Endura and Rapha changes

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I can't agree. The first pair of track mitts that I ever bought were made by Endura. The stitching started to self-destruct within three weeks of purchase and I never bought from them again.

Have to say, this has been my experience of Endura gloves at least. Had a few pairs to try and give them the benefit of the doubt but none of them last beyond 6 or 7 months before I have worn through the materials and stitching has disintegrated. I did have some bibs which were a great fit and really comfy but again not that long lasting, maybe two years of wear at best (I ride a lot).

I know a lot of people complain about the price of Rapha but I have owned a lot of kit from a lot of manufacturers down the years and just for me personally, nothing comes close to lasting as long as Rapha kit, including Assos, Castelli etc., so long term it has been a sound investment. Have to admit I have not tried Le Col or Lusso as mentioned on this thread though.

 

[Pblakeney]

Have to say, this has been my experience of Endura gloves at least. Had a few pairs to try and give them the benefit of the doubt but none of them last beyond 6 or 7 months before I have worn through the materials and stitching has disintegrated. I did have some bibs which were a great fit and really comfy but again not that long lasting, maybe two years of wear at best (I ride a lot).

I know a lot of people complain about the price of Rapha but I have owned a lot of kit from a lot of manufacturers down the years and just for me personally, nothing comes close to lasting as long as Rapha kit, including Assos, Castelli etc., so long term it has been a sound investment. Have to admit I have not tried Le Col or Lusso as mentioned on this thread though.

I have to agree with this, and probably ties in with falling quality. I am still regularly using a pair of original Pro Team Sky bibs (2011/2012?) which are still in very good condition except the Rapha logo which is partially pealing. More recent purchases of the Core bibs (admittedly lower level) will only last a couple of years.
Assos and Castelli bibs have fallen by the wayside while the Sky bibs just keep on going. Le Col are lasting fairly well but are used less so we'll see. Lusso seem to be excellent quality but I've not had them long enough for a long term test.
Another brands that are lasting the test of time is RedWhite while Mesh7 are high quality and seem to be lasting well.

 

[Happy_Days]

brands that are lasting the test of time is RedWhite while Mesh7 are high quality and seem to be lasting well.

I’ll add another vote for 7Mesh being high quality. Plus, 7Mesh jersey pockets are the best I’ve used.

 

[Happy_Days]

I am in the minority that I don't believe quality has gone down, it is still some of the best made and long lasting kit

I reckon today’s quality varies by product; for example, their current merino base layers remain outstanding in quality and longevity.

But Rapha also sells some stuff that feels cheap despite their high prices. And my Endura jacket – half the cost of its Rapha equivalent – felt twice as well-made as the jackets I saw in Rapha’s London store.

Plus, it’s taking the Mickey to charge £275 for a summer jersey or £225 for a gilet, although Rapha isn’t the only pricing piss-taker.

PS Did I mention that Rapha charges £275 for a jersey?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You’ve got to be careful when discussing quality that it’s like for like. There’s been a lightweight revolution over the years. A waterproof that weighed 1kg, may only be 200g now etc. Same with base layers, insulation everything has got lighter. Would I expect a 200g jacket to last as long as a 1kg one? Absolutely not. But I know which I’d prefer to be wearing, and is the more comfortable.

Also to add, quality doesn’t mean it needs to survive a direct nuclear strike.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I reckon today’s quality varies by product; for example, their current merino base layers remain outstanding in quality and longevity.

But Rapha also sells some stuff that feels cheap despite their high prices. And my Endura jacket – half the cost of its Rapha equivalent – felt twice as well-made as the jackets I saw in Rapha’s London store.

Plus, it’s taking the Mickey to charge £275 for a summer jersey or £225 for a gilet, although Rapha isn’t the only pricing piss-taker.

PS Did I mention that Rapha charges £275 for a jersey?

Very true, I have two merino BL that are 15 years old and they are still like new.

You certainly have a valid point on pricing, but as @Ming the Merciless points out, it is difficult to start comparing like for like, or assuming that a very high price cannot be justified. The £275 ghost jersey is clearly something targeted at racers looking for that 1% extra and are happy to pay way above the odds for it. I have no idea if that item delivers that performance or justifies the price tag, but some will feel it is (like you, I would probably disagree!).

When we are talking in the context of Rapha as a company struggling financially, I would say jerseys like that are part of the issue. Rapha are a consumer brand, they don't need to be selling ludicrously expensive performance racewear, it doesn't make sense to me as I doubt they shift many units. I would strip it back to the classic range and a focussed Pro Team range that is a step up in price but still within some level of reason.

 

[freiston]

Out of all the brands mentioned in this thread so far, I've only ever bought Decathlon, Endura and Galibier. I haven't bought much cycling specific clothing from Decathlon but I do wear their "hiking" clothing on and off the bike. I don't wear "typical" cycling apparel: the skin tight lycra look is something I don't do but I do still wear stuff designed for cycling. All my cycling trousers and gloves/mitts are Endura - unlike others on this thread, I have not had any problems with the quality and find them all hard wearing and serviceable. My rain jackets are Galibier. I like the Endura Hummvee and Firefly (sadly no longer made) style of trousers. I do think that the latest iterations have taken a turn to looking more like cycling sportswear (MTB) than the "mufti" look that I prefer but even then, they're miles ahead of others in what I want - so I will be very disappointed if Endura fold. I will have to take a look at Lusso, from the praise they get here.

 

[Happy_Days]

Currently, Rapha has a half-price sale, plus an additional 10% reduction with the code “EXTRA10”.

It looks like Rapha’s biggest clearance sale yet.

I guess Rapha has excess stock to clear, a sales target to hit before April’s financial year-end, or a working capital issue.

 

[ianrauk]

Currently, Rapha has a half-price sale, plus an additional 10% reduction with the code “EXTRA10”.

It looks like Rapha’s biggest clearance sale yet.

I guess Rapha has excess stock to clear, a sales target to hit before April’s financial year-end, or a working capital issue.

As said earlier in the thread. A good few other high end clothing companies are also heavily discounting. As you said, probably to clear old lines and to make some cash.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Currently, Rapha has a half-price sale, plus an additional 10% reduction with the code “EXTRA10”.

It looks like Rapha’s biggest clearance sale yet.

I guess Rapha has excess stock to clear, a sales target to hit before April’s financial year-end, or a working capital issue.

It also strangely undermines Fran Millar, the new CEO, whole pitch that they are moving away from regular sales as it undermines the brand and their pricing. I bought two jerseys, paying around £130 total when the full retail was north of £300. Great for consumers, but we all now know to wait it out for a sale and not buy at full price, which is probably a large contributing factor to their ever increasing downturn.

 

[Happy_Days]

It also strangely undermines Fran Millar, the new CEO, whole pitch that they are moving away from regular sales as it undermines the brand and their pricing.

That was my thought, too. Rapha’s CEO was unequivocal about moving away from regular sales:

https://www.ft.com/content/8b55d109-1507-4cfe-a752-1451f802aa96

 

[katiewlx]

well arguably its not a regular sale, its simply an ongoing fire sale at the moment

and its crazy because their sale prices just bring things down to what I consider normal prices, and theres still nothing I would buy from them, Id rather spend the same amount of money on another brands kit that I actually liked.

 

[Happy_Days]

Endura currently (31st January) has an extra 20% off its outlet items. The code is EXTRA20.

 

[DCLane]

Le Col has been sold to the Head Group, which might explain the staffing changes: https://road.cc/news/le-col-bought-by-head-group

Moving out of the UK to Milan