All things Team Qhubeka NextHash

[Jakkals.]

You're going to have to buy a few[emoji6]

every bit helps...now if everyone on the "TheHub" will just also buy 1 

[Jewbacca]

I have to disagree with you. Outside of the Hip Hop/Urban lifestyle scene, most people buy branded clothing because of the real or percieved notion of quality. Because it’s comfortable and a good fit, and because it’s fit for purpose.

 

Almost all my clothes are from top tier brands, but the branding is subtle.

 

I agree, I would also buy an assos casual wear t-shirt or pants, because I know that assos makes high quality items, and I am confident it will be a good fit, and will last, and the branding will be sublte.

 

But, as vetplant mentioned, there is no way in hell I would wear a Jumbo branded casual wear T-shirt or whatever, it would just be too over the top

I don't think you are 'most people'.

 

'Most people' buy branded clothing because it illustrates to their peers they can afford to buy branded clothing or it shows an affiliation (either real or perceived) to a brand in an industry they desire to be a part of.

 

You can't tell me that a base colour t-shirt with a black Fox logo on the front actually looks nice. It is rubbish. Ed hardy... Yoh. In my youth I regarded Ed Hardy branded clothing as a huge help... When I went to parties and I didn't know anyone, at least I didn't have to waste my time trying to chat to people in their clothing... It narrowed down the options immediately 

 

Nah, branded clothes are purchased by 'most people' because status. The wealthy (us) or 5% ers can afford brand name clothing because it is 'quality' but realistically, in todays world, nah.

 

I have clothes from Mr Price and Pick n Pay that have outlasted name brand clothes.

 

The only things I can't kill are the old crocodile logo golf shirts. I have a bunch of faded, stained Lacoste shirts from the 90s that still have their shape, buttons and stitching in tact.

[Nibali]

Will Assos now change their tag line to "Sponsor Qhubeka"?

[Jewbacca]

Will Assos now change their tag line to "Sponsor Qhubeka"?

ha! It should be 'We sponsor team Qhebeka... we really saved their asses!'

[JScottP]

Like everyone has alluded to, apparel won't be the money spinner teams truly need. 

 

What cycling does have though in terms of the public, is a fairly well earning majority. This is purely an idea, that may be absolutely horrible and impossible to implement. But for me, I think the teams need to try and sell experiences to the cycling public, be it back stage passes to races, training camp rides etc. 

 

I understand for the majority of people this wouldn't interest them, but the amount of people who travel to the big races from all over the world is phenomenal. Imagine offering 5 passes per stage at a cost to the public who can be a part of the prior stage happenings or be a part of the team dinner after a stage, something that people will value more than a $150 cycling shirt, as it is an experience, and seeing as they have flown half way around the world, what's an extra little bit for a fantastic experience.

[TNT1]

Like everyone has alluded to, apparel won't be the money spinner teams truly need. 

 

What cycling does have though in terms of the public, is a fairly well earning majority. This is purely an idea, that may be absolutely horrible and impossible to implement. But for me, I think the teams need to try and sell experiences to the cycling public, be it back stage passes to races, training camp rides etc. 

 

I understand for the majority of people this wouldn't interest them, but the amount of people who travel to the big races from all over the world is phenomenal. Imagine offering 5 passes per stage at a cost to the public who can be a part of the prior stage happenings or be a part of the team dinner after a stage, something that people will value more than a $150 cycling shirt, as it is an experience, and seeing as they have flown half way around the world, what's an extra little bit for a fantastic experience.

All the big Euro races have VIP packages that include that sort of backstage experience. All sold via the race organiser. All in the toilet currently due to corona. The problem is also that this money goes to the organiser, not the team.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

What about that beaut of a Variant?

permanently parked at my mechanics workshop 

[Shebeen]

I have a DDD casual shirt i got from people at the team, great Oakley quality and happy to wear it. not really available to public, but I don't however think cracking the clothing market is what will change the playing field.

 

the problem with funding for cycling is probably always going to lie with UCI/ASO holding all the aces (well too busy squabbling over them to move forward).Velon tried to take more control for the riders and teams, but it seems to have faded.

 

Cycling has seen a huge rise in popularity, but you are never going to charge fans for spectator tickets to finance it (short of a gate at Alp d'huez/demarcated camping spots).

 

So the money has to come from sponsors, and/or TV broadcast rights.

 

The only other viable alternative is to charge realistically for the race rights. How much does France Tourism indirectly make off the TdF? (thumbsuck) a billion euros? Some of that money should be going to those who create the content.

 

 

I'll leave you with what Oleg said in 2016 when he cashed out

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/oleg-tinkov-the-final-interview/

CN: Who do you think is responsible for what you describe as a mess?

 

Tinkov: Normally the UCI but they don't do much about it, they do **** all.

 

As I said so many times in the past, you don't have to be smart or intelligent to suggest what needs to be done for the future of the sport. I believe that ASO should take control, perhaps with a big, deep-pocket financial investor. They should come together and finally buy RCS Sport, which is struggling and full of debt. They have to buy them out and they have to get rid of the UCI. I don't see any role for the UCI in the management of professional cycling.

 

ASO should create a pro league like the NBA and move it to the pay-for-view television model. Cycling has been promoted enough by the socialist state television channels in France, Spain and Italy for long enough. Millions of people love cycling and always will, so the fan base will not disappear if they are asked to pay a little to see it on television; many of them will and everyone will benefit. Who cares if the old woman who likes to look at the French countryside can't see the Tour anymore? It's about creating a good business model that works. That way the teams can also get something out of it and survive. Cycling will become much bigger, better and nicer to watch when it becomes a pure business.

[Vetplant]

Like everyone has alluded to, apparel won't be the money spinner teams truly need. 

 

What cycling does have though in terms of the public, is a fairly well earning majority. This is purely an idea, that may be absolutely horrible and impossible to implement. But for me, I think the teams need to try and sell experiences to the cycling public, be it back stage passes to races, training camp rides etc. 

 

I understand for the majority of people this wouldn't interest them, but the amount of people who travel to the big races from all over the world is phenomenal. Imagine offering 5 passes per stage at a cost to the public who can be a part of the prior stage happenings or be a part of the team dinner after a stage, something that people will value more than a $150 cycling shirt, as it is an experience, and seeing as they have flown half way around the world, what's an extra little bit for a fantastic experience.

Idea seem cool, think this can work. 

 

All the big Euro races have VIP packages that include that sort of backstage experience. All sold via the race organiser. All in the toilet currently due to corona. The problem is also that this money goes to the organiser, not the team.

Yep, will only pick up once Covid is under control.

 

Teams need to get permission to do this for their own benefit, especially for TDF and other big races.

 

Auction a seat in the Team Car for a day to the super-wealthy....

[JScottP]

All the big Euro races have VIP packages that include that sort of backstage experience. All sold via the race organiser. All in the toilet currently due to corona. The problem is also that this money goes to the organiser, not the team.

I did forget about the ownership rights during the races, and I assume that extends to the teams during the entirety of the event, ie. rest days, before and after stages?

 

It is a tricky situation, but there also needs some sort of internal change in the teams thinking. Its crazy to think Mitchelton-Scott  are the only team with some sort of genuine behind the scenes YouTube videos and publicity. I can only imagine that it keeps there sponsors very happy during the year, as well as their podcast with genuine insights and interviews, done very well. 

 

How many of us would watch and listen to more of what Mitchelton-Scott does, I would love to hear riders speaking more than the 5 minute post race talk about how the race went, all of this brings more eyes and ears to teams, and that is what sponsors want, of course results are priority number one, but with more sponsors comes more money and more chances of success, rinse and repeat. 

 

I for one love behind the scenes stories. Stories from guys who are part of the grupetto, the domestiques etc.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I have to disagree with you. Outside of the Hip Hop/Urban lifestyle scene, most people buy branded clothing because of the real or percieved notion of quality. Because it’s comfortable and a good fit, and because it’s fit for purpose.

 

Almost all my clothes are from top tier brands, but the branding is subtle.

 

I agree, I would also buy an assos casual wear t-shirt or pants, because I know that assos makes high quality items, and I am confident it will be a good fit, and will last, and the branding will be sublte.

 

But, as vetplant mentioned, there is no way in hell I would wear a Jumbo branded casual wear T-shirt or whatever, it would just be too over the top

you'd be blown away by how many of your "top tier" brands are made in the exact same factory as Mr Price stuff using the same thread and same fabric

 

You are generally paying high for your subtle branding - not all brands but by far the majority and definitely the listed ones.

I got some Rapha T's for my birthday - I love them and the quality is great.  Thought I'd get a couple more for myself as I was buying a bib.  When I saw the price I went off to woolies

 

As an aside, the eye wateringly priced bib is the most comfortable one I've ever owned.  Sadly the branding hides below some old baggies and whatever smelly T'shirt I can find.  I save my lycra look for the Argus

[shaper]

I'm with Wayne on this. However, the lines get blurred between 'most people' and the tastes of the demographic who follow pro road cycling.

 

Not, watch, but actually follow it enough to buy team kit.

 

By nature, road cyclists are fashion snobs, driven by ironic rules that dictate sock height, kit games, bike matchey matchey etc...... So IMHO the market for pro kit will be tiny. As discerning as the potential customers are, one ill placed colour panel will kill any sale.

 

I honestly don't think there is any real money to be made in kit sales in cycling. 

 

For me it's a non starter for so many reasons

Yet Ironman don't have a problem getting people wearing their kit.  I think cycling just need to adapt accordingly.

 

EF are starting to, Rapha as well, to name 2

[Shebeen]

I did forget about the ownership rights during the races, and I assume that extends to the teams during the entirety of the event, ie. rest days, before and after stages?

 

It is a tricky situation, but there also needs some sort of internal change in the teams thinking. Its crazy to think Mitchelton-Scott  are the only team with some sort of genuine behind the scenes YouTube videos and publicity. I can only imagine that it keeps there sponsors very happy during the year, as well as their podcast with genuine insights and interviews, done very well. 

 

How many of us would watch and listen to more of what Mitchelton-Scott does, I would love to hear riders speaking more than the 5 minute post race talk about how the race went, all of this brings more eyes and ears to teams, and that is what sponsors want, of course results are priority number one, but with more sponsors comes more money and more chances of success, rinse and repeat. 

 

I for one love behind the scenes stories. Stories from guys who are part of the grupetto, the domestiques etc.

 

massive BACKSTAGE pass fan. but i think you're looking at it from the uber keen cyclist viewpoint. You're already hooked, passionate, but ultimately a small community. the money will come from the wider public, and that is through TV.

 

 

as an example -

Yates gets into yellow at Tdf - 

-  38k views

 

greatest backstage pass ever, PR 2016, sitting on 770k views. that's peanuts.

[Fat Boab]

https://store.ineosgrenadiers.com/

 

Anyone any idea the revenue generated by this, as an example? (I don't).

[T_Boss]

you'd be blown away by how many of your "top tier" brands are made in the exact same factory as Mr Price stuff using the same thread and same fabric

 

You are generally paying high for your subtle branding - not all brands but by far the majority and definitely the listed ones.

I got some Rapha T's for my birthday - I love them and the quality is great.  Thought I'd get a couple more for myself as I was buying a bib.  When I saw the price I went off to woolies

 

As an aside, the eye wateringly priced bib is the most comfortable one I've ever owned.  Sadly the branding hides below some old baggies and whatever smelly T'shirt I can find.  I save my lycra look for the Argus

My last post on this, as I fear we are derailing this thread a little - Why do people buy branded clothing might be a better thread to carry on this discussion.

 

I am again going to disagree with you here. Those that know me well, would know I am a very down to earth person, who truly doesnt give a rats about brands and who wears/rides/drinks whatever, but I do see myself as something of a connoisseur of quality stuff. Mr price does not sell quality clothes. The stitching is rubish, and the stuff doesnt hold its shape at all. PnP clothing does however surprise me with their quality and value offering. 

 

Woolworths, albiet a bit more expensive, sells clothes that fill well, and last. But unless there has been a drastic change in quality over the past 3 years, you will not convince me that Mr Price quality is on par with Woolworths, Old Khaki, Levis etc - and none of these carry heavy, in your face branding

 

RAPHA and EF do have nice looking kit, but if they were to start branding it with all the team logos, to match the racing kit etc, I would not want to wear it. 

[eddy]

. So IMHO the market for pro kit will be tiny.

That is my problem. I got given the Swiss national jersey Spartacus's used on a stage of the Tour in 2010, and it is tiny.

 

I can't get my stomach into it...