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

asyax says:

Dec 10 2013 at 7:57 am

@DerHoggz

http://suckitsinyard.tumblr.com/

Only stuff I have is a pair of insoles. They shall remain to prevent the arches of my feet from tearing apart, for now...

@Steampunk Unfortunately no, saw it on the tumblr link posted by @DerHoggo above
frank says:

Dec 10 2013 at 8:28 am

So totally psyched about this. Just so fucking awesome.

Fuji still has the giant question mark over owning a trademark of a city name, but at least they're not being dickbags about it.

One point for Fuji, minus 4000 for Spesh.

CafÃ© Roubaix gets plus a billion.
Souleur says:

Dec 10 2013 at 8:58 am

@frank

So totally psyched about this. Just so fucking awesome.

Fuji still has the giant question mark over owning a trademark of a city name, but at least they're not being dickbags about it.

One point for Fuji, minus 4000 for Spesh.

CafÃ© Roubaix gets plus a billion.

Amerckx!

saw this break yesterday and after ASi and Fuji spoke up, I was like, oh yeah.....DanR is going to be ok

I can't imagine the sleep he has lost over this deal

I have said it and will keep saying it however, perhaps all can allow for something very cool to take place, yes, that being a little lee way for spesh to fire a couple douchebag lawyers and for a man to man up and come to the table...and talk. Perhaps, there is room even for all involved to partner up and reconcile....I know, I know, its a big deal, but an open mind to some huge opportunities is not necessarily a bad thing either. There is alot to be lost on all accounts as is if everyone sets the cleats down firm.

I do like cyclops idea of a newly named lineup, now thats funny

and what about all the Epic that has been around, most cliched Tm violation out there, if your looking

or what about tarmac? Rallycross has been treading that one for years too

just saying, stupidity is out there, if you want to play the part

Hope for the best DanR

heading to your site now and will pickup the duds
Steve-o says:

Dec 10 2013 at 9:29 am

@frank

So totally psyched about this. Just so fucking awesome.

Fuji still has the giant question mark over owning a trademark of a city name, but at least they're not being dickbags about it.

One point for Fuji, minus 4000 for Spesh.

CafÃ© Roubaix gets plus a billion.

Great news indeed! This social network stuff can be pretty powerful. First I hear of a great group known as Velominati, then the plight of a small shop owner bullied by corporate scumbags, and get to participate in the backlash against the scumbags. Looking forward to wearing the Cafe Roubaix tee shirt, brought to you by...Cafe Robaix. And proud to be a Velominatus. Vive la Vie Velominatus!
brian says:

Dec 10 2013 at 9:47 am

wow,great news.big thumbs up ASI/Fuji cheers.
paolo says:

Dec 10 2013 at 9:50 am

@frank

So totally psyched about this. Just so fucking awesome.

Fuji still has the giant question mark over owning a trademark of a city name, but at least they're not being dickbags about it.

One point for Fuji, minus 4000 for Spesh.

CafÃ© Roubaix gets plus a billion.

I think you can probably award yourself or at least this website a few points there too Frank. If not for the outcry on here I wonder if Cycling News and Velonews etc would have picked up on the story.

Its been amazing the last few days to see the response from cyclists on Specialized's Facebook page.

I've never been a fan of Specialized, seems greedy to have a finger in every pie in the industry.
paolo says:

Dec 10 2013 at 9:58 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.

They should not be forgiven I quite agree. Ask the people at Sugar Wheels who had to change their name from Epic Wheels in 2011 because of the exact same thing. We have a couple of "Specialized boutiqe" shops in LA and of course all they sell is Specsh. I cannot think of anything more boring than going to an LBS and everything from bikes to tubes to base layers are all the same brand!
wiscot says:

Dec 10 2013 at 10:19 am

I wonder how long Fuji took to come to their decision? How long they thought "let Sinyard dangle in the wind" and suffer? They could have let this go another week or so, but I guess they thought they'd put Dan out of his misery and step up to do the right thing.

Spesh have to back down. Wouldn't it be delicious if Fuji pulled the Roubaix license from them?
mothslayer says:

Dec 10 2013 at 10:20 am

And in a surprise attack in the final kilometer of the year, Special*zed suddenly becomes a serious contender for the Broken Chain / Douche of the Year jersey!

Congratulations, assholes.
DCR says:

Dec 10 2013 at 10:25 am

@paolo

@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.

They should not be forgiven I quite agree. Ask the people at Sugar Wheels who had to change their name from Epic Wheels in 2011 because of the exact same thing. We have a couple of "Specialized boutiqe" shops in LA and of course all they sell is Specsh. I cannot think of anything more boring than going to an LBS and everything from bikes to tubes to base layers are all the same brand!

This more than anything else. I would absolutely hate a store like this. I am going to be in the market for a CX bike come end of summer 2014 and It will most certainly not be a specialized. I will have to take a look at the Fuji lineup though.