Originally Posted by
redfooj
Was this statement rhetorical or did you look for someone to bite?
To start, I'll say that I like Rapha. Not ashamed to admit I like them for their aesthetics.
That said, Rapha has been lifted into something beyond functional, athletic wear. It might say that someone is more into cycling more as a lifestyle than an activity. It's become a cultural signifier. Much like the North Face fleece on college campuses - more often its worn as a statement of "i belong in a frat/sorority" than "i like the outdoors".
Ive seen (general, non-brand specific) cycling social media groups of people (literally) posing with their Rapha gear. They swap almost exclusively Rapha gear. That's a bit cultish - not something you see with Assos, Castelli, Sugoi, or the others you mentioned.
Again, that's not to speak ill of Rapha products or the brand. They might be technically and objectively superlative. Like Rolex having merit as a watch manufacturer (first GMT, robustness of DSD, etc). Many people like for those merits, but many more like Rolex because, well, "it's Rolex".
SMH....ok then. People that have opinions such as yours have your minds set. No point in debating. I wore Rapha because of its functionality and performance. I can only speak for myself. I was just speaking of its cost not the marketing or image you feel it has. The main complaint I always here about is how much they cost, like the first reply in this thread. His coment was that he could have 5 other pair of shorts for the cost of 1 pair of Rapha bibs. In the world of retail, you can always have more for less, but a lot of times you are sacrificing something for it (did not say always). I could also have 5 bikes for the cost of mine and the same goes for the majority of the people here. Does that mean that every person who has a bike that is considered "elite" is a poser that just sits at a coffee shop? No, but does that happen? Of course it happens, just like every car group has a guy that has a lot of money to spend and just wants to take part or obtain some time of social status. That 1 guy or group or of people shouldn't be the poster child image for every other person who takes part. Just get tired of people making comments about its over priced cost when it has really become average of top tier shorts. That is all I was saying