Alternatives to Rapha?

Hi,

Are there any other good roadie clothing alternatives to Rapha?

I don't care about the 'performance' of the garment per se - I'm sure all these brands share fabrics and perform well enough...

I'm interested in brands that actually have one eye on 'fashion' so to speak - Ralpha obviously put a lot of effort into their aesthetic (which is their USP I suppose) or are Rapha the only 'fashionable' brand?

Thanks!

Waffa got you covered.

Rapha is the only cycling clothing brand. True FACT!

Probably worth reading the Rapha Nice but a bit pricey thread, there are loads of other suggestions in there, should you have a spare few hours to trawl through it.

Absolutely none mate, they cornered that niche so well that no-one else even bothered.

also, what's the fucking point of lycra if it's not performance?

Castelli. For performance and good stuff.

Rapha have the fashion side done.
Vulpine are trying.

Every other brand seems to compete on a 'performance' basis. Rapha obviously market their clothing as any other high end clothing brand would (on the looks) and are laughing all the way to the bank..

I chuckle to think that Rapha can 'corner a niche' such as "clothing as fashion" - I don't see any one brand cornering the catwalks.

I managed cycle to work in offbrand leg warmers, club kit bibshorts, an old Berghaus jacket with holes in and a Craghopper fleece.

There were a handful of Rapha mannequins en route, but none of them came near me in the fashion stakes.

^^ the only people who think Rapha is stylish are middle age fat cunts. To the average population you still look like a prick on a bicycle, irrespective of whether you are wearing Rapha.

If 'performance' isn't an issue, why wear cycling-specific clothes at all? Anything comfortable and stylish (according to your own style criteria) would do.

The only thing that's a problem is irritatingly placed seams, really

Actually ignore me, I didn't read the question properly. D minus

Howies have some bike-specific stuff nowadays but I haven't tried any of it.

I forgot about Howies. They always made sort of plaid MTB wear. Not too exciting - more bothered about their environmental impact than anything else ... Hug a tree bro.

^^ the only people who think Rapha is stylish are middle age fat cunts. To the average population you still look like a prick on a bicycle, irrespective of whether you are wearing Rapha.

this.

Starting to commute again this year has taught me one thing - Rapha is just expensive nodder wear now...

^^ the only people who think Rapha is stylish are middle age fat cunts. To the average population you still look like a prick on a bicycle, irrespective of whether you are wearing Rapha.

I resemble that remark.

this.

Starting to commute again this year has taught me one thing - Rapha is just expensive nodder wear now...

And lo it begins, the Rapha backlash in full effect. How long before the thread dies though?

People wear Rapha because it's fashionable and expensive - and thus imbues the attired with a 'cool factor' that no other brand seems to have....

...or at least market?

Been browsing Velobici. Like the look of the stuff, and its made in the UK. So win win.

I have jackets and 3/4 shorts from Rapha, everything else is something else because Waffa is too expensive. Torm, Swrve, Prendas, Sugoi and few others

And lo it begins, the Rapha backlash in full effect. How long before the thread dies though?

it started ages ago

http://www.torm.cc/

And lo it begins, the Rapha backlash in full effect. How long before the thread dies though?

This. This thread may as well be merged with nice but pricey, etc.

it started ages ago

Jumped the shark in Aug 2011 when I bought a winter hat.

^^ the only people who think Rapha is stylish are middle age fat cunts. To the average population you still look like a prick on a bicycle, irrespective of whether you are wearing Rapha.

This is so true.

But if I'm going to look like a twat in lycra. I want to look like a massive smug twat.

If somethings worth doing......

dhb or gore bike wear stuff is nice and plain
castelli is good if you don't mind being festooned with their logo
rapha is very nice as a treat for yoself
assos if you're some kind of bicycle adonis