Fashion

Pouty, Hipster Greetings From Rapha

by editors on December 24, 2023

Those soulful Walmart siblings behind the cycling brand Rapha would like to wish you a pouty, hipster, cool kid holiday season and remind you to get out on your bikes and ride 500 km between Christmas and New Years Day. Because the brand is all about “camaraderie and community, motivation and mistakes, and moments of personal effort.” But don’t smile. No. Never smile. No one looks cool showing emotion. And cycling is all about being cool.

And if you can ride 500 km wearing their latest, overpriced oeuvre of black and semi-black clothing, please do. Remember to share all your outings on your socials with the hashtag #buymorerapha. 

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New Belgian Waffle Kits Are Rad

by editors on January 27, 2023

Monuments of Cycling has partnered with Florida-based Mumu Cycling Apparel to create a new BWR collection for the 2023 BWRs and the Quadrupel Crown of Gravel. The BWR collection features shirts, hats, water bottles, caps, arm warmers, vests, hoodies, jerseys and bib shorts. And, the best part is they look great!

We are so excited about this collaboration! The collection took its inspiration from the Belgian National Team Colors but there are more options than ever before. . . Mumu will fulfill all existing pre-orders including those placed before January 8, 2023, and will reach out with further details. For any questions, please contact bwr@mumuapparel.com.

For for the full line and all the details, please click the link.

[Link: Belgian Waffle Ride]

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Velocio Sells Out To SRAM

by editors on March 9, 2022

Velocio is not a company we’ve followed closely over the years, other than to say they make our favorite riding vest: one that fits well, packs up small, and has perfectly sized pockets. They also make cool women’s bibs. If you’re unaware, check them out. But today (March 9, 2022) the company announced that they have sold their business to the Chicago-based cycling giant SRAM.

Here’s Velocio’s explanation:

What’s exciting is that we’ll now have SRAM’s backing for more independent product design and development, including a still bigger push towards sustainability in our product offerings and how we deliver them. We’ll also have SRAM’s reach into racing and teams as well as their insights into global distribution and retail support. If the burden of a growing business is to grow ever further, there are few partners more suited for that future in the cycling industry than SRAM.

And they’re right, but for us buyouts are always a big bowl of sweet and sour soup. We’re happy for the founders on a great exit, yet saddened by more consolidation in the cycling business. Founders are always optimistic about their new opportunities under a bigger umbrella, but rarely do they end up with much more than the same corporate decision tree that forces “efficiencies” and increased margins, and reduced costs. And that’s never good for product.

For the rest of the Velocio sale statement, please click the link.

[Link: Velocio]

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Vans + SE Bikes: Don’t Try This at Home

by editors on July 20, 2021

Well, at least it’s better than Peloton, right?

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Belgian Waffle Ride Debuts 2021 Eliel Kits

by editors on April 22, 2021

Monuments of Cycling has designed a new collection of Belgian Waffle Ride kits with Eliel. 

We’re very excited about this new BWR kit with it’s subtle nod to the Lion of Flanders. We think it perfectly fits the festive spirit of returning to racing on the new BWR course with the largest field of riders an event like this has ever seen! It’s our 10th Anniversary, too!

Hard to believe that it’s been a decade since that first Belgian Waffle Ride. Order window closes on the California kits on May 2, 2021 so click the link and order up.

[Link: Belgian Waffle Ride]

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Chrome’s Storm Salute Commute Jacket

by editors on October 27, 2020

Occasionally, we’ll see something we like. Don’t know why exactly, but we see it, read about it, and immediately start figuring out ways to add the item to our collection. That’s where Chrome’s new Storm Salute Commute jacket comes in. It has all the bells, all the whistles, and yet it still looks good, and that’s not easy to do.

Working hard to keep you dry, the new Storm Salute Commute is constructed with 2.5-layer waterproof + breathable stretch fabric, fully seam-taped to ensure waterproofness. The breathability keeps you comfortable while on the go through the city, and the adjustable Storm Hood fits your helmet without slipping off while on the bike. . . Chrome continues to balance utility and style with reflective accents on the left sleeve, cuffs and lower back to keep you visible during night rides. This ideal commuter jacket offers the perfect fit with an adjustable drop hem with drawcord, while the two-way zip and upper back yoke vent aid in keeping you cool. To stash your stuff, the Storm Salute Commute features a zippered interior phone pocket and back cargo pocket.

We get all this fit, function, and style for $185. It’s available in black and dusty olive. Want to buy one? Click the link.

[Link: Chrome Industries]

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Why Are MTB Shoes So Ugly?

by editors on October 14, 2019

This is not a rhetorical question. We really want to know. If you have any idea why current MTB shoes are always, boxy, clunky, bloated-looking clod hoppers, please leave it in the comments. Thanks.

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Nelson Vails + Rapha = Retro Fresh Kit

by editors on April 22, 2019

Rapha, is inviting you to join them at Rapha LA on April 27, 2019 at 4pm for the launch of the limited edition Nelson Vails collection (inspired by his first team – Toga Tempo Thunder Bolt), with a special twist.

Nelson Vails himself will join us to share stories of a memorable career, from New York City bike messenger to Olympian. Nicknamed The Cheetah, the Harlem raised rider was the first African-American cyclist to win an Olympic medal, and was inducted into the US Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009.

We recommend hanging out with Nelly on any cycling occasion, but this limited edition kit launch looks like an even better reason. Rapha will have drinks, food and the full collection on display for purchase. To RSVP, please click the link.

[Link: Rapha LA]

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Tasco’s New Recon Ultralite Gloves

by editors on April 11, 2019

The news from Sea Otter 2019 has been storming in for hours, but here’s something we’ve been waiting for. Tasco today announced the release of their new Recon Ultralite gloves. Here’s what they’re saying about it.

Welcome to your new favorite Ultra minimalist performance love with all the features you need for your day in the saddle. When you want to wear a glove, yet fell like you aren’t — the Recon Ultralite glove is what you’ll reach for. These gloves are engineered to be the lightest glove on the market today without sacrificing the quality and fit that you have come to expect from Tasco.

The Recons feature durable nylon top of hand, conductive threads on index finger and thumb for working your phone without shedding your gloves, silicone grip on palm and fingers, a microfiber thumb patch, a seamless single layer “Tacti-cool” palm, and fitted “o-prene” cuff enclosure. All this for $38 a pair. Sounds just like our next pair of gloves. For all the official details on the Recon, please click the link.

[Link: TASCO]

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The Shadow Conspiracy + The Hundreds

by editors on March 27, 2019

Everyone needs a bike to roll around on when they’re not on a group ride, racing off road, or training for the Olympics, and The Shadow Conspiracy and LA streetwear kings The Hundreds have created just the right 26 inch BMX bike for doing that.

The one-of-a-kind bike comes with an old-school drop nose seat adorned by a sublimated custom graphic and retro-inspired pad set. This bike isn’t just a looker, built with the guts and glory of The Shadow Conspiracy proprietary custom parts, including their signature Shadow Chain. 

The bike, along withmatching jersey, tees, pullover, and hat, to go along with it, will be released tomorrow, March 28, 2019. If you want to check it out, roll by The Hundreds on Fairfax in Los Angeles at 5:30 PM for an “LA Mash” to Lock & Key on Vermont. For all the details, follow the jump.

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