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

It's WW.

A hate of Mavic seems almost compulsory to signing up

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Baum Ristretto, Baum Mondrian Corretto & the '89 Merckx! | "If you could eat it in one sitting, hold your line." | twitter.com/Tinea_Pedis

Despite all the design blah blah blah, Rapha will still continue to sell strong for a few simple reasons:

1. Its still different than what many associate with exercise apparel. Its the opposite of Assos, fluoro wind vests, and all the dorky shit that most cyclists tend to be drawn towards.
2. The whole aesthetic of the Continental videos will continue to draw people who glorify those types of things to their site.
3. Its not bad quality. I used to hate a few of their products, but the rest of my good have held up well. Can't say the same for a lot of other brands. The shop I worked at has only had 1 Rapha product returned and those were my winter gloves.
4. There are a lot of clothing companies in other niche sports, such as rock climbing and skateboarding (just ones that I know about) that haven't changed their "design thesis" ever. 15+ years going on and they're still selling boatloads of product. Patagonia is one company that never really changes their style, technology, or line up and it sells great. This isn't high fashion, its an outdoor hobby.

So much anger and hostility.

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2013 Wilier Cento1 SR || 2009 Ridley Crossbow || 2011 Yeti AS-R 5 Carbon

I soooooo love the Rapha Continental videos but just can't bring myself to buy any of their gear...I think it's the pungent smell of elitism and being overpriced?

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"It never gets easier, you just go faster..." - Greg Lemond

"Because technology alone is a poor substitute for experience." - Richard Sachs

narrow handlebar for Henderson

http://twitter.com/Greghenderson1/statu ... 28/photo/1

Give it was a prologue with not TT bars or TT bikes permitted, I would have done the same.

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Baum Ristretto, Baum Mondrian Corretto & the '89 Merckx! | "If you could eat it in one sitting, hold your line." | twitter.com/Tinea_Pedis

Really, would you go to all the trouble for a 5km TT?

I think that's a bit of a problem - certainly here in the UK.

Wearing Rapha makes many people automatically assume you are a ****** (sounds similar to Rapha. Two Syllables.) That's a shame - the kit is not that bad.

I suspect the more generous cut Team Sky range will sell out quite quickly. Personally I really like the colours and the softshell looks great to me. Shame I wouldn't consider buying it. Funny how people bought Rapha because it was different and now every bloater struggling over the Col de la Boite will be sporting their Sky kit.

the Vuelta Murcia becomes a 1 day race

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/no ... p?id=58363

I personally find rapha stuff rather nice and the stuff I have is still in great condition. People think I'm a poser for wearing it? Oh well.

Edited for language

Juan

That's a bit harsh...lol.

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"It never gets easier, you just go faster..." - Greg Lemond

"Because technology alone is a poor substitute for experience." - Richard Sachs

a lot of pros run narrower bars now than you'd think. Millar has run 3T 40s (38s at the hoods) for years, but quite a few Garmin dudes that are taller run 3T 42s (40 at the hoods). Most pro bike fit articles never actually measure the bars at the hoods and many brands including 3T, Zipp, FSA, and Easton taper 2cm and are measured at the widest point.

I wear Rapha clothing as its the only stuff I've found which fits properly, even the sleeves, which for me is a miracle. Before I had the Wind Jacket I had a gap of 2-3 inches between the cuff of my glove and my jackets. The pro-team jersey is great and I will be completing the kit in the spring as the pro-team bibs come in a small with a extra long leg. I don't care about any of the marketing spiel, I care about the fact that it fits.

I like the design of the Sky kit and would buy it... if it didn't have sky plastered on it. Though I guess most of the stuff I'll see coughing up Box Hill won't be the pro-team versions...

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--Max.

I could be wrong but I think Hansen ALWAYS uses a 38 (or 40) cm handelbar

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my website: http://massarob.info
my Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/4071 (+400 Koms, 500 is the next target)