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Rapha by George
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/rapha-to-be-bought-by-grandsons-of-the-...
That's got to smart a bit. 
Cue vociferous defending.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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59 comments
Wow, calm down Simon. If anyone needs to grow up here, it's you. I also could do with some clarification about what you actually mean by your original statement, although I'm guessing that even you don't know what you're arguing about.
To bring things somewhere back near a topic Don, who do you see it smarting, why and when?
Why are people only looking at their relation to Walmart, because it's the biggest? They wouldn't buy a large 'exclusive' manufacturer to suddenly want to sell shirts at a fifth of the cost...
Last quarter Walmart's total revenue was $118.8 (£ 91.2866) billion. Just think if RZC Investments took 1% of that money and put into expanding Ralpha, lower mfg cost, and maintain product quality how it would make Ralpha accessible for many.
I suspect that lowering the manufacturing costs won't actually maintain product quality (it never does in the long run) and making Rapha accessible for many is exactly my point and glad you got it.
Rapha is an expensive and relatively exclusive brand which is about to be made cheaply for the masses. Current customer base will move onto the next exclusive brand.
Don, I don't know why you keep digging a hole for yourself. The people who bought Rapha are not Walmart or Asda, it won't change Rapha's market positioning. Your OP said it had to 'smart' as in to hurt, as if the owner/founder was hurt by being given millions of pounds because the money might be associated with 'downmarket' brands. No amount of post-rationalisation is going to change your sneering opening comment.
Except the bit where you've totally misunderstood the point, yet still steamroller on in your error. I ain't digging a hole, friend, it's you. Even after it's been spelled out for you.
Nice back pedalling. Fine, you said so little in the first place, you can say you meant something else. It just seems other people agree with me, you are a snob, own it.
Play thye ball, not the man.
Unfortunately you made a mistake, there is no backpedalling by me as my position hasn't changed. You misunderstood and decided to have a pop at me. I do accept your apology, in all its grace, though. That little misquote up there.... Come back when you've grown up.
Worldwide, manufacturers have moved to overseas production to lower manufacturing costs whether it be bike frames, parts, accessories, or clothing. Product quality has not diminished, that is, unless you're buying the lower end of their line where quality is second nature to pricing.
Whether current customer base moves onto the next exclusive brand is up for speculation as we don't know if RZC will leave Rapha alone as an exclusive brand run by their management team, or chose the path of mass market.
We can speculate all we want, the proof will be in the pudding in the next couple of years when we, as consumers, see what Rapha is producing. Until then I wait and not speculate.
Surely this should read "By George its Rapha", still can't justify their cost IMO
Riff Rapha.
I reckon you wear cycling tops with dragons on them
Is this like when everyone laughed at Lamborghini drivers because VW bought them
Yes, a little bit. Lambo used to be a marque of distinction and seldom seen except on posters. For the love of god, we've even got them up north. So yes, another devalued brand.
The tractor manufacturer
Fixed.
It's just like that. I bought a Hyundai instead of the Lambo.
Supa, dahling.
Hello drivel. Alright mate?
I think the main complaint concerns your low quality post.
So I'm against high priced, high quality gear, or low priced, low quality, or both?
Or am I against high priced, high quality being purchased where we know that they'll immediately start looking at reducing manufacturing costs and retail costs, thusly devaluing the brand.
Or are they saying that they have no idea whether I ride in expensive quality gear, or whether I have cheaper, lower quality gear, therefore can't possibly have an opinion
I don't think they have a clue what they're complaining about and I don't care.
Don, I think they're suggesting that the prejudice of Rapha (over price, high quality) versus the George clothing (cheap, variable quality) is the angle you took.
I'm with the others here, they've purchased that brand to maintain it in the position it is in. As others suggest, the Mike Ashley angle would ha e been worse. I have some nice, well made firetrap and diesel items from when they were a 'designer' brand, I can't wear them now because they are chav uniform...
www.asda.com/smart-price possibly
Genuinely, What would smart, and why? I'm looking for something hidden I can't see. Seems like a good transaction for the founders of the company, and the 2 Waltons are no chumps, so they've probably done their homework and seen value...
Side note, a friend of mine worked for them for about 5 years building mountain bike tracks on private estates they buy. He's had an awesome job, being shipped around the Americas to build tracks.
I'm trying to work out the joke.
What smarts a bit? Seems like a good price to me.
You'll have to explain my prejudices to me. I'm not sure what they are, but you obviously know.
Umm, I'm no Raphaista, but I don't see what's funny. Rich foreign person buys company, not news. Wal-mart bought Asda, remember, not the other way. And this says it is an investment fund; it's not like Mike Ashley bought it. Your mocking says more about your own prejudices.
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