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#1
11-22-2021, 06:10 PM
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Simon Mottram stepping down as CEO of Rapha
Surprised that no one had posted anything about this earlier, but maybe no one cares (I'm not stating any investment, just the facts, ma'am). Ending his reign as CEO at the start of the new year but remaining on the board. New CEO William Kim has previous experience at Gucci, Burberry, AllSaints.
RCC members have … questions about the direction and fate of the club. 
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#3
11-22-2021, 06:19 PM
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#4
11-22-2021, 06:33 PM
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My comment on the original Rouleur Tweet.
Quote:
__________________
Atmo bis
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#5
11-22-2021, 06:37 PM
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#6
11-22-2021, 06:40 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Atmo bis
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#7
11-22-2021, 06:40 PM
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Well done, sir.
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#8
11-22-2021, 06:46 PM
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He started an industry, shaped what road cycling kit is today.
Rapha is a cycling brand, now is a fashion brand. Doesn't bode well for innovation or quality but... time will tell. Fashion brands haven't done well taking on cycling. I hope Mottram's influence continues...
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#9
11-22-2021, 06:58 PM
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#10
11-22-2021, 06:59 PM
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Yeah, agree. I have a real fondness for Rapha, admittedly I do not buy or wear their gear like I did 5-6-7 years ago, but it is good stuff and certain technical items they make are still my go to. That said, I do feel like they paved the way and subsequently lost their way. I don't say that with any ill feeling toward the brand, more just a sense of sadness? Maybe that's just part of the constant state of flux when it comes to business; it's easy to get to the top, hard to stay there.
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#11
11-23-2021, 02:07 PM
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Prior to Rapha, clean, understated jerseys were uncommon. And the use of Sportwool was only available from a handful of brands from England--oftentimes Rapha lookalikes. And for as "big" of a brand as Rapha is, they've managed to stay on the pulse of cycling by introducing new lines when certain disciplines became more popular. cyclocross in the late noughts - CX jersey randonneuring in the 2010s - Brevet bikepacking ~2017 - Explore mtb 2020 - mtb
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#12
11-23-2021, 02:23 PM
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I've always liked the brand. When they first came on the scene, their website was required reading. It was so different than anything out there.
I'd also say that, from my observations, prior to their simplistic/clean designs, kits in general where much more garish and busy. And, lots of "team" kit stuff out in the marketplace then as well. They definitely started a new wave in kit aesthetics.
__________________
Peg Mxxxxxo e Duende|Argo RM3|Hampsten|Crux
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#13
11-23-2021, 02:37 PM
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I guess he has enough FU money now and wants to slow down or move on to other projects.
No question Rapha made a significant contribution to the cycling garment industry, but they also helped manufacturers jack up their prices across the board. I've had their kit and for the money I prefer other brands for bibs/winter kit and absolutely not a big fan of their (to me) boring AF solid colour kits. Give me colour and give me patterns. Be bright, be seen! Interesting their incoming CEO's background. With Pinarello being bought out by the Louis Vuitton group a few years ago, and continued moves like this, the sport will lose (or has already lost) its roots in the working classes of northern europe. A somewhat expensive sport will just continue to get more and more expensive.
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#15
11-23-2021, 03:29 PM
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Not sure how widely known this is, but Simon has an autistic child and devotes a lot of time to charity work for autism (e.g., the annual Manchester-to-London ride benefits autism awareness, I forget the actual name of the charity).
I imagine that after stepping down he'll spend a good portion of his time on this, just a guess.
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Hybrid Mode
