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Met these guys on a train a few months back: http://www.ashmei.com/
Apparently they're going to start a cycling line which is going to 'piss all over rapha', allegedly higher quality AND a higher price (they were quite proud of this bit).

Yep. Quality looking gear, but just a Rapha copy for running really, homepage and signature stripe is not dissimilar to waffa at all. Two sports aren't that similar, don't see people running round in 12 grand of running shoes, so probably gonna seem more expensive compared to the rest of your running kit. They'll need to lock down the high end running gear market before they spread themselves thinly into cycling. Finally, when they branch into cycling, they'll need enough capital to support 'grass roots' and pro cycling like Rapha and to get a high street/boutique/coffee shop presence not web only, this will make them feel local, like a local bike shop. And that is a fuck of a lot of jerseys to shift to get to there, so yeah, they may eventually out-Rapha Rapha, but not before 2023 xx

Thought it was a bit chilly today so decided to try Rapha's winter embro which I thought would warm me up a bit. I applied some generously around my crotch area. Little did I know this stuff burns so bad, it felt like my crotch was on fire so I spent about fifteen minutes trying to cool my burning loins with the hairdryer on cool setting. It was quite painful, even now 4 hours after being applied my thighs are still burning hot. Maybe it's just me, but damn that stuff is strong. Will be applying less next time and far away from my crotch.

Hahahahahahaha, pmsl. Bless you Hunter, for your honesty and for reminding me that, in spite of your superhuman powers of purchasing and acquisition and your tiny body and huge feet, you are still human!!!!

Pmsl, again.

I'm sure it's really good. But that wasn't my point.

Well cycling is the sport of cunts anyway. So good evening to u 2 brother.

Really? Expound. Have u tried the nanoflex material? Worth every penny. Even if it does apparently say douchebag all over it!?!

Planet X sport wool socks are awesome, castelli nanoflex bib shorts and tights are my go to Lycra for wet and cold stuff, wet weather performance is second to none, I don't even bother with Rapha tights because the Castelli ones are so good.

Cocaine or cycling.

Low rise is my pet hate. One of the reasons I rate the Rapha shorts over the Swrve ones is the Rapha ones are in the same place at the end of a ride as they were at the start, while the Swrve ones require frequent adjusting

Low rise is where my trousers always are when I'm off my bike, anything high and I feel like Simon Cowell, so if I'm riding then it's Lycra and if I'm just going to the pub and plan to take off my shoes at the other end then it's low rise, can't really see the point in serious riding in high waisted shorts, just wear Lycra?!

Cocaine or cycling.

Pmsl

If you have the disposable income to do that, why are you even looking at the pricetag on cycling gear?

Because getting a bargain feels righteous, kind of like saving money even though you're spending it, which 'gives' u even more disposable to spend on moar Rapha.

Got two pairs, absolute bargain. However, sent them straight back. Really low rise so sat below the waist. Soon as bent over they slipped down. That is probably the reason they are on sale.

Yeah only really for short bursts to the pub or into town, where you've got to be off the bike for a while, not really performance cycling gear but there's definitely a time and a place for them. if I cycle to work I just shower and change so Lycra is perfect

Who the fuck spends £140 on a midweek night out in London (or anywhere else)?!

Obviously not you.

I reckon my Swrve jeans are the best pair of cycling trousers I own. The cordura denim seems to just go and go. I've gone through the crotch on one of their shorts though, didn't stop me buying more.
.

I'll second that Jimmy, my Swrve 3/4 shorts I pretty much live in in spring summer, also got the Union 34 Schoeller trousers from Rutland Cyling for 20squid, 80%off! In their recent sale, really quite impressed. As for full-kit wankery, there was a time when roadie kit meant you would end up looking like a try-hard covered in logos that u quite frankly hadn't earned, a portly parody of the guys that cycle for a living. That meant that your only option was general sports kit or casual clothes, not aerodynamic and not windproof and when the only forces you're battling are friction and wind resistance this is just not acceptable! I mean why bother cycling at all if you're going to waste all that energy? Why get a bike with skinny little slick tires if you're going to act like a giant sail? Why pedal fast when the seams on the insides of your jeans are going to act like a cilice belt? Might as well just drive.

Rapha's niche is for people who want the performance of full-kit wankery without the full kit wankery. Yeah it's expensive but it's amazing how little you spend on anything else when you cycle for commuting, leisure and pleasure. And yes it is all marketing, but Rapha again is aimed at all those people who cycle not because they can't afford a car or the tube or the bus, but because they want to, because they love to. Those people need to be given a reason to want to get on their bike every day, and whether that reason is looking good (clothed and unclothed) or feeling prepared for all conditions or just trying out new kit, that vanity is motivation, which, in this world of creature comforts, cigarettes and alcohol, fast food and television, is absolutely priceless.

Fashion is a tricky subject, riding along with your tongue hanging out of your mouth, visage twisted into a horrific cum-face, is not fashionable, but I love my Rapha bits like the base layers, the PTJ, the hats, the rucksack, the odd jersey, cos they're so well thought out, maybe overpriced but understated, I look forward to my rides and part of that is due to knowing I've got the right gear for the conditions and also because vanity is not something u do for other people, it's something u do for yourself. So it really doesn't matter what other people think, I mean Christ, if I cared that much, I'd get changed before I got in the elevator at work. My daily rides are the majority of my weekly exercise and I do them at 90%. If u can do that and not waste energy or boil/freeze then it's just a pleasure. Sure a jersey is expensive, but only the same price as a night out in London mid week, and u just don't bother with those when u cycle in and out. So do people think you're a twat? Probably, but who cares, I feel great, and I'm not looking for new mates anyway!! Do they think you're a middle aged fat cunt? Sure they do if u are, but even if u are, keep this up for a year, cycling in pretty much all conditions with a big smirk across yer chops, and you'll soon have the body of a god, lol!

3degrees centigrade and sunny, sounds like PTJ, merino base layer, shades, awesome.

Thanks for the bits Hunterlar, absolutely mint, you're a gent!

Thing is about the PTJ is that it's only showerproof which is most of what you get in blighty anyway, and because it's only showerproof, it's more breathable than any waterproof hardshell, so less sweaty boil-in-the-bag rides. If one does need protection from a downpour, a light waterproof shell is useful, also useful if the temperature drops at night. So rather than being a drawback, lack of waterproofness is actually a bonus.

Pro team jacket is without a doubt my most versatile bit of kit, I'm a medium jersey but bought it in a large. Usually wear it with just a merino base layer underneath (in small). Windproof, showerproof, two zipped pockets, lots of storage, for a longer cooler ride that might get wet just chuck a light waterproof castelli jacket in the pocket. Base layers are amazing when you've got a few jackets so you don't waste jerseys every day for the commute. Really like the hardshell but haven't got the heart to part with the dose, yet! Nice light Norrona gore-tex pro shell again with just the base layer under it is perfect at this time of year. Although rapha tights are pretty, can't see why I would ever wear anything but castelli nanoflex bibs or tights if it's damp(spray) to pissing down.

Could I have the 53) merino boxers, 34)small high viz jacket pack, 35)high viz shoulder bag cover and the 4) pin badge Kind Regards, have PMd you

Lol, I love this thread!

???

If they are still available

Dibs on the leg warmers