Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Gag a maggot! Rapha FIXED Clothing!

cycling trousers, $175
fixed gloves, $150
fixed jersey, $175
Rapha cap, $40
fixed back pack, $145

- so for US$685 (excluding shoes), you can achieve that 'Rapha FIXED' look!

- oh, and to sweeten the deal you get free postage...

(spotted in June 18 VeloNews)

Oh, I forgot. To be considered a "core" fixed rider you have to be on a $20 bike and in $20 more dollars of salvation army clothing. Sorry. I missed that memo.

Rapha makes VERY good stuff. Worth the money in my opinion. Who cares how much it costs. If you can afford it by all means. If you can't, sucks to be you. If you still care, why not worry about something important.

What does it matter?

BTW, this (Rapha's prices) has been discussed to death over in the road forum.

I think I'll buy a "geared" jersey and save myself $100.

For merino that's really not bad. I paid $85 for my Smartwool(and it's worth every penny). Not too sure about this though:

http://www.rapha.cc/images/products/fixed_gallery_1.jpg

i think it's pretty funny that ppl get "mad" at this company because they can't afford it. there are MANY alternatives.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/499966806_6a9c96ea02_o.jpg

Just sayin'.

Oh! Oh! I hope this thread turns into an anti China, anti global economy rant! Oh, please. Please!!!!!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/499966806_6a9c96ea02_o.jpg

Just sayin'.

What? The China part or the 50% polyester part?

$175 pants + made in china = it's a brave new world

Rapha makes VERY good stuff. Worth the money in my opinion. Who cares how much it costs. If you can afford it by all means. If you can't, sucks to be you. If you still care, why not worry about something important.

What does it matter?

BTW, this (Rapha's prices) has been discussed to death over in the road forum.


Good quality yes, but they passed the point that I could argue that it's worth it with their latest line. Yes, everything's relative, and if you have a couple million in the bank spending $175 on a pair of gloves is nothing.

Good quality yes, but they passed the point that I could argue that it's worth it with their latest line. Yes, everything's relative, and if you have a couple million in the bank spending $175 on a pair of gloves is nothing.


Rapha knows their market. People that are gear snobs with lot's of disposable income. They market and sell accordingly. Yes, they jumped on the trend of fixed gear stuff, at least to selling the lifestyle angle...but who cares. Obviously people are buying it. When was the last time you saw anything Paul Smith at Walmart
?

Rapha is pretty f-ing silly, especially the rider's journal:

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=205

I mean holy sh-eye-te what a silly idea. I'm going to drop
more than the price of a great headset or a new crank for a
journal--paper to capture ride data and scribbles and appointments and phone
numbers? Naaah. Even if I wanted a pretentious journal I could
get a moleskine for about 1/10th the cost.

Rapha is pretty f-ing silly, especially the rider's journal:

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=205

I mean holy sh-eye-te what a silly idea. I'm going to drop
more than the price of a great headset or a new crank for a
journal--paper to capture scribbles and appointments and phone
numbers? Naaah.

Again, the binder and paper-maker Rapha has making said journal is VERY high end. In fact that is was of their cheaper items.

If there is a market and people will buy it. Why do you care?

I'm all about icebreaker (www.icebreaker.com)

the naked guy on all fours made me close my browser.

http://halloweensunseen.com/gg15.jpg

dunno, somehow this seemed appropriate...

Holy ****. At that price, I assumed that Rapha was made in the UK. I love the looks of their stuff, but damn. I would pay a premium for something I knew was made in the first (or at least second) world, but it must cost less than a percent of a garment's list price to cut and stitch that stuff.

http://www.ordinaryrobot.net/images/slap.gif

Again, the binder and paper-maker Rapha has making said journal is VERY high end. In fact that is was of their cheaper items.

If there is a market and people will buy it. Why do you care?

Nobody's trying to take away your God-given right to spend hundreds of dollars for some garment that is only half wool and made in China. Why do you care?

Wear this
http://www.rapha.cc/images/products/paulsmith_branding.jpg

while riding this
http://designcrack.com/v2/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/trackpinkyellowside.jpg

and get that special feeling that only blowing 6grand an a bike and a shirt can get you.

while riding this
http://designcrack.com/v2/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/trackpinkyellowside.jpg

and get that special feeling that only blowing 6grand an a bike and a shirt can get you.
first of all, that bike is fugly. and wtf is up with that brake lever? who is the builder?


and you can get a similar feeling by blowing 4 grand on a hooker and blow..just sayin'..

Blowing $6,000 on a bike, seriously, is no different than the people who blow $20,000 on a stereo system or $15,000 on modifying their 1999 Honda Civic. Every man has a hobby, and these hobbies tend to be expensive. My friend makes $45,000 a year and has about $15,000 worth of guitars collected over the last 8 years. My other buddy loves audiophile equipment and recently spent $15,000 on a pair of speakers to match his $5,000 amp and $2500 CD player - he makes $60,000 a year (not much, but he is single).

Bottom line is a bicycle represents more than just a utilitarian vehicle of transportation - it's a hobby, amusement, work of art, an embodiment of their pride and inviduality. Yes, some people purely use the bicycle as a mode of transportation and can't believe their eyes that a person can spend $6000 on a fixed gear if that bike isn't used professionally. Well, just take a look at audiophiles who spend easily up to $30,000 on audio gear just to listen to classical music. And they're just average joes living in average joe apartments with credit card debt up to their eyeballs. It's all about living life while you'r still alive.

Me? I have a custom fixie on order right now that originally started life as a $3000 urban trainer for CX offseason in SoCal, but has taken on a life of its own and now is approaching the $5000 barrier. Needless to say, I went a little crazy with titanium this and carbon that, but for me, spending money on a bike is much cheaper than my former hobby of spending money on my BMW -- trust me, bicycles are MUCH cheaper and better for you too.

who is the builder?


mercian designed by paul smith
the shirt's a rapha by paul smith

mercian designed by paul smith
i'm not sure who the **** paul smith is (maybe that's for the better) but it's fugly as hell, and it needs to go back to the drawing board. **** that brake lever. but at least if has a brake.
it just looks like a run of the mill "track" bike with some ugly ass pink paint..nothing special.

Urban Outfitters is selling old school bike jerseys. 40 bucks each. I almost got one, it said "neat bike" and was all neon and crap.

Rapha is pretty f-ing silly, especially the rider's journal:

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=205

I mean holy sh-eye-te what a silly idea. I'm going to drop
more than the price of a great headset or a new crank for a
journal--paper to capture ride data and scribbles and appointments and phone
numbers? Naaah. Even if I wanted a pretentious journal I could
get a moleskine for about 1/10th the cost.
i checked out smythson's of bond street's other journals/bound books/etc. on symthson's site, and wow..there are some nice ones there, but even more $$$. i'd like to own one oneday, but i don't think my notes/thoughts are worthy enough! :p

i'm not sure who the **** paul smith is (maybe that's for the better) but it's fugly as hell, and it needs to go back to the drawing board. **** that brake lever. but at least if has a brake.
it just looks like a run of the mill "track" bike with some ugly ass pink paint..nothing special.


mercian is a fine and respected british bike company, in business since 1946

the bars are fully wrapped (brooks tape), so running some inline lever up by the stem isn't an option. and some people actually do ride in their drops.

the bike's handmade in the UK. it's reynolds 631, with handcarved lugs.

It's specced beautifully, with campy chorus and record, brooks saddle and tape, nitto bars and stem, phil woods and open pros.

paul smith is a british fashion designer who many years ago had aspirations to be a pro bike racer.

he still rides

i know who/what mercian is. i was hating on the "design" not the craftsmanship. looks like a good spec list too.

Again, the binder and paper-maker Rapha has making said journal is VERY high end. In fact that is was of their cheaper items.

If there is a market and people will buy it. Why do you care?

I don't care in the sense that I'm going to lose sleep or campaign against
it--people can buy it and I can call them silly--we're talking about paper here--
paper. Unless that paper comes printed with green ink from the feds then it's just paper
to me. Also this is a forum--e.g. for discussion. Impugning the silliness of this ******-bag
manufacturer is my contribution--take it or leave it.

cycling trousers, $175
fixed gloves, $150
fixed jersey, $175
Rapha cap, $40
fixed back pack, $145

- so for US$685 (excluding shoes), you can achieve that 'Rapha FIXED' look!

- oh, and to sweeten the deal you get free postage...

(spotted in June 18 VeloNews) am i really seeing that, 150 dollar gloves, are they dipped in carbon fiber?:D

Wear this
http://www.rapha.cc/images/products/paulsmith_branding.jpg

while riding this
http://designcrack.com/v2/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/trackpinkyellowside.jpg

and get that special feeling that only blowing 6grand an a bike and a shirt can get you.


I like the bike with the exception of the brake lever. Nice frame--classic old paint job.

i know who/what mercian is. i was hating on the "design" not the craftsmanship. looks like a good spec list too.


you asked who built the bike. i guess it's a little difficult to read.

the barberpole thing is a mercian tradition.

what you will especially hate is the "flip-flop"paint scheme, where it's different on each side.

i guess the aesthetic is not for everybody, but that's the nature of taste.

nothing to get up in arms about though. no-one is making you buy it.

Are they donating all those profits to charity? If so I'd understand, but I didn't see anything about it. Looks like just more ****ty clothes.

Rapha = marketing geniuses. They're a luxury brand, just like any other luxury brand, they just happen to be cycling oriented.

The only thing I ever bought (actually got) from Rapha was the smart wool winter cap. It totally fell apart after 2 months of use, the seams just starting splitting all over.

$600 buys a lot of beer and tacos, and would make me happier than a poorly constructed costume to parade around in.

...he makes $60,000 a year (not much, but he is single).

...
moving on:


I have a custom fixie on order right now that originally started life as a $3000 urban trainer for CX offseason in SoCal, but has taken on a life of its own and now is approaching the $5000 barrier.

See, I can't find fault with that - spending a pile on custom, handmade bike if you have the money makes sense; the money is going to a craftsperson and everyone involved is certainly being compensated for their time and experience. I certainly aspire to the day where I can buy few, long lasting, high quality goods rather than lots of crappy cheap ones. It's paying literally 2.5 times the price for something made of middling materials in a Chinese sweatshop, regardless of how nice the design is, that sucks.

$600 buys a lot of beer and tacos

You just convinced me.

Also, I want tacos now. I have the beer.

$175 pants + made in china = it's a brave new world

some one is getting sticking rich of that, and it sure aint the chinaese worker.

...
It's paying literally 2.5 times the price for something made of middling materials in a Chinese sweatshop, regardless of how nice the design is, that sucks.

try 250 times.

Blowing $6,000 on a bike, seriously, is no different than the people who blow $20,000 on a stereo system or $15,000 on modifying their 1999 Honda Civic. Every man has a hobby, and these hobbies tend to be expensive. My friend makes $45,000 a year and has about $15,000 worth of guitars collected over the last 8 years. My other buddy loves audiophile equipment and recently spent $15,000 on a pair of speakers to match his $5,000 amp and $2500 CD player - he makes $60,000 a year (not much, but he is single).

Bottom line is a bicycle represents more than just a utilitarian vehicle of transportation - it's a hobby, amusement, work of art, an embodiment of their pride and inviduality. Yes, some people purely use the bicycle as a mode of transportation and can't believe their eyes that a person can spend $6000 on a fixed gear if that bike isn't used professionally. Well, just take a look at audiophiles who spend easily up to $30,000 on audio gear just to listen to classical music. And they're just average joes living in average joe apartments with credit card debt up to their eyeballs. It's all about living life while you'r still alive.

Me? I have a custom fixie on order right now that originally started life as a $3000 urban trainer for CX offseason in SoCal, but has taken on a life of its own and now is approaching the $5000 barrier. Needless to say, I went a little crazy with titanium this and carbon that, but for me, spending money on a bike is much cheaper than my former hobby of spending money on my BMW -- trust me, bicycles are MUCH cheaper and better for you too.

Not to go all bleeding heart on you here, but there are people starving to death in nearly every corner of the world, hard-working people struggling to feed their kids... I feel pretty entitled to be disgusted at some jerk who spends that much on some junk, including audiophiles, bicyclists, car nuts, gun nuts...

I picked up my Rapha jersey for 60 bucks off of ebay, and I wear it all the time... great jersey, Chinese-made or not. I would never, ever pay $200 for it though. Sportwool is nice fabric, but the markup is just egregious.

try 250 times.
i think you didn't read his post closely enough.

Yeah, I should have said 2.5 times the price of a product of similar quality. Whatevs.

Rapha are friggin geniuses!

How do you get your $90 Jersey to stand out from all the other $90 jerseys? Simple charge $175 for it! Total genius! They don't care how many of us think their prices are ludicrous, because WE are not their target market. Their market is people who "want the best because they can afford the best" and to get those customers, you HAVE to charge more for your product.

Fox stuff on the mtb, 2XU/Exte Ondo/Craft stuff for the road. Paying that much is for rich fat bastards who think they are buying quality because they paid more. Sure it looks like nice stuff, but looking at it when a couple of said RFBs were showing it off because no-one else has it, I would never race in it and for the price they put on it, I'd expect more.

I picked up my Rapha jersey for 60 bucks off of ebay, and I wear it all the time... great jersey, Chinese-made or not. I would never, ever pay $200 for it though. Sportwool is nice fabric, but the markup is just egregious.

Hey, I bought a Rapha softshell off ebay as well. It was a VERY nice jacket, and although I still don't like black I would have happily worn it - had it fit me. In the end, I put it back on ebay, where it sold for more than I paid for it.

I spend way too much money at times, but I'd never consider buying one at full price.

njs is the couture of bikes :(

i ama gear snob and spend a gianormous amount of my income on outdoor gear

i wont buy house brands unless i plan to trash it for example

but i know when im buying a name

and i know what kind of quality difference justifies a price double that of a comparable piece from another manufacturer

i wont buy rapha but more power to those of you who do

as was suggested you could buy another brand and give 75$ to someone who needs it if youve got it yourself

I heard that some company named Mavic has a $600 "Fixed Track" wheelset. **** that noise. What sellouts.

do people still say it sucks to be you ?