Why is Rapha so divisive?
07-23-20, 05:22 AM
#76
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If they stand by their claims, it's also heavily warranted. They claim to repair damage. It looked like nice stuff to me and I like the look, however I often just wear cross functional athletic wear that I use for more than one activity. My merino stuff costs that much or more full price although I watch for close out sales. I wouldn't even notice what brand someone else was wearing.
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07-23-20, 06:13 AM
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If they stand by their claims, it's also heavily warranted. They claim to repair damage. It looked like nice stuff to me and I like the look, however I often just wear cross functional athletic wear that I use for more than one activity. My merino stuff costs that much or more full price although I watch for close out sales. I wouldn't even notice what brand someone else was wearing.
07-23-20, 06:16 AM
#78
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07-23-20, 06:27 AM
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Once worked for a Mercedes dealer and found out informally that the markup from manufacturing cost to MSRP was 100%. I carry that thought with me when shopping for cycling attire. I imagine the retail markup is well over 100% for these up-market brands. I just do not like getting greased by any brand.
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07-23-20, 06:30 AM
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If they stand by their claims, it's also heavily warranted. They claim to repair damage. It looked like nice stuff to me and I like the look, however I often just wear cross functional athletic wear that I use for more than one activity. My merino stuff costs that much or more full price although I watch for close out sales. I wouldn't even notice what brand someone else was wearing.
07-23-20, 06:42 AM
#81
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07-23-20, 07:19 AM
#82
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Under what circumstances would I care what some other cyclist is wearing, or what they paid for it? As long as they didn't take my money out of my pocket to buy their gear, I quite literally could not care less.
I have no opinions about Rapha one was or the other. I don't own any, because I'm cheap, and they sell bibs that cost more than my shoes (and I wear expensive shoes.) I'm a Black Bibs and jerseys-on-clearance-who-cares-what-brand kinda guy.
I do own a Cervelo though. Not a dentist.
I have no opinions about Rapha one was or the other. I don't own any, because I'm cheap, and they sell bibs that cost more than my shoes (and I wear expensive shoes.) I'm a Black Bibs and jerseys-on-clearance-who-cares-what-brand kinda guy.
I do own a Cervelo though. Not a dentist.
When it comes to cycling "kit" I struggle much. It has only been in the last 3 or 4 months if that since started wearing road cycling pants in public.In the past I've always worn mountain bike shorts or way back touring shorts. Anyway, I want clothing that fits and is comfortable. I'm not big into brands or using my person as an billboard, all of my items of "kit" are as plain as possible. I cannot see me wearing a pro team jersey or bike brand, I'm just not that good and that seems pretentious anyway and I lack cycling talent. I do belong to two recreational teams/clubs and have team jerseys for them but I only wear them when I have to. I think the $60 or $70 bucks I paid for each of them is upper limit for me, 90% of my riding is with plain $20 jerseys.
But as others have said well it's their money.
07-23-20, 07:35 AM
#83
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I’m confused, because I don’t think I’ve seen any Rapha marketing with 3/4 pants or people combing their mustache.
Seems more you have an axe to grind with people that look a particular way and not so much with the clothing.
Seems more you have an axe to grind with people that look a particular way and not so much with the clothing.
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07-23-20, 07:57 AM
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About 5 yrs ago I "discovered" Assos. Their kit fits me perfectly and is high quality. I'm a total fan now. I have nothing bad to say about Rapha. Actually I have nothing at all to say. Buy what works for you.
07-23-20, 08:04 AM
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07-23-20, 08:40 AM
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I also collect watches and there is a lot of hand-wringing about how people are treated at various dealers. Sometimes, how you dress does play a role - but some of it is also how you interpret the interaction. When I go into a shop, the only thing i care about is whether the salesperson answers my questions - his opinion of me is entirely irrelevant (and of course, the transaction part of it). I ask my questions, they usually answer. As long as i get the info i need, the rest doesnt matter - and that pretty much always happens.
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07-23-20, 08:44 AM
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That’s gotta be hard these days, when the person showing up in running shorts might be buying a $50k car. Or $100k.
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07-23-20, 08:46 AM
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07-23-20, 08:51 AM
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In this case, the guy seemed especially taken with my Timberland shoes. I mean, he literally said, "And you've got your Timberland shoes." I didn't tell him I'd gotten them on sale for half price.
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07-23-20, 09:03 AM
#90
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As with just about any manufactured product there can be a big difference between "inexpensive" and "cheap".
Disclaimer: Don't own any Rapha gear and am completely neutral on them.
West
Disclaimer: Don't own any Rapha gear and am completely neutral on them.
West
07-23-20, 10:43 AM
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I don't know, I see a lot of people around Marin wearing Rapha. They can't all be from SF.
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07-23-20, 11:03 AM
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Right. Is that guy in a worn T-shirt and jeans, with a 5 day growth of beard a wealthy Silicon Valley guy trying to project an air of insouciance? Or some working class guy who wants to sit in a Porsche?
In this case, the guy seemed especially taken with my Timberland shoes. I mean, he literally said, "And you've got your Timberland shoes." I didn't tell him I'd gotten them on sale for half price.
In this case, the guy seemed especially taken with my Timberland shoes. I mean, he literally said, "And you've got your Timberland shoes." I didn't tell him I'd gotten them on sale for half price.
I did test this during my next new car purchase. I put on a nice suit, combed my hair, and - when the car salesman approached to introduce himself - I gave my name as "Dr. Wily Koyote" - which is something I would normally never do, because I'm not a d-bag. And I'll be damned - I got a great price on that car, with almost no pushback from the salesman. Still, wearing a suit and tie is so onerous that I haven't used that method for either of the two new cars I have purchased since then.
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07-23-20, 11:40 AM
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I'm just a a normal schmuck, well nearly normal. But, when I rolled into a Porsche dealership on my Ducati I got lots of service.
07-23-20, 11:47 AM
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there is some evidence that customers who appear to be well-educated professionals (i.e., well-groomed people in nice clothes and etc) get better prices on new cars. Salespeople just assume that such customers are better-informed and better negotiators, and so they allow them to more successfully negotiate down the prices. At least, that was the conclusion from a study that was done about 25 years ago.
I did test this during my next new car purchase. I put on a nice suit, combed my hair, and - when the car salesman approached to introduce himself - i gave my name as "dr. Wily koyote" - which is something i would normally never do, because i'm not a d-bag. And i'll be damned - i got a great price on that car, with almost no pushback from the salesman. Still, wearing a suit and tie is so onerous that i haven't used that method for either of the two new cars i have purchased since then.
I did test this during my next new car purchase. I put on a nice suit, combed my hair, and - when the car salesman approached to introduce himself - i gave my name as "dr. Wily koyote" - which is something i would normally never do, because i'm not a d-bag. And i'll be damned - i got a great price on that car, with almost no pushback from the salesman. Still, wearing a suit and tie is so onerous that i haven't used that method for either of the two new cars i have purchased since then.
lol
Last edited by woodcraft; 07-23-20 at 11:51 AM.
07-23-20, 11:49 AM
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07-23-20, 11:52 AM
#97
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There is some evidence that customers who appear to be well-educated professionals (i.e., well-groomed people in nice clothes and etc) get better prices on new cars. Salespeople just assume that such customers are better-informed and better negotiators, and so they allow them to more successfully negotiate down the prices. At least, that was the conclusion from a study that was done about 25 years ago.
I did test this during my next new car purchase. I put on a nice suit, combed my hair, and - when the car salesman approached to introduce himself - I gave my name as "Dr. Wily Koyote" - which is something I would normally never do, because I'm not a d-bag. And I'll be damned - I got a great price on that car, with almost no pushback from the salesman. Still, wearing a suit and tie is so onerous that I haven't used that method for either of the two new cars I have purchased since then.
I did test this during my next new car purchase. I put on a nice suit, combed my hair, and - when the car salesman approached to introduce himself - I gave my name as "Dr. Wily Koyote" - which is something I would normally never do, because I'm not a d-bag. And I'll be damned - I got a great price on that car, with almost no pushback from the salesman. Still, wearing a suit and tie is so onerous that I haven't used that method for either of the two new cars I have purchased since then.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
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07-23-20, 12:13 PM
#99
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07-23-20, 12:18 PM
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Another one of these threads?
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