It’s already been a busy year for Rapha, kicking the year off with the announcement of the Team Sky partnership thrusting them into the spotlight of the professional peloton. Today they’ve revealed details of their 2013 spring/summer racing and training range. Highlights include some bold new colours, an expanded women’s range and new hot weather clothing and all accompanied by some suitably 'epic' videos (scroll to the end for them).
With three new jerseys Rapha is marking the year, 1962, when trade teams returned to the Tour de France and roadcc's editor was born though that bit probably isn't part of the Rapha celebration - well, not officially at least. From 1930 until 1961 only national teams could compete in the race - in 1930 organisers even made riders compete using identical yellow bicycles supplied by them. In 1962 though the trade teams were allowed back in and that race Jacques Anquetil claimed the yellow jersey, with Joseph Planckaert and Raymond Poulidor second and third respectively.
These three Trade Team Jerseys (£110) celebrate each of these riders and their teams, Flandria & Planckaert (red and white), Mercier & Poulidor (yellow and purple) and St Raphaël & Anquetil (Light blue, white and red).
The three merino jerseys are finished with embroidered icons , drawcord hems and gripper elastic and three pockets.
There’s also matching caps as well for the complete look. They feature rider emblem graphics and are made from 100% cotton.
The new Hot Weather collection, clearly not designed with the UK summer in mind, is designed for the “hottest, most humid climates” proclaims the Rapha press release. Guess if you’re planning some nice trips abroad this year you might be interested, we can certainly imagine some of the demands from Team Sky will be kit that works in the hottest races. In this new collection are two items, the Lightweight Bib Shorts and Super Lightweight jersey. As their names suggest, they’re based on the regular Classic Bib Shorts and Lightweight jersey, but boast better breathability when the going gets, errm, hot.
The Super Lightweight jersey (£100) is made from a combination of three lightweight fabrics.
They reckon is a lot more breathable than the regular Lightweight jersey, and very good at wicking sweat. It’s going to be available in three colours, blue, red and white.
The Lightweight Bib Shorts (£140) that uses a much lighter weight fabric than the Classic bibs and the fabric has been treated with a sun-block finish giving up to Factor 50 protection. The mesh sections in the jersey lighter than before and there’s a larger cutaway at the back. Inside the shorts is a totally new chamois exclusive to Rapha. To prevent the pad getting soaked in sweat, it has a perforated construction, which also makes it lighter.
They’re finished with a left leg band available in red, blue or white.
To complete the Hot Collection there’s a new Lightweight cap. A quick drying poly cotton with stitched eyelets and available in blue, black and white.
There’s new offerings for women, as well as new colour options for the Wind Jacket (£170), purple and red, and a choice of purple, cream or grey and hi-vis pink Lightweight Jerseys (£110), they’ve introduced the all-new Soupless Jersey and Women’s Classic Bib Shorts.
The Souplesse Jersey (£125) has been designed from the outset to address the differences between men and women with a female-specific cut, including shorter sleeves and separate cuff fabric for a comfortable fit.
There’s two rear pockets and a central pump pocket, plus a zipped pocket. There’s contrast stripes and polka dot collar linings. Three colours to choose from, mauve, dark blue or light blue.
The same approach has been applied to the new Women’s Classic Bib Shorts (£150). The men’s Classic bib shorts are excellent and perfect for comfort on longer rides, and a similar approach has been applied to the women’s version. they have a fit designed specifically for women of course, with a soft mesh upper with a full-length zip front. The back panel is an open-knit mesh for maximum breathability and the lightweight fabric is extremely breathable.
The Women’s Classic Wind Jacket (£170), follows similar lines to the men’s version, with a windproof and water resistant fabric, but with a cut tailored for women. It’s available in Purple, Cream and Red.
We always expect Rapha to have something a little quirky up their merino sleeves, and this year it would seem the Polka Dot Silk Scarf (£50) is it - the polks dots are the quirky bit, the scarf itself is a hardy Rapha perennial - we reviewed it a few years back. It’s hand stitched in England from 100% silk, and the material has been treated to make it sweat and shower resistant.
There’s a new short sleeve women’s base layer (£60) as well, made from 100% merino, naturally, and with a female-specific cut. Available in light blue or grey marl, with a v-neck and flatlock seams.
The Women’s Grand Tour Gloves are a leather thing of beauty. Handcut from African Hair Sheep Leather, they’re stunningly beautiful as much as the price is eye-watering. Double-stitched in the areas prone to high wear to make them more durable. Choose from black or cream, available in March.
A new colour option is added to the Classic Wind Jacket (£170), their lightweight stowable windproof and water resistant top.
It’s now available in the same Chartreuse as the Hardshell we tested recently, and there’s an orange and black colours too. It still feature the same offset zip, long dropped tail and small zipped pocket.
The Classic Jersey (£130) has been Rapha’s best selling product and was one of the iconic jerseys, all black design with simple white arm band, that launched the brand eight years ago. It’s been constantly fettled and tweaked over the years, and many colour options have come and gone.
This year they’ve refined the fit even further and will offer it in two new colours (red and blue) with corresponding arm warmers and Rapha Caps to match. Details include large cargo pockets and a zipped valuables pocket, a fully lined zip with lockdown puller and is sold with arm warmers.
The Rapha Cap (£25) is now available in corresponding red and blue to match the Classic Jersey. A windproof and water resistance cotton construction protects the head while still being breathable, and it’s finished with a strip of anti-bacterial tape.
The Club jersey (£110) picks three heroes of the sport Tommy Godwin, Ramon Hoyos and Gastone Nencini for the three new colour options, fig, light blue and black respectively.
The Lightweight jersey (£110), a classic choice for riding anywhere hot and sunny, is now available in two new colours, fig and papyrus
The Pro Team range hasn’t been ignored, there’s the all-new Pro Team Race Cape. Rapha now get a lot of feedback from Team Sky and the Rapha Condor JLT team, and they’re channeling this into revised Pro Team garments. The Race Cape came out of just such a discussion, it uses a proprietary stretch fabric that is completely waterproof and claims to be breathable. It also interestingly eschews the usual off-set zip in favour of a simple centrally aligned zipper. It’s not due until mid-March, and will be sold in grey or blue.
The Pro Team Bib Shorts (£170) use a new Lyrca-based fabric that is proprietary to Rapha. It uses a coldblack technology to keep the heat off and are now available in high-vis pink and chartreuse.
You can pair those shorts with the updated Pro Team Jersey, now available in Grey/high-vis pink, Chartreuse/grey, White/azure, Black/chartreuse.
No word on pricing yet, they’ll be available in mid-March.
The Pro Team socks (£15) are now available in High-vis pink and Chartreuse.
And now for some video… a woman nearly smiles in the first one:
www.rapha.cc
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44 comments
DHB for me thanks
£50 for a silk scarf?
This could get interesting
Same for me.... £100 for a top and £140 for some shorts!!
PINK SOCKS! NEED!
A fool and his money are soon parted........
oh to be rich...
MAMILS are ruining the clothing market, too much money to splurge, just save up for a Ferrari and get out of the way.
@njmoffat - you don't want it, fine, but no need to call names of those who choose to buy it. I work hard, I'll spend it on what I like thanks.
The club jersey colours are awesome. Also looks like the girls are getting some of the cooler colour choices.
Doesn't look that different to last year's stuff. For the price I'd rather go for Santini gear but I guess it's just a matter of taste (I grew up in the 90s).
How is the clothing market being ruined? It's called choice. Other brands are available, you know, and at different prices. Your argument is anything that's at the expensive end of a particular market ruins that market. You want to move to North Korea, chum, and savour the equality.
Sweet lord! Why is it that Rapha gets such a hard time over their prices? Their kit, of which I have several pieces, is seriously high quality in terms of fit, attention to detail and style. Some of my stuff is now 3years old and still is in fantastic condition despite the daily 70km commute. I want to be comfortable and dry: you don't get that with cheap bib shorts and jackets.
I'll draw the following parallels - nobody gives about the price of any of the deep rim carbon wheelsets you see around. Nobody gives out about the price of high end framesets and believe me on my weekend rides I see more frames costing 2K plus than Rapha gear.
At the end of the day you pay for quality. It's the same as buying say Diesel jeans or Primark jeans.
When ever Rapha, a British company I might add, releases new gear there's always someone who has to be witty and clever buy highlighting the price.
Right so, rant over. I don't work for Rapha, I don't get paid to say good things baout them. I just believe in a company that produces high end products. I would rather spend my money on their gear than drop €2000 on a wheelset that I can't really justify.
Dogs are for life not for supper.
Best rob a bank
God I'm angry. Like fucking "Falling Down" Angry GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I'm a fool and my money will soon part...
I like Rapha stuff. I wish it was cheaper and I wish they did more regular sales one their products. It seems there are a lot of jealous types out there (who Blanche at the price). But we all place a value on things depending on our own life demands. I can understand that. If I won the lottery tomorrow I'd certainly upgrade my kit and bike.
Amen to that @notfastenough
Why are Rapha-lovers pissing and moaning about Rapha-haters pissing and moaning about the prices. It is a free country, if you don't want to hear others ridiculing the way you spend your money, then move to Beverly Hills, chum, or any of the parts of Cheshire, Essex or Surrey that aspire to a similar ethos, and savour the conspicuous consumption. What, can't afford that? Well too bad, it's called choice. Other places to live are available, you know, and at different prices.
Of course, in reality, the rich have driven house process up for everyone in recent decades, as they are now for cycling equipment and clothing.
2nd that boardmanrider 'Assos - Castelli'!!
All expensive kit but no one ever queries their quality, price yeah.. but once you actually purchase one of their items you never question it again because you see the difference. Rapha/Assos/Castelli they just do not compare to DHB or whoever - do what i do buy their winter gear in summer & vice versa - you'll see what the fuss is about & save your pennies for better standard gear
You must be really fast then…
Does the 76 in your name refer to your date of birth? Do you wear lycra? MAMILs eh?
I haven't got any Rapha kit btw, but I do have some Castelli stuff which cost considerably more than the equivalent Rapha item, and which is made in China, but they never seem to get any grief about how much it costs or where it's made or who wears it, nor Assoss - not that you ever see any reviews - but then I suppose that's what 'proper' riders like bikeboy76 wear
The other bit that justs make me laugh is how Rapha are always brought up on how their stuff is made in China, evil vindictive company that they are. Then go an hop on their bike which is made (unless it's a custom made) in China or Taiwan along with the comouter they used to type the rant.
don't agree, at least not on the bike part. the quality and selection of bikes and clothing in the low- to mid-range price points has never been better. they're pushing the higher end, granted. but if you don't want to spend that much, then don't.
post of the day
I disagree I think it is more a case of no one likes to admit they spent big cash on a pup..
I have bought plenty of Rapha kit full price and in the sale that was as good/bad [delete as appropriate] as any other mainstream cycle clothing manufacturer.
I recently had to return two pairs of fixed shorts, both had serious stitching failures. An early jersey that went from black to purple, a recent jersey due to laddering from the seams, a soft-shell due to seams failing… Other stuff I put up with or sold on the Bay.
I can't believe I am just unlucky…
+2
Kept me entertained.
I love posts about Rapha. Didn't even read this one and skipped straight to the usual comment mud slinging. Wasn't dissappinted either.
They are brilliant though. Makes me laugh. Even when the subjects not Rapha they'll be sure to sledgehammer it in.
Haters going to hate.
That was a record though, this time it only took 1 post to start the usual I hate Rapha but love my Aldi bibs, even though the pads in a funny place.
Polka Dot Silk Scarf (£50) Oooooooh lovely!
Love their stuff. I'm still wearing a long sleeve t-shirt I bought in 2008. During winter it gets washed a couple of times a week. And worn nearly every day. Colour still good. It has kept its shape as well. All the stuff I have fits well, better than other brands to be honest. People buy me gift cards. That helps. The kit simply looks smart rather than garish with large logos. I hate logos.
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