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if the sock fits

ritchey cycling socks

if you've had any mechanical experience with bicycles, you will probably be well aware of the in-built inconsistencies that exist. 'incompatibility' is probably a more than equitable description. this has, historically, resulted in a two-pronged attack, one prong essentially existing as the result of the other. from a purely mechanical standpoint, it makes a great deal of sense to ensure that each stage in the transmission and braking process, consists of components sourced from the same manufacturer. however, ensuring that this is the case, more often than not, plays perfectly into the hands of the marketing department.

one reinforces the other.

ritchey cycling socks

in respect of one acquaintance of mine, i have often wondered why anyone would be willing to pursue the marrying of gear levers from one purveyor, with the derailleurs of another. at some point in the process, tears are going to be the only result. the only exception to this philosophy that springs to mind, is lennard zinn, a man seemingly obsessed with exploring the compatibility between various components from various sources. in mitigation, it appears this obsession may be closely related to the number of enquiries he receives from readers intent on doing the wrong thing, as advised above.

such incompatibilities, however, seem to exist even within the same atelier. with the introduction of twelve-speed to campagnolo chorus, came a 34 tooth sprocket on the cassette. however, owners of record or super-record need not apply, as apparently the record-based rear mech is not capable of coping with so many teeth.

ritchey cycling socks

yet, the matching of componentry from front to rear has become the ultimate desire of many a manufacturer. the days when we would source bars, stem and seatpost based on likes or dislikes, has seemingly faded into obscurity. the modern-day implication is that matching handlebar and stem from differing sources is a travesty comparable to hanging on to the 'sticky-bottle' for more than the uci determined period of time.

my ritchey logic frameset is decorated with the aforementioned campagnolo record, twelve-speed groupset (with a compatible 32 large sprocket), matched to a pair of campagnolo bora wto 33mm carbon wheels. the ergomax bars and chicane stem are both from ritchey, the forks turning on a ritchey wcs integrated headset. the wcs seatpost also bears a ritchey logo, and pedalling duties are achieved on a pair of wcs echelon carbon pedals. the marketing departments of campagnolo and ritchey must love me.

however, if we're happy to accept the premise that componentry designed to work happily together is the ideal option when it comes to specifying a bicycle's constitution, (and i am), then it doesn't seem to stretch credibiity too far, to introduce a clothing component. however, lest i come across as a ritchey or campagnolo fan boy, i have started small with a view to potential expansion at a later date. thus, to act as mediator between my rapha shoes and ritchey echelon pedals, i have taken to wearing a pair of official ritchey cycling socks. currently retailing at the reduced price of €10.95 (£9.80), these would seem an economic start to exploring the intricacies of compatibility.

ritchey cycling socks

all was going swimmingly on the sunday morning ride, until we reached the hill at the rspb's aoradh farm, where my colleagues seemed to have far less difficulty ascending than did i. this led me to believe that ritchey may have sent me the sprint version of their socks, explaining their obvious incompatibility with grimpeurship. it's a situation with which i had made myself at ease, until one of the aforementioned colleagues noticed that the rear-facing ritchey logo on one sock had not been sitting straight, and thus upset my climbing feng shui (or mojo, if you prefer).

unfortunately, at the time of pointing this out, there was no opportunity to straighten the sock and blast up the nearest incline. but next week... thoroughly recommended to all ritchey and would-be ritchey owners. just be sure that you put them on straight.

next step is a ritchey cycling cap.

ritchey cycling socks

tuesday 8 september 2020

twmp ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................