Why is Rapha so divisive?
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Guys. Really. Can we stick to the subject? Tesla, Amazon, commentary on consumerism - not the place.
Thank you. And now back to the subject -
I was only tangentially aware at the time, I didn't yet have much of an appreciation for mechanical watches, but my old boss was a watch nut and had some obscene pieces. His favorite, and always a conversation starter with other enthusiasts, was a Van Cleef & Arpels watch that tracked the planetary movement of the solar system. Super cool. Dumb expensive.
Thank you. And now back to the subject -
The good (or bad) thing about watches is that no matter how well off you are, there is always a segment of watches you are too poor to own. My dream watch is by a German brand called Lange & Sohn, and costs $200k (it's called a Terra Luns, for those who want to google it and perhaps gift one to me).
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I was only tangentially aware at the time, I didn't yet have much of an appreciation for mechanical watches, but my old boss was a watch nut and had some obscene pieces. His favorite, and always a conversation starter with other enthusiasts, was a Van Cleef & Arpels watch that tracked the planetary movement of the solar system. Super cool. Dumb expensive.
I was only tangentially aware at the time, I didn't yet have much of an appreciation for mechanical watches, but my old boss was a watch nut and had some obscene pieces. His favorite, and always a conversation starter with other enthusiasts, was a Van Cleef & Arpels watch that tracked the planetary movement of the solar system. Super cool. Dumb expensive.
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Ah, but can those fancy high-dollar watches upload everything to the internet?
Oh crap, maybe I should get one.
Oh crap, maybe I should get one.
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^^^ He seems to be most associated that wonky-lookin' (to me) Hamilton Ventura. They just did a re-issue of that one recently, too.
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it would seem rapha needs to sell watches as well.
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BUT that particular Lord Elgin Direct Read is widely known as the "Elvis" among vintage watch people. He's associated with it, even if it's not associated with him quite so much...
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#166
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it would seem rapha needs to sell watches as well.
While they're at it, they may as well also sell electric cars, and develop an e-commerce platform/cloud computing/everything store.
In muted colors, with a random white line on it somewhere for no obvious reason.
Last edited by seypat; 07-24-20 at 12:44 PM.
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I think I've figured it out! It's because people who wear Rapha stuff are obviously noobs who just bought their stuff and started riding. Heck, Rapha riders' bikes are never more than a year or two old, from what I can tell. Not like my trusty 25-year old steed and my 20-year old jersey. That gives me cred, and Rapha folks don't have it (yet).
All said more or less tongue-in-cheek, but that's what struck me riding home last night.
I was about to click "Post," but one more thing: Rapha stuff strikes me as largely for roadies, right? But it's generally drab, except for some "hi-vis pink." When I started wearing clothes for cycling and people would ask why, I'd mention the visibility part. There's a reason to wear jerseys with bright garish colors out on the road, to my mind. But that's just aesthetics, perhaps.
All said more or less tongue-in-cheek, but that's what struck me riding home last night.
I was about to click "Post," but one more thing: Rapha stuff strikes me as largely for roadies, right? But it's generally drab, except for some "hi-vis pink." When I started wearing clothes for cycling and people would ask why, I'd mention the visibility part. There's a reason to wear jerseys with bright garish colors out on the road, to my mind. But that's just aesthetics, perhaps.
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I think I've figured it out! It's because people who wear Rapha stuff are obviously noobs who just bought their stuff and started riding. Heck, Rapha riders' bikes are never more than a year or two old, from what I can tell. Not like my trusty 25-year old steed and my 20-year old jersey. That gives me cred, and Rapha folks don't have it (yet).
All said more or less tongue-in-cheek, but that's what struck me riding home last night.
I was about to click "Post," but one more thing: Rapha stuff strikes me as largely for roadies, right? But it's generally drab, except for some "hi-vis pink." When I started wearing clothes for cycling and people would ask why, I'd mention the visibility part. There's a reason to wear jerseys with bright garish colors out on the road, to my mind. But that's just aesthetics, perhaps.
All said more or less tongue-in-cheek, but that's what struck me riding home last night.
I was about to click "Post," but one more thing: Rapha stuff strikes me as largely for roadies, right? But it's generally drab, except for some "hi-vis pink." When I started wearing clothes for cycling and people would ask why, I'd mention the visibility part. There's a reason to wear jerseys with bright garish colors out on the road, to my mind. But that's just aesthetics, perhaps.
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#170
Why does everyone think Ralpha is so expensive, this jersey only costs $40.
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#171
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#172
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Thus, giving me a stroke a round from avoiding lost ball penalties, might move my handicap from 9 to 8; l’m still about 10 strokes a round from beating John Rahm.
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I think the big issue, the one that really matters, is there just are not as many Strava ride challenges for Rapha as there are for LeCol.
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#174
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I would have so much more Rapha gear if they had the same kind of challenges as LeCol, wherein you get a voucher for a purchase over a certain amount. I still haven't used one of those LeCol vouchers.
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Why does everyone think Ralpha is so expensive, this jersey only costs $40.