New Rapha product

[redir]

This thread is a slippery slope.

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

i'm sure they will release the women's line of their new kit soon John. Rapha seems to be doing a ton for women's cycling. More than any other single co-ed organization that i have seen.

i would say at least 50% of their social media presence is women focused, as well as a very solid product line for both sexes.

they also sponsor plenty of teams, and put on great women's events.

i dont think it's fair to throw equality stones at Rapha, given how much effort they seem to be putting in, at least from the viewpoint of this casual observer.

Just for the record, Rapha was founded in 2004, and they didn't introduce a women's line until March 2010. I suppose that at some point they realized that women were cyclists too.

It's all about money, not equality.

[chiasticon]

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

It's all about money, not equality.

i dont necessarily believe that's true, and i also dont believe the two need to be mutually exclusive. i follow a bunch of women who seem very happy with their level of current Rapha support.

it's quite fashionable rtoday to criticize non-inclusive organizations, i just happen to believe that it is misplaced to throw stones at Rapha, because they appear to be doing things well, right now.

[echelon_john]

Fair point, Nick.

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

i dont necessarily believe that's true, and i also dont believe the two need to be mutually exclusive. i follow a bunch of women who seem very happy with their level of current Rapha support.

it's quite fashionable rtoday to criticize non-inclusive organizations, i just happen to believe that it is misplaced to throw stones at Rapha, because they appear to be doing things well, right now.

[dbnm]

Keep in mind, we are talking about cycling clothing, not health care or fair pay or some other topic.

Just this morning Rapha announced the Women 100 ride that will take place on September 15.

There are currently 42+ products for women on the Rapha site. Yes it's less than what the men have but I suspect this has more to do with the buying market than some other sexiest BS thing.

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by echelon_john

In a men's model only, continuing a long tradition of clothing for women without pockets, because, really, what could they possibly need to carry that won't fit in a purse?

So you're saying that this is going to lead to banana envy?

Kidding, of course.

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

i dont necessarily believe that's true, and i also dont believe the two need to be mutually exclusive. i follow a bunch of women who seem very happy with their level of current Rapha support.

it's quite fashionable rtoday to criticize non-inclusive organizations, i just happen to believe that it is misplaced to throw stones at Rapha, because they appear to be doing things well, right now.

If anyone thinks they can serve the female cycling market better than the existing companies out there, they are free to start a company to deliver on that vision, and reap all the available profits.

[denapista]

C'mon...... Hideous

[ptourkin]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Not gonna say anymore than that..we'll see how this thread goes-

For all the people falling for this clickbait pic without reading about the product - the side pockets may have questionable utility but there are a series of rear pockets in the position that jersey pockets would normally have. Many of use who do bikepacking/multi-day endurance events have wished for something like this. I bikepack in bibs for long days in the saddle, but frequently wear a regular shirt instead of restrictive jersey. This set up is very close to what we've asked for.

A journalist friend who has a tester has good reports about these.

Now go back to reacting to that picture and repeating Rapha snark.

[fiamme red]

I hate having things in my pants pockets when cycling.

Rapha has now jumped the shark.

[EDS]

Those bibs will be well received by triathletes as they, as a group, seem to prefer shorts/bibs with pockets.

[tculbreath]

Originally Posted by denapista

C'mon...... Hideous

HAHA!!! Exactly!

[CNY rider]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

I like my rapha stuff.... but c'mon. The banana would be mush by the time you got to it.

Nope there's a secret inside pocket you keep your little blue pill in......

[mt2u77]

I'm trying to think of a time when I'd stuff something in a side pocket (where it will be dead moving weight/jangle/rub/I'd have to stop pedaling to fish it out) vs. one of three relatively stationary, out of the wind jersey pockets-- nope, not coming up with it.

[kppolich]

Laminated maps, gel pack, camera/phone quick pocket