Introducing (or Reintroducing) Rapha
If you read nothing else in this post, read this: Rapha is back at Contender Bicycles. Chances are that if you are reading this and are into road riding, you have heard of Rapha. If your non-cyclist friend is into fashion, chances are that they've heard of Rapha as well. For all of their notoriety, the fact of the matter is that they make fantastic clothing for cyclists on and off the bike. And when Rapha came to us with a proposal to put their brand in our shop, we knew pretty quickly what the answer would be. As title sponsor to the British UCI Continental team Rapha-Condor from 2005 to 2012, and current sponsors to WorldTour team Canyon-SRAM since 2016 and EF Education First Pro Cycling-Cannondale from 2019, Rapha is proud to work with the sport's best athletes to produce some of the best apparel on the market. 
What is perhaps most surprising is how little of a focus there is on apparel, but the "Rapha language". Their photography, unlike most brands, has a consistent message and tone to it that falls right in line with their goals as a brand. One can even see it at their Rapha Clubhouses; with 25 varying clubhouses all over the world, RCC members can stop in for coffee, a rental bike, or a group ride. Most of all one can see it in their apparel, which manages to tie the heights of cycling's past with a technologically-advanced future. 
And about the clothing: Rapha walks the walk and talks the talk. Some fashion-forward cycling brands look good but fall on their face as nothing more than basic lycra and a pad. Other brands are quality but lack visual flair. Rapha manages to do both; their entry-level Core Jersey manages to feel luxurious and fit impressively when those things can be surprisingly lacking in the competition. As for their higher-tech stuff, like the Pro Team line? It is truly excellent apparel, literally a cut above the rest. 
Rest assured that we are already in Rapha gear. Check out our first look at the Pro Team Winter kit HERE. We are excited to add in Rapha to our wide range of apparel brands, including Assos, Giordana, Giro, and Pearl Izumi. Come by any time, check out our gear, and ask us why we are so stoked to have them here. Send us an email with any questions.
What is perhaps most surprising is how little of a focus there is on apparel, but the "Rapha language". Their photography, unlike most brands, has a consistent message and tone to it that falls right in line with their goals as a brand. One can even see it at their Rapha Clubhouses; with 25 varying clubhouses all over the world, RCC members can stop in for coffee, a rental bike, or a group ride. Most of all one can see it in their apparel, which manages to tie the heights of cycling's past with a technologically-advanced future. And about the clothing: Rapha walks the walk and talks the talk. Some fashion-forward cycling brands look good but fall on their face as nothing more than basic lycra and a pad. Other brands are quality but lack visual flair. Rapha manages to do both; their entry-level Core Jersey manages to feel luxurious and fit impressively when those things can be surprisingly lacking in the competition. As for their higher-tech stuff, like the Pro Team line? It is truly excellent apparel, literally a cut above the rest. Rest assured that we are already in Rapha gear. Check out our first look at the Pro Team Winter kit HERE. We are excited to add in Rapha to our wide range of apparel brands, including Assos, Giordana, Giro, and Pearl Izumi. Come by any time, check out our gear, and ask us why we are so stoked to have them here. Send us an email with any questions.