[Closed] Team Sky Kit.

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/now-team-sky-will-be-the-most-stylish

The cost of the replica kit doesn't even bear thinking about.

How terribly boring. Not a patch on the old kit imo

if your going to ask for comments about the kit how about a link to the actual kit not to some press release saying that Rapha are the new supplier.

The only image i have seen the kit looks fine.

[img] [/img]

Yawn

They're supplying the Norwegian team too?

I agree with mrmo bloody annoying that there is know photo stream of the kit, launch fail in retrospect. I do prefer simplicity in kit, I don't own any Rapha kit myself but like the look of it and I would never wear any Team wannabe kit.

I don't understand the whole cycling team kit thing being available to joe public, actually I do, to make money, I don't understand why joe public would want to buy it.
It's not like a football shirt where you can wear it when not cycling (I know that wearing football shirts is an argument for another day but it is socailly acceptable...) & surely when Brad et al are out training they've got some other training kit on & if you're a good enough roadie you'll have your own sponsor kit for racing etc?

I'm sure Rapha will be happy to sell you all sorts of casual, but subtly logo-ed gear.

druidh - Member
They're supplying the Norwegian team too?

POSTED 6 MINUTES AGO #

No, that's the Norwegian Champions colours.

I'm surprised that this is the case but I think the old one looked better. The 'wet look' on the black jersey is a little too gimp for my liking, cuffs on the sleeve look too big, collar looks odd. Logo's a different size on EBH's jersey (I assume) to accommodate the national colours.

It has the look of something that was 80% complete but never quite had the time or attention spent on it to sort out the finer details. For all their many faults as a company, detailing is something I would normally associate with Rapha, but this design looks rushed.

Rapha is cycling kits for wanabee cyclists with far too much money.

That looks like a cheap, badly designed and poorly made copy of what I was expecting the new kit to be like.

I had a wee sneaky look in the Rapha shop in London last month . Some lovely kit but the thought of wearing a £130 jumper to fall of my bike in seems a bit ridiculous. Still if you can afford It why not , the Team sky kit still looks a bit drab though.

Well we now know what all the Mamils who buy Di2 Colnago's and Speches will be wearing round Richmond park this year!

Wouldn't buy any replica team gear so doesnt bother me. I will keep buying rapha gear when I can though, why? Cos their winter jersey, the last purchase is bloody great and I've worn it most days since buying it 2 months ago. Wearing it more than any other single item of clothes I own.

I don't understand why joe public would want to buy it.

Me neither, but I don't understand why people wear premiership football strips when their physique suggests they are unlikely to participate in any sporting activity.

If you are into your road cycling you probably have joined a club so wear club kit or if you can afford it stylish Italian stuff or rapha.

Trade team kit is for those who dabble in cycling but still want to differentiate themselves from commuters and MTB'ers wearing badly fitting DHB/Altura

I don't understand the whole cycling team kit thing being available to joe public,

commuters and MTB'ers wearing badly fitting DHB/Altura

Even if I had a proper road bike I wouldn't wear the replica kit as I think you would need the Correct bike, like a Dogma 2, and the full deal not to look silly.

I've a couple of Team Sky T shirts as I think they look good and I like Adidas stuff, but I'm not going to jump straight in and buy the Rapha T shirts.

I wouldn't wear the replica kit

old replica is ok, fagor, pdm, mapei,etc, current kit not so imo

surely when Brad et al are out training they've got some other training kit on

They use team kit, usually its compulsory as part of the contract. They are afterall moving billboards.

Replica kit sales are good for cycling, it shows the advertising money is well spent. More the advertisers get for their money the more they invest in the sport instead of others.

For the snobs then they can rest easy that you can't race wearing it (sportives aren't races) so they won't be lining up against a dozen "bradley's"

Even if I had a proper road bike I wouldn't wear the replica kit as I think you would need the Correct bike, like a Dogma 2, and the full deal not to look silly.

Matching bike and team kit? - That's when you'd look particularly silly rather than just plain daft

but I don't understand why people wear premiership football strips when their physique suggests they are unlikely to participate in any sporting activity.

Are you sure you don't understand it ?

It's really quite simple.

[img] [/img]

😀

Some people want to wear the same shirt as their heroes. If you have a problem with that, you need to get over yourself.

Massive +1.

Surely all the fanboyz will be in the new omega pharma quickstep kit?

[img] [/img]

That's it is it, what we've been waiting for, the whole cloak and dagger thing.

It's black with SKY on it, and a jaunty coloured arm band like every top they do.
**** me they are the Roger Moore of cycling.

^^^^^ 😆

It would be great if they did every team kit.
Rabobank, black with and orange bit.
Leakygaz, black with a lime bit.
BMC, black with a red bit.
Obviously they couldn't do any other teams with blue in it.

[img] [/img]

Is Wiggo auditioning for the Village People in that pic? He'd have a better chance if he did the actions as well but the camp clothing seems about right.

Top kit.

You lot would moan about free food.

it had better be organic 👿

not sure how the exclusive elitist pseudo-heritage image of Rapha is a good fit for the massive corporation that is Sky, and the scientific "romanceless" way they have dominated races? I can't see the Raphanista embracing Sky, and the casual cycling fan who's adopted Sky as the British team getting into Rapha?

The race kit is made by Nalini so that should help if any sky fans cant bring themselves to wear middle class baubles.

Really, just assumed it was made by Rapha, thought they were a cycle clothing emporium.

I don't get the whole wearing current Replica kit whilst riding a bike, just looks really odd to me, like trying too hard...

So Nalini are outfitting a Rapha supported team?

What does that say about Rapha?
Is Nalini made in Italy?
Isn't a lot of Rapha made in China?

Final word on the whole Rapha thing. For the bull you spout and the prices you charge; give us the real deal.

Nalini made for Adidas, what does that say about Adidas?
Does it really matter?
Maybe you have a beef with the U.K's most stylish lifestyle cycling brand which clouds your objectivity?
🙄

Looks like any other roadie cycling lycra jerseys/kit to me, ie : gash and garish looking on skinny cyclists and so outa place i almost feel like pointing and giggling when i see it draped over the vast majority of non-pro cyclists as they huff n' puff along the road whilst lycra'd up.

I should thank my lucky stars i'm not a roadie then eh? 😉

No worse that the lurid motocross storm troopers using their full face lid to hide their lips going brrrrrrrrm-brrrrrrrm as they roll around trail centres

What do you mean the race kit's made by Nalini? Surely the whole point is that it's Rapha... 😕

Giant build frames for specialized, santa cruz etc.. lots of manufacturers make stuff for other manufacturers, who makes everything 100% in house these days?

We will be subjected to loads of Rapha films of team sky this year. Disasterous. If its nalani making the kit why not put it out to young british designers to design the kit as a competition. They could even get it made here? I'd see that as a better promotion of a UK based team, whatever that means these days!

What do you mean the race kit's made by Nalini? Surely the whole point is that it's Rapha...

Which bit of "the race Kit is made by Nalini" don't you understand?

We will be subjected to loads of Rapha films of team sky this year. Disasterous. If its nalani making the kit why not put it out to young british designers to design the kit as a competition. They could even get it made here? I'd see that as a better promotion of a UK based team, whatever that means these days!

You don't have to watch the films
Disaster? Have you let the red cross know?
Do you have any idea how sponsorship deals work? Your quaint notions are plucked from the utopian La-la land in your head.

Final word on the whole Rapha thing. For the bull you spout and the prices you charge; give us the real deal.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Buying Rapha? - You've been suckered in to the marketing. Well done them and their massive profit margins!

Giant build frames for specialized, santa cruz etc.. lots of manufacturers make stuff for other manufacturers, who makes everything 100% in house these days?

That's different, as I read it the inference was that the race kit is being made by (and thus will exhibit the logos of) Nalini, ie the Sky guys won't actually be using Rapha kit, hence my surprise.

If it's the case that it's Rapha products made to their spec, from their materials in a factory owned by Nalini (like the frame example) then it's still Rapha kit IMO... MrSmith can make himself feel better with the 'hilarious' condescending remarks.

Frankly I really don't care either way, not interested in replica kit, the old stuff looked better, but it's the epitome of first world problems.

Why all the hand wringing over a jersey? Cycling (and other sports) are full of rebadged/rebranded bits of equipment.
Don't like it? Don't buy it then or pledge your doe-eyed support to a team that doesn't offend your middle class sensibilities.

That's funny and original CFH, never seen that before in a Rapha thread. People who care about what clothes other people buy are worse than people who buy Rapha, fact.

STW forumites in snobbery and funpolice shocker. if you like the kit, buy it, very simples. If you dont, then dont. If you want to buy, and can afford a Di2 equipped Colnago or Venge etc, then go ahead, spend the money on what you enjoy. Some folk on here seriously need to get a life.

That's funny and original CFH, never seen that before in a Rapha thread. People who care about what clothes other people buy are worse than people who buy Rapha, fact.

That's the added value of Rapha, the consternation of those who don't own any.

[quote=MrSmith ]
That's the added value of Rapha, the [s]consternation[/s] condescension of those who don't own any.
FTFY

No worse that the lurid motocross storm troopers using their full face lid to hide their lips going brrrrrrrrm-brrrrrrrm as they roll around trail centres

Good post ^

On the Rapha thing, why do people get so hot up about the pricing... if its not for you dont buy it, if your poor dont buy it, move along get yourself onto wiggle and DHB. It will look gash, you will think you look good, you wont. Ive got some DHB shorts, thankfully the logo came off so that I now actually look cool, and because I look cool im fast as lightening, boom!

Seriously though, get over it.

CaptainFlashheart - Member

Final word on the whole Rapha thing. For the bull you spout and the prices you charge; give us the real deal.

Buying Rapha? - You've been suckered in to the marketing. Well done them and their massive profit margins!

Oh narcissistic one, you forgot the nauseating wink on the end of your post. (you know... just to cover yourself)

I think the issue is that even fanbois like MrSmith refer to it as a lifestyle brand, which at least has some honesty about it. I have no issues with buying or others buying pricey kit (my motorbike kit is all Dainese) , my issue with Rapha is the amount of lifestyle BS marketing behind it, rather than the heritage and race-proven design of other brands. Rapha take themselves too seriously as do some of their defenders (and haters) and anything with a strong following and heavy marketing will generate detractors. If you did a Venn diagram of Rapha owners and Apple product owners it'd look like one circle...

Evangelists of any persuasion invite baiting as they are soft targets.

And the question is, is it 'just' re-badged, or sub contracted. A high end brand simply re branding someone else's product (rather than getting it made to their spec as per the Santa Cruz example) is laughable, admitting your own designs and materials aren't fit for purpose.

Edit for following post; if that's done for individual rider preference I don't have an issue, but wholesale re badging can't do the visible brand any good in the long run when it becomes well known?

Halve of the Pro's gear/equipment is made by other companies and then badged up with the Sponsors logo, Tyres ,wheels,Saddles,Shoes etc.

Pretty certain Cav is sponsored by Nike for his shoes,but Nike have not made cycing shoes for a couple of years now,so are his one-offs or rebranded shoes from another manufacturer?

Who gives a rats ass about it, if you like it buy it, I do and I do. So what, I also buy other kit, enjoy whatever you like and ride your bike.

Pretty certain Cav is sponsored by Nike for his shoes,but Nike have not made cycing shoes for a couple of years now,so are his one-offs or rebranded shoes from another manufacturer?

Not now he isnt at least on the OPQS media stuff produced today, also isnt using his signature PRO line stem and bars. probably as OPQS are using SRAM. No wonder it takes a while to sort contracts for pro riders with massive commercial potential.

I've just used a DHB jacket today, far better than the Aldi one I had before.

For the record; I think Rapha gear is pretty good, I recommended it to all the guys that I shot down to Paris and back with, I hate the bull and hype.
I think people who just go straight to the top i.e the proverbial Colnago with Di2 without having turned a pedal are prats. I believe in a bit of humbleness, an apprenticeship if you like.
I don't want to see discs on road and cross bikes anytime (too) soon.
I can't abide Strava, but value it's worth.
I'm a snob when it comes to cycling, but just because I love it so much.
I'll give up my time for anyone that want's to ride a bike, I'll sit with them at the back until they get home or spend all day on Go-Ride unofficially babysitting other peoples kids, just in case one of them does actually enjoy it.
All riders, superstars, poseurs, out and out dangerous idiots I'll ride with any of them.
But I have opinions that are founded back in the seventies that's all.

[quote=oldgit ]
I'm a snob when it comes to cycling, but just because [b]I love it so much[/b].
Not trying to be funny or owt, but your posts rarely come across like that.

Hmm

Well I love bikes, have a fair few, ride em a lot, race em a lot. And do shed loads to help people into the old game.

I really really hate bullshit, I think that's what it is.

fanbois like MrSmith

And the question is, is it 'just' re-badged, or sub contracted. A high end brand simply re branding someone else's product (rather than getting it made to their spec as per the Santa Cruz example) is laughable, admitting your own designs and materials aren't fit for purpose.

It's cycling clothing, no more no less, it's as expensive as castelli/assos
Are you that naive? You have no idea who Merida and giant manufacture for? Or who actually makes those expensive tubeless rims?

I'm well aware how sponsorship works, I am sponsored myself and and know the game between athlete/product/sales. The thing is sky is the top of the tree for cycling, and with that much clout and cash could do something interesting with a clothing company in the UK. Rapha must be loving it. Lifestyle high end paired with pure athletes = quids in. The two things that most aspire to, but never reach; being race fit and thinking you look lush as you pass any reflective surface.

[b]I think people who just go straight to the top i.e the proverbial Colnago with Di2 without having turned a pedal are prats[/b]. I believe in a bit of humbleness, an apprenticeship if you like.
I don't want to see discs on road and cross bikes anytime (too) soon.
I can't abide Strava, but value it's worth.

Pot... kettle...

You do come out with some crap! What business of yours is it if people want to start with decent bikes? Jealously.

Must say I like Assos kit (although it was better 5 years ago IMO, but have never tried Rapha, because I'm not a fan of the shit they spout, a friend has several bits though and it looks like really decent kit.

Has anyone considered tat it's ok to buy Rapha, just because you like it. I'm pretty sure that I've liked the look of nearly evrerything I've ever bought in some way shape or form. My kitchen looks nice, it's not just a load of boxes in a pile. My shoes match my coat, I like to buy things from Paul Smith, is it REALLY such a big deal?

I cannot understand one of the earlier comments on how its acceptable to wear old/vintage style replica kit but not the current stuff.

Why thats like saying its ok to drive a vintage Ford but not a current one.

Personally I wear what I want which does include one of last years Adidas Sky Team tops,Also have a Nike TDF yellow jersey.
I'm in no way disallusioned at my cycling prowess of trying to kid people into thinking I'm some sort of Pro(the hairy legs are a dead giveaway) its nice looking gear and beats cycling round in a Man U(insert random football team) shirt.

I cannot understand one of the earlier comments on how its acceptable to wear old/vintage style replica kit but not the current stuff.

+1

I wouldn't wear team kit (retro or otherwise), and frankly I'll judge people who do, because I'm an elitist snob, but I don't think retro stuff is any better, looks even more like you're trying too hard IMO!

Has anyone considered tat it's ok to buy Rapha, just because you like it.

Oh it's far more complicated than that. How can you be so dismissive of the suffering that surrounds such an epic purchasing decision

njee20, everyone should start with a decent bike? There's decent bikes and there's decent bikes.
It's no business of mine at all you're right, but they are prats AFAIC.
Forgive me on being opinionated about certain things.

You do come out with some crap! What business of yours is it if people want to start with decent bikes? Jealously.

He gave his reason and you quoted it

you may disagree with his given reason but to make one up is a bit daft.

It's no business of mine at all you're right, but they are prats AFAIC.
Forgive me on being opinionated about certain things.

Nothing wrong with having an opinion. Bit odd for somebody who loves cycling so much to dismiss others for feeling the same and putting their hard earned behind it. You have no way of knowing if that di2 was bought on a whim or scrimping and saving, it shouldn't matter either way.

True, but I've had good friends go a bit excessive and seen the disappointment when the hard earned didn't elevate their ability.
Today I rode with a guy that's been riding just over a year on a decent Trek, but recently bought a Madone and is over the moon.

Strangely enough, rapha is one of the biggest sponsors of UK cycling.
Make of that what you will.
Is adidas sponsoring UK cycling?
Is Nalini?
Is Pinarello?
Is Endura? (Which is all made in china now)
Is Howies?(china?)
Is Orange?
Is sidi?
Is giro? (All made in China)
Is fox?(china?)
Is animal?(china?)
Get over yourselves. You're all like little spoilt children.

Ooops Dads home.

Strangely enough, rapha is one of the biggest sponsors of UK cycling.
Make of that what you will.

oldgit - Member - Quote
njee20, everyone should start with a decent bike? There's decent bikes and there's decent bikes.
It's no business of mine at all you're right, but they are prats AFAIC.

Is Pinarello?

Buy cheap Chinese ripped off team strips. Jerseys 20 and fit for the job
C

I don't mind the team kit but i won't be going out to buy it as i think we all know on here its just for the mass public to spend cash on and we are all entitled to do what we want with our savings, but lets be honest with the year that cycling has had with being in the Newspapers or on the T.V for all reasons good or bad Cycling is now more than ever becoming dare i say it main stream, never mind if you can ride a bike or not everyone knows who Bradley Wiggins and company are now and they want more of them and Sky will give into that Demand, How long before we are being forced to pay for the Tour of France and the rest by having to Subscribe to Sky sports, its coming mark my words...There is now too much money to be made..!!