Originally Posted by
PepeM
I guess here is where the big reveal that I was trolling all along should come.
I have never tried any of the Rapha stuff since the style just doesn't do it for me. I mean, it's nice stuff, much better than Castelli or Pearl Izumi or similar, but too bland for my liking. With that said I am sure the quality is excellent.
I'm ok with buying expensive kits but I prefer some style on them. That MAAP stuff you sell is quite nice and I would buy the clouds jersey if it was in stock in my size. The bibs do seem a bit expensive but I guess I am not too comfort sensitive, some of my $30 NOT BIBS work just fine although I do prefer my high quality bibs slightly. I do think that $300 for bibs is way too much but if that's what it takes for someone to be comfortable on the bike then so be it.
Fair enough. That speaks much more to your reasoning rather than bashing the brand just to bash it. If you don't care for the aesthetics of something than that will play a huge part in wanting to invest in it.
Unfortunately for me, I seem to have a very sensitive rear end so a chamois pad is very important to me. I've tried almost all of the big name brands in my time of cycling and Rapha was the best I found (out of the house hold more command brands). The MAAP gear is without a doubt more comfortable for me. The chamois is more dense, bit the biggest thing for me is the placement of the chamois. I feel it is placed better than Rapha which allows me to sit on the most important part of the pad, where as with Rapha I always belt that inwas sitting more in the middle of the chamois. I've heard others say the same, but also heard other have no problems. This is where people having different geometrys come into play.
Do keep in mind that the prices you see on MAAPs page are in AUD currency till you change the price point. The bib shorts are $196 USD. Much more affordable than Rapha at full retail and again In my personal opinion much more comfortable with the same quality.
Also FYI, they will be restocking items throughout the month.