Comments on: Dumbest Product of the Week- Velo Couture Strikes Back, Rapha Three Piece Cycling Suit by Timothy Everest

By: Dave Wyman

Dave Wyman — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:53:08 +0000

I’m a bit late to this post. Oh, well.

I don’t think Rapha intends to sell so much as one of these suits. I think putative existence for such an item is simply a way to draw people to Rapha’s other products, like their jerseys and jackets. For Rapha, it’s about creating a buzz.

By: patrick

patrick — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:36:13 +0000

Why not just have a custom suit made, and ride your bicycle while wearing it?

By: Rod

Rod — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:49:58 +0000

While transportation rides of up to 2 or 3 miles don’t require specialty clothing, I do daily transportation rides of 20 miles (10 miles each way to work and back). I would find that extremely uncomfortable in street clothes, and would have to change anyway at my destination due to the normal Austin heat. So I wouldn’t say specialty clothing isn’t for transportation cycling, it depends on how far the transporting is.

I agree about the suit though. Stupid idea, but sometimes entrepreneurs have to try several stupid ideas before they find one that works. Sometimes gimmicky products catch on and make lots of money. Remember pet rocks?

By: elliott

elliott — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:20:35 +0000

Robert,
I actually don’t have a problem with specialized clothing in general. On a 50 mile ride, you’d have to pry the chamois out of my cold dead hands!

I just think for urban, transportation uses, all the speciality cycling clothing (most of which is UGLY) serves as a barrier for people who aren’t cycling enthusiasts. The marketers of such products and the enthusiasts make it appear that you need this stuff before you can ride. A good transportation bike allows you to hop on it street cloths and go. I shouldn’t need special cloths to go to the grocery store.

I agree, for a custom suit from an established taylor, the price is not outrageous. But really, for that price I want a REAL suit that I can wear everywhere, not a compromise with ugly flares to meet the needs of performance cycling.

By: Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:08:35 +0000

What is it about cycling clothing that inspires such taking of sides? I sometimes see bloggers saying things like, “I’m no Spandex freak,” defending their street-clothes and upright bull-horn handlebars. Me, as a regular commuter on a year-round basis, I find that specialized cycling clothes are definitely the way to go. John Forrester talked about the provenance of cycling clothes years ago in Effective cycling — why chamois, why black, why wool, etc. etc.

At just the right time of year (early-mid spring or late-mid fall,) street clothes can be made to work on a bike. At least in a temperate climate. Austin is another story. Street clothes are probably winter wear there.

All that said, three and a half large is a fair price to pay for a custom suit. But I would guess that at least two of those large is for the words “Savile Row”. Honestly, though, I don’t think there’s a tailor alive who can craft a suit that gives the freedom of movement I want on my bike and would look acceptable in a boardroom.

If it were me, I’d be getting a custom suit made of non-wrinkling microfiber and just roll it up and stuff it in the pannier. Shower and change at work. Infinitely more practical solution. (And “practical” is my, uh, middle name!