What do you think will happen to the UK bike retail industry?

[DCLane]

What do you if it 7 degrees when you set off then a couple of hours later it’s 18 degrees.🤷🏼‍♂️

At this time of year I tend to commute in shorts plus running leggings and a light long-sleeved jersey over the normal short-sleeved one, losing the outer layer for the ride homewards.

 

[Happy_Days]

So I looked up novantasei (96 in Italian) and it's just baffling. It's world I don't inhabit. I try not to knock or mock things I don't really understand or have any experience of. So I'll just class it as "a bit weird".

The Rapha Novantasei range makes as much sense as, for example, MAAP’s Life in the Peleton collection…

https://maap.cc/uk/litp

Rapha, MAAP and Pas Normal like launching time-limited collections. Presumably, people buy them due to their fear of missing out. But they’re pretty pricey.

Like you, I haven’t dashed out to buy them.

 

[Webbo2]

What do you if it 7 degrees when you set off then a couple of hours later it’s 18 degrees.🤷🏼‍♂️

Apparently it will this tomorrow according to the forecast. So when I set off about 08:20 its supposed to be between 5 and 8 degrees and when get home around 2ish it will be 18 degrees. So I might chance bare legs but it will possibly 4 layers and arm warmers on top. Some of which will get shoved in pockets or up the back of my cycling top as it gets warm.
It doesn’t look pretty but it’s better than freezing then boiling.

 

[VinSumRox]

The Rapha Novantasei range makes as much sense as, for example, MAAP’s Life in the Peleton collection…

https://maap.cc/uk/litp

Rapha, MAAP and Pas Normal like launching time-limited collections. Presumably, people buy them due to their fear of missing out. But they’re pretty pricey.

Like you, I haven’t dashed out to buy them.

Especially at those prices!

 

[Alex321]

What do you if it 7 degrees when you set off then a couple of hours later it’s 18 degrees.🤷🏼‍♂️

I'd be in shorts for all of that.

Don't start using the leg warmers until about 6C.

 

[katiewlx]

So I looked up novantasei (96 in Italian) and it's just baffling. It's world I don't inhabit. I try not to knock or mock things I don't really understand or have any experience of. So I'll just class it as "a bit weird".

Basically they're trying to summon the spirit of the immediately pre-Lugano charter days. I do have some vague memories, and I have read Graeme Obree's book. So I kind of know what that's about.

but this is the thing, that was 30 years ago right, so who are Rapha targetting ? the GenX market reminiscing about it or the GenZ/Millennials who havent a clue what any of thats about.

neither set of groups have a particular hook or draw in to that stuff, its not nostalgia and its not like a 90s revival, its like they went well that EF education skater 90s kit we did 5 years ago did really well, lets try and recreate 90s stuff, not understanding the bigger sell on that EF kit was the collab with Palace and the whole skateboarding scene.

had they done another standalone Palace 90s thing without EF would have been a sell out imo, Attaquer keep doing it with Kappa, even though I think their latest attempt is rubbish and they should have just redone their original kit take but its 90s stuff and its selling to the GenZ/Millennials who are the bigger market/disposable income. Us GenXs are all near retirement age now

but thats the point theres money to be made out there in the kit world if you choose what you do understanding the market you are in. I dont think Rapha execs get that anymore

 

[PaulSB]

but thats the point theres money to be made out there in the kit world if you choose what you do understanding the market you are in. I dont think Rapha execs get that anymore

Exactly. I buy all my kit from Lusso and jackets and winter gilets from Galibier. After years of searching I've found these companies offer the fit and quality for me. Saying that I should mention Galibier kit never fits me and the sizing seems very random.**

I'm on their mailing lists and always look at the featured products. If something is offered that helps me I buy. The one thing that always tempts me is a new jersey. I don't need new jerseys but a good one could lead to me wanting it! Lusso always have a decent chance of persuading me to buy something I don't need!!

Kit should have an element of style but doesn't need to be a fashion statement. Colour is very important to me. That's the Rapha problem, plus the kit has never been much good. In my club it's very rare to see new Rapha kit, a turnaround from 10 - 12 years ago. I do see more and more riders following our lead and buying Lusso. I've been a customer for seven years.

** Galibier kit is made in factories across Europe. The cut and fit is very variable. I've had to return every item bar one. The jackets and gilets are a great fit though. Lusso manufacture everything in house, the cut and fit is very consistent.

 

[Mike Ayling]

Meanwhile back in Oz my LBS owner has pulled the plug
Bought my Surly LDS there and a Bike Friday for Mary.

 

[Pblakeney]

Exactly. I buy all my kit from Lusso and jackets and winter gilets from Galibier. After years of searching I've found these companies offer the fit and quality for me. Saying that I should mention Galibier kit never fits me and the sizing seems very random.**

I'm on their mailing lists and always look at the featured products. If something is offered that helps me I buy. The one thing that always tempts me is a new jersey. I don't need new jerseys but a good one could lead to me wanting it! Lusso always have a decent chance of persuading me to buy something I don't need!!

Kit should have an element of style but doesn't need to be a fashion statement. Colour is very important to me. That's the Rapha problem, plus the kit has never been much good. In my club it's very rare to see new Rapha kit, a turnaround from 10 - 12 years ago. I do see more and more riders following our lead and buying Lusso. I've been a customer for seven years.

** Galibier kit is made in factories across Europe. The cut and fit is very variable. I've had to return every item bar one. The jackets and gilets are a great fit though. Lusso manufacture everything in house, the cut and fit is very consistent.

A contrary opinion. Nothing new there. 😉
I’ve tried most manufacturers including Lusso but no bib shorts beat Rapha Pro Team (yet) imo. There’s nothing more personal than bib short fit.

 

[PaulSB]

A contrary opinion. Nothing new there. 😉
I’ve tried most manufacturers including Lusso but no bib shorts beat Rapha Pro Team (yet) imo. There’s nothing more personal than bib short fit.

Absolutely! I was an Assos fan for +/- 20 years buying each generation of the same bib shorts.........then the design changed ......so I tried Lusso. I would genuinely put their bibs on par with, probably better than, Assos.

 

[Webbo2]

Absolutely! I was an Assos fan for +/- 20 years buying each generation of the same bib shorts.........then the design changed ......so I tried Lusso. I would genuinely put their bibs on par with, probably better than, Assos.

I too wore Assos for donkeys years then they came up with that floating pad design which I couldn’t get on with. I now have Rapha no where near as good a quality but they are ok.
My LBS has started stocking Assos and on their cheaper bibs at £130ish the material felt like a plastic bag.