Brandwave

Pearl Izumi vs Rapha:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Rapha had more branded searches than Pearl Izumi among bike shorts brands worldwide. Rapha had about 135,000 branded searches, while Pearl Izumi had 27,100. Rapha made up 30% of all bike shorts brand searches we track, and Pearl Izumi accounted for 6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bike shorts brands, Rapha appeared in four of the five answers and Pearl Izumi in three. Rapha was mentioned before Pearl Izumi in two out of three answers that named either.

Among bike shorts brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Rapha, about 5 searches for every 1 for Pearl Izumi

Rapha 135K searchesPearl Izumi 27.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Rapha, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Pearl Izumi in 3

Rapha in 4 of 5Pearl Izumi in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Rapha, named ahead of Pearl Izumi in 2 of 3 answers

Rapha first in 2Pearl Izumi first in 1

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Top bike shorts brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Rapha was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pearl Izumi was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Rapha was listed before Pearl Izumi in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Assos1st
  2. Castelli2nd
  3. Rapha3rd
  4. Lululemon4th
  5. Pearl Izumi5th
  6. Baleaf6th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Rapha4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Castelli4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Assos3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pearl Izumi3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Baleaf2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Lululemon2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about bike shorts brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Pearl Izumi or Rapha more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Pearl Izumi and Rapha by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six bike shorts brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Pearl Izumi and Rapha among bike shorts brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Rapha, Pearl Izumi. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAssosRaphaCastelliPearl IzumiBaleafLululemon
Oct 202532.6%32.6%26.7%5.4%2%0.71%
Nov 202534.3%34.3%23%5.7%2.1%0.61%
Dec 202534.2%34.2%22.8%5.6%2.5%0.6%
Jan 202632.5%32.5%26.6%5.3%2.4%0.71%
Feb 202630.3%30.3%30.3%6.1%2.2%0.65%
Mar 202636.6%30%24.6%6%2.2%0.65%
Apr 202634.7%28.5%28.5%5.7%2.1%0.62%
May 202632.2%32.2%26.4%6.5%1.9%0.71%
Jun 202636.5%30%24.5%6%2.2%0.8%
Jul 202638.9%31.8%21.4%5.2%1.9%0.7%
Aug 202637.2%30.4%24.9%5%1.8%0.67%
Sep 202636.6%30%24.4%6%2.2%0.8%

How has the Pearl Izumi and Rapha comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Rapha was ahead of Pearl Izumi in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pearl Izumi’s share of searches among bike shorts brands worldwide moved from 5.4% to 6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 27.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rapha’s share of searches among bike shorts brands worldwide moved from 32.6% to 30%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.

How did search popularity change for bike shorts brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Pearl Izumi gained share of searches among bike shorts brands worldwide, from 5% to 6%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Rapha worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 165K to 135K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pearl Izumi’s and Rapha’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Pearl Izumi

1 branded search term

  • pearl izumi

Rapha

1 branded search term

  • rapha

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among bike shorts brands

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