Rapha launches Team Sky range, with three-tier pricing on kit in shrewd marketing move
Team Sky range goes live, Pro Team, Replica and Supporters ranges available, plus women's and kids
Rapha_Sky_Bernie_Salvatore
Cycle clothing brand Rapha, the new supplier of clothing and other kit to Team Sky, has started launching its range of technical and leisure clothing and accessories on its website, and concerns that it would be priced way beyond the reach of all but the wealthiest fans have been headed off by the smart tactic of introducing three different ranges - one Pro Team spec, and at prices reflecting those of other garments from the brand, another at a lower price point and termed Replica, and a third Supporters range that is cheaper still.
That's not to say that Rapha's looking to fob fans off with the latter - the fact is, it's usually near impossible to get hold of kit identical to what the pros actually wear, so replica jerseys you can buy for other teams, or for Sky itself when it was supplied by Adidas, are replicas rather than the real thing.
And Rapha's replica Sky jerseys cost £75, compared to the Adidas replica which was at £70 (although it could be found for less). But if it's just showing the colours you want to do, rather than a garment specifically for riding any distance, Supporters jerseys are also available - and they are just £40.
Even for a brand that prides itself on its marketing, it's a shrewd move - the higher spec jersey, which costs £140, keeps brand purists happy too, or at least those who might consider wearing kit from a team they don't actually ride for.
Other products range from men's and women's bibshorts at £170 a pop - that's the Pro Team versions - to a "supporters' scarf" for £15
The irony of that female-specific kit won't be lost on some of Britain's top women riders - Lizzie Armitstead is among those who have previously called for Sky to launch a women's team. Besides a dedicated women's range, there is also a kid's range and a full suite of accessories.
Here's a description of the ranges in Rapha's own words:
Creating a total of 60 new Team Sky products for 2013, the Rapha offering will allow riders and supporters of all levels to show their favor for Team Sky, the number one team in the world in 2012:
Pro-Team: At the highest level, riders will be able to wear exactly what the Team Sky riders will wear to race and train in 2013, keeping the same design, fit and performance from the peloton. The Pro-Team offer includes a mix of jerseys, bibs, jackets, merino, and accessories.
Replica: For the rider wanting the look but who doesn’t require the complete pro-performance or price tag. The Replica offer includes women’s and kid’s and “Wiggo” emblazoned jerseys.
City Wear & Supporter: Created to dress the riders and staff of Team Sky, the offering for supporters ranges from new gingham check colors of the Rapha Long Sleeve Shirt, Rapha Jeans, T-shirts, and supporters scarves and flags. A standout new product in this offer is the ‘Supporters Jersey’, a top that has the look of the team but with a cut meant to pair with jeans for off-the-bike.
The Pro Jersey (£140) is said to be the same as the one the pros will be wearing this year, made from the same technical fabric with race radio cable loops and mesh side panels. It uses what Rapha call 'coldblack' technology, the dyestuff being designed to absorb less heat than usual to stay cool against the skin.
The Pro Bib Shorts come with an EIT (Elastic Interface Technology)/Cytech seatpad, have a permanent wicking treatment, and are priced at £170.
The Replica Bib Shorts - the next level down - are £100. Or you can pay £105 for a version with GB National Champion stripes - won by Ian Stannard in 2012 - or the Norwegian National Champion's version, as worn by Edvald Boasson Hagen.
The Supporter range contains items like a Team Sky Merino Hoody (£140), and a Merino Hat (£35). The Team Sky Jeans are £150 - the same price as Rapha's usual jeans upon which they are clearly modelled. Many of the products in the range are existing Rapha designs with the addition of Team Sky's logos and blue highlights.
It's the same deal with the Team Sky Belt, for example (yes, of course there's a Team Sky Belt). Rapha already do a black/pink version. Now they do a black/blue Team Sky version. They cost the same at £70. It’s made for Rapha by high-end Italian brand Anderson’s.
The leather Team Sky Grand Tour gloves are more expensive than the existing Rapha ones, though - they're £120 rather than £100.
The complete collection comes available mid‐February online at Rapha.cc and at Rapha Cycle Club stores in London, San Francisco, and Osaka. Riders and fans in the UK will be able to buy the complete Rapha Team Sky collection at all Evans Cycles locations and online at evanscycles.com too.
Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?
Replica tops coming in Feb - £75 for adults (both men and women) and £50 for children, plus a £45 Wiggo supporter's top
http://www.rapha.cc/team-sky-replica-short-sleeve-jersey
Looks like they've got the right idea about encouraging the masses to buy in to the brand. £75 ain't so bad for a replica jersey and it has 'Rapha' written on it
The Sky Supporters of the World breathed a sigh of relief...
Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?
Well done 
Agree on the colours not exactly standing out to oncoming traffic! - think the kit look great though...
'And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers'
They'll mostly be racing on closed roads, of course.
I like the way they describe the £45 Supporters Wiggo Jersey as a 'relaxed fit'. Very Sports Direct.
Well the Rapha site has crashed so this is obviously a popular thing. I tried to look out of curiosity but there have got to be a lot of people looking with their credit card at the ready.
Just shows not to react instantly! 
Still, hardly impressive or inspired from the design gurus at Rapah Towers. Must have spent hours with the blue highlighter colouring in a standard jersey.
Rapha's range must surely go even further up in price to recover the "investment" in kitting out a Pro Tour team.
It's not a bad looking kit actually. However, replica national champs jerseys is asking for trouble. Talk about painting a target on your back! Wearing a Wiggo replica, complete with mod name up the ribs and the union flag on the arm will also get you some stick, I suspect.
http://www.rapha.cc/team-sky-gb-national-champions-replica-jersey
http://www.rapha.cc/team-sky-wiggo-replica-jersey
If the bicycle was invented tomorrow, it would be seen as the solution, not the problem
I do like the Rapha stuff to look at - but the price 
I would rather 2 of everything from one of the big cycling retailers.
I am suprised at Rapha as I thought they were "too cool" for this but it fits with their thoughts on cycling that you are not a cyclist unless going up some Col in France or cycling at warp speed everywhere 
Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?
I can see the guys in the pics that illustrate this article pretty easily, fwiw. If the jersey were grey, with a pattern of small stones, you might have a point.
--
"Tant que je respire, j'attaque!"
Looks pretty good and the pricing and range are in keeping with the castelli Garmin range.
Not that i can really afford any of it. Whats the likelihood of there being an end-of-year discount sale?
Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?
What's is so different from the Adidas kit that would make it any harder to see the rider?
I think the Fluoro issue is a bit of a nonsense anyway. It's just a lame excuse for people not checking for cyclists.
It looks like a good design. The only criticism is that it's perhaps not ground breaking in design and rather conventional. It has the Rapha armband, but it doesn't really hark back to the 'good old days' of cycling like the rest of the Rapha range.....though beyond making the Sky team wear wool or something I'm not sure what they could do.....Taxi!
philallan wrote:Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?I can see the guys in the pics that illustrate this article pretty easily, fwiw. If the jersey were grey, with a pattern of small stones, you might have a point.
Wow, I am glad I don't really like the SKY kit, I don't really want Rupert Murdoch plastered across my chest. I support what team Sky have done for british cycling but these prices have to be a rip off.
Is Rapha kit actually make in the UK or Italy at least?Because if it really just made in China this is a total abuse of the fans and blatant profiteering. £240 for a jersey and bibs before you even buy any other items.
Cheers, G
Site back up... never known anything quite like it.
My favourite item is the Merino Hoody -- wish they did that in a non-Sky colour.
FFS, anyone would think we were being forced to buy it...!
It's a British team, supplied by a British clothing company, on the world stage, and it's priced more or less like the competition.
So what's the problem?
Oh, I see it now. Both of them.
Sky.
Rapha.
If the bicycle was invented tomorrow, it would be seen as the solution, not the problem
Admire the team but not the kit-too corporate.Disappointed that Paul Smith not involved after all.
Ruthless,efficient,takes orders and dressed in black-remind you of anything?
Nevman
Its funny but with cycling, I always think having pro team kit on looks really naff. It should be fun trying to pick out the sprinters from a helicopter camera with the steady influx of black/dark blue kit. Shouldn't be a problem for Sky thinking about it 
Admire the team but not the kit-too corporate.Disappointed that Paul Smith not involved after all.
Ruthless,efficient,takes orders and dressed in black-remind you of anything?
How do you know he wasn't?
If the bicycle was invented tomorrow, it would be seen as the solution, not the problem
Eddy's Norwegian National Champion's jersey is a big improvement on the Adidas one, which had a rather small flag band across his chest.
two wheels good; four wheels bad
£240 for a jersey and bibs before you even buy any other items.
The replica jersey & bibs - which is comparable to what you would get for other teams - is £175.
The Pro Team range - the same kit the riders use - will cost you more. You'll have trouble finding that for other teams.
Not sure any serious riders would buy into the supporters range for riding, but fact is Rapha and Sky have just changed the game in the way team kit is merchandised.
Rapha's number one issue was always going to be tackling the 'How much?' criticism, and they've done that head on and imaginatively I reckon.
Looks like a replica Manchester United top (apparently it's a soccer club) is about £30, but the volumes must be absolutely gigantormous, and I bet the quality is nothing like what the players actually go out on field wearing.
And most soccer shirt wearers seem to like having somebody else's name emblazoned on their back... 
Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?
You could always buy last years Liquigas-Cannondale kit. You'd be seen, and drivers would slow down as they are sick after looking at the that much lime green.
It had never occurred to me before, but my dad cracked up telling me he had seen a cyclist with 'liquidgas' written across his bum!
If the bicycle was invented tomorrow, it would be seen as the solution, not the problem
Anybody know if Rapha's used MOA to make the team issue kit (like rumour has it Sky used previously) ?
I'll pick myself up a chinese knockoff for about 18 quid.
"I can't believe I ate the whole thing..."
The kit looks good (better without the addidas stripes). Interesting to see the three price level range.
Isn't Sky a little bit common for Rapha?
Isn't Sky a little bit common for Rapha?
No 1 Pro team in the world? Yeah, Rapha should have just stuck with a Conti team unknown outside the British pro scene - much more exclusive
philallan wrote:Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?You could always buy last years Liquigas-Cannondale kit. You'd be seen, and drivers would slow down as they are sick after looking at the that much lime green.
Even better: Farnese Vini. Can be seen from satellites orbiting the planet
Yeah they're good but not as good as this:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281328_1015033422...
The kits a grower! I like more each time I look at it! But £50 for team gloves! Really!!! Not that I'd buy them anyway but even so!!! Love that they have done a womens range in it to, only ever seen garmin do a women's team jersey before two season ago. More should follow suit!
Seriously, this is a real test for both brands - Team Sky/British Cycling is all high tech and high performance, Rapha has been premium price style and heritage. Doing the 3 tier thing risks eroding this exclusive reputation for Rapha and if Wiggo loses a TT by seconds, could it be the Rapha skinsuit that cost it and fails to gain them any high performance cudos. At the same time, will the Surrey bankers who currently buy Rapha be terribly impressed if their formerly exclusive brand is suddenly all over common cycling fans?
I am just curious about how this will all play out from a business perspective as I don't buy either Rapha or Team Sky Kit (you can get better looking and as good or even better quality and performance kit for far less money elsewhere!)
It's a shame they didn't sign up with Prendas. That would have kept everyone happy! OK so it's top end cycle clothing at a price. If that was the only line they are doing, I would understand but the 3 tier thing is very clever.
Honestly, some of you lot are like Pavlov's Dogs. Personally, I can't wait to get my tatty threads on this weekend for some bike riding.
arrieredupeleton
Yeah, Nalini/Moa have done a great job of the new kit!
yep they did again
Would buy that hoody if Rapha released it in non-Sky colours.
(have nothing against Sky, just don't wear team colours ever).
But c'mon SKY as a brand are pretty pikey.
The kit is good. I think the design is good. Certainly better than other pro-teams' kit. I like how they have bled some of the design features into other items from their range. I don't like wearing team kit. Even club kit horrible. Rapha's stuff is smart and you don't feel like a moving bill-board. They will be distinctive.
Is it a bad thing to have a premium brand?
Still smiling politely at a persistently flat chain.
But c'mon SKY as a brand are pretty pikey.
Not when I'm watching races on Eurosport or decent programmes on Sky Atlantic
Seriously, this is a real test for both brands - Team Sky/British Cycling is all high tech and high performance, Rapha has been premium price style and heritage. Doing the 3 tier thing risks eroding this exclusive reputation for Rapha and if Wiggo loses a TT by seconds, could it be the Rapha skinsuit that cost it and fails to gain them any high performance cudos. At the same time, will the Surrey bankers who currently buy Rapha be terribly impressed if their formerly exclusive brand is suddenly all over common cycling fans?I am just curious about how this will all play out from a business perspective as I don't buy either Rapha or Team Sky Kit (you can get better looking and as good or even better quality and performance kit for far less money elsewhere!)
Re the skinsuits for TTs...you dont suppose that anything was road-tested by the riders, do you, as part of the whole development process? Hmmm.... 
Wow, bargain kit. And so stealth you'll be invisible to drivers. What's not to like?
And you endorse the Murdochs. Triffic.
Team Sky belt looked really naff over my £30 bib shorts 
I think Rafa and Sky have got the pricing right. The 'replica' range is priced comparably to other teams' official kit and the 'supporter' shirts will be successful.
I reckon the design may be too easy for the Chinese counterfeiters to copy. Regardless, this is great business for Rapha, who will sell container loads of Sky kit web direct at full margin.
I've never bought a pro team replica jersey before, but I could be tempted this year.
In all seriousness...why would anyone want to buy a team replica kit, whether Rapha or not? Unless you're under 12, I guess.
In all seriousness...why would anyone want to buy a team replica kit, whether Rapha or not? Unless you're under 12, I guess.
Well said.
belgravedave wrote:But c'mon SKY as a brand are pretty pikey.Not when I'm watching races on Eurosport or decent programmes on Sky Atlantic
You can get Eurosport online and with SKY atlantic all the've done is copied what C4 we're doing a few years ago and then outbid them.
As for a brand SKY is pikey and replica team cycling wear is pikey, so it's a double pikey! What are Rapha thinking?
Team Sky belt looked really naff over my £30 bib shorts
I don't know!? It may help keep the descended gut of a MAMIL up when in the drops.
Still smiling politely at a persistently flat chain.
So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
Still smiling politely at a persistently flat chain.
Anybody know if Rapha's used MOA to make the team issue kit (like rumour has it Sky used previously) ?
That was certainly what I'd heard (on twitter), although I wasn't interested enough to do much other than shrug.
--
"Tant que je respire, j'attaque!"
Sam1 wrote:belgravedave wrote:But c'mon SKY as a brand are pretty pikey.Not when I'm watching races on Eurosport or decent programmes on Sky Atlantic
You can get Eurosport online and with SKY atlantic all the've done is copied what C4 we're doing a few years ago and then outbid them.
As for a brand SKY is pikey and replica team cycling wear is pikey, so it's a double pikey! What are Rapha thinking?
Feel free to think the entire world is pikey. But Simon Mottram will be counting his wads of cash whilst you - and I - are doing the 9-5. Now...I wonder who's the smart one? 
So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
Look what SKY have done to football, so many clubs on the verge of bankruptcy, if it wasn't for the dirty money coming in from the Middle East, Russia and China things would be even worse and as for what SKY have done to Rugby League, well that really is a disgrace and I could go on for hours (but I won't).
As for pikey your right each to his own, but if you associate Sky with dishes hanging off council flats then I can't see the fit with Rapha.
Vulpine and all the other Rapha wannabes are going to benefit from this.
So, Sky is to blame for all the problems associated with football and rugby? I have a dish on the side of my house. I own a few Rapha items. I don't feel Pikey. I'm still not sure what that term means.
Still smiling politely at a persistently flat chain.
velophilia wrote:So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
Look what SKY have done to football, so many clubs on the verge of bankruptcy, if it wasn't for the dirty money coming in from the Middle East, Russia and China things would be even worse and as for what SKY have done to Rugby League, well that really is a disgrace and I could go on for hours (but I won't).
As for pikey your right each to his own, but if you associate Sky with dishes hanging off council flats then I can't see the fit with Rapha.
Vulpine and all the other Rapha wannabes are going to benefit from this.
But here's the thing - and its pretty clever: The cycling team doesnt get associated with 'sky dishes hanging off council flats'. Rapha have hooked into an association that is with a team headed by Wiggo, the newest knight of the realm, with winning the Tour, with heralding in the Summer of Sport (TM), with stamping his pedals and demolishing the competition, with the iconic pose on the throne in front of Hampton Court, even with the all conquering trackies at the Olympics, and with British cycling at the top of the sport etc etc...
And for many people - many new to cycling - that's the association they make with the team.
The replica kit looks pretty good to me, jersey material looks similar to castelli tops and similarly priced. The pro stuff is for pros, I suspect... top end, best materials and excellently cut. You are going to pay top dollar for that from any team, and I probably wouldn't fit in it anyway. As for the design I think it's cool. The only reason I wouldn't wear the replica stuff is the Murdoch factor. Shame.
...
So they've made a scarf, have they? Hmmmm. http://internationale.teamjva.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/scarf.jpg
belgravedave wrote:velophilia wrote:So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
Look what SKY have done to football, so many clubs on the verge of bankruptcy, if it wasn't for the dirty money coming in from the Middle East, Russia and China things would be even worse and as for what SKY have done to Rugby League, well that really is a disgrace and I could go on for hours (but I won't).
As for pikey your right each to his own, but if you associate Sky with dishes hanging off council flats then I can't see the fit with Rapha.
Vulpine and all the other Rapha wannabes are going to benefit from this.But here's the thing - and its pretty clever: The cycling team doesnt get associated with 'sky dishes hanging off council flats'. Rapha have hooked into an association that is with a team headed by Wiggo, the newest knight of the realm, with winning the Tour, with heralding in the Summer of Sport (TM), with stamping his pedals and demolishing the competition, with the iconic pose on the throne in front of Hampton Court, even with the all conquering trackies at the Olympics, and with British cycling at the top of the sport etc etc...
And for many people - many new to cycling - that's the association they make with the team.
Going by the comments on this thread thats not the association people are making?
Well since news international only have a 21% stake (IIRC) in Sky, that whole connection is tenuous anyway.
If the bicycle was invented tomorrow, it would be seen as the solution, not the problem
Well since news international only have a 21% stake (IIRC) in Sky, that whole connection is tenuous anyway.
21% is a pretty big stake and would have gone up to a controlling stake if the phone tapping hadn't blown up in Murdoch's face.
Wait for the court cases to finish and everything to blow over and the Dirty Digger will try again.
Sam1 wrote:belgravedave wrote:velophilia wrote:So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
Look what SKY have done to football, so many clubs on the verge of bankruptcy, if it wasn't for the dirty money coming in from the Middle East, Russia and China things would be even worse and as for what SKY have done to Rugby League, well that really is a disgrace and I could go on for hours (but I won't).
As for pikey your right each to his own, but if you associate Sky with dishes hanging off council flats then I can't see the fit with Rapha.
Vulpine and all the other Rapha wannabes are going to benefit from this.But here's the thing - and its pretty clever: The cycling team doesnt get associated with 'sky dishes hanging off council flats'. Rapha have hooked into an association that is with a team headed by Wiggo, the newest knight of the realm, with winning the Tour, with heralding in the Summer of Sport (TM), with stamping his pedals and demolishing the competition, with the iconic pose on the throne in front of Hampton Court, even with the all conquering trackies at the Olympics, and with British cycling at the top of the sport etc etc...
And for many people - many new to cycling - that's the association they make with the team.
Going by the comments on this thread thats not the association people are making?
Did I say 'no one makes the association'? No, I said many will not. What, you think this forum is an accurate representation of the new-to-cycling population amngst whom Rapha has no brand awareness and no preconceived image? Actually also many people just wont give a toss. You do, obviously, deeply and madly. Hey, you keep on raging against those 'pikey' things though - keeps you happy.
I bet road.cc HQ love it when they get a Rapha story because nothing ensures a buzzing comments section than a good old Rapha mass debate.
I bet road.cc HQ love it when they get a Rapha story because nothing ensures a buzzing comments section than a good old Rapha mass debate.
Could be even worse if Rapha made helmets too....
Lol @SomeFella
Mass Debate
I like that track jacket in SKY colours.
I've got a Garmin Pro Level jacket from when it was Garmin Transitions and PBK were selling it because they'd got a new kit sponsor. It's honestly the eat jacket I've ever had, compeltely windproof and very light, looks good too.
I've also got pro level Garmin jerseys, my favourite isthe one from the 2011 TdF, again, they're really really nice.
Then, I have a 'supporters' adidas jersey that my teache gave me for playing in the house concert. It was nice of him to give it to me, but it's not great to wear. Defintely 'club' cut, and with a 7" zip, just shows, you do get what you pay for, Rapha is expensive, but their stuff is excellent, both in looks, ethics and quality.
Sir Velo
I bet road.cc HQ love it when they get a Rapha story because nothing ensures a buzzing comments section than a good old Rapha mass debate.
belgravedave wrote:Sam1 wrote:belgravedave wrote:velophilia wrote:So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
Look what SKY have done to football, so many clubs on the verge of bankruptcy, if it wasn't for the dirty money coming in from the Middle East, Russia and China things would be even worse and as for what SKY have done to Rugby League, well that really is a disgrace and I could go on for hours (but I won't).
As for pikey your right each to his own, but if you associate Sky with dishes hanging off council flats then I can't see the fit with Rapha.
Vulpine and all the other Rapha wannabes are going to benefit from this.But here's the thing - and its pretty clever: The cycling team doesnt get associated with 'sky dishes hanging off council flats'. Rapha have hooked into an association that is with a team headed by Wiggo, the newest knight of the realm, with winning the Tour, with heralding in the Summer of Sport (TM), with stamping his pedals and demolishing the competition, with the iconic pose on the throne in front of Hampton Court, even with the all conquering trackies at the Olympics, and with British cycling at the top of the sport etc etc...
And for many people - many new to cycling - that's the association they make with the team.
Going by the comments on this thread thats not the association people are making?Did I say 'no one makes the association'? No, I said many will not. What, you think this forum is an accurate representation of the new-to-cycling population amngst whom Rapha has no brand awareness and no preconceived image? Actually also many people just wont give a toss. You do, obviously, deeply and madly. Hey, you keep on raging against those 'pikey' things though - keeps you happy.
sam1, I said 'that's not the association people are making'. With the lack of any facts for either of our arguments the only evidence we can look to is this thread and if this is a good reflection of the cycling public it doesn't bode well for SKY/Rapha replica cycling clothing.
Also many people will not give a toss? Well obviously you and I do.
Some Fella wrote:I bet road.cc HQ love it when they get a Rapha story because nothing ensures a buzzing comments section than a good old Rapha mass debate.Could be even worse if Rapha made helmets too....
Oh dear you've done it now, HELMETS, has been mentioned - get ready to stand back and watch the forum explode
I actually like the kit and would buy some of it. I have no problem with Sky investing in British sport as without it we would not have had Wiggo winning, as many medals on the track and some really good footie players available for us to watch never mind rugby and the other sports they support.
They are a business and make millions from supporting sport in this country. However we should get rid of them and go back to being a 2 bit sporting nation with no chance of winning because the govt wont invest - NOT 
Stumpy
So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.
'Pikey' is a derogatory term for someone of a Roma, gypsy or traveller background, and as offensive as the 'n' word or the other 'p' word to such persons.
Still weirdly considered acceptable in many circles, including this website, apparently (cue the deluge people telling me I'm being petty and politically correct...).
velophilia wrote:So, is it a bad thing for such a big corporation to pour money into the sport? I have seen nothing but good so far. Pikey or no. What does Pikey mean anyway? I'm guessing here.'Pikey' is a derogatory term for someone of a Roma, gypsy or traveller background, and as offensive as the 'n' word or the other 'p' word to such persons.
Still weirdly considered acceptable in many circles, including this website, apparently (cue the deluge people telling me I'm being petty and politically correct...).
Round my part of the world (south London) the insult 'Pikey' isn't aimed at Roma gypsy's or travellers. Pikey is aimed at white english, usually underclass, normally a sun reader and usually a racist and also anyone that wears a replica team cycling jersey, watches SKY and thinks Wiggins should have accepted his knighthood (that should enrage people a little more).
I like the kit but think I will be buying OPQS jersey to replace my HTC one anyway.
2 reasons, bike brand (I like to match bike / team jersey as I am sad like that)
and the other is I just know that everyone on my local roads will replace the current sky jersey with the latest one so it feels like a club! (one I am not sure I want to belong to)
Round my part of the world (south London) the insult 'Pikey' isn't aimed at Roma gypsy's or travellers.
Funny that. I grew up in South London very close to what was (and may still be, haven't been back for years) the largest travellers' site in the UK and I think Europe.
The word was definitely aimed exclusively at gypsies/travellers back then (1970s) and it's only much more recently it's been used to describe anyone else.
As a result it's probably best to avoid it.
Isn't wearing a Nats jersey a bit naff - like wearing a yellow jersey? I know a few people who wear them - they maybe LVRC or TLI - but they've actually won them. Can't say I'm looking forward to 'Madone man' strutting around in the hallowed top.
MercuryOne
belgravedave wrote:Round my part of the world (south London) the insult 'Pikey' isn't aimed at Roma gypsy's or travellers.Funny that. I grew up in South London very close to what was (and may still be, haven't been back for years) the largest travellers' site in the UK and I think Europe.
The word was definitely aimed exclusively at gypsies/travellers back then (1970s) and it's only much more recently it's been used to describe anyone else.
As a result it's probably best to avoid it.
We must have grown up in very different parts of London! I must admit in 1970 I was 3 so can't really remember what we called anybody.
I do remember as a teenager I used to work on Portobello Rd market and the Roma gypsies that used to come along to sell things would be very upset if you called them travellers as for pikey I can't recall the word being used then (and there was plenty of slang used on the markets).
The first time I think I can safely say I heard the insult 'pikey' being used would have been at Stamford Bridge listening to Chelsea fans abusing West Ham in the early 80's.
Defo no traveller or Roma connection there.
No one has actually mentioned Rapha gear will be for sale in Evans now. That's an association I didn't expect.
Whether the term 'pikey' is referring to either someone from the travelling community or someone from the 'underclass' it is a pejorative term and i,for one, find it offensive no matter who it is directed at.
Ironically its derivation isnt particularly offensive - originally being used to describe someone with an itinerant lifestyle who wandered around the country looking for work - using the main roads and turnpikes - hence the name.
Even so - can we stop using it please?
Whether the term 'pikey' is referring to either someone from the travelling community or someone from the 'underclass' it is a pejorative term and i,for one, find it offensive no matter who it is directed at.Ironically its derivation isnt particularly offensive - originally being used to describe someone with an itinerant lifestyle who wandered around the country looking for work - using the main roads and turnpikes - hence the name.
Even so - can we stop using it please?
Hi Some fella, seeing as I used the insult 'pikey' on this thread I suppose I should reply.
If you can be bothered to read the whole thread (and I totally understand if you can't be) you will see that I referred to SKY (the brand) as pikey, I then went on to say that replica team cycling tops are pikey, calling the whole thing a double pikey. At no time was this directed at an individual.
Later in the thread again in reply to a comment, I explained what I believe pikey means (white, underclass, racist etc).
As for offensive well no, it's meant to be insulting, when I describe SKY as pikey I'm obviously not trying to give them a compliment am I?
Insulting yes, offensive no (unless your the embodiment of SKY).
No one has actually mentioned Rapha gear will be for sale in Evans now. That's an association I didn't expect.
Not that much of a surprise, Evans is an investor in Rapha
Nzlucas wrote:No one has actually mentioned Rapha gear will be for sale in Evans now. That's an association I didn't expect.
Not that much of a surprise, Evans is an investor in Rapha
Didn't know that, any idea how big a share?
My favourite item is the Merino Hoody -- wish they did that in a non-Sky colour.
They did one last year - it's one of my fav pieces of clothing. Expecting them to do it again...
Disappointed to see the replica national champs jerseys. I'm sure I remember reading last year that Sky stated they weren't going to sell them as they could only be "earned".
Or did I just imagine that?
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