Everything You Need to Know About Rapha
Since its founding in London in 2004, Rapha has established itself as one of the most influential brands in modern cycling. Renowned for its approach blending performance, elegance and innovation, it designs clothing and accessories for demanding cyclists, whether they ride on the road, tackle gravel or head out on long bike adventures.
Today, Rapha equips amateur riders and professional athletes alike. Each collection is built around a precise goal: to deliver optimal comfort, a fit perfectly tailored to riding a bike, and technical fabrics able to meet the demands of every riding condition.
At Steel Cyclewear, a curated selection of Rapha collections is available for men and women, with jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, base layers, accessories and equipment designed to support every ride, from daily training to the most demanding races.
The story of Rapha
Founded by Simon Mottram in 2004, Rapha was born from a simple observation: the cycling clothing available at the time often prioritised performance at the expense of style and comfort. Passionate about European cycling culture, its founder wanted to create a brand capable of celebrating cycling in all its forms, while offering high-end technical equipment.
The name Rapha is inspired by the word “Rapha”, used by the 1960s Italian Carpano team to describe the final effort needed to drop rivals on a climb. This reference perfectly captures the brand's DNA: pushing your limits with elegance.
Over the years, Rapha has done much to modernise the image of cycling by combining minimalist design, innovative materials and storytelling built around the riding experience. Its commitment to cycling communities, its group rides and the creation of the Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) have strengthened its reputation among enthusiasts worldwide.
Now present in many countries, Rapha continues to innovate by developing technical clothing suited to every discipline, from road to gravel, while keeping the understated, timeless style that made its name.
Why choose Rapha?
Rapha is renowned for the quality of its products and the care given to every detail. The garments are developed with technical fabrics selected for their breathability, moisture-wicking ability, stretch and durability. The cuts are specifically designed for the cyclist's position to minimise wrinkling and improve comfort over several hours in the saddle.
Rapha bib shorts are among the benchmarks on the market thanks to their chamois pads, developed to provide excellent support and reduce pressure points over long distances. The jerseys, meanwhile, feature high-performance fabrics that promote ventilation while ensuring the rear pockets hold their shape, even when loaded.
The attention paid to the finishing touches is also a signature of the brand. Discreet seams, silicone gripper bands, quality zips, reflective details and elegant colourways all help make every product as high-performing as it is refined.
This constant pursuit of balance between technicality, comfort and design explains why Rapha has become an essential reference for cyclists seeking premium clothing suited to every kind of riding.
The Rapha collections
Rapha develops several collections that address specific needs. Each has its own identity and speaks to a particular type of cyclist. This segmentation makes it easy to choose the equipment best suited to your level, the length of your rides and the weather conditions.
Rapha Core: accessible performance
The Core collection is the gateway into the world of Rapha. Designed to offer the essence of the brand's know-how at excellent value for money, it is aimed at cyclists who ride regularly and want clothing that is comfortable, durable and high-performing.
Core jerseys use breathable fabrics that manage perspiration well, while Core bib shorts feature a quality chamois pad that guarantees lasting comfort on daily rides. The range's jackets, gilets and accessories complete an ideal kit for training, leisure rides or your first sportives.
The Core collection is especially popular with cyclists looking to discover the Rapha universe without compromising on quality.
Rapha Pro Team: built for performance
Developed in collaboration with professional riders, the Pro Team collection represents the highest level of performance at Rapha. Every garment is designed to optimise aerodynamics, reduce friction and support the most intense efforts.
Pro Team jerseys adopt a close-fitting cut and use ultralight fabrics that promote airflow. The bib shorts feature compressive materials that support the muscles while ensuring excellent stability thanks to ergonomic straps and a premium chamois pad.
The range also includes the Pro Team Training line, designed for intensive everyday training, Pro Team Lightweight, ideal for high heat, as well as garments made specifically for winter conditions.
Aimed at racers and the most demanding cyclists alike, the Pro Team collection strikes a remarkable balance between lightness, support and performance.
Rapha Brevet: for ultra-distance
Designed for long bike adventures, the Brevet collection meets the needs of Audax riders, long-distance touring and road bike travel.
Brevet garments stand out with their extra pockets, high-visibility reflective elements and fabrics able to maintain their performance over several hours, or even several days of effort.
This collection prioritises above all comfort, practicality and the ability to ride for a long time in varied conditions, without sacrificing material quality or Rapha's distinctive style.
Rapha Explore: gravel and adventure
The Explore collection is designed for cyclists who love to leave the tarmac behind and set off on an adventure. Dedicated to gravel, bikepacking and long explorations, it combines ruggedness, freedom of movement and functionality.
Explore garments use abrasion-resistant fabrics, cuts suited to varied terrain and practical storage solutions to easily carry the essentials. Shorts, jerseys, jackets and accessories are made to support off-road rides, bike trips and multi-day adventures.
Explore perfectly reflects Rapha's ambition to offer technical equipment adapted to the new ways of riding, while retaining the elegance and quality that define the brand.
