Howard
Senior Member
Do they actually use a sweat shop then, or do you just dislike them taking advantage of lower labor costs? It is possible to have the later without the former.
Rapha
- Thread starter martint235
- Start date
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Do they actually use a sweat shop then, or do you just dislike them taking advantage of lower labor costs? It is possible to have the later without the former.
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
D'oh caught out so easily!!!
I will never ever ever wear arm warmers. If I ever turn up to a ride in arm warmers, staple me to the middle of the road at Hyde Park Corner. (which is where all arm warmer wearing people should be!!)
Getting off subject perhaps - but just what is wrong with arm warmers? I find them (along with leg warmers) one of the most useful items of kit (Rapha or Aldi)
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Nothing. They're an ideal solution for long rides in the Autumn, where you might start off in chilly weather & end in nice sunny warmish weather.
Unless you like carrying a jacket around, I guess.
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Rapha is a fitting adornment for a classy bike and priceless rider.
The most attractive piece of Rapha, for me, was the Paul Smith TdF jersey. One hundred and seventy-five smackers worth of stylish!
It's ok, but I'd sooner have Woolistic's "Weils Groene Leeuw" jersey meself.
OP
OP
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
I just struggle to see the point. If it's cold wear a long sleeve jersey or jacket. I can understand them if you're riding up and down an Alp where there is a huge variation in temperature but for most rides in the UK I don't think they are necessary and are just a way of fleecing those people that think they need them.
Take this week in London as an example, Monday started of at around 9C (6.30ish in the morning) and warmed to around 13C. This if you're cycling is short sleeved top weather. Now today, started at aroun 0C predicted to rise to around 9C so can be classed as cold enough for long sleeves.
At the end of the day feel free to ignore me though as I'm only winding up those people that I actually know who show up with arm warmers....
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
I know what you mean, it gives me pause for thought as well, there does seem to be the automatic assumption that anything made in certain countries is made in a sweat shop. But then you look at Rapha prices compared to Shutt and you wonder. Theoretically Rapha could pay a UK manufacturer double the amount Shutt is paying, based on the Shutt prices. Assuming that Shutt are making a reasonable profit it does make you think.
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
- if you can't afford much kit, arm warmers are even more useful, as you don't need to buy a L/S jersey (they tend to be silly money, Rapha or not), all you need is a S/S top and arm warmers. Tights are expensive too, and I find it well nigh impossible to find ones that fit, so again as a minimum all you need are shorts and leg warmers. I often find that at the start of a ride at this time of year it is cold enough to need long sleeves ( and a thin, wind resistant top - the other essential), but by mid morning it is much more comfortable and the top can be pocketed, and warmers rolled down - easy!
threebikesmcginty
Corn Fed Hick...
- Location
- ...on the slake
I was thinking about this earlier, to think that all workers in other countries are working for bugger all just isn't the case although some companies have picked up a nasty reputation for exploitation and quite righly so. Let's hope that Rapha are doing the decent thing and ensuring people working for them are getting a fair wage. I know one line they had was made using a workers co-op, so they are capable of organising things properly.
e-rider
Banned member
- Location
- South West
Rapha - I'm interested by comments such as "quality is expensive".
This is clearly not the case with Rapha (in most cases).
Rapha is expensive because that is the way they have created their brand image; knowing that there are plenty of people out there that will want (and are able) to buy the most expensive item on the peg, just because it's the most expensive. It makes such people feel worth more.
IME Rapha products are not very high quality, and the quality is certainly not in line with the price tag.
This is clearly not the case with Rapha (in most cases).
Rapha is expensive because that is the way they have created their brand image; knowing that there are plenty of people out there that will want (and are able) to buy the most expensive item on the peg, just because it's the most expensive. It makes such people feel worth more.
IME Rapha products are not very high quality, and the quality is certainly not in line with the price tag.
Chavs/Scallys/Neds or whatever you want to call them wouldn't be seen dead in Aldi or Lidl gear. That's the whole point, they manage to scrape money together to wear branded stuff, the more expensive the brand the better.
Aldi and Lidl gear is not 'chavtastic', it's just good value / budget kit.
I don't wear Aldi or Lidl by the way, I ride enough miles to justify better quality kit, but I also don't wear Rapha.
e-rider
Banned member
- Location
- South West
+1
Rapha certainly isn't the cool brand it want's to be. Chavs are more brand aware than any 'normal' person; BUT they have to operate within their limited budget so don't get to buy the stuff they really want. eg. a chav cyclist would certainly head straight for the Rapha peg
Howard
Senior Member
Howard
Senior Member
The Rapha kit I have seems pretty good to me - but then again it's only socks and a bag. Couple of friends of mine recommend the stowaway jackets. Have you owned anything of theirs?
Anyway, the 'Rapha kit - nice but pricey?' thread is this way >>>>>>
threebikesmcginty
Corn Fed Hick...
- Location
- ...on the slake
