Hennes & Mauritz and Brick Lane Bikes

In addition to having the name fully spelled out, should the corrected thread title also include 'H&M'?

and BLB?

Agreed

It is anti-semitic to hate the Irish? Who knew?

Were you thinking of the Irish or Jews when you agreed to the statement that the East End is "birthplace of ripping people off"? Or what were you thinking, or just repeating age old racist slogans (lately making the rounds but updated to apply to Sikhs and other Asians)?

You seem to be pushing your own thoughts onto someone else's statement.

You seem to be pushing your own thoughts onto someone else's statement.

^ Old Ben.

Related to Uncle Ben.

Well racist.

You seem to be pushing your own thoughts onto someone else's statement.

What then does the statement "East London seems to have been the birthplace of ripping people off" mean?

Were you thinking of the Irish or Jews when you agreed to the statement that the East End is "birthplace of ripping people off"? Or what were you thinking, or just repeating age old racist slogans (lately making the rounds but updated to apply to Sikhs and other Asians)?

I was reading the conflated argument in your post.

What then does the statement "East London seems to have been the birthplace of ripping people off" mean?

It's clearly homophobic.

Because there are some gays there.

rather than "the Juice" , but defer to EdwardZ on onomatopoeical correctness.

This was solely intended as a joke referring to my perception that BLB over charge for second hand goods. Edward, I appreciate your sensitivity to the wider context. Perhaps a historic racial sentiment subliminally and inadvertently informed my choice of humour, in which case I apologise.

Racist.

This was solely intended as a joke referring to my perception that BLB over charge for second hand goods.

A lot of shops "overcharge" for 2nd hand goods. Its service. In the the base of BLB its part of their fashion concept.

Edward, I appreciate your sensitivity to the wider context. Perhaps a historic racial sentiment subliminally and inadvertently informed my choice of humour, in which case I apologise.

OK. Accepted.

And to the H&M line. At least from the photos, its hard to see what's special. Neither terribly hip nor functional. Zara had, I think, more fun looking "track/fixed bicycle themed" shirts, sweats and pants this year in their kiddie department. The materials and cuts, of course, were all wrong--- a lot of cotton, shirts were cut straight (rather than long in the rear), pants also cut straight etc.

H&M calls their stuff "sustainable" 'cause they use "organic cotton" for their shirts and pants and "recycled polyester" (recycled PET bottles) for their jackets. Cotton is, unfortunately, (and I won't start to talk about some of the sustainability issues that are posed even by organic rainfed cotton) ill-suited as its hydrophilic. soaking up water and sweat. A wet shirt combined with the wind from cycling is never a good combination. Wool and wool-mix would be the right combination but, of course, its more expensive.. and that's too where H&M enter into the non-sustainable mix, selling cheaper grade clothing by the bag full.. and those "recycled polyester" shell jackets.. probably coated and thus destined for a land fill..

Set in Willesden, which is North West London, not East.

Set in Willesden, which is North West London, not East.

Precisely my point. :)

Wanted to check how these garms were in store but apparently Cambridge isn't a selected store. Everyone in Cambridge cycles... perhaps we are not hipster enough though.

I had a quick look in Oxford Circus today.

Not so impressed. Everything seems to be cotton based apart from the merino "jumper" jersey. The shirts are straight cut, so pretty worthless, and the quilted shirt has poppers down the centre which will let the wind through nicely.

The jackets aren't bad, with decent vents and a strap inside so that they can be slung like a rucksack (not entirely sure how this will work) and could actually be worn off the bike without looking too much like a dick.

Fake edit: Actually, just looked at the website and the carrying strap is a fucking joke. I assumed you'd be able to fold it up into a pocket, but the pictures don't show that, so it would just be a nice big flappy sail.

I went to Uniqlo to pick up some more jeans so also stopped by the H&M to have a look. Not exactly impressed with any of it. The jeans are strangely thick and the only cycling specific thing about them is a little reflective strip in the turn up, identical to the Levi one. The shorts have a strange big pocket on the front of the thigh. The tshirts have a pocket on the back that they seem to have sewn on to old stock or something, like a proper after thought. Etc.

Oh god, the shorts are horrific. Waaaay too short, thick cotton and that strange pocket.

Lardboy you weren't wearing a maroon beanie when you were there by any chance? There was another "on here" looking type in the vicinity.

Not me. I'm not really "on here" looking, rather too old and fat. Although, having been on a few forums rides...

I was wandering around with the wife around 12.30. They were still putting up the promo material at the time, as it wasn't delivered in time for the launch.

Haven't been to look at the stuff yet. From the website pretty disappointed that they haven't put the same features on the jeans and the chinos; i.e re-enforced crotch/ pre-bent knees. Any one have thoughts on the chinos. Don't really like chinos but might pick up a pair

I've ordered (but not yet received) some chinos.
I've got jeans with elastane but not previously found chinos.
Use code 0395 for 25% off if ordering anything online.