View Full Version : LVMH to buy Rapha?
oldpotatoe
11-30-2016, 06:51 AM
On the way to world domination, I guess...:)
http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/lvmh-said-to-be-eyeing-yet-another-cycling-brand
Lovetoclimb
11-30-2016, 07:10 AM
Jaguar cars next
AngryScientist
11-30-2016, 07:12 AM
i wonder if some new top exec at LVMH is a roadie?
regardless of what people think of Rapha, they have done a lot for the sport at the enthusiast level. hosting cool "gentleman's rides", showing up to make espresso at events like d2r2, etc.
These are the types of things that could be smothered by corporate ownership, and hopefully LV allows them to continue these things if the acquisition goes through.
add Breitling watches to the list
add Breitling watches to the list
You're confusing Jaguar with Bentley.
OtayBW
11-30-2016, 07:20 AM
On the way to world domination, I guess...:)
http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/lvmh-said-to-be-eyeing-yet-another-cycling-brand
Make room on your right arm for the Rapha tattoo!! :banana:
William
11-30-2016, 07:21 AM
add Breitling watches to the list
:cool:
i wonder if some new top exec at LVMH is a roadie?
regardless of what people think of Rapha, they have done a lot for the sport at the enthusiast level. hosting cool "gentleman's rides", showing up to make espresso at events like d2r2, etc.
These are the types of things that could be smothered by corporate ownership, and hopefully LV allows them to continue these things if the acquisition goes through.
LVMH is a first rate company. Normally they let them continue with a small amount of change.
I know this, or I have been told this by people I know in the watch industry.
fuzzalow
11-30-2016, 08:04 AM
The one saving grace of all of the marketing and acculturation of the wellness category to cycling is to removal of the imagery, importance and behavioral norms of racing culture as the primary driver in cycling.
IMO from the point of view of any participant who desires to become active in a sport, the gross hyper-masculinity usually exhibited in cycling is a turn-off and the wrong image to build upon. I blame this on the repugnant role model that had predominated an era in cycling along with the reliance on pro cycling as the model and the mode of cycling in general. Somehow it became acceptable for any cyclist to throw any other cyclist under the figurative bus. Especially if the perpetrators were in their team kit or any other kind of emblem distinct to their own tribalism. An entire generation of cyclists eager to give "the look" to any other cyclist they encounter. Cycling, in its current incarnation as a participant activity, has an image problem.
Not every cyclist wants or needs affirmation of whatever they want everyone else to see that they have. Not everything is the competition of the race. People that do well in life, short of being an heir, know full well the demands of competition seen and experienced in all aspects of life. There is nothing more pathetic than a cyclist to sees every ride in the red mist of racing strangers who aren't complicit in his fantasy.
Cycling presented as a wellness activity can prosper because the competition is changed from being a confrontation between riders to improving fitness or some other aspect of oneself.
The one saving grace of all of the marketing and acculturation of the wellness category to cycling is to removal of the imagery, importance and behavioral norms of racing culture as the primary driver in cycling.
IMO from the point of view of any participant who desires to become active in a sport, the gross hyper-masculinity usually exhibited in cycling is a turn-off and the wrong image to build upon. I blame this on the repugnant role model that had predominated an era in cycling along with the reliance on pro cycling as the model and the mode of cycling in general. Somehow it became acceptable for any cyclist to throw any other cyclist under the figurative bus. Especially if the perpetrators were in their team kit or any other kind of emblem distinct to their own tribalism. An entire generation of cyclists eager to give "the look" to any other cyclist they encounter. Cycling, in its current incarnation as a participant activity, has an image problem.
Not every cyclist wants or needs affirmation of whatever they want everyone else to see that they have. Not everything is the competition of the race. People that do well in life, short of being an heir, know full well the demands of competition seen and experienced in all aspects of life. There is nothing more pathetic than a cyclist to sees every ride in the red mist of racing strangers who aren't complicit in his fantasy.
Cycling presented as a wellness activity can prosper because the competition is changed from being a confrontation between riders to improving fitness or some other aspect of oneself.
I agree with this to as high a degree as possible.
Being an elite-ish racer (not quite elite), I make sure to always do my part in being inclusive and friendly on the road. Besides for a closed ride, team or otherwise, there is absolutely no logical reason to be anything less than friendly and welcoming.
I also make sure to point out their stylistic faux pas for their own sake... :rolleyes:
echelon_john
11-30-2016, 08:51 AM
FWIW, I've spoken to founders of a couple of startups in the apparel business recently (non-cycling related) who have mentioned Rapha unprompted as a sterling example of lifestyle marketing & niche product development. So a part of the LVMH equation could be using the talent that developed Rapha to extend into other existing/new LVMH businesses; it's applicable beyond cycling.
FlashUNC
11-30-2016, 09:23 AM
The one saving grace of all of the marketing and acculturation of the wellness category to cycling is to removal of the imagery, importance and behavioral norms of racing culture as the primary driver in cycling.
IMO from the point of view of any participant who desires to become active in a sport, the gross hyper-masculinity usually exhibited in cycling is a turn-off and the wrong image to build upon. I blame this on the repugnant role model that had predominated an era in cycling along with the reliance on pro cycling as the model and the mode of cycling in general. Somehow it became acceptable for any cyclist to throw any other cyclist under the figurative bus. Especially if the perpetrators were in their team kit or any other kind of emblem distinct to their own tribalism. An entire generation of cyclists eager to give "the look" to any other cyclist they encounter. Cycling, in its current incarnation as a participant activity, has an image problem.
Not every cyclist wants or needs affirmation of whatever they want everyone else to see that they have. Not everything is the competition of the race. People that do well in life, short of being an heir, know full well the demands of competition seen and experienced in all aspects of life. There is nothing more pathetic than a cyclist to sees every ride in the red mist of racing strangers who aren't complicit in his fantasy.
Cycling presented as a wellness activity can prosper because the competition is changed from being a confrontation between riders to improving fitness or some other aspect of oneself.
Let's not forget that mentality is selling essentially a single use case for riding a bike. When we all know there's a universe of applications. Rapha, in its own way as a luxury brand, touched on this with their varying collections of brevet and commuter/city gear.
If you only sell riding as something aggro'd MAMILs do on Saturday mornings, that's the only buyer you'll attract.
MattTuck
11-30-2016, 09:27 AM
The founder(s) and investors need to get some liquidity, so I don't begrudge them for selling. Hopefully quality remains high, and prices do not shoot up.
While Rapha may have been a trail blazer in some of their positioning, there are more players now in that same space. Velocio for one, and many others with more limited product lines. I'm not sure the pricing power they have will allow them to move prices much higher.
pdmtong
11-30-2016, 04:22 PM
I like Rapha but if there was ONE THING THEY COULD DO BETTER it is to get their sizing consistent across lines. Why am I a medium in pro team training and a XL in the race cape?
LVMH - solid company. We can all drink some Louis XIII when deal closes.
ultraman6970
11-30-2016, 04:31 PM
Hmm... if now i cant pay for rapha, now is like 300% sure i wont be able to pay for it.
My other problem is that if rapha adopts the designs and colors of Louis Vuitton, then this stuff is not going to be to my liking at all. Besides stupidly expensive, just plain ugly.
pdmtong
11-30-2016, 05:03 PM
Hmm... if now i cant pay for rapha, now is like 300% sure i wont be able to pay for it.
rapha on sale is no different than capo. back in the early days the best deal was a coupon against a bundle no tax free ship...
ultraman6970
11-30-2016, 05:57 PM
Yeah but i cant even pay those super offers ;D I cant even pay for used rapha stuff :D
oldpotatoe
12-01-2016, 05:57 AM
I like Rapha but if there was ONE THING THEY COULD DO BETTER it is to get their sizing consistent across lines. Why am I a medium in pro team training and a XL in the race cape?
LVMH - solid company. We can all drink some Louis XIII when deal closes.
Think that's true of a lot of bike clothes makers. Castelli, Santini, Nalini all have wild variations in different items, even tho all are 'tops'. Vermark was impossible, when I sold it in the shop. I wore a XXXL jersey from them and altho 'big', not that big.
ultraman6970
12-01-2016, 06:53 AM
Oh consistency... it sucks, I do agree with that.
IMO it is easier for the companies to stay the sizing armpit to armpit, front and back lenght of the jerseys instead of giving you that bogus size chart that is always off for a lot in some cases because each design in each line brands change.
With bibs and short well, it might easier because after all lycra stretch and you kind'a make it work after all unless is really weird. Remember a vermark bib short i got on sale at CC, lenght as fine but the front was so short that my whole belly was off the piece, looked quite funny tho :D Racing cut/saving material type of things.
Back in the day, hmm... 90's when bibs and shorts started to show up with a lot of panels, no matter the brand the stuff was all the way up over your belly button. Even the pads were bigger :/
chiasticon
12-01-2016, 07:30 AM
IMO it is easier for the companies to stay the sizing armpit to armpit, front and back lenght of the jerseys instead of giving you that bogus size chart that is always off for a lot in some cases because each design in each line brands change.yeah the size chart for rapha pro team versus classic jerseys is exactly the same. but they fit completely different. this is a trend across all their lines.
it's astounding that a company who sells the majority of their product over the internet, and who got started doing that, can get away with this. and for sure they're not the only ones. just crazy that companies aren't better about this.
the good thing with rapha, sizing-wise, is that they do now have reviews on their website (although it took long enough). the reviews will generally tell you how things fit, if you need to size up, etc. plus they have a little graphic on the side which will let reviews state if it runs large/small.
ultraman6970
12-01-2016, 08:00 AM
English man follows more what marketing classes teach you, you have to adapt... italians are just well... italians... good stuff... it is what it is... you dont like it, well... we got your money already :D Maybe someday we will take in consideration your suggestions :D
Ah.. what about those chinese dudes selling stuff at ebay?? I read that pretty much if you are small you have to go like xxl in those things :)
fiamme red
12-01-2016, 08:15 AM
OP, in case you're looking for a new job, there are a number of vacancies in Boulder. :)
http://pages.rapha.cc/jobs
CLUBHOUSE BOULDER
Inventory Controller (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496902)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
RCC Coordinator/ Floor Lead (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496912)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Head Barista (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496907)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Floor Lead (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496900)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Assistant Manager (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496893)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Barista (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496904)
BOULDER, UNITED STATES
Clubhouse Associate (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496903)
BOULDER, UNITED STATES
oldpotatoe
12-01-2016, 08:50 AM
OP, in case you're looking for a new job, there are a number of vacancies in Boulder. :)
http://pages.rapha.cc/jobs
CLUBHOUSE BOULDER
Inventory Controller (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496902)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
RCC Coordinator/ Floor Lead (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496912)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Head Barista (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496907)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Floor Lead (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496900)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Assistant Manager (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496893)
BOULDER, NORTH AMERICA
Barista (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496904)
BOULDER, UNITED STATES
Clubhouse Associate (https://boards.greenhouse.io/rapha/jobs/496903)
BOULDER, UNITED STATES
Open Jan 1. Manager a buddy of mine. 3 doors down from Vecchio's. Gee, wonder if they want an old fart with a Campag tattoo??:eek:
I think it would be great fun and Rapha discounts to boot..
ultraman6970
12-01-2016, 12:27 PM
U lose nothing asking potato.
Open Jan 1. Manager a buddy of mine. 3 doors down from Vecchio's. Gee, wonder if they want an old fart with a Campag tattoo??:eek:
I think it would be great fun and Rapha discounts to boot..
I can see it now, someone comes in and asks about a ride and Peter gets talking to them; turns out they ride scram..... that's going down the wrong road.[emoji1]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
oldpotatoe
12-01-2016, 01:38 PM
I can see it now, someone comes in and asks about a ride and Peter gets talking to them; turns out they ride scram..... that's going down the wrong road.[emoji1]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's easy, I'll help them out....
......the door. :)
ojingoh
12-01-2016, 03:39 PM
FWIW, I've spoken to founders of a couple of startups in the apparel business recently (non-cycling related) who have mentioned Rapha unprompted as a sterling example of lifestyle marketing & niche product development. So a part of the LVMH equation could be using the talent that developed Rapha to extend into other existing/new LVMH businesses; it's applicable beyond cycling.
In apparel products I've been a part of, Rapha is the one sports apparel company that sits in with fashion brands pretty seamlessly.
And as far as brand logos go, it's really one of the best ones, and in this business, that's important.
The founder(s) and investors need to get some liquidity, so I don't begrudge them for selling.
Simon Mottram is a good entrepreneur. The business is executing well right now. It's a good time to sell.
livingminimal
12-02-2016, 08:20 AM
the good thing with rapha, sizing-wise, is that they do now have reviews on their website (although it took long enough). the reviews will generally tell you how things fit, if you need to size up, etc. plus they have a little graphic on the side which will let reviews state if it runs large/small.
The reviews and the ease of returns and overall customer service make this much easier.
I did a sizable order the day before Thanksgiving. I received it on Saturday during a holiday week. I kept most of the stuff, but returned two pieces. Then I wanted one back. They did all of this returning and re-shipping free. of. charge. Did I mention they were Black Friday sale items? Including $150 classic thermal bibs, which strikes me as a lot cheaper than many other brands (seen MAAP's prices lately?) For a week you could get a core or classic jersey for $80 or $90. For the quality, that's pretty insane.
Anyway, the time delays without gear aren't great, but it isn't a huge deal. The service is so good.
What is annoying, is that I just sent back two pieces, both bibs, for repairs that were less than a year old. Both were bought at on-site archive sales (Los Angeles and Portland), so I dunno if its a second quality thing or what...good news is, the repairs exist. I had to fight Voler to repair a pair of their high-end bibs a couple of years ago. Repairs are still free on these items despite their age.
I used to be a Rapha-hater (Chiasticon can testify:o) but now, I am whittling down my entire kit dressing rack to my race team/myLBS/Rapha.
Mikej
12-02-2016, 12:17 PM
I agree with this to as high a degree as possible.
Being an elite-ish racer (not quite elite), I make sure to always do my part in being inclusive and friendly on the road. Besides for a closed ride, team or otherwise, there is absolutely no logical reason to be anything less than friendly and welcoming.
I also make sure to point out their stylistic faux pas for their own sake... :rolleyes:
I concur with this - always wave, you may need a tube or 4mm from one of those guys one day...
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