Rapha Teases MTB Line, Coming June 2021

May 14, 2021
by Sarah Moore  


Rapha announced plans to launch a mountain bike apparel line back in January of 2020, and we've seen the likes of Jill Kintner and Eliot Jackson teasing some of the new mountain bike apparel on social media, but until today, we didn't know when it would be available for purchase.




Now, it seems like we’re very close to finally seeing the product line up with the brand announcing that Rapha Performance Trailwear coming sometime in June 2021 at the end of the above video.

The brand has also kicked off a brand new mountain bike focused Instagram account here and have a Rapha MTB landing page on their website.

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155 Comments
  • 159 0
 I hope the colors match my new Kenevo SL! /s
  • 16 0
 [ insert lawsuit joke here ]
  • 156 14
 Ah yes, nothing will Grow Cycling quite like a $200 sweatshirt.
  • 83 1
 Oh, you’ve chosen the cheap Rapha top then?
  • 20 2
 I'm sure there will be some sort of positive spin put on that one. I hope he's compensated well for the deal & it helps him stay afloat financially so he can grow his foundation.

I actually have a half dozen sarcastic opulence jokes in my pocket, but I'm taking the fake high road.
  • 16 1
 @blowmyfuse: I support what Eliot is trying to do with the foundation. I just do not see where the bougiest of cycling brands fits into the picture.
  • 24 1
 $200?? What special discount code are you using?
  • 23 0
 Pretty expensive for a brand owned by Walmart, i'll wait till they roll back these prices.
  • 7 0
 @nyhc00: I only rock Viathon gear
  • 6 1
 @nyhc00: How else do you build an area with no mountains into the mountain biking capitol of the world?
  • 6 4
 @HB208: I assumed it was from "thoughts & prayers".
  • 3 0
 @nyhc00: I think it is actually by having the tourism board say it.
  • 6 1
 @nyhc00: "i'll wait till they roll back these prices" underrated comment.
  • 1 0
 75$ sweatshirt
  • 1 0
 @nyhc00: tots and pears.
  • 74 0
 the perfect kit for when you're riding your $15k e-bike
  • 7 0
 That was my EXACT first thought LMAO
  • 6 0
 Except Rapha was originally all about the old roadie thing of loving to suffer, not sure it quite fits
  • 9 0
 @Monkeyfcuker: I'm guessing Rapha has run out of roadies to price gouge.
  • 3 0
 @captainderp: not really no. There are legion. And really in road kit they prices are nothing unusual. Plus from my experience mostly well done, well fitting and technical.
  • 42 0
 That will impress my barista
  • 38 0
 Rapha single-handedly changed the road biking apparel scene. Many new companies exist in that space now with a clean, elegant aesthetic, and not all of them are ridiculously expensive. I hope the same happens in MTB, I'm bored of the same brands doing the same moto-inspired stuff year in and year out (and I myself am a moto guy).

My grandad would have called you a f**king idiot for paying $5 for a cup of coffee. But apparently there's a market for $5 coffees, so let companies sell $5 coffees and let people who enjoy coffee, buy $5 coffees.
  • 3 0
 That's a good point
  • 7 0
 Most of my Rapha road kit is still relevant and usable half a decade later. Same can't be said for my flouro TLD mtn bike stuff. The Randonee shorts are some of the best casual shorts I have. Subtle marking means only avid cyclist gear whores would know you're wearing cycling shorts
  • 5 5
 How do we know that your grandad isn’t a f*cking idiot though?
  • 4 0
 i think the sleek dark look is already coming into style. The ~in~ crowd near me is rocking the tight fitting all black sleek look that you see on rapha road kits.
  • 2 0
 @gonecoastal: I have a couple pairs of the randonee shorts which I'm able to wear on the bike and off. The same can't be said for my 100% bike shorts which have an obnoxious logo down the side and guess what... they cost the same as the Rapha shorts.
  • 1 0
 @Nerra: I just wore my commuter Tee for a short road ride. Really knocked the design outta the park with that one. It has some nidden reflective details on the lower back, good length so MUNT isn't exposed. The sleeves have a proper length and cut to them that they don't flip up at speed. And its a full weave shirt, as I don't like the mesh weave as it lets too much air in.
  • 36 0
 Raph-ah yes, the brand so widely mocked and disparaged in other genres of cycling that I've actually heard of it despite not taking any interest in road/gravel/touring/fixie/track/etc.
  • 11 1
 Rapha is also disparaged by the road crowd a bit, FWIW. It seems to have particular appeal to people with a lot of money but not a lot of skill. I think its quality gear though. Albeit a bit overpriced.
  • 2 0
 @HB208: ya looks like nice enough stuff. Just an unfortunate image - at least to those of us who can't afford it, haha
  • 3 0
 @HB208: I have one of those traits, should I only wear one leg of the shorts

(about all I could afford)
  • 1 0
 @HB208: common place to see dudes in shop in full Rapha kit, but riding a Canyon... maybe he´s trying to be ironic, but i doubt it.
  • 3 0
 @HB208: when I knew a guy who knew a guy I got some kit on bro-deal and can confirm it was/is high quality stuff.
  • 2 1
 @Bustacrimes: FWIW, I'd buy a canyon road bike just because they are the best bikes for the price. As good as anything another manufacturer makes, so doesn't feel like a compromise. I think I'll buy a gravel bike though. Getting hit by a car on the road is not attractive.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: Yeah stay off the roads mate Smile

I think that was my point - Canyon is not the most "aspirational" road bike brand, but offer excellent value. You´d think that same guy would see through the rapha pricing and look for similar value in clothing.
  • 1 0
 @Bustacrimes: For sure. But going from a $70 jersey to $140 jersey is different than going from a $3k canyon to a $4500 specialized or $5k Cervelo.
  • 4 0
 Haha ya. It's mocked but... actually great stuff.

It's definitely not "cool" but I've participated in every discipline (and raced in most, albeit unsuccessfully) and appreciate it.

I have a long-sleeve wool winter baselayer with built-in hood that gets used almost every weekend through the winter. Backcountry skiing, gravel riding, mountain biking...
  • 1 0
 @Bustacrimes: It’s because Rapha kits the Canyon/SRAM pro team.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: Just not an Aeroad, apparently
  • 33 0
 Cool...but I'm probably too broke to afford any of this
  • 9 1
 Yup, waiting on the pricing. If a jersey is like $50-60, I might pick some up. $100? NAH.
  • 9 0
 @HB208: pro move is to wait until it hits the archive sale area. I have a few of their adventure tee’s, normally $95 and I snagged them for $45. My rule is $50 under for jerseys, $70 under shorts.
  • 4 0
 @daugherd: Yeah, I have noticed Rapha stuff gets discounted ever so often. I know its quality, but man, it is expensive. I'll pick up some road jerseys on sale once I buy a gravel bike.
  • 7 0
 @HB208: By far my Rapha gear is the nicest wearing stuff I have but could never bring myself to pay full price. It's just wildly expensive and they do the archive sales stuff frequently enough you can snag some goods pretty easily.
  • 3 0
 @HB208: Brevet jersey and cargo bibs are top notch items.
  • 3 0
 @pandafoo: Same. Their entry level road jerseys aren't TOO bad. At least in comparison to other manufacturers. We shall see on MTB. I paused this video a few times and do like the simple designs, but won't pay out the ass for them.
  • 2 0
 I better ask for 20-30k more on my home refinance.
  • 2 0
 @pandafoo: That what I found with road stuff. Mountain bike clothing (at least as it is now) seems the same all around. it scuks to pay 200$ for some bike shorts and $150 for a jersey, but damn it's worth it quality wise.
  • 3 0
 @HB208: gravel bikes are outstanding. Just got home fro a ride on my aspero. Actually wearing rapha bibs and t-shirt jersey. Probably spent $120 for the whole kit. What I really like is free repairs and size down discount. Lose weight and you get a hefty discount on the smaller size. I ripped a jersey in a crash and they fixes it up for free.
  • 29 0
 I own two Rapha items. POUR YOUR DISDAIN UPON ME!!
  • 6 0
 Bro, you some rich tech hipster dork?
  • 19 0
 I read that in my best Def Leppard voice.
  • 5 0
 IN THE NAME OF LOVE
  • 7 0
 Well I currently own three 2x4s, outright. Bow down to me, peasant
  • 2 0
 (yokes, obviously). Hopefully the lumber market is as insane rn over in Europe so this makes sense over there
  • 2 0
 @garneau565: I'm still saving for a 3/4" 4x8. Shit is TO THE MOON
  • 2 0
 @HB208: I have a road bike and a steel single speed riser bar city masher....so yes.
  • 25 3
 80% of Pinkbike comments:

Man, I wish a brand would to thing X (non-flashy mtb kit in this case)

Brand does thing X

No, not like this- f*cking dentists!!
  • 20 1
 Rapha road gear is good quality good looking kit, if the Mtb stuff is similar then great. On the road they have a Core range which is not mega money and the bits I have fit well and are still of very good quality. The sweat Elliott is in retails at £55, so comparable to other brands software and again is a good quality. But haters gonna hate.
  • 1 0
 Exactly, people piss and moan about Rapha but it's not even that expensive compared to other road brands nowadays. Castelli, Assos, PNS etc are all just as expensive if not more so. They put a lot of money back into charity / cycling which is more than can be said for most brands too. I have a load of Rapha road kit and the quality is second to none, I'm still commuting in 8 year old kit!
  • 17 1
 just what mtb needed, 350$ shorts and 250$ jerseys
  • 3 0
 100% guarantee the first time wear either, I get speared by a rogue branch.
  • 6 0
 Makes Kitsbow seem like a steal.
  • 2 1
 @tbubier: gonna be priced competitively to kitsbow…
  • 14 1
 Pretty weird to see all these aggressive comments against other cyclists just because the clothes they wear...
  • 6 0
 I think a lot of us are trying to be funny and maybe missing the mark, but also envy is a powerful force
  • 1 0
 @AndrewHornor: Not everyone wants Gucci, mane.
  • 1 0
 @suspended-flesh: I think most of us want to be able to afford it
  • 7 0
 Huh, dude even had some bloody calves from his pedals. That´s some hardcore shit right there!
And all that pushing a bike and raking leaves!
When they popped the manual i peed a little.
Damn guys, what a tease!
  • 3 0
 I worked as van support on the Deloitte Ride Across Britain in 2017 - 800 cyclists doing Lands End to John oGroats over 10 days - the go to kit for a lot of the riders was black Rapha kit and those pink overshoes, very eye catching Smile
  • 7 0
 It needs to be a little Rapha-round the edges first.
  • 7 2
 Really poor effort from Rapha here. Trying way too hard! I mean who is their target audience? Not the 19yr old shredder this is clearly aimed at.
  • 3 0
 same as most of their other „tested“ videos this year, this is the same language
  • 1 0
 Thought the same thing... this ad doesn’t appeal to target consumer, unless they’re hoping people with too much money secretly want to be those 19 year olds, and will buy whatever to look the part.
Maybe it doesn’t matter though... bougie roadies will buy Rapha for their eMTB pursuits because they already know/like the brand/image from roadie life, as has already been pointed out by the community, writ large.
  • 2 0
 @erikkellison: to be fair, roadies are much less likely to ride an ebike.
  • 7 2
 Finally, riding gear that really suits my $15k E-Bike, $40 tubes, and bright blue TRD Pro shuttle rig
  • 10 5
 Jebus wept. Just buy a £1 tee from a charity shop and go riding. Who gives a f*ck what badge is on your jumper.
  • 4 1
 Reminded me of all the fancy crap people used to wear when I was a personal trainer. I was like 'seriously, because you just needed about 25 quid worth of sports direct and you are good'.
  • 3 0
 Sale rale fo life yo
  • 7 1
 You say buy a £1 tee....
Nah. Buy quality kit in the sale. Cheap kit is often a false economy in terms of comfort. Buy a £3 wicking t from Mountain Warehouse and tell me thats as comfortable as one from Fox. Yeah the Fox one is the same quality and covered in knobish logos but its been designed to ride. The seams are in the right place, it has a longer back, etc.
I have an Icebreaker merino and I have a crappy Endura one. Let me tell you - chalk and cheese.
You are right about one thing. I have no shame in buying second hand.
  • 4 0
 the irony of someone saying "don't worry about what you're wearing!" but also telling people to wear a £1 charity tee. maybe just let people wear what they want…
  • 5 1
 Ahh Rapha. For those "getting in to cycling" as a fashion statement. They'll need to be careful not to get their Rapha manbags caught on a passing tree.
  • 2 0
 For really good T’s that wash well, dry quickly, don’t smell, wear well (in both senses) you just can’t beat ION. My ones from 2017 are still going strong. I’m sure the Rapha stuff is very good quality but so are other brands with out the opulent price tag.
  • 2 0
 I ride any kind of bike I can find time to swing my leg over (yes, including a road bike while wearing some nice toits) and I get Rapha's place in road biking, but I just don't see it in mountain biking. I'm not going to risk losing $200 when I clip a redwood with my jersey...shoot, I can't even justify doing it in a $75 Dakine jersey.
  • 2 0
 Eh, so many attacks on the imaginary rapha wearer. I was stoked when you no longer had to wear 73 logos and 15 colours if you wanted decent riding kit for road riding. Seriously that stuff used to be awful. They changed the market for the better, with a bit of retro nod with some stuff, but all decent quality and honestly waaaaay less obnoxious than wearing pro team kit. Plus always good deals in the archive section of the website. And you only need to look 5 or so years back to see how mtbs have gone from super jazzy lightning bolt paintjobs to now getting your favourite frame in a pretty much always a single colour. Style has tidied up. Troy Lee and a few others still clinging to the 2005 fluro vomit aesthetic, but generally this stuff from rapha will probably drop cleanly into most of what other brands are also doing these days. I’ve got plenty of rapha kit for the road, but mtb I’ll stick with Mons Royale these days. Merino tops are just too good.
  • 4 3
 Waaaah that was a shockingly bad promo video. The content especially. I feel like it needs to be broke down to truly see how cack it is -

Trucks driving up a road (yeah bro)
Some moody c*nt smouldering at the camera
Gravel sounds
A wheelie
A shot through a truck window ‍♂️
A wet fist bump
A childs rake clearing some leaves
Another moody c*nt gazing into the distance
Someone showing their dirty arms
A few mild scratches on a set of legs
Wavy fish eye
Someone waving their helmet peak
A lad tugging at a branch
Bouncing a set of forks
Jumping on some ground
Someones brought their track pump into the woods now?
Raking a load of dirt at the camera
  • 1 0
 Ah me, well the crush of bro dollars into MTB is likely Raphas demo: wealthy professional metro dads (aged 38 to 50). More mellow gravel vibes than gnar-rats.
Didn’t watch the film above but lived it in my own mind through your shot-by-shot and lol’d hard. Thanks for that
  • 1 0
 I am surprised it took so long to start making clothes which don't seem to be out of a 90's garage sale;
nevertheless very happy about it!

I am one of those that doesn't necessarily feel happy to:
1- look like a neon-sign on wheels
2- carry brands and mega logos around without being paid for sponsoring

What can I say, "de gustibus non disputandum est"...
  • 3 0
 Bloody hell, are they trying to make a how not to make a promotional video and look like an amateur videographer? Junior high kids can do a better job than this.
  • 2 0
 Blair witch was a long time ago!
  • 1 0
 I wonder if they'll do their crash replacement warranty on their MTB stuff and if they plan on doing the discounted size exchanges. That's one thing I've liked about them and their core line seems to be only slightly above other brands like Pearl Izumi in regards to pricing. Never had any firsthand experience with them though as I just wear my mountain bike shorts and REI chamoises when I'm grav grav riding.
  • 2 0
 Not dissing Eliot, but this is a legit question...

If he's trying to encourage inclusivity in cycling, isn't it conflicting to be promoting a brand that is very expensive? Its not really keeping it real is it?
  • 2 0
 Kind of don't (totally) get the Rapha bashing. Whilst it's not cheap...price for price is the same as Castelli, Maap, POC, cheaper than Assos... That sweatshirt is about £60. Not bad for a sweat these days.
  • 4 0
 This filming was as rough as 50:1 iphone edits.
  • 2 0
 Regarding that video: What in the living hell did I just watch? I'm not sure if that was a clothing advertisement or if I was experiencing an epileptic episode.
  • 4 0
 Keep that shit for hipsters.
  • 4 0
 No salt like Pinkbike comment salt
  • 3 1
 The official clothing brand of people who just "let let the Ibis do the work", if you catch my drift. The "all the gear, no idea" kind of person.
  • 3 0
 Look for my new brand RALPHA™ coming out next spring. For those who push just a little too hard on the climbs.
  • 2 0
 It really sucks that so much content on pinkbike now requires a reader to have an instagram account to actually read it.
  • 2 0
 Ill take a $150 Rapha jersey, $200 shorts, $30 socks and an outdated 1992 camcorder please.
  • 3 0
 Should go quite well with my Kenevo SL....stoked out of my mind!
  • 2 0
 I hope they have colors to match my Ripmo. The perfect clothing for looking like you ride but not actually riding.
  • 1 0
 You don't actually ride your Ripmo? That's dumb, it's a solid bike.
  • 1 0
 Bike Shop Kids everywhere continue to look the look and bitch about being broke.....But now they are extra broke. good work rapha.
  • 3 0
 Doesnt MTB already have it's own uselessly expensive brand? Hello Kitsbow.
  • 3 0
 Is @drunkcyclist still a thing? Love to hear their take
  • 2 0
 A shockingly high number of people appear to have actually read the article.
  • 3 0
 Lululemon and Gymshark will be hot on their heels
  • 2 0
 Lululemon already partnered with 7mesh (in 2017).
  • 2 0
 hmmm maybe it'll be good who knows, I like my rapha cargo bibs for graveling idk
  • 3 0
 Yeti owners rejoice!
  • 1 0
 Most of the Yeti riders near me have come straight off the work site and are still wearing their fluoros
  • 2 0
 Ah, amazing Rapha do dentists trail scrubs now. They will be please.
  • 2 0
 Are the clothes shaky as well?
  • 3 1
 Is that supposed to be a teas ??
More of a turnoff
  • 4 1
 More high end coffees than teas.
  • 1 0
 @bigtim: but we have a really nice sencha...
  • 2 0
 Walmart heirs have enough money.
  • 5 5
 In these comments: People that have never worn Rapha and have no idea what it actually costs. (Hint: It's actually good value in a lot of cases!)
  • 2 7
flag Bushmaster123 (May 14, 2021 at 10:02) (Below Threshold)
 Your Mom only asks for 5 dolla. Now that's a good deal!
  • 2 0
 wait, its not April 1st...
  • 1 0
 Unless Rapha does a collab with Supreme, I'll leave it to the poser peasant wannabes.
  • 2 0
 No thanks, Rapha. I already blow all my money on NF
  • 2 0
 Rapha, Lulu Lemon- can't wait for Prada and Jimmy Choo MTB fashion.
  • 3 1
 Cutoff 501s, Pendleton top, Red Wings boots, and a hardhat are all I need.
  • 5 0
 Are all you need for the next Village People video.
  • 1 0
 Remember that time Rapha made a WHITE $60 t-shirt for bike mechanics?

Cos' I do.
  • 2 0
 Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Hahahahaha.
  • 2 0
 I spy with my little eye Adam Craig
  • 3 2
 Great. Rapha literally stand for nothing
  • 2 1
 Not true, it stands for St. Raphaël: inrng.com/2010/03/the-real-rapha
  • 1 0
 ILL BET 200$ THAT THE PRICE POINTS WILL COME IN WELL BELOW KITSBOW
  • 4 0
 Kitsbow at least sews their stuff in USA, not China. Which justifies the high price, and honestly I can stomach a lot more when I am spending it to support my fellow Americans. Real hard to feel good about giving the Walmart boys a ton of money to have it made in a sweatshop.
  • 1 0
 true
  • 2 0
 fashion for e bikers...
  • 1 3
 I've really never been so upset about the performance of my $5 cotton T-shirt that I ride in to throw Rapha-level money at it.
  • 4 0
 at least consider upgrading to a $10 synthetic from Target.
  • 6 0
 Cotton tees suck bad. I won't wear one. If it is cold, I sweat and then it freezes. If it is hot, I sweat and then it gets sticky and gross.
  • 1 0
 @deez-nucks: Seriously they're the best bang/buck in sports clothing.
  • 2 0
 @deez-nucks: Fair point but then how will I ever afford a new $6k bike with lavish spending like that.
  • 1 0
 Finally!
  • 6 6
 Roadie hipster boutique brand. Stay in your lane!
  • 1 1
 Who needs this ?
  • 1 2
 Another friggin brand
  • 2 4
 Douche gear for dirt...super.
  • 4 6
 Rapha is for PHONIES.
  • 2 4
 Can I get my click back?
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