cycling style

[dave1215]

since this is sub-forum about lifestyle and not just clothing
let's help everyone tie it back to why we're all here

if you're here you're a cyclist (or at least a bike rider)
if you're reading this you're interested in style and lifestyle

think about the bike(s) you ride and how you ride it (them)
tell us what that means about your style, about your lifestyle

[Brandon White]

My kit matches (95% of the time) - cap, jersey, bibs, socks (will at least be neutral color) and somewhat color coordinated - brands mostly line up for jersey/bibs.
My jersey pockets are organized in the same manner every ride - unless I"m taking an obscene amount of food, I'll re-organize it
My Speedvagen is 90% black paint - with black saddle, black bartape, black sticker-less carbon wheels, etc. - its almost invisible
Classic bend bars look better and feel better therefore are a win for both

[Christian Fox]

I love quality kit, but I'm always mis-matched (brand, colors, team) in an attempt to capture some hard core roadie insouciance. Giving a shit by trying to look like I'm not giving a shit doesn't really make sense, but we all have flaws ya know? For my bike, it can be covered in scratches, chips and dings, but it must be impeccably clean, tuned and lubed before every ride. The cable ends must be uniform in length and properly crimped. And yes, I'm with Velobran, classic bend bars only.

Whatever your particular style, natural or contrived, you got to wear that shit with conviction. I've seen dudes head to toe in Rapha that look a tad sheepish. You can't do that. If you're going full Rapha, you need wear it like your riding to a photo shoot. You need to have the attitude of the chubby guy in the full Quick Step kit that thinks he's one of Boonen's goons.

[GrantM]

I love quality kit, but I'm always mis-matched (brand, colors, team) in an attempt to capture some hard core roadie insouciance.

Use of words like insouciance means you are trying.
But an ironic unmatched kit just looks random,
and you blend into the rest of the poorly dressed crowd.
I, on the other hand, do not. :)

-g

[lavi]

I wear what is least funky. My roads are frequented by almost none but myself, including cars (I did have a nice conversation with a donkey today though on a rest stop)...and I don't give a shit about what folks think. When they start paying my bills, they can care what I wear.

That said, I do like nice stuff...but I do it for ME.

[Disturbed]

Serious kit makes me ride/train like a serious cyclist [even though I'm an old washed out has-been, never-was, won't-be].

The black/green/yellow IF Grassroots Team kit suits me well.

[Christian Fox]

Use of words like insouciance means you are trying.
But an ironic unmatched kit just looks random,
and you blend into the rest of the poorly dressed crowd.
I, on the other hand, do not. :)

-g

100% right. read the second line of my post!

[lavi]

Serious kit makes me ride/train like a serious cyclist [even though I'm an old washed out has-been, never-was, won't-be].

The black/green/yellow IF Grassroots Team kit suits me well.

So what did that old rag of a speed suit do for you? That beastly looking thing will haunt you ad infinitum.

[Disturbed]

So what did that old rag of a speed suit do for you? That beastly looking thing will haunt you ad infinitum.

Oh I still wear it under current kit. Every ride. Every day.

It'll make another guest appearance at camp this year too.

[lavi]

Oh I still wear it under current kit. Every ride. Every day.

It'll make another guest appearance at camp this year too.

Kinda like not washing a jock in HS?

[Disturbed]

Kinda like not washing a jock in HS?

Oh no, not at all, that would be disgusting.

I shower after every ride with it on.

[Too Tall]

Oh no, not at all, that would be disgusting.

I shower after every ride with it on.

Alec - What is having to face the wrath of TTs wife again for $200?

[chasea]

Why does any jersey under $70 look like clown attire? Why does every jersey over $70 only come in the black/white/red color scheme?

Why doesn't someone cash in and make affordable AND good looking clothing? What's so hard about that? Call me for consultation.

[Mike T.]

Just live by THE Rules (which I'm sure we've all read before) and you'll be a close in coolness, to the guys shown on that site, as you're ever going to be.

[Disturbed]

Alec - What is having to face the wrath of TTs wife again for $200?

My middle name is.......Danger.

Why does any jersey under $70 look like clown attire?

I blame the glut of "graphic designers".

Why does every jersey over $70 only come in the black/white/red color scheme?

Here I'm blaming the Eskimos.

[quickag]

Why does any jersey under $70 look like clown attire? Why does every jersey over $70 only come in the black/white/red color scheme?

Why doesn't someone cash in and make affordable AND good looking clothing? What's so hard about that? Call me for consultation.

twinsix.com?

[GrantM]

Why does any jersey under $70 look like clown attire? Why does every jersey over $70 only come in the black/white/red color scheme?

Why doesn't someone cash in and make affordable AND good looking clothing? What's so hard about that? Call me for consultation.

Becuase black white and red are the best selling colours.

I think because more cash can be made selling higher priced pieces.
Cyclewear is a tricky business. If a company stocks sizing and has inventory,
they're going to end up selling some of it at a discount at the end of the season.
They need margin dollars, more of which are generated by higher average price.

The $99 jersey is the sweet spot, imho.

-g

[chasea]

Becuase black white and red are the best selling colours.

I think because more cash can be made selling higher priced pieces.
Cyclewear is a tricky business. If a company stocks sizing and has inventory,
they're going to end up selling some of it at a discount at the end of the season.
They need margin dollars, more of which are generated by higher average price.

The $99 jersey is the sweet spot, imho.

-g

This weekend, I picked up 3 jerseys, 3 bibshorts, 3 pairs of wool socks, arm warmers, and a gilet for around $650. Most of that stuff was close to bottom-of-the line without sacrificing what I expected quality-wise. I did have to make some sacrifices as far as aesthetics are concerned. So that $650 was a hard pill to swallow.

If companies sold better looking stuff at their lower end, I think they would generate more sales and make more of a profit. Would you rather buy one good looking jersey for $140 or two for $70 each. Is the mark-up so great on the higher-end stuff that you're making more off of the sale of one item as compared to two sales on the lower-end?

A lot of the stuff I saw was in the $250 to $300 range. Who can afford to have a closet full of that stuff? Who can afford to replace it? This isn't couture. This is stuff we wear while going fast over pavement.

[AbeNP]

If companies sold better looking stuff at their lower end, I think they would generate more sales and make more of a profit. Would you rather buy one good looking jersey for $140 or two for $70 each. Is the mark-up so great on the higher-end stuff that you're making more off of the sale of one item as compared to two sales on the lower-end?

I guarantee they would much rather sell you one for 140 than two for $70 each. Also gotta consider that most people don't ride like us, so they will only buy one at $70. If the $140 one looks better enough to justify the jump, then that company (and retailer) make more $$$. Clothing is friggin hard to wrap my mind around from a retail perspective. There is a lot happening w/ clothing regarding fit and style and functionality and deciding what sizes you should stock and YES, if you sell clothes, you will have to move product at a loss to you at some point probably (usually that weird color that wasn't black or red, from my experience). It's just the way of the road imo.

[GrantM]

Is the mark-up so great on the higher-end stuff that you're making more off of the sale of one item as compared to two sales on the lower-end?

A lot of the stuff I was was in the $250 to $300 range. Who can afford to have a closet full of that stuff? Who can afford to replace it? This isn't couture. This is stuff we wear while going fast over pavement.

The margin on clothing starts at about 50%. Meaning a $70 retail piece has a $35 wholesale price, usually before the discount the retailer negotiates.
So the profit on selling a $70 jersey is about $35 if they sell them at regular price. It's common to sell 80% of the inventory at close to regular mark up,
having to discount the last colours and sizes to make them go away. They may have to sell those at a loss to get them gone. So lets average the margin
at 40% (margin is calculated by: retail-cost/retail) So it's more reality that a $70 retail jersey nets about $28 in profit.

Raising the average price is a key retail profit principle. Yes, there is a point where the volume of higher priced goods drops off, but generally any good
brand is closely watching the market for ways to sell more expensive average price items, lower pricing reduces the number of margin dollars generated
by sales.

Buying clothing on sale is great for the consumer. Because the margin is higher than on equipment, the markdowns are generally higher too.
I just ordered an Assos 851 jacket for $149, reg. price $360. Competitive Cyclist had some Assos vests for $99, reg $270

-g