Rapha release long sleeve Country Jerseys

Road.cc I do love it when you feature Rapha - my entertainment for a Monday morning sorted....

If I was going to stump up that kind of cash, and given our current exceptional talent - I want to wear British colours - in a discreet and tasteful way. Not another nations.

Each to their own I guess...

Rapha are VERY, VERY GOOD at marketing, I think the head guy comes from a Branding background, they know their onions .. but the ddomsayers should realise that they do put an awful lot back into cycling and British cycling in particular..

I never pay full price for Rapha as I simply cannae justify that expense.

What I will say though as someone who owns quite a few pieces (Long Sleeve Jersey, Short Sleeve Jersey, Knee Warmers, Cap, Gilet, 2 pairs Touring Shorts, 1 pair 3/4 Fixed shorts, Essentials Wallet, Socks - Jesus, I just realised I sound like a fanboy now ...) is that most of it is VERY GOOD quality, I'd question how on earth they justify the Gilet price though TBH. Most of that was purchased for around a 1/3rd or retail price at Sample Sales.

The Touring Shorts are lovely and my LS Jersey (picked up at Sample Sale in Manny for just £35) is pure quality.

Seriously, comparing ALDI/LIDL kit (I have a LIDL gilet which is quite nice actually) is ridiculous ... It's chalk and cheese.

For anyone who balks at the price, get thee to a sample sale, you will pick up some REAL bargains.

I've said it before as well, TORM make some very good quality Sportswool jerseys, I have their stuff also, I'd recommend it to anyone.

As others have said, I have other kit too, but am very happy with my Rapha gear, buy what you like, buy what you can afford..

PS - I don't work for them ... although if they have jobs for unemployable Graphic Designers I'd be more than happy to ..

I love how people reluctantly justify why they are going to buy Rapha stuff. They know it is incredibly pretentious, but they just can't resist the quality!

Team JVA put it perfectly for me:

http://internationale.teamjva.com/

im not going to lie, i will be buying the french one, looks stunning! why the hell not.

From experience unless your built like Brad and have shoulders I find these half zippers hard to get on and off.
That's why anything Rapha I buy has to have a full length zip I'm afraid.

Rapha's long sleeve jersey and the Country jersey both have full length zips, so I'm surprised they made this without one.

I'd go small Paul. It's no hassle to change anyway if it's wrong, they've got great customer service.

Crosshouses - probably not, laws of finishing returns and all that. It is good though. The fit is spot on for me, I like the styling of a lot of their stuff and they do the job they're advertised for. I've only got 2 or 3 bits of theirs mixed in my collection but I will be getting more here and there - I find Sportwool too warm for summer anyway.

They look great, especially the light blue, but a little too expensive although I have to admit I am tempted. At 5'9 and 145 pounds, would I be looking at a medium?

As a newbie who didn't know whether cycling was just a passing fad for me I didn't feel justified in buying 'proper' kit, so most of what I wear on the bike comes from Aldi - mixed in with kit from my distance running days.

Is a Rapha jersey really more than 10 times better than an Aldi product?

Nice one Nick T! I use some Aldi clothing stuff or whatever I can get cheap...and a 4 year old ali bike. I also count my pennies and I'm fine with that. If I had the money I would probably splash out on stuff and not give two flying fcuks about what people think!

Blue skies all!

I like them. I think I'll buy one. I don't give two steaming plops what anyone thinks as a result. It's a Veblen product, how about you get over it, carry on cycling in your Aldi or whatever and stop complaining bout how other people spend their money.

Nice - but I shalln;t be buying one.
I suspect they'd sell more than twice as many at half the price and make more than twice the profit.

Herohirst +1
Assos is even more, and is a bit too much for me, but I don't deride people who wear it. I do use Rapha kit, but think I've only paid full price for one item. I bought a shedload of gear from a sample sale, and am waiting patiently for the weather to cool before I can use some of it. The long sleeve jersey is great, so comfortable and versatile. Paired with a base layer, it worked down to pretty cold temps in the winter, and still looks new.

Loving the Belgian version.

...but I've got jerseys from 10 and 15 years ago, all still perfectly functional that even in those heady days cost far far less.

Using 'value for money' in defence of a company who use high price as a way of positioning themselves in the market is a wee bit silly in my opinion.

Along with many others, my problem with Rapha is related to the appropriation of cycling history in an attempt to sell clothes. They pretend to be part of it to sell stuff. It's classic, it's extremely successful, but it's still pretending. They are a fashion brand, just like all the 'established in 1870' logos splashed across the high street.

SERIOUS question here:
How many of the RaphaCynics out there have ever bought and used one of their Jerseys? My black Classic Jersey (short sleeve with arm warmers) is now 6 years old and has around 15,000 miles of sweat and commuting abuse lodged in it's fibres. It has bronzed a bit over the shoulders but is still going very strong. Holding it's shape. Not badly worn anywhere. Really soft and comfortable. Layer it appropriately and it suits all seasons.

Overall then, pretty exceptional value for money, and still going.

I know they keep producing some outrageous items (keeps getting them in the news I suppose) but the basics are seriously good long term value for money - you get what you pay for. Why do people have such a problem with that?? Seriously. If it's not for you then fair enough but the moaning is getting predictably dull isn't it?

PS: No, I dont work for them. I don't have an overpaid job in finance. Yes I make all my bike related purchases very carefully and have to make every penny count. Buy yourself one in their sample sale for Altura money (I wont tell anyone you did it).

according to their website a mere £140. think i will get one of each

Why not just spin the French one upside down and call it the "British" on. To match the national champ's jersey.......But they get GTF with their prices

Ooh, I'm first, I'm first...

Here goes...

How much?