What's the verdict on Casetlli gear vs. Rapha gear?

Also, I saw a bunch of coupon codes in another thread back in 2012 for Rapha gear. Any coupon codes exist today? Would like to see 30-40% off of the CORE stuff.

Rapha usually has a year end sale and I think a mid-year sale. I really doubt you will see any discount on the core stuff very soon. It's brand new and already priced at practically an economy level for Rapha.

Castelli makes great stuff, I have their climber's jersey and it's great for Texas summers. I also have a Rapha Pro Team jersey which is amazing in Texas summers.

If you need a deal right now, Rapha is introducing new lines and have already kicked all the old gear out in the last sale, so it's probably not going to happen. For Castelli, just look on their website for what you like and then google for deals.

Castelli - too many logos
Rapha - for poseurs. Never seen a fast person wearing it (I know, Team Sky and everything)

Discuss

I wear Rapha, so I guess I can confirm this as true.

Does Rapha even do hi-viz? If not why would anyone even consider them?

IMO, higher end Castelli is great: true race fit and excellent durability. Lower end Castelli still fits well but I've found it to be a bit less durable. Rapha doesn't make anything particularly inexpensive so Rapha would have to be compared to the higher end Castelli stuff. At these prices ($150+ for a short sleeve jersey) honestly it's hard to go wrong with lots of brands (Sportful, Giordana, high end Pearl Izumi, high end LG, Panache, Assos etc). Ultimately, I'd say this is down to personal preference.

Clearly because you'll look very stylish and restrained while swooning on the gurney.

Castelli or pearl izumi I love both lately pearl izumi elite and P.R.O stuff is great

Castelli is good except for the iron on logos that peel off after a month.

Is this necessarily a bad thing

Don't be a hater for something you can't afford. There I said it! What are you going to do about it?

It seems like everyone that DOES have Rapha stuff loves it.. and those that don't can't talk enough crap about it. I'm not fast, doesn't mean I can't wear a certain jersey though.. or do I have to be Michael Jordan to have a #23 on my back?

They've got high viz bubblegum pink for their new CORE line jersey.

I really can't afford it either, but I'm young and dumb so I won't eat anything but ramen for a month after that purchase.

I like both but prefer the chamois pad that Rapha uses over the high end Castelli pad. Both of the companies make very nice racing level kit, but if you're a muscular or fat body type, the pro level stuff might not fit you.

Rapha often sends people one time use 15% off codes, you can often get a free one if you frequent many cycling forums (somebody will offer theirs up for free if not using).

Past seasons Castelli is often on clearance on eBay and various online retailers. Rapha has a summer and a winter sale. They've quietly seemed to have a year round clearance by listing old stuff under the archive sale section of their website.

People may make fun of the Rapha marketing, but in my experience most if their kit is designed for practical use and well designed to boot. The only big misstep in my opinion is the ballast/internal zippered pocket on their lightweight jersey because it would be more useful to have a third open pocket instead.

My GF is pretty fast, especially when she wears the Rapha jersey I bought her last year. I have one of their base layers, but I am not fast, except when I tour, at least in a relative sense, because I am always passing other touring cyclists I meet. Like last year in SD. I encountered a bunch of kids and their leader on the Mickelson Trail. They were walking up one of the climbs. After bumming some snacks from them I droped the hamer and left them in my trail dust. Poor kids could not have made it to Hill City before dark because it was nearly dark when I got there and I reached into my suitcase of courage and took all sorts of risks on the descent into town.

I'm definitely a candidate for that 15% off coupon. wink wink hint hint to everyone here. lol. I'm not looking to get their 'race level' or 'pro level' kit anyhow. I'm too much man to fit into those children-sized shenanigan kits.

More like those that have it love it and those that can't afford talk crap about it.

I don't own it by the way

When you can still see where the logo used to be, yes it is kind of a problem.

You can say your professional team won't allow other sponsors on your kit

rapha issues 15%-25% off if you're signed up with them via your e-mail after you fill out a survey once or twice a year.
they also seem to run significant sales about twice a year which (for me) always comes just after a large non-cycling purchase
like 4 new car tires or a home project.


haven't bought any rapha bottoms-only jerseys and merino wool short/long sleeve baselayers. love em.


only have experience with the low/medium end castelli stuff. i will say that i was a castelli guy for the
first 12 years or so of this millennium. happy with the bang for the buck. my last 5 castelli purchases
in the last 3 years (2 pairs full length tights, 2 pairs bib shorts, 1 cold-weather (20-50 degrees) jacket)
have all had significant stitching, zipper or reasonable wear issues after 5-10 uses. certainly not what i
was used to.

I like the Rapha stuff but they don't have a single white jersey.

Well ****, I just bought their free aero bib..heavily discounted so only ~$100.. but still.. hope it doesn't poop out on me.

Ok - so they survey usually hits around summer time through the e-mail service signup that they have and then when you take that bad boy you get your 20ish percent discount. Sounds good to me. I'll prolly pick up a cheaper Castelli cold weather jersey, suffer with my $20 pearl izumi short sleeve jersey for now when hot out, and then when the 20% coup hits I'll throw some money at it and do a few items from Rapha at once. That is if I can find employment in TX after my move in a few months. Great plan right?

They make two wheel gurney's?

Not a deal breaker for me. I'll go with that nasty high viz bubblegum pink. Bright yellow just looks crappy, bright pink is obnoxious on a whole other level. <3.