Cycling fashion

asprilla

Aidy wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

I only noticed last week that all my cycling stuff is working towards being red white and black and this must, subconsiously, be one of my criteria for selecting clothes.

Tut.

Orange is totally where it's at.

That was the colour of my winter wardrobe last year. You are so 2009.

See. Tarts.

Norky

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
Shutt VR. It's comfortable in a fairly wide range of temperatures and looks classy.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
Function. Comfort. Form.

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
The bicycle.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
There's no clothing or "accessory" that I can think of which would improve riding a bike.

5. What does cycling mean to you?
I love riding my bike fast. Or slowly. Whether doing it for transport or pleasure it is always fun and it's nice to be getting fitter.

rich_e

1. What is your favorite cycling brand? Why?

Not sure I have a favorite cycling brand really as I have so much stuff, some used specifically for commuting, some for Mountain Biking and the rest for Road Cycling. Looking at what I have in my draws though, I probably have more items by Pearl Izumi and Northwave than anything else.


2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Baggy Mountain Bike stuff has got to look good, but still be functional.

Lycra Road gear has to again look good and be competitive on price and have a reputation for being hard wearing.


3. What is your favorite cycling accessory?

Garmin Edge 705


4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

Better roads that aren't full of potholes.
Better cycle lanes that aren't poorly thought out.
That some cyclists have a better understanding of how to ride a bike properly and the highway code!


5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

Fun, Exercise and a way of commuting which is both healthy and avoids being stuck in a sardine can. I've never once considered it a fashion accessory.



I do get the impression that like others have already pointed out, that this questionnaire is perhaps aimed at someone doing market research for cycling 'fashion' clothing, be it student or professional.

There have already been attempts by people to bring it out cycle 'fashion' clothing, but I don't think it really works. True Cycle Couriers tend to be the ones into the zaniest of fashions and they all have their own ideas. The fake couriers (fakingers) are those who emulate couriers and tend to ride around with the hipster look in their skinny jeans... again, I don't think they would be buy cycle 'fashion' clothing.

It's a market which isn't aimed at real cyclists, it's aimed at hipsters and hipsters already have their own ideas about fashion.

hells

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
Presuming you mean clothing so castelli although the specialized BG range is excellent for things like gloves and saddles.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
works well, colour co ordinates with my bike (red white or black)

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
Garmin edge 705. Gives me all the info I want. recently got a contour HD helmet cam so that may take over as favourite toy soon.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
force field to save me from motorists. Someone pulled out of a junction and hit me on wednesday :-(

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?
Sport (racing), fun (mtb, cx, jsut going for a ride), adventure (touring), travel, fitness. World of pretty shiney things to spend my cash on.

dondare

bespoked wrote:

Thanks everyone for your answers

And lost_in_thought - its sad really that you think you are being controversial and unique in your snide little comments when ive had that boring crap from many others. If you dont like the questions then simply dont look at them. Im glad you have time and effort to be so miserable towards something you dont care about. And no i dont work in market research. Im actually a designer trying to find out what cyclists want in their clothing. Its funny that people dont know when someone is trying to help.



Bespoked

You seem a bit touchy. LiT gave reasonable answers to the questions and also posted what some of us were also thinking. The fact is that your questions are somewhat provocative and many of the regulars on this forum site like a bit of banter.

hells

As your a designer dont make all your women's kit in pastel shades or covered in flowers. Spend time making sure the pad in the shorts is the right size/shape and a decent thickness so that it does what it is supposed to do.

lost_in_thought

bespoked wrote:

Thanks everyone for your answers

And lost_in_thought - its sad really that you think you are being controversial and unique in your snide little comments when ive had that boring crap from many others. If you dont like the questions then simply dont look at them. Im glad you have time and effort to be so miserable towards something you dont care about. And no i dont work in market research. Im actually a designer trying to find out what cyclists want in their clothing. Its funny that people dont know when someone is trying to help.



Bespoked

Frankly, schweeedie, you have to take the rough with the smooth. If you ask on a cycling forum if cycling is a 'fashion choice', someone's going to fill you in. Controversial? No. Unique? No. Snide? Definitely. Boring? Well, you seemed to like it. Little? No more than usual.

And I gave you my answers. Re-read through the veil of tears.

As far as fashion-cycling, Topshop did some of that. I'm sure it was a roaring success, wasn't it? Wasn't it? Oh.

El Diego

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
Endura. Good quality, not ludicrously expensive and fits me.
2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
Functionality and value.
3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
Spd pedals and shoes.
4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
Some kind of drone that I can draft to avoid headwinds.
5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?
Travel, exercise, recreation.

rf6

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

Probably ShuttVR in terms of fashion and design. Endura and dhb for day to day practicality.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Well made, preferably by a UK company. Classical styling, and cut to hide a bit of a belly!

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?

My SPD sandals. If Jesus was alive, he'd cycle in SPD sandals.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

Not sure if it's "inventing", but getting society to see cycling in the same manner as they do on the continent would be bliss.

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

It's so much, a way to get to work, to look after and enjoy the environment at the same time, a great way to meet people, It's a hobby, a way to go on holiday, good for your health Fashion does come into it a bit, but not so important as other factors.

NGale

1: no brand especially, but I do like dHb. Other than that my 'cycle' clothing comes from HMS Raleigh, BRNC and CTCRM!!

2: Comfortable, simple as

3: Blackburn Flea USB rechargable lights which I can charge up on the computers ar work. Water bottle!

4: it's not inventing, but car drivers who are more respectful to cyclists would be nice

5: its travel for me.

Jay dubbleU

lost_in_thought wrote:

bespoked wrote:

Thanks everyone for your answers

And lost_in_thought - its sad really that you think you are being controversial and unique in your snide little comments when ive had that boring crap from many others. If you dont like the questions then simply dont look at them. Im glad you have time and effort to be so miserable towards something you dont care about. And no i dont work in market research. Im actually a designer trying to find out what cyclists want in their clothing. Its funny that people dont know when someone is trying to help.



Bespoked

Frankly, schweeedie, you have to take the rough with the smooth. If you ask on a cycling forum if cycling is a 'fashion choice', someone's going to fill you in. Controversial? No. Unique? No. Snide? Definitely. Boring? Well, you seemed to like it. Little? No more than usual.

And I gave you my answers. Re-read through the veil of tears.

As far as fashion-cycling, Topshop did some of that. I'm sure it was a roaring success, wasn't it? Wasn't it? Oh.

You tell 'em LiT - bl**dy fashionistas 8)

Clever Pun

lost_in_thought wrote:

bespoked wrote:

Hi Guys,

Im Currently in the process of completing a brief for the boom in urban cyclists and fashion. I wondered if you could help me out a bit?

D'you mean the hipster idiots that give the rest of us a bad name? You want lfgss.com...

Actually I might take umbrage with this.. there are some really rather good cyclists over there, the hipster element is actually quite small (that get out on rides... funny that)

UndercoverElephant

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

Most of the clothing I have is made by a company called Biemme. It's very well made, well fitted, uses excellent materials. Oh, and it's cheap because nobody else seems to wear it.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Cheap, then looks. I buy on-line so comfort is an added bonus.

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?

Campagnolo winter gloves. Kept me warm enough in -10 degree weather last winter. They were on offer, so cheap. See answer 2.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

Brakes that centre themselves properly. Not for me, you understand, but for those I overtake.

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

This *is* a commuting forum. Like most people here, it's a way to get to work and back. Add to that it's time-free exercise. I don't get much time to myself with work/family commitments.

Kazz_uk

bespoked wrote:

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

I'd probably have to say Endura are a favourite of mine. Usually I'm not one to look at manufacturers first when looking for gear, but after having a few bits and pieces from them I'm really impressed. Quality items at decent prices.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Functionality & cost (has to be good value for money, £150 for a top? pass thanks ). Also the design of course.

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?

My DHB Triple Lens Sunglasses. Decent quality and at a low price (£20), never left home without them.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

A handlebar mounted paint gun with luminous yellow & orange cartridges. To be fired at ninja cyclists (those that only wear black gear), so I can see them better during winter nights. I swear I've had more near-misses with them than cars, tossers :x .

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

A way of getting from A to B or enjoying a relaxing weekend ride out. Doing it for the fashion? have you seen what we have to wear?



Thankyou so much for your time.

No worries

UndercoverElephant

UndercoverElephant wrote:

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

Brakes that centre themselves properly. Not for me, you understand, but for those I overtake.

Actually I'll change that. After this morning it should be a cheap, quick way of drying wet, smelly cycling gear without hanging them around an office.

FeynmanC

How about one of those small "spin" machines that they have in some swimming pool changing rooms that you put your cossie in, press down the lid for 10 secs and it's got rid of most of the water, leaving it mildly damp as opposed to dripping wet?

biondino

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
Descente - their gear is cheap, fits me very well and looks great.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
I want to look sexy. Also, comfort, warmth/coolth when appropriate, and a reasonable price tag. Anything like shorts pads that don't cover my bits or labels that rub or scratch make me mad. HULK MAD.

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
My Deuter bike 1 is a antastic rucksack, a great shape and size and really well designed for cycling. Wish it were a bit lighter, though.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
It's be nice to be able to not sweat, so maybe that, or possibly some security mechanism that doesn't require carrying around a large object weighing several kilos.

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?
This is a silly question! It is convenient, makes me fit, conquers traffic, but it's also a hobby/enthusiasm, it's a way of meeting people and a way of spending disposable income. It's a great sport both for the pros and for unfit schmucks like me - you can put in as much or as little effort as you like and still get loads out of it.

Clever Pun

biondino wrote:

make me mad. HULK MAD.

That has the potential to be one of the funniest things ever

biondino

Just try it, pintsize.

Agent57

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

Altura, Endura, dhb. They seem to offer good value, reasonably stylish, and do the job.

I like the look of Rapha and the newer Shutt Velo Rapide stuff, but I don't have any. Rapha is far too expensive for me. The ShuttVR jerseys look great, but are also pricey.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Style, comfort, durability, nostalgia and value.

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?

Shades, 'cause they make me look cool.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

A portable tailwind. Or a DART. That's a Driver Attitude Readjustment Tool.

5. What does cycling mean to you?

Transport, recreation, relaxation, competition. entertainment, socialising.

Jay dubbleU

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
Enduro for commuting - reliable well made reasonable price - Prendas for road gear

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
Price and function

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
My TNF Fuzebox rucksac - comfortable waterproof and non-sweaty.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling every day easier, what would it be?
Do away with cycle lanes and make town centre speed limits 20mph

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel or is it a fashion accessory?
Daily transport - weekend sport - I don't like the wording in this question ie 'just' travel - surely travel is what cycling is all about - fashion doesn't come into it

bespoked

Aspirilla
'You seem to fail to get that most cyclists are pretty practical people. It's the nature of the sport.
We'd happily wear stuff which makes us look ridiculous (okay, a lot of us do wear stuff that makes us look ridiculous) if it performs well at the job we need it to do.
Stuff which works is far more important than stuff which looks pretty.'


Thanks Aspirilla, but i never said i was making anything pretty. The word 'fashion' doesnt have to mean crazy outgoing clothes that are for size 0 models. Im trying my best to find out what cyclists need. I never said anything about making you look pretty.

Lost-in-thought
'Frankly, schweeedie, you have to take the rough with the smooth. If you ask on a cycling forum if cycling is a 'fashion choice', someone's going to fill you in. Controversial? No. Unique? No. Snide? Definitely. Boring? Well, you seemed to like it. Little? No more than usual.
And I gave you my answers. Re-read through the veil of tears.
As far as fashion-cycling, Topshop did some of that. I'm sure it was a roaring success, wasn't it? Wasn't it? Oh.'

Lost-in-thought - it was just an option. i was trying to give examples of answers. I actually tried to make the questions minimal and open to save myself from this.haha.
Im glad you think your different. Life goes on. And who gives a **** about Topshop.

Thanks for your answers

antikythera

(Answers limited to commuting... go figure. but may differ for my competitive activities)

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

None

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Cost effective, hard wearing and doesn't look too cycling specific (Lycra seems to enrage motorists for some reason).

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?

What's a "cycling accessory"? I've got my bike and the things that make it go (tools, pedals, lights etc..). Not unnecessary purchases which is what I'd consider accessories.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

A better lock, ones that's light, easy to carry, usable length and secure (at the moment it appears we can only pick two!)

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

Cycling is my way of life, its transport, fitness, entertainment, passion, hobby, recreation. It's my raison d'etre.

schweiz

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

Clothing:

I guess if you looked in my wardrobe you'd say it was Rapha, but I buy what I need from whoever makes it and my kit is a mish mash of stuff. Club Kit is Pearl Izumi and is good stuff. Aldi winter gloves...2 pairs..as good as anything else I've tried. Have a pair of Assos shorts, nothing special IMO. If I find a certain brand works I'll stick with what I know, if design and quality drop off, i'll look for something else.

Hardware:

Shimano. Had it on every bike I've ever owned.


2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

quality, function and design


3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?


Clothing: Nothing really stands out as a favourite in terms of cycling clothing but I really like my Rapha Merino Polo Shirt and it was cheaper (gasp, shock, horror) than the equialent garment from Icebreaker which I own

Hardware: Lezyne Micro Floor Drive (Pump)


4. If you could invent anything to make cycling every day easier, what would it be?

Tight fitting, fully waterproof winter trousers with integrated shoe covers.

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel or is it a fashion accessory?

Sport, Hobby, Transport.

Cycling Fashion I've seen through the years, Cycling as a Fashion? If so, that's passed me by.

londonbairn

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
At the moment like ShuttVR. Comfy and functional
2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
Functional
3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
Prob Sidi Ergo 2s, most comfy cycling shoes I have ever worn
4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
I'd invent a law that all roads must have perfect road surfaces all year round
5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?
Travel, hobby and fitness

will3

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
Clothing: Crane. It's so exclusive
2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
Me, generally
3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
My trip counter
4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
A lottery win. That way I wouldn't have to go to work.
5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?
cyclling means traveling by bicycle.

northstar

1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?

I have a few but Specialized stand out for their Body Geometry range - gloves and saddles particulary and I like their saddle bags. Both my bikes are Scott, big fan of them. Rapha's merino socks are comfy too.

2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?

Comfort, lightweight, fit for purpose.

3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?

My Specialized Alias saddle or my Northwave Shoes.

4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?

Can't really think of anything right now.

5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

travel, freedom to go places you can't go with a car - off road etc.

dav1

bespoked wrote:

Hi Guys,
1. What is your favourite cycling brand? Why?
2. What do you look for in your cycling clothing?
3. What is your favourite cycling accessory?
4. If you could invent anything to make cycling everday easier, what would it be?
5. What does cycling mean to you? Is it just travel? Or is it a fashion accessory?

1. Endura - good products, good value, work well, look pretty good
2. Value for money, performance
3. Oakley flak sunglasses
4. Sturdy, waterproof mobile phone mount, which works with touchscreens
5. Travel, leisure, social, de-stress/time to myself

lost_in_thought

Clever Pun wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

bespoked wrote:

Hi Guys,

Im Currently in the process of completing a brief for the boom in urban cyclists and fashion. I wondered if you could help me out a bit?

D'you mean the hipster idiots that give the rest of us a bad name? You want lfgss.com...

Actually I might take umbrage with this.. there are some really rather good cyclists over there, the hipster element is actually quite small (that get out on rides... funny that)

I don't doubt it! But there's a whole lot more hipsters over there than over here...

I saw a guy with an aluminium-looking disc on the back of a martini langster t'other day. :shock:

always_tyred

bespoked wrote:

Lost-in-thought - it was just an option. i was trying to give examples of answers. I actually tried to make the questions minimal and open to save myself from this.haha.
Im glad you think your different. Life goes on. And who gives a **** about Topshop.

Thanks for your answers

Would it help the discussion if I said I thought that questions 1-4 were about as incisive as a carving knife made of porridge, and question 5 came over like a sort annoying rattle from somewhere inside your car's dashboard?

Have all the answers helped you to confirm your preconceptions?