Our Honest Opinion On Rapha

[@theinstinctsven]

Nowadays with people buying PNS stuff because Rapha is not "subcultural" anymore I would say they are underrated. Quality is great and the prices are fair.

[@talonlan]

I was going to buy a PNS mechancial jersey but it has PNS written on the back which when said outloud is penis, so I aint spending £100 to have penis on my back

[@benfurfie1715]

One thing Rapha is massively underrated on is that it’s sizing mirrors normal clothing. Buying cycle kit can be a lottery and sometimes you need to buy several sizes with the knowledge you’ll have to send stuff back. With Rapha, I’ve found if you’re a small t shirt, you’ll be a small in its sizes too. That said, Attacus is always my first port of call!

[@ElrocStone]

I bought some thermal (fleece) leg and arm warmers that have totally changed the game for me, much more versatile than tights but heaps warmer than normal arm and leg warmers. Even just the arm warmers over normal baselayer/jersey combo is really warm on a cold day.

[@montylikesbeer]

My relationship with Rapha started when I couldn’t fit into any cycling kit due to my weight. After a medical incident I got my head right and lost 5 stone. At that point I walked into their Manchester store and bought an xxl classic jersey and never felt prouder, I could fit into it, it was tight but I could. Rapha was a goal now achieved.

[@cpac54]

I'll always be grateful for rapha being at the forefront of helping usher in stylish cycling kit. That said, their quality took a nosedive in recent years and they got away from the subtle branding that drew me to them initially - everything they put out now seemingly is plastered with multiple large RAPHA logos.

[@frankmoran167]

Rapha archive can be a winner! Or in the sales

[@tomasberka2124]

Fair comments. Francis ended this clip in a cryptical way saying there are other brands producing better kit. Sure but if you picked Rapha by name, it would be nice to mention the others, would it not…? 😊

[@neilfox9540]

I was also waiting for this. Personally, I've tried loads of different kit from all the top brands and for me Rapha is the best in terms of quality, design & style. It's become a bit fashionable to bash them because a lot of city based, style conscious riders use their stuff but its mainly because their stuff is just really good.

[@paddyotoole2058]

Assos & Castelli for sure are way better quality than Rapha. Plus they don’t have that cringe factor.

[@benjhaisch]

Fwiw, almost my entire kit is from Rapha. Mostly because their fit is consistent and as much as I love things from other companies, as a newer cyclist that is taller and not stick thin, I’ve often had to return them. Rapha has been amazing for this consistency.

[@sa3key]

Like most cyclists, I own a hodge podge of kits. Primal, Rule 28, Louis Garneau, Pearl Izumi, and a couple throwback kits from random websites. In terms of comfort, my 2 Rapha kits are the most comfortable out of all of them. I’ve tried Oakley, but after ordering 3 different jersey sizes and none of them fit right, I quit trying.

[@frits8986]

I quit like that

[@fedearbelaez4912]

Rapha is like The Beatles for cycling kit. So many bands have been inspired by/ripped off their sound over the past 60 years that for a casual listener who’s never heard of them, they wouldn’t sound revolutionary. Yet, they’re the sole reason that rock/pop sound is omnipresent today. Whatever cycling kit brands Francis can name are better than Rapha. They have been inspired/copied/borrowed bits from the Rapha look and formula. Before Rapha it was just team kit and black/yellow, black/red, black/blue kit with large letters saying PERFORMANCE or SPEED.

[@paddyotoole2058]

This comment couldn’t be more wrong. Is it a troll? if so it’s a very good one! It is in fact Rapha who are the plastic pretenders with their faux cycling heritage marketing nonsense. The fact that metro cycling noobs think that they are some sort of cycling heritage brand who invented the wheel etc. even though they didn’t actually exist before 2004 says it all. And let’s not pretend you were cycling prior to 2000 either.

[@cameronmccolgan5012]

Look mom no hands was such a cool spot. When I was at uni I lived down the road from there and happened upon it. It was my study spot before I knew a thing about cycling. Just now finding out it’s closed RIP

[@thibaultdelary5960]

Rapha is more than a brand. There is a true spirit with the Rapha Cycling Club community around the world.

[@matthewlewis2072]

Not tried it, but have tried Castelli, ridiculous fitting. XXXXXXXXXL (vs L in Endura)

[@jwfriar]

Agree - tried Castelli and it was tiny tiny. Made me feel like I was super fat

[@talonlan]

I really like Rapha, I like the things they do off the bike I like that they have a club house and if I lived nearby I would definitely go on a few rides, I like that they have a mobile coffee bus that shows up on sportives to have a free cup of coffee, I like there gear from core to pro but I only buy it in the sales as they are hella expensive.

[@jwfriar]

They are so highly rated, it’s hard say they are overrated, such that you almost have to say they overrated So a bit unfair. As they both said, they are very good kit, I really love. But it is $$$

[@neilfox9540]

Exactly this. They are popular because their stuff is so good - quality and stylish. I guess because they own Attacus they can't go overboard on another brand. It's almost through gritted teeth.

[@jodeskid]

Overrated as opposed to or based on what? Wasn't a very insightful opinion here.

[@kevinkwmiller]

Yeah, I know what they wanted to say, but they never really said it. They just said, “Everything they make is great. Overrated”. It didn’t really make sense how they went from one to the other.

[@s3cr3td00rindar00m]

Compared to Atticus 😂

[@Bonky-wonky]

Can’t comment on the lycra stuff but I’ve owned or at least tried most mtb clothing brands and love rapha. Great fit, non-plasticcy feeling materials and the shorts hold their shape very well, unlike fox, tld and the like. If you factor in the repair service they’re not that expensive.

[@marckeller3313]

The Rapha core range of kit represents good value for money for the average cyclist in my opinion

[@chrisstrider]

Rapha lead the way to vastly improving cycle clothing and the image of the sport

[@Whalleyproduction]

Very interesting question! Love the debate! From both of your perspectives, which brands are underrated? And what brands would be a better option than Rapha? Thanks again!!

[@OGillo2001]

Attacus crotchless bib shorts are my fav

[@Igor369]

Wait it is not about Quake...

[@josephamey5895]

Wait a second. I’m lost here. How did Rapha lead to the closure of Look Mum No Hands??

[@chrisstrider]

Rapha Spittalfield closed before LMNH

[@rickdoehler502]

Thanks for your opinion. Yous guys are cool baby cool.

[@barrydaniel3308]

Been watching your videos from day 1. Have to say disappointed the material is going down this route..

[@paddyotoole2058]

Rapha fanboy alert!

[@barrydaniel3308]

wow, your obviously not a fan of cade media, videos been up for 2 months, yeah i fooking love rapha me, got a tattoo on my arm of there logo, matching pants and socks. @@paddyotoole2058

[@Joagadsv]

How about Biehler syndicate clothing? What’s your thoughts?

[@PetexRocc]

Do one on Muc-off

[@youling1997]

ooooh, Zelda cup

[@JakeMartin-qi1by]

F Rapha because they took LMNH out of the biz.

[@chrisstrider]

Loved it but Rapha Spitalfields closed before it and was some distance away

[@stephencharles6932]

Cafe du Cycliste for ever!

[@christams8863]

I love this brand! Great quality!

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

RAPHA- "We want to be ASSOS but we have no history or heritage. So let's just make it all up! Cycling consumers seem to be extra gullible, so we'll make a killing, then sell out to some clowns with massive trust funds!" Marketing-marketing-marketing. Overrated? Of course! There's no there there. Just marketing. Quality depends on who is making the stuff for them. I've seen Chinese labels on it as well as Made-in-Italy so the RAPHA name guarantees just one thing - a high price!

[@neilfox9540]

Wrong!

[@gearoiddom]

Assos prices are crazy high. Unjustified. I’ll buy Rapha and castelli first, every time.

[@paddyotoole2058]

Exactly this Larry. Couldn’t agree more.