Rapha Tart
Comments
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Doom wrote:redddraggon wrote:Lidl and dhb mainly.
Coming from someone whose avatar is cyclings style icon and the most euro pro trend setter in my day I don't really believe that!!
Cipo!
I'm slowly stocking up on my Assos and other Euro kit. Come the summer, I shouldn't have to leave the house without being fully Euro. Just need to get some bibshorts, nice white shoes, and pair of decent glasses now.
ATM most of my cycling is commuting tho, so I'm using mudguards, wearing a fluoro jacket, and carrying a rucksack - very un-Euro, so the cheap kit doesn't make me much less Euro.
Should I get some glasses and a hairstyle like that?0 -
redddraggon wrote:Doom wrote:
Only if you want to look like a complete pr*t!0 -
Blimey, people are weird. Being fatter than you means I don't need the most breathable jersey? Having cycled less far than you means I shouldn't want the most windproof tights? Having only owned my bike for a year means I should do without a neatly-designed zip buffer? Get over yourselves. Or maybe only alcoholics should be allowed to drink the finest wines. Maybe only editors should be allowed to read the best books. Barmy.0
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redddraggon wrote:sean65 wrote:So if noobs wear Rapha, knobs wear Assos, what do all you seasoned riders wear?
Lidl and dhb mainly.
LOL. I've got some dhb bib lomgs. Wore them today with the Rapha jersey. Guess i'm sending out confused signals to all the analysts out there.
Expensive jersey, cheap tights? Whatever next? :roll:0 -
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO. Its just .... NO!!!!!! I mean..... NO! It anyone buries me in that thing when I'm dead I'll kill 'em!
Club kit. Or something with style and incomprehensible foreign writing all over it.0 -
sean65 wrote:
As it turns out, I'm a noob, a knob, and I have too much money.
Oh the joys of listening to narrow minded people with strong opinions.
Can I just point out that this thread started as me taking the mick out of myself for liking the stuff? I dont have more money than sense, bu the fact that I have very little of either made - I thought - an amusing little post which was all it was ever supposed to be.
This was never supposed to be an attack on noobs, knobs, the rich, the poor, the fat or the slow..... sorry if I started something :-(
although i DO think Assos Man is a dead ringer for Ali G :P0 -
turkeytickler wrote:sean65 wrote:
As it turns out, I'm a noob, a knob, and I have too much money.
Oh the joys of listening to narrow minded people with strong opinions.
Can I just point out that this thread started as me taking the mick out of myself for liking the stuff? I dont have more money than sense, bu the fact that I have very little of either made - I thought - an amusing little post which was all it was ever supposed to be.
This was never supposed to be an attack on noobs, knobs, the rich, the poor, the fat or the slow..... sorry if I started something :-(
although i DO think Assos Man is a dead ringer for Ali G :P
No worries mate. Great thread you've started.
Let's face it. As cyclists we're a placid bunch. We've had to tolerate some of the most diabolically lurid and naff design's known to man but we just wore them and got on our bikes convinced that we look cool when in fact we look stupid.
I like the Rapha gear because it's less bikey than most other design's. It's just that it's priced 35 - 40% higher than it should be. Some might say that's a good thing as it stops everyone wearing it.
I found a hill today. A 20% hill. I think I'll go get me a polka dot jersey tomorrow. I deserve it.
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Great thread...
I'd classify myself as a former bloater, although you probably wouldn't want me to sit on you even today. At 6'3" I weigh enough to be comfortably above the minimum required weight for Clydesdales. What I can do is shed some light on the fat-cyclists-in-lycra question.
Imagine having a cross-section two or three times as large as the one you have now. Add some very baggy clothing, a 60 mph headwind and a slight but endless incline. The term "spinnaker" or maybe "storm jib" might jump to mind. When you experience that as a bloater for the first (and last) time you'll generally choose between giving up cycling altogether or pushing your self-esteem to one side and investing in some aerodynamic clothing.
The latter is the better course of action and is not intended to reflect badly on or to cause offence to skinny wee men who shave their legs.
Please try to encourage bloaters! With your help they will transform magically into former bloaters who, like me, can look almost semi-OK in Lycra (especially when standing up straight, in half light and/or at a distance). Also try to remember that large blokes are the best for drafting downhill. Be grateful for that and try not to worry about the size of the arse that is keeping you out of the breeze.
Similarly, forgive noobs who forego proper shorts on their first long ride (invariably the London to Brighton). Let's face it: pushing a 75 lb Halfords Sale full-susser mountain bike up Ditchlin Beacon with the sort of chafe you'd normally associate with the misuse of a power sander and/or battery acid can't be much fun. Surely these guys can be forgiven for heading straight for Wiggle and buying a pair of top drawer bibs, just like yours (but bigger).
Noobs need to be encouraged as well. Unless you are Tom Simpson reincarnate, you were a noob once too, although you were probably wearing BHS at the time, not DHB.0 -
caw35slr
Looking at your bikes, you are obviously a man of taste (Surly/Orange/Campag).....and judgement (steel bike, mid range g/s etc)
Isn't the desire to have a stylish steed, great looking kit, an innate part of our desires in how we want to appear?
This character trait has it's psychological origins in competition and in wanting affirmation.
There may be other explanations-pride of possession, love of well made stuff, but these can probably be explained above
For me, nice kit, whether it be a fishing rod and reel, or a bike related item, has got to be beyond functional. The fact is that the DHB tights (3/4 and full) are really very very good at the price, and the Assos jacket I wear with them is very good-so much better than anything else I'd had, that it was good at the price then too.
I guess it's same for the OP, Turkeytickler.
How have you got on since your first post on the subject a fortnight ago?
Two things pertain in this consumer thing-I'm no expert, but with three women in the house who shop for a hobby, I believe I understand a little about the drive and thought processes
Mark Twain was right -"there is nothing that can't be made a little cheaper and a little worse"-more often than not, you get what you pay for. I'm pleased there are happy exceptions
Something that is highly priced is often attractive for a short while, just because of it's rarity value, but it will get found out in the end. In the short term the market is a voting machine, in the longer term it's a weighing machine. (Benjamin Graham)
The fact that Assos have the market position they do, and have had it for so long, must mean they are doing something that people want.
After three years, Rapha have come close to repeating the trick, but with a few glitches on the way-the leg shaving kit/diary/gloves -which might have been nice, but were more about branding than functionality
As far as the noobs are concerned, I do believe there is a tendency to "all the gear no idea" as per Monty Dogs second post in the thread-they are soon found out too. It's quite obvious why they are at the continental sportives...but that's another psychological explanation
I'm sure Simon Mottram reads this type of thread as part of his market research“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway0 -
Ken Night wrote:caw35slr
Isn't the desire to have a stylish steed, great looking kit, an innate part of our desires in how we want to appear?
Yes, I completely agree.
The point I was making is that there exists a compelling *practical* case for wearing quality bicycle clothing, whether you look good in it or not.0 -
You make a lot of sense, however, maybe I live in the 'wrong' part of the country, but I can't ever remember seeing another rider and thinking 'all the gear, no idea'. Perhaps it's just that people have different thought processes. I do remember a few years back seeing a very rotund guy, sweating heavily as he made his way past me (I was standing on side of road). I remember thinking. Crikey, he's big. Crikey, he's sweating a lot. That jacket looks a bit tight on him. Maybe he's got a busy job and doesn't have time to train much. Maybe he just likes doughnuts. Maybe he's a noob. Good luck to him either way, at least he's out riding.Ken Night wrote:As far as the noobs are concerned, I do believe there is a tendency to "all the gear no idea" as per Monty Dogs second post in the thread-they are soon found out too. It's quite obvious why they are at the continental sportives...but that's another psychological explanation
I must admit I didn't think, christ he's wearing an Assos jacket. How dare he. He's not slim enough to don the sacred label
BTW, can you enlighten me as to the point about continental sportives? It's not that obvious to me I'm afraid! I only ask, because I'm riding my first one this year (been riding on the road for 8 years, so hopefully I'm not a noob!) wouldn't want to make any faux pas though :oops:
cheers0 -
aah, manys the time if caught site of my assos clad self on the way out for a ride and thought.........thank god i'm already married pm0
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APIII wrote:BTW, can you enlighten me as to the point about continental sportives? It's not that obvious to me I'm afraid! I only ask, because I'm riding my first one this year (been riding on the road for 8 years, so hopefully I'm not a noob!) wouldn't want to make any faux pas though :oops:
cheers
I've done around a dozen including 3 Etapes and the Marmotte
My point is that on the Etape, there are several noticeable types of Brit; to mention just one
-Rapha/Assos clad riding Omega/Seven/Madone, hugely enthusiastic-but not been riding long, and probably but not always a bit slow, and going for the most high profile challenge..... (I was making an observation, not a judgement)portuguese mike wrote:aah, manys the time if caught site of my assos clad self on the way out for a ride and thought.........thank god i'm already married
....there is that psychological tendency too............to which I plead............guilty
“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway0 -
You're unlike most club cyclists then. For most, the reaction would be "I'd crush that chump anyday!"APIII wrote:I do remember a few years back seeing a very rotund guy, sweating heavily as he made his way past me (I was standing on side of road). I remember thinking. Crikey, he's big. Crikey, he's sweating a lot. That jacket looks a bit tight on him. Maybe he's got a busy job and doesn't have time to train much. Maybe he just likes doughnuts. Maybe he's a noob. Good luck to him either way, at least he's out riding.
A similar attitude can be seen on here where the mere choice of clothing marks you out as someone to be humiliated :roll:0 -
it's funny because i always thought wearing team replica kit was a bit naff (especially if you don't look like a racing whippet and you're wife will under no circumstances allow you to shave your legs) hence me buying stuff like assos.
Having said that i am a big fan of the retro jerseys, particularly those by solo.pm0 -
gumball3000 wrote:If people only bought stuff that they needed rather than wanted, this industry would be no where near the size and quality that it is.
If I bought only the products that my skill required, I would be riding Tiagra and wearing non brand clothing.
The fact that I choose to wear Assos clothing shouldn't really matter to anyone. My overspending in bike shops means good profitability for the shop and better pricing for others.
I love cycling. I don't claim to be brilliant at it, but I love it all the same. I am certainly not lightweight and wear TIR sized Assos. I also have a fleet of Cannondales, mostly with Dura Ace.
Does that make me a noob and should I be informed that I could survive without all the top of the range gear?
Put it this way. You can buy a Brand New car for less than £7k. It will get you to and from work. If you can afford to spend more, you spend it. Doesn't mean you need or deserve it.
I totally agree with everything you have said.
BTW just in case you hadn't noticed, it would appear that a copy Max Power's catalogue has been sick all over your car!!! 0 -
Unacceptable - everything on that car has a purpose - it's like sh*t off a shovel and like sh*t to a blanket. Nothing like a Lax Power Brigade pooheap...Eat My Dust wrote:BTW just in case you hadn't noticed, it would appear that a copy Max Power's catalogue has been sick all over your car!!!
Back to my box (which smells of petrol, btw)...0 -
On last years Southern Sportive a guy had a minor coming together with a car (I think I was further down the climb
but past him as he was getting up at the top ).
Anyway the feed station was just a little way off. When he arrived, people were saying, the usual, 'you ok' 'what happened'. He replied 'yeah I don't think I ripped my shorts (Assos)'. His mate:- 'that's a relief then'.0 -
I don't think you're a real cyclist unless you worry more about your kit and bike than yourself when you have an 'off'.0
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My point is that on the Etape, there are several noticeable types of Brit; to mention just one
-Rapha/Assos clad riding Omega/Seven/Madone, hugely enthusiastic-but not been riding long, and probably but not always a bit slow, and going for the most high profile challenge..... (I was making an observation, not a judgement)
Chr**st, I fit the whole bill now, cos I also ride an Omega (in the summer!)
At least my Assos kit doesn't look too ''noob'' anymore after I threw myself down the road last week, holing the jacket and scuffing the tights!0 -
star_rover wrote:Monty Dog wrote:I'm afraid the full-Assos look these days is the dead-cert look of the guy that's walked into Condor or Sigma, dropped his gold card on a Trek Madone or suchlike and full Assos ensemble - Surrey Hills are full of them at the moment.
Even funnier is that a lot of them are walking their bikes up said hills.
I'm confused. what does this "walking" word mean? :?
Assos is a style of clothing that lends itself to the extrovert in us. A very European approach to style. Rapha is an understated, classic approach to the same end. It's very British. That end is high quality (at a price) clothing.
I think the Assos v Rapha argument is similar to the Campag/Shimano argument. It'll be never-ending and always fun! You can be either in the dark, Shimano/Assos, or enlightened and like Campag/Rapha http://twitter.com/mgalex
www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk
10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business0 -
mdg1157 wrote:My point is that on the Etape, there are several noticeable types of Brit; to mention just one
-Rapha/Assos clad riding Omega/Seven/Madone, hugely enthusiastic-but not been riding long, and probably but not always a bit slow, and going for the most high profile challenge..... (I was making an observation, not a judgement)
Chr**st, I fit the whole bill now, cos I also ride an Omega (in the summer!)
At least my Assos kit doesn't look too ''noob'' anymore after I threw myself down the road last week, holing the jacket and scuffing the tights!
....and are you mid forties...
( I'm 48 ride a Litespeed.....)“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway0 -
47 looming imminently!!0
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andyp wrote:To look more euro you need white shorts. And a tan.
And a tan can be difficult to get in time for the start of the season. However a solution is at hand.
During World War Two the shortage of nylon for stockings forced women to go out bare-legged, but to camouflage this many took to painting their lower legs (i.e. the visible part) with diluted stock, with a "seam" drawn up the back with an eyebrow pencil.
So there you have it: you too can can intimidate your cycling rivals with a rich beefy Euro-tan, easily acquired thanks to those great British products, Marmite and Bovril – making sure to carefully paint up to a neat sharp tan line at the upper arm and thigh.
Makes a change from the evocative smell of sun block.0 -
Water is supposed to bead off the material but after a few seasons I can see it soak in to the fabric.
BTW - all membrane based breathable fabrics need respraying or washing with water repellant from time to time. Nikwax is one brand.
Basically the membrane should stop rain getting through but it obviously wont stop the surface fabric getting water logged you need the "durable water repellant" for that and it does wear/wash off overtime. Also, if the surface gets water-logged the fabric stops breathing so you get sweatier. All this is true for goretex just as much as the stuff rapha use
HTH
J0 -
I cannot see what all the fuss is about, if you can afford it and want it why not. I am a lard boy who wears assos shorts, so what. They just happen to be comfy.0
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This is Assos - its even got the Swiss Crosses on it although its a bit understated & light on logos for proper Assos - presumably the BBC insisted some of the logos were removed for the show?
http://www.littlebritainonline.com/imag ... LB_199.jpg
I'd go for sportswool:
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=3310 -
The new stuff looks ok. I might actually be tempted to buy something.
http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=3570 -
sylvanus wrote:This is Assos - its even got the Swiss Crosses on it although its a bit understated & light on logos for proper Assos - presumably the BBC insisted some of the logos were removed for the show?
http://www.littlebritainonline.com/imag ... LB_199.jpg
Exactly! The justification for the lardy boys in Assos kit comment! I must have had some subliminal recollection when I made my original post...Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
