Categories: Defining MomentsInterviewsLa Vie VelominatusThe Rules

From Café To Roubaix

Frank’s favorite-ever wheels, the Café Roubaix Arenbergs.

Assuming you ride somewhere outside the borders of Antarctica, you have likely already heard about the injustice being imposed on our friend and fellow Velominatus, Dan Richter who goes around these parts as @Dan_R.

I’ve been riding Dan’s wheels for a bit over a year, and they are the best I’ve ever had. After hearing about the suit a few months back, I was proud to help him brainstorm some ways he might be able to salvage his brand or come up with a new one while admitting the court battle was out of reach.

But when the article broke in the Calgary Herald this weekend, all hell broke loose. It goes without saying the pride I feel whenever our community here at Velominati comes together for a good cause, but what went on over the last 48 hours was an unbelievable coming-together of not just us, but the Cycling community as a whole. Regardless of the final result, this past weekend made me proud to call myself a Cyclist more than ever, for we proved we not only love riding our bikes, but that we as a worldwide community have each other’s collective backs.

I had an article planned for today, one taking the piss out of ourselves and everyone else as we usually do. But it just didn’t feel right. Instead, I thought we’d post the Packfiller podcast from Bulger Media. This is my fourth time on the show, but this time Patrick (@packfiller) was able to get Dan on the call with us. It was fantastic to hear Dan still has his sense of humor and it was a pleasure share a good laugh with him.

Here’s hoping Specialized comes to their senses, observes Rule #43, and drops the suit. If not, we’ll stand in solidarity, never buying another Specialized product again. The good news is that either way, Dan will rebuild his brand and his shop will live on, stronger than ever. (Insert Shakespeare quote about names here.)

Its a long listen, but we cover the important Café Roubaix stuff early on. Enjoy. And Vive La Vie Velominatus.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

wiscot says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:08 am

@Steampunk

@RoubaixInTwoYears

The guy on the left looks like a younger, svelter Rob Ford.

Rob Ford may have once been younger, but I doubt he was ever svelte! Remember, he gets plenty to eat at home!
asyax says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:09 am
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:10 am

@RoubaixInTwoYears

No-BODY FUCKS with the Dan_R!!!
Steampunk says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:11 am

@asyax

Is that yours? Very nicely done"”it captures my sentiment above perfectly.
Ron says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:20 am

@Steampunk

Here's my takeaway:

1. Specialized should not be let off the hook, regardless of recent events. You break Rule #43, you shouldn't be let back into the group ride. If you're a total newbie, perhaps there's grounds for lenience; Specialized is no such thing. I'm uncomfortable with the idea of destroying a longtime contributor to the cycling world, but Specialized just doesn't get cycling. They get their business model, but they don't get cycling. I don't think any forgiveness is in order.

2. Big kudos to Fuji for stepping in, but I can't help thinking they're capitalizing on some free press. Regardless of their statement, YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TRADEMARK THE NAME "ROUBAIX" IN THE CYCLING WORLD!! As an idea, Roubaix is the lifeblood of cycling, and is never first associated with a brand.

1. This is similar to how I feel about the LBS chain that moved from the center of the city, and down the block, to the side of the highway out amongst urban sprawl, where it's impossible to safely reach the shop on a bicycle.

They don't get cycling. They are simply in it for the money. The funny part - after they moved...four new shops moved in to replace them, and they were the only shop in town. The owners of all four shops are city-residents and sole owners.

Guess what type of bikes the shitty non-LBS carried?
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:22 am

@asyax

Rule #94? - Don't fuck with the Velominati

Nice!
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:25 am

@sthilzy

Love to see the banners and flags lining next years P-R!

PERFECT PIC for the Shit Company. Talk about a faceplant.
Mike_P says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:27 am

This all sounds like good news and Merckx bless Fuji, but do we know if Douchelized has actually backed down? I don't think I'll rest easy until @Dan_R lets us know he's had the letter confirming that they are dropping this.

Sidi slippers for me in future.
wiscot says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:33 am

You know, every other big bike company, and a lot of smaller ones, must be laughing their asses off at this. Less sales for Sinyard et al, more sales for them. And. Sinyard's rep has taken another hit and Fuji look like the good guys! Way to go Spesh!
RoubaixInTwoYears says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:35 am

@Marko

Perhaps a Fuji is in the stable's future.

Seriously, I raced (badly, but that was me not the bike) on one back in the day. No reason not to ride one now. At any rate, it's about nine thousand times more likely than me buying a Specialized. I'm still going to deface my Epic mtb because of how they've failed to step up quickly and "admit a mistake."

What the fuck will they say? And when will they finally say it?