Is cycling marketed for women in the wrong way?

[swansonj]

Classic example before I got my train this evening. I'm currently looking for a easily pack able waterproof. As a lot of women will testify we like to try things on to get the right fit as most women are not a standard size. Once i have tried it on I will usually order it on the Internet as its cheaper.

Tonight I trolled around 3 cycle shops in Victoria and totally failed in my quest. All 3 shops had a tiny selection of women's gear much of which was either baby blue, black,pink or purple and all of either xs or xxl size.
However in the men's sections which were easily double the size of the womens in all 3 shops there were loads of sizes and a variety of colours.
Had the same problem with gloves yesterday.
Drives me mad sometimes.

I expect that people who try on lots of kit then go away and order it online drive the shopkeepers mad sometimes, too.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I expect that people who try on lots of kit then go away and order it online drive the shopkeepers mad sometimes, too.

I'm sure they do but then they shouldn't put such a mark up on the item. I don't mind paying a bit more to get it in the shop but sometimes the mark up is plain stupid.

 

[Crackle]

Nice blog tt. Definitely see more women on the road these days, often during the day around here, probably demographic dependent but it can only be a good thing. Not just cycling though, lots of women out running, in fact more people doing sport than I can recall for many a year.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Nice blog tt. Definitely see more women on the road these days, often during the day around here, probably demographic dependent but it can only be a good thing. Not just cycling though, lots of women out running, in fact more people doing sport than I can recall for many a year.

Agreed. Running and cycling are definately booming women-wise, good to see people getting exercise out of the gym too.

 

[rich p]

And yes, wearing a helmet does make a mess of your hair.

But not ours though, DZ!

 

[ttcycle]

I can assure you that there is absolutely no shortage of stylish women's cycling clothing available. I know for a fact that it is possible to spend thousands on women's cycling clothing. Thousands and more thousands. Trust me on this. And now, if you'll excuse me, I see the postman struggling up the path, burdened by packages. The poor man looks quite done in.

And yes, wearing a helmet does make a mess of your hair.

I couldn't think why Dell...

Thanks guys, I am a bit pooped today, finished at the desk late-ish but really great to see people adding their thoughts. Really it's hats off to the interviewees as they put colour to the piece.

Hill Wimp, if you're struggling with options, online is excellent and if you can be bothered to trawl through the comments some excellent recommendations were made.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm reliably informed that this website does not exist and that you are not, under any circumstances, to look at it
http://www.velovixen.com/cycletta-windproof-soft-shell-jacket

and this really, really doesn't exist either
http://www.rapha.cc/shop/womens?locale=UK

(I have to say that the merino short-sleeved jersey is divinely flattering - not that flattering is an issue)

(hole-digging-stop now, Simon)

 

[ttcycle]

I'm reliably informed that this website does not exist and that you are not, under any circumstances, to look at it
http://www.velovixen.com/cycletta-windproof-soft-shell-jacket

and this really, really doesn't exist either
http://www.rapha.cc/shop/womens?locale=UK

Yebbut Rapha is serious, serious money!
Ananichoola (sp) was mentioned as was Vulpine. I'm tired so you'll have to apologise for the spelling! Corinne Dennis, though I have never worn her stuff gets good rep. It's out there and I acknowledge that but it would be really great if the big names could sit up and sort it out a bit.

 

[vernon]

I am pleased to announce my immunity to the allure of Rapha clothing.

It's cheaper to maintain my calorie laden diet and Rapha excluding bulk than it is to buy the clothing.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I'm reliably informed that this website does not exist and that you are not, under any circumstances, to look at it
http://www.velovixen.com/cycletta-windproof-soft-shell-jacket

and this really, really doesn't exist either
http://www.rapha.cc/shop/womens?locale=UK

(I have to say that the merino short-sleeved jersey is divinely flattering - not that flattering is an issue)

(hole-digging-stop now, Simon)

Was this the velovixen soft shell that doesn't exist or was it a different one that doesn't exist?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Could stretch to the Cycletta, Ralpha is way out of my budget for clothing.
Anyway, this is NOT want a lady wants to wear cycling to the coffee shop.
I might do, but I'm no lady

 

[Hill Wimp]

I couldn't think why Dell...

Thanks guys, I am a bit pooped today, finished at the desk late-ish but really great to see people adding their thoughts. Really it's hats off to the interviewees as they put colour to the piece.

Hill Wimp, if you're struggling with options, online is excellent and if you can be bothered to trawl through the comments some excellent recommendations were made.

Virtually all my cycling gear is bought online but it's very tedious having to play tennis with the goods when what would normally fit you anywhere else doesn't hence I prefer to save time,try it on in the shop then see if I can get the same item cheaper online and I will know exactly what size to order.
There is good ordinary stuff out there in the shops just very little of it.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Was this the velovixen soft shell that doesn't exist or was it a different one that doesn't exist?

Probably very nice but it only comes in black. In the winter I will look like a black jelly baby with my black shoes, black lycra leggings and black jacket. Nothing to catch the eye of the maniac driver on a dull day.
All they need to do is offer it a few more colours.

 

[ttcycle]

Probably very nice but it only comes in black. In the winter I will look like a black jelly baby with my black shoes, black lycra leggings and black jacket. Nothing to catch the eye of the maniac driver on a dull day.
All they need to do is offer it a few more colours.

More colours? That would just be a case of common sense gone mad?

I know what you mean about trying it on in the shops, would be great wouldn't it?

 

[Wobblers]

Probably very nice but it only comes in black. In the winter I will look like a black jelly baby with my black shoes, black lycra leggings and black jacket. Nothing to catch the eye of the maniac driver on a dull day.
All they need to do is offer it a few more colours.

Motorists seem to be able to manage to spot black cars, funnily enough despite their complaints about non high-vis cyclists. But lights are tremendously useful on dull days. A Moon Shield on flash (or on strobe, if you're feeling particularly vindictive!) at the back is hard to miss - the sort of thing that can only be missed by the sort of plank who'll miss seeing you even if you do dress up as a day-glo lemon. A Hope 1 on flash is very handy at the front.