"PRO" Cycling Discussion

Questions about bike hire abroad and everything light bike related. No off-topic chat please

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Pharmstrong
Posts: 328
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:17 pm

by Pharmstrong

That horrible painted section that matched the ribs in the fork is gone. Odd the band around the fork is on the right, and not the left. I think they should have mixed matte and gloss sections, given it's predominantly black.

by Weenie


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Monkeyboy3333
Posts: 632
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:41 pm

by Monkeyboy3333

well clearly there is demand for it, you can't even get on the website currently, 6pm GMT

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prendrefeu
Posts: 8580
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:32 pm
Location: Glendale / Los Angeles, California
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by prendrefeu

As a designer, I'm more and more focusing on Rapha (as a design entity/provider) than Sky.

This is going briefly OT, but it's interesting to note the evolution (or complete lack thereof) of design in what Rapha produces. While it is a good move to establish a distinguishable style, it is also burying themselves in a massive hole that if not already will soon be too deep to dig out of. By establishing such a consistent motif they have abandoned a thread of a design statement, instead relying upon cliché for which they are now known throughout. A design statement would have established their abilities to provide a recognizable "Rapha design or approach" while evolving with each new line/season/year.

For those of you who didn't quite follow, here's an easy comparison:

Prada, Diesel, Givenchy, and so on. With each season line they've provided new and fresh designs while still retaining a distinguished style. You can look at their products and know that "it is a Prada" or so on (without even looking at the marque) yet they have not relied on a cliché in their aesthetic, they have each been driven by a design thesis, motif... the equivalent of an "artist's statement".

Rapha? Same old design, slight adaptation at best, same cliché aesthetic. Design thesis? Lacking, and we may never see it as they continue to rely upon the same designs and dig themselves further into a hole. One day when they decide to put more than 5 minutes into a concept and design something new, will it be too late?
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euan
Posts: 1571
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:20 am

by euan

I think the reason for the design of the kit is so it could be consistant from the £25 tshirt up to the £140 jersey. It needs to be understated and work in a casual sense.

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prendrefeu
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Location: Glendale / Los Angeles, California
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by prendrefeu

... Yeah, I got that, but that's not what I'm referring to.
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Pharmstrong
Posts: 328
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:17 pm

by Pharmstrong

I don't think that's fair. These items, for all their irksome marketing are technical garments. There has been apparent evolution in the design of their top-teir items. The materials, cut and construction of items like the new pro jersey, and race cape are removed from the top lines of previous years.

True, the cut of a lot of their garments has not changed since inception and does look tired, but given they've mustered the capital to sponsor Sky of all teams I imagine it's more of a 'it's clearly not broken so let's no worry', than the eternal 'new season, new collection or irrelevancy' of the fashion world.

I don't think Rapha are in a hole, they've found a niche, and so long as it works I can't seem them moving the majority of their lines too far.

PS, if you think most people could spot a Prada item, without looking at the label, I think you've been in LA for too long. :D

pastronef
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Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:33 am
Location: Asti, ITALIA

by pastronef


marco fan
Posts: 112
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2004 8:22 am

by marco fan

i have put most of them up here on a blog
www.thequenchdiaries.blogspot.com
john

hornedfrog
Posts: 235
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:13 pm

by hornedfrog

From the pictures on the previous page, it looks like Sky equipped some, if not all of its riders, with the new Dura-Ace Di2 9070. Levers look interesting with more pronounced shift buttons.

Geoff
Posts: 5395
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2003 2:25 am
Location: Canada

by Geoff

scotty wrote:These publicity shots might be the reason Cav left...


Or maybe this from McLaren...
Attachments
Cav's New Ride 1.jpg
Cav's New Ride 2.jpg
Cav's New Ride 3.jpg

Kasparz
Posts: 566
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:17 am
Location: Latvia

by Kasparz

This is worth pushing pedals for :)

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ALAN Carbon+
Posts: 294
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:21 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

by ALAN Carbon+

hansonator69 wrote:Image

Mitch Docker not using Oakley? Sponsor change?


Greenedge are now using Bolle glasses.

Velofreak

by Velofreak

I don't think i would ever buy anything from a company called Rapha, or Ralph lauren, or Tommy Hilfiger, or burberrys... Rapha sounds already bad, like anticipating such a fake retro style, that can only be fake by definition, as traditional cycling clothing from the past is there, on the past. I think Assos, or gore, or pearl izumi, are more interesting. Technical apparel for a technical stuff. If we start comparing cycling apparel with fashion, I'd rather cycle naked, quite frankly. It's important to understand that style has a limit, and if you go over it, it becomes anti-style, and enter the field of pathetic, poser, hipster, and specially fakeness and makeup. Cipollini would love old this crap.

Adias, should i say nalini, previous kit was already bad (as it was a nalini rebranded to adidas). This one is worse. It's as bad as a pinarello, so i think it's a good kit brand that will match a suspicious sponsor, suspicious frame manufacture, etc... they should wear all fizik shoes and mavic wheels, to close the circle.

duz10s
Posts: 357
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:17 pm
Location: Melbourne,Australia

by duz10s

Velofreak wrote:I don't think i would ever buy anything from a company called Rapha, or Ralph lauren, or Tommy Hilfiger, or burberrys... Rapha sounds already bad, like anticipating such a fake retro style, that can only be fake by definition, as traditional cycling clothing from the past is there, on the past. I think Assos, or gore, or pearl izumi, are more interesting. Technical apparel for a technical stuff. If we start comparing cycling apparel with fashion, I'd rather cycle naked, quite frankly. It's important to understand that style has a limit, and if you go over it, it becomes anti-style, and enter the field of pathetic, poser, hipster, and specially fakeness and makeup. Cipollini would love old this crap.

Adias, should i say nalini, previous kit was already bad (as it was a nalini rebranded to adidas). This one is worse. It's as bad as a pinarello, so i think it's a good kit brand that will match a suspicious sponsor, suspicious frame manufacture, etc... they should wear all fizik shoes and mavic wheels, to close the circle.


What's so suspicious about Mavic?
2015 RCA with Di2

Kasparz
Posts: 566
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:17 am
Location: Latvia

by Kasparz

Interesting startlist for Down Under. I hope Bagdonas will get something out of this first year in big team.

by Weenie


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