Bibs

[GreenLady]

That Assos model is still frighteningly thin. I know there are plenty of thin bikers out there, but this lady looks like she's never set her butt on a bike.

[Grog]

I find the second picture (the "more modest"... barely...) even worse. You can see the girl from an angle that makes it clear that she has no thighs... hence can't go very far on a bike.

I think it would be useful to write to the company to complain about this.

[slinkedog]

I find the second picture (the "more modest"... barely...) even worse. You can see the girl from an angle that makes it clear that she has no thighs... hence can't go very far on a bike.

... and really pokey-outy hipbones. I feel sorry for her SO... OUCH!!

[Grog]

Okay, I did it.

They only have a mailing address, so I wrote an actual letter on real paper (with an envelope, stamps, everyting).

I wrote in French because they are in Switzerland, so I quickly and carelessly translate to English for your enjoyment. Their address is below.

I think the poses where the women are all twisted (not so much the bib ones) make me more angry than the rachitism. Why do men get to stand in neutral positions and women have to stand all weird? *sigh*

Anyway, here it is.


Vancouver, May 20, 2006.

Dear Sir. or Madam,

I hereby want to express my indignation regarding the photographies featuring women's clothing available on your web site assos.com.

Obviously, the models demonstrating your shorts have not been adequately fed to meet the nutritional needs of cyclists their size. Allow me, by the way, to seriously doubt their capacity to go anywhere beyond 20 km on a bike. The pictures of "bib shorts" for ladies (LadyAirblockLL and LadyKnicker RX) are especially troubling because they show the absence of quadriceps in those ladies. I also could mention the ridicoulous, contorted poses imposed to many of your models, only women of course. Totally humiliating.

It is true that most cyclist wish to have a thin body. However, muscular tonus is also required to practice this sport. You certainly would serve your brand better in the eyes and wallets of women cyclists if you presented your products on actual cyclists. This also would allow you to support women's cycling, which is badly in need of sponsors.

Sincerely,

Brigitte Gemme


Their address is:
Assos SA
6854 San Pietro di Stabio
Switzerland

[Starfish]

Along these lines, you may want to checkout the bike names at covebike.com

[Grog]

Along these lines, you may want to checkout the bike names at covebike.com

I know, this shop is awful.

There's a girl I ride with (on the road) who was a downhill champ and who was born pretty much next to the store. I always wanted to ask her how she felt about all that hyper-macho culture...

[Starfish]

You know, I was just reading and posting to another thread (about bike magazines). My comment was that I used to really enjoy Bicycling Magazine, but enjoy it less and less, and might drop my subscription and just pick up the buyers guide once a year. I find it to be very male-centric in its content and advertising.

I've been puzzing over this shift in my enjoyment...wonder if anyone else has experienced this? You know, I'm a heterosexual woman raised with all brothers in my family, I like, generally respect and enjoy men. I don't think I'm prudish, I like sex and enjoy joking, etc. Even like sexy pictures and innuendos, if that's what I'm specifically looking for (as opposed to looking for, say, bike clothes). And, lately, I just feel more and more discouraged about the biking culture, about companies' offerings, etc.

The thing about bikecove.com, and some other company/publication offerings is that I want to be able to send my young nieces to publications and so forth in an effort to introduce them to a sport that empowers and supports them. I have no interest in trying to shield them from the existence of healthy sex, etc. But does a company really have to name its bikes The Handjob, The Playmate, The Hummer? (And, I do support free speech and free enterprise, so I guess there's a market, or they wouldn't exist.)

I'm just feeling sad about it lately. Am I overreacting? Anyone else feel this way?

[Aggie_Ama]

I have been considering bibs myself. I hate having a waistband! I noticed Pearl Izumi has some that look like the give the chest room. I am a C/D cup, so I am also curious how the straps will come into play. DH swears by bibs, of course it is easier for men to take care of business at the potty.