Rapha has just introduced a bicycle collection with four bikes, one each from Beloved, Cinelli, Independent Fabrications and a collaboration between Tony Pereira and Ira Ryan, who were both original builders of the Rapha Continental.
Shown above is the Beloved ‘Every Day’, a speedster built for city commuting in a most expeditious manner. It’s spec’d complete with full length fenders, chain guard, rear rack and toe clips. The component list is very nice, as would be expected of anything slapped with a Rapha label:
- Sturmey-Archer 5-speed internal rear hub with downtube shifters
- Paul levers, cranks and custom-made chainring
- Chris King Headset and front hub
- Nitto ‘Priest’ Bar, aluminum stem and post
- A Rapha emblazoned San Marco Regal saddle
- Painted Berthoud fenders
- MKS Sylvan road pedal with deep leather toe clip
The curved bar above the cranks is a carry hold, and the frame is brazed lug and fillet brazed Columbus steel with True Temper fork blades. You can order yours directly from Beloved for $5,195. Oh, and Beloved is a collaboration between Cycle Works Oregon (concept) and Chris King (builder), which partially explains the price, but should give you some indication as to the quality.
Jump past the break to see the others…
The Rapha + Cinelli XCR Criterium Racer is also formed from Columbus steel, this time with seamless XCR tubes coming directly from Columbus’ factory next door to Cinelli’s. The geometry, as you may have guessed from looking at it, is aggressive and intended to be raced hard.
It’s painted pearl white with sections polished to show the steel, with pink, gray and black racing stripe accents. Production is limited to 30 bikes (frame/fork) per year because of the “scarcity of material” and delivery will be approximately four months from time of order. Pricing starts at €3,500 for the frameset, order directly through Cinelli.
The Rapha + Independent Fabrications XS takes their award winning carbon fiber and titanium road bike and adds some Rapha charm (or smarm, depending on how you feel about upscale lifestyle brands…we’re just waiting to see the comments on this post). Inside each fork leg (as in, the side facing the wheel, not inside) is painted a story inspired by Rapha’s product tags.
Each frame is custom made to order. The titanium lugs are painted pearl white, and the toptube lug has a Rapha “R” etched into it. The tubes are bare carbon fiber, and complete bikes will be available with either Campagnolo Super Record, SRAM Red, Shimano Dura-Ace or internally routed Di2.
The Rapha + Tony Pereira and Ira Ryan ‘Continental Bicycle’ takes these builders’ experience making the touring road bikes used by the Rapha Continental riders over the years and makes it available to all. It’s designed to be fast and comfortable no matter what roads you may find on your adventures…which, in my mind, is what a good bike should do. Call me a sucker for marketing, but I’m already thinking of all the dirt and gravel roads I could explore on this thing.
The TP-IR Continental is a blend of Columbus Zona and Spirit steel tubing with a lugged and brazed construction, blending each builder’s preferred methods. It’s offered as a complete bike with spec picked for the adventures in mind, regardless of weather or conditions:
- SRAM Force Drivetrain
- Chris King Headset
- FSA Seatpost, Handlebars and Stem
- DT Swiss Wheels with Chris King Hubs
- PDW Fenders w/Tektro long-reach brakes
- Topeak Pump
- F’zi:k Aliante Saddle
- 25mm Continental GP4000 tires
They’re made in batches of 50, twice per year, with lead times of approximately 3-4 months. Available at Bread Winner Bicycles for $5,000.
Check out more photos of each, plus some trademark Rapha storytelling, here.
