I think this Specialized webpage promotes a bad image.
09-07-16, 06:33 PM
#26
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So, we live in a society, in the US anyway, that does NOT like cyclists overall. Anecdotal evidence - the jeers, honks, insults we all face on the roads from "motorists". The ones who say "get off our roads" - even though we also (most of us) have cars, and pay the same taxes the non-cycling citizens pay.
Maybe that is because they are all dressed up like prissy pros instead of real men like in the ad. Just sayin
09-07-16, 06:44 PM
#27
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That guy could be Joey's brother.
09-07-16, 07:02 PM
#28
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My daily bike commute takes me by some homeless camps and through hardscrabble neighborhoods where many people don't have bus fare to get to work or social services. You see them riding their old, abused bikes with their impossibly out-of-true-wheels, dangling brake cables, disconnected shifters often rolling on a flat or two. Seats askew riding too low for human comfort, foam padding exposed through worn vinyl. They wear somebody elses cast-off clothing wearing backpacks, or carying bedrolls and duffels on a rack, sometimes carrying a baby trailer full of belongings bungeed to a rear rack or just the seatpost. No helmet, no lights no gloves, not even in the rain or snow, wearing too much in the summer and too little in the winter, they press on at slightly bettere than walking speed, determined to get to that job, that shelter, that other place, whatever it is; they pedal with a drive and determination that rivals the titans of the tour. Those people to whom a bike is an essential lifeline...THEY are the serious cyclists.
The rest of us are hobbyists.
The rest of us are hobbyists.
09-07-16, 07:04 PM
#29
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I too am a middle aged guy with a white collar job (which I commute to everyday on a bike) And I'm involved in cycling as a sport. I shave my legs year round. I have a powermeter and a training plan. I race road and CX, I'm on the board of my team, and the juniors coordinator. It's a serious passion. And what's more, my most recent bike purchase was a Tarmac from a Specialized dealer.
And I think this webpage is awesome. It shows friends out exploring this big wonderful world on bikes and having fun. Bikes are fun. Life is fun. Lighten up a little.
And I think this webpage is awesome. It shows friends out exploring this big wonderful world on bikes and having fun. Bikes are fun. Life is fun. Lighten up a little.
09-07-16, 07:36 PM
#31
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Disagree Completely
This commercial represents the exact kind of riding that I want to do and that I choose to do. I enjoy getting out there on a rail trail or gravel road and getting a little bit dirty, but then again, I am a retired, not very fast runner who always preferred to run on trails / through the woods where there was a greater potential to get a little dirty.
For the record, I am also a middle-aged white collar male. My bicycle choices reflect the kind if riding that I want to do. I do wear a helmet every time I ride, and I bought my first pair of bibs before riding the C and O Canal earlier this summer. If I had not already purchased a Salsa Vaya about a month ago, this commercial would make me at least consider a Specialized.
For the record, I am also a middle-aged white collar male. My bicycle choices reflect the kind if riding that I want to do. I do wear a helmet every time I ride, and I bought my first pair of bibs before riding the C and O Canal earlier this summer. If I had not already purchased a Salsa Vaya about a month ago, this commercial would make me at least consider a Specialized.
09-07-16, 08:04 PM
#34
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I think we are pretty much opposites on this issue. Dressing a certain way just for the look? That is pretty meaningless to me. And knowing how much these notions and norms are ingrained into society I like to go against the grain entirely, barefoot with cargo shorts. In fact it is the same clothes I wear for running a lot too, just put the helmet on when I'm on the bike to protect my most vital part (that is useful, not for looks).
I have full kit matching my bike colors as well, don't think it looks half bad. But I see no big need for it at all and rarely wear it, perhaps a slight waste of money but ok to have around in case my other clothes are dirty.
I work in a white collar kind of environment as well, in a big high rise downtown. I despise playing dress up. I work a rotation on on nights and weekends when management isn't here I'm wearing a running shirt, shorts, and barefoot in the office. People get too hung up on particular looks that are pretty meaningless.
I really don't care about the ads though, I don't look at em and certainly don't let marketing creations sway my opinions.
Am I a 'serious' cyclist? Call me what ever you want, because I don't really confine myself to specific categories of cyclist. I am fairly new with only a couple years under my belt, but still thousands of miles, a century, and multi-day fully loaded tours, so I think I'm doing well as a cyclist, whatever you want to call it.
I have full kit matching my bike colors as well, don't think it looks half bad. But I see no big need for it at all and rarely wear it, perhaps a slight waste of money but ok to have around in case my other clothes are dirty.
I work in a white collar kind of environment as well, in a big high rise downtown. I despise playing dress up. I work a rotation on on nights and weekends when management isn't here I'm wearing a running shirt, shorts, and barefoot in the office. People get too hung up on particular looks that are pretty meaningless.
I really don't care about the ads though, I don't look at em and certainly don't let marketing creations sway my opinions.
Am I a 'serious' cyclist? Call me what ever you want, because I don't really confine myself to specific categories of cyclist. I am fairly new with only a couple years under my belt, but still thousands of miles, a century, and multi-day fully loaded tours, so I think I'm doing well as a cyclist, whatever you want to call it.
OK, maybe just me. Maybe I'm just being a cranky young middle aged old guy. Maybe I'm a snob.
This image from Specialized, linked from a promotional email about the Sequoia, IMHO, presents a bad, sloppy public image of cycling and reflects poorly on the company. Specifically, the older man in the center, riding with open vest-shirt, whatever that strange looking printed garment is.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...GET%20INSPIRED
My opinion is that - Serious Cycling has an image. I'm not talking about kids riding around the neighborhood or the family who does 3 miles on Saturday on their $100 Wal-mart BSO's. I am thinking about those involved in it as a sport and a serious passion, who are the type of customers who would buy from a Specialized dealer. Or for that matter Cannondale, Fuji, Kestrel, Cervello ... any of the brands sold at a "real" bike shop or "real" online retailer. Not Walmart or Kmart or other "big box" stores.
So, we live in a society, in the US anyway, that does NOT like cyclists overall. Anecdotal evidence - the jeers, honks, insults we all face on the roads from "motorists". The ones who say "get off our roads" - even though we also (most of us) have cars, and pay the same taxes the non-cycling citizens pay.
I know, another thread about "how you look" versus "how you perform". Sorry. My opinion is - we need to be good ambassadors for the sport to help it thrive. Look the part, act the part, and promote its positives in a patient and respectful way. The industry won't thrive if younger generations don't take it up, and there is a LOT of competition out there, from popular sports like soccer to the tragedy of kids who live on junk food and play video games and get NO physical exercise, being set up for obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, cancer.
I believe part of the allure of the sport is the appearance. I bristle when people refuse to wear helmets because they "look weird" or "stupid". Nothing is "cooler" for lack of a better phrase than a great helmet, matched with great kit and shoes. Doesn't mean you have to ride in team uniform if you're not on a team, but I believe in looking the part as well as acting the part. Doesn't mean that performance and ability don't come first, but appearance matters.
I have a white collar job -- what would my clients and co-workers in the firm think if I came into work dressed in ratty old clothes? Not a professinal image.
OK, off my soapbox, let the arguments begin.
This image from Specialized, linked from a promotional email about the Sequoia, IMHO, presents a bad, sloppy public image of cycling and reflects poorly on the company. Specifically, the older man in the center, riding with open vest-shirt, whatever that strange looking printed garment is.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...GET%20INSPIRED
My opinion is that - Serious Cycling has an image. I'm not talking about kids riding around the neighborhood or the family who does 3 miles on Saturday on their $100 Wal-mart BSO's. I am thinking about those involved in it as a sport and a serious passion, who are the type of customers who would buy from a Specialized dealer. Or for that matter Cannondale, Fuji, Kestrel, Cervello ... any of the brands sold at a "real" bike shop or "real" online retailer. Not Walmart or Kmart or other "big box" stores.
So, we live in a society, in the US anyway, that does NOT like cyclists overall. Anecdotal evidence - the jeers, honks, insults we all face on the roads from "motorists". The ones who say "get off our roads" - even though we also (most of us) have cars, and pay the same taxes the non-cycling citizens pay.
I know, another thread about "how you look" versus "how you perform". Sorry. My opinion is - we need to be good ambassadors for the sport to help it thrive. Look the part, act the part, and promote its positives in a patient and respectful way. The industry won't thrive if younger generations don't take it up, and there is a LOT of competition out there, from popular sports like soccer to the tragedy of kids who live on junk food and play video games and get NO physical exercise, being set up for obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, cancer.
I believe part of the allure of the sport is the appearance. I bristle when people refuse to wear helmets because they "look weird" or "stupid". Nothing is "cooler" for lack of a better phrase than a great helmet, matched with great kit and shoes. Doesn't mean you have to ride in team uniform if you're not on a team, but I believe in looking the part as well as acting the part. Doesn't mean that performance and ability don't come first, but appearance matters.
I have a white collar job -- what would my clients and co-workers in the firm think if I came into work dressed in ratty old clothes? Not a professinal image.
OK, off my soapbox, let the arguments begin.
09-07-16, 08:25 PM
#36
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Not my image, but they can do what they want with their company. I believe in capitalism.
09-07-16, 08:31 PM
#37
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I am in my 60s and a judge. I would not have thought twice about it if this thread had not been started. I have now thought twice and wished I looked that fit. It doesn't bother me in the slightest.
09-07-16, 08:31 PM
#38
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It's those punk kids in their sensible shoes, spiked hair, and cool shirts, this country is going down the crapper, now grab me a beer and get off my lawn !
09-07-16, 08:48 PM
#40
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Skipped the rant, clicked the link. Looks like three guys having fun a gravel. I see no problem.
09-07-16, 08:49 PM
#41
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I am not sure this whole post is a joke or what, and I am tiring of trying to think it through....
So I will leave you with a link to a favorite bicycling clothing company: Isadora Apparel (https://isadoreapparel.com/)
I like to support the "old country". Oh and by the way, those guys are littered with Tats and some of those guys are still riding in the Tour de France.
That should be "serious bicycling" enough for you authorities?
So I will leave you with a link to a favorite bicycling clothing company: Isadora Apparel (https://isadoreapparel.com/)
I like to support the "old country". Oh and by the way, those guys are littered with Tats and some of those guys are still riding in the Tour de France.
That should be "serious bicycling" enough for you authorities?
Last edited by NWGuy99; 09-07-16 at 08:54 PM.
09-07-16, 09:14 PM
#42
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In my day I have heard many a cool story from many a bro, and that, my bro, was one of them. 
Also, that's the only good bicycle ad and video I've ever seen. It would actually make me consider buying that bike.
Also, that's the only good bicycle ad and video I've ever seen. It would actually make me consider buying that bike.
09-08-16, 12:17 AM
#45
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09-08-16, 01:08 AM
#47
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Hah, hah, now we know why the rest of the universe thinks some riders are lycra clad w@nkers...
09-08-16, 05:56 AM
#48
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Helmet too small. With red straps. Wearing his wife's good work blouse. With socks he stole from the wicked witch of the west.
09-08-16, 06:03 AM
#49
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I like the bike. If their marketing is successful there should be a lot of these available on Craigslist in a year or two.
09-08-16, 06:37 AM
#50
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1. I think if WAY MORE people would buy $100 wal-mart cruisers and ride to work and school on them instead of taking a car, the world would be a much better place.
2. I don't know what qualifies as a "serious" cyclist. When I ride with our club rides, and some solo rides I dress the part with cycling shorts, jersey, socks, gloves, and helmet. Sometimes when I take a solo ride I'll just wear a looser running tech shirt (no cotton) and athletic shorts, still wear a helmet. When I ride 100 feet up and down our street with my 6 year old, I don't wear a helmet, and sometimes wear flip-flops.
2. I don't know what qualifies as a "serious" cyclist. When I ride with our club rides, and some solo rides I dress the part with cycling shorts, jersey, socks, gloves, and helmet. Sometimes when I take a solo ride I'll just wear a looser running tech shirt (no cotton) and athletic shorts, still wear a helmet. When I ride 100 feet up and down our street with my 6 year old, I don't wear a helmet, and sometimes wear flip-flops.