since August last year.

Just because you need light action speedplays (GIRLS PEDALS)

Yes, Scherrit told me that - would appear that bike fitting doesn't have the same ethical code as medicine

Ha, good to know Scherrit still finds it to be a source of amusement. If it counts I can usually click in by the third try now.

I do like the look of that there new brevet jersey. It's nice. £155, mind. That's a bit pricey.