So, I've been in the cycling game since the late 80's - my first "proper" cycling shoes were the original Sidi Genius 1 (Black / Neon Green) and the year after when I got cracking in MTB's, the original Sidi Dominator's (Bright Blue / Neon Green).
Sadly, both perished in the time during the late 90's / early 00's before I returned, but I recall that the Dominator's, for example, were considered very expensive at the time (circa 1991) at around the £60-80! They were very good shoes (for the time) though, other than the yellow sole tread falling off from use....
I've just decided to invest in a new pair of Sidi Dragon 3's, as my 2 year old budget Sidi something or others weren't really cutting it, and weren't comfortable (typical narrow Sidi fit). I was extremely fortunate that I was able to acquire a set of used once Dragon 3's for a very reasonable double-digit cost from a pal, as I'd never have stumped anything between £190 and their RRP of £300 for a new pair!!
How did shoes develop into RRP's of £300+ ? (Don't get me started on the Drako's)
I grant you - they're good. Really good and really comfortable and look like a very made pair of shoes. They actually fit normal width feet for once which is a boon and I'm really happy with them - but would I have been £300 happy? I doubt it. And Specialized - £250 they want for a pretty crappy looking pair of trail - WTF? I can buy a pair of hand-made Church's brogues for less...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... lsrc=aw.ds
I just don't understand where cycling clothing got so out of control? I'm obviously equally appalled at the cost of cycling clothing from the likes of Rapha, Capo and Castelli, who demand the best part of £200 for a good set of bib shorts. I remember buying decent bib shorts from a "bargain bin" in the second small showroom in the old Condor shop in the GIR. They used to cost about a tenner from that bin, had their name down the leg and made by Caratti, and were ok - I've still got two pairs now and whilst the pad doesn't come close to matching modern shorts, they're ok.
I'm confused - how did the cycling public accept this ridiculous and massively greater than inflation hike in average prices?
(I'll step off my soap box now).
Sadly, both perished in the time during the late 90's / early 00's before I returned, but I recall that the Dominator's, for example, were considered very expensive at the time (circa 1991) at around the £60-80! They were very good shoes (for the time) though, other than the yellow sole tread falling off from use....
I've just decided to invest in a new pair of Sidi Dragon 3's, as my 2 year old budget Sidi something or others weren't really cutting it, and weren't comfortable (typical narrow Sidi fit). I was extremely fortunate that I was able to acquire a set of used once Dragon 3's for a very reasonable double-digit cost from a pal, as I'd never have stumped anything between £190 and their RRP of £300 for a new pair!!
How did shoes develop into RRP's of £300+ ? (Don't get me started on the Drako's)
I grant you - they're good. Really good and really comfortable and look like a very made pair of shoes. They actually fit normal width feet for once which is a boon and I'm really happy with them - but would I have been £300 happy? I doubt it. And Specialized - £250 they want for a pretty crappy looking pair of trail - WTF? I can buy a pair of hand-made Church's brogues for less...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... lsrc=aw.ds
I just don't understand where cycling clothing got so out of control? I'm obviously equally appalled at the cost of cycling clothing from the likes of Rapha, Capo and Castelli, who demand the best part of £200 for a good set of bib shorts. I remember buying decent bib shorts from a "bargain bin" in the second small showroom in the old Condor shop in the GIR. They used to cost about a tenner from that bin, had their name down the leg and made by Caratti, and were ok - I've still got two pairs now and whilst the pad doesn't come close to matching modern shorts, they're ok.
I'm confused - how did the cycling public accept this ridiculous and massively greater than inflation hike in average prices?
(I'll step off my soap box now).