When we designed the V-Kit in the winter of 2010, we thought we’d arrived at the ultimate Velominatus look. But, as it turns out, Spinal Tap Black isn’t for everyone. Apparently, not every climate is like that of the Pacific Northwest, where a heat advisory is issued when the mercury hits 30C (85F) and businesses close when it dips below 0C (32F). Evidently, some places get a touch warmer and colder than that.
Just like having a perfectly curated stable of bicycles ready for each and every possible weather condition, year-round Rule #9 Cycling Awesomeness requires the kit to support it. Which meant that we needed to expand our kit options. With each season comes a different array of requirements. With each climate comes a different set of boundary conditions. Each requires a different bit of kit, and all of it needs to be Rule compliant (though the very fact that any of this is being discussed begs the question whether Rule #5 isn’t being violated in heaps) not to mention that every bit should work in perfect harmony with every other bit.
It is with this objective in mind that we present you with three lines of Velominati V-Kit, Zwarte, Witte, and Winter. (I’m disappointed that Dutch doesn’t have a more exotic word for “Winter” than “Winter”. For the Love of Merckx, would it kill us to put a “V” in there somewhere?)
The obvious place to start is with the easy stuff. The first addition to the V-Kit family was the Long Sleeve V-Jersey, which was released earlier this year; a no-brainer, really. Next came the Obey the Rules Arm Warmers released in the Spring, an even less-brainer than the LS V-Jersey. Based on the realization that there is nothing more disappointing than covering up that beautiful V-Cog on your chest with a garish YJA when the weather turns unexpectedly nippy, we now have the V-Gillet; an uninsulated lightweight wind & waterproof vest that stuffs down for easy storage in your jersey pocket.
Then things got complicated, and leave it to KRX-10, our genius V-Designer, to ask distressing questions that reveal how poorly thought-out our concepts were. Why were we offering a second kit, aside from the obvious reason that the community is asking for it. What was the purpose of a white kit? Would it be a revision of the black, or is it an entirely new design? How would it relate to the overall identity of Velominati? How would it work with the existing V-Bibs? Would we make adjustments to the black V-Kit to better support the white? Would we add V-Bibs specifically designed for the white V-Jersey? Would we only offer them in defined configurations, or would we design it with the flexibility to mix and match? Finally – and perhaps most importantly, what would we call it?
Obviously, the answer to the above questions are somewhere between “9” and “yes”. An all-white V-Jersey is paired to all-black V-Bibs in what we are calling the Witte V-Kit. While the black Witte V-Bibs* are designed to go with the white Witte V-Jersey, they look smashing with the original (now re-named) Zwarte V-Jersey; the women have been rocking this combination all season with the Women’s V-Shorts. Conversely, the Witte V-Jersey looks dapper as fuck with the original Zwarte V-Bibs.
We leave you with the choice: Zwarte, Witte, Winter. However you choose, choose wisely and choose carefully. Place your order by midnight on September 15 for the next V-Kit shipment, scheduled to arrive in early November. If you have already ordered the V-Kit and would like to switch your order to the Witte Kit, please contact us.
*Please don’t attempt to distract us with the observation that “Witte” is the Dutch word for “White” and that the Witte V-Bibs are, in fact, black. They are named in parity with the intended full kit, not individually.
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@All
You're right, I've repented and thrown myself before the Merckxy Seat. I have plenty of cycling socks that I never wear because they suck. I've just been blinded by the need for V-Socks and lost sight of "you get what you pay for". I guess it's quality socks V-Socks of no V-Socks.
Cyclops - our lives are running parallel! Last week I was helping a friend install the cabinets he'd made at a house under construction. The tile guy had a few of those same bags lined up in the garage. Never have I been so excited over grout!
Must be the LOOKs we ride. Oh, and great work on the new gig. Shop discounts sound incredible.
Holy cannoli. Is this the Big & Tall V-Team? How many of you lads over 6'3" and over? Goodness. At least I'll have plenty of wheels to sit on during the inaugural Velominati Group Ride.
Gianni - Good eye, but I call baloney. We all know Frank was screwing around on vacation and dog sitting. That book is just a ploy to make his teachers happy as school starts. He ain't been studyin', he's been dueling with volcanoes.
@Cyclops
Eh, who am I kidding - the only podium I step to is at our annual stockholder meeting, and the stockholders are more interested in looking at sales projections than BOA lacing systems, go figure. So by that pricing rationale, a carbon sole and cleat attachments run $200 when you look at the cost of the road shoe. huh.
Don't get me started on gloves. Rapha Grand Tour gloves in white.....the Shit. Period. Style, form, and function meet, albeit at a hefty price tag that is worth every cent.
@sgt @VeloVita
No, no, no! Giordana Formared. Sleeker and more stylish than the Silverline.
@frank
What I prefer about the Formared over the Castelli is the more modest branding (along the outside of the hand"”visible while riding, but not such a prominent part of the glove). Those Castellis do look sweet, though.
@RedRanger
Very valid point.
@frank
I stand corrected... those look first rate.
Nice togs, too.
@Ron
I'm still planning a ride to commemorate the WC in Solvang, CA (closest thing to Denmark this side of the pond) on Sept. 25. 100-120km, 2k climbing, on the best roads we have to offer. Who's in?
@frank
Fuck yeah!
My next little project is a V-race number tag. Gotta make it Look Pro. A small piece of white plastic like you see on Pro Bikes, and yes, cognizant of Rule 75, it will only be worn when appropriate. Since I am not a racer, it will only go on for events. Nothing pisses me off more than to get some Merckx-awful cardboard number the organizers expect me to put on with garbage bage ties on my bars. No Fucking Way. Even worse is when they do this to my VMH, who rides a Cervelo with aero shaped tubes. Then push a plate a 100 miles? Bullshit.
So, the race number will be like those nice race ones, attached to the rear brake caliper. Where you usually see "Vittel" or the race sponsor on the tag? Yeah - mine will sport a Velominati decal. The number itself will be the removalable/changable vinyl decals.
Actually, someone wanting to make a lot of money could probably offer these to event organizers. I'll pin a number on, but No Bullshit On My Bike.
@pakrat , @sgt
These are absolutely the tits.
@Steampunk
The Formareds do look nice. I may have to give them a go in white for next season. Honestly, the only gloves I've been really disappointed by are the, dare I say, Assos summer gloves (gasp!) Frank's Castelli Aero's look nice, but like Tim Krabbe, I love my wrists and wouldn't want to cover them with aero cuffs
Ah ha ha...Krabbe does love his wrists! Finally finished that book, though I've read parts of it many, many times.
Ooh, a late September trip to CA. Hmm, might be awesome & I do have a brother who lives in that wacky state.