Fat Lad At The Back

[WinstonWolf]

Did anyone see them on Dragon's Den?

http://fatladattheback.com/

I saw one of their tops on a ride earlier in the year and it proper cracked me up. I think the Dragons missed a trick here, Lycra can be pretty daunting when you first start...

[DoubleSix]

WinstonWolf said:

Did anyone see them on Dragon's Den?

http://fatladattheback.com/

I saw one of their tops on a ride earlier in the year and it proper cracked me up. I think the Dragons missed a trick here, Lycra can be pretty daunting when you first start...

It's not for me as I'm not fat and wear proper MTB gear anyway...

BUT

I agree, the Dragons showed no real understanding of the cycling community and it's quirky nature - reckon the brand will do ok.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Thought they'd been around ages, guy in my club has one

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Surely just a case of time before they get sued for fatism.

[anonymous-user]

A guy was doing the welsh raider in FLATB shorts and jersey, i quite like self depricating humour but it didnt lok particularly special in terms of material or fit. There was another guy in "Welcome to Jamaica" shorts and jersey riding in torrential rain which made me chuckle. Best of all was the guy at the end in full Movistar gear, overshoes, gloves, jersey, shorts, ban-fking-dana and catlike team helmet...

[thepawbroon]

When I first saw them, I thought "That's me, that's quite funny".

I even follow them on Twitter/Facebook etc.

Now, I just think "Seen that joke before". It's a bit like people calling Facebook "Bookface", or calling Tony Blair "Tony B Liar". It's quite funny the first couple of times, but the hundredth time.......

Saying that, the styles seem quite cool, so if they played down the slogan/brand name a little, it may become more interesting and long lasting.

At least it's not Rapha or FPKW

[donfisher]

pablo said:

i quite like self depricating humour but it didnt lok particularly special in terms of material or fit.

Yeah, is the joke the name or the prices?

[SR7492]

I did a Sportive at the back end of May in Lincolnshire (The Arrow Sportive) and saw a fella have this kit on.

As to no surprise, he was a big lad and at the back of the pack - as I cycled past him, I read the 'Fat Lad at the back' written on his Lycra, looked at him and started chuckling - it was quite funny! I slowed down, gave the guy a thumbs up and told him the kit was brilliant. Got a thumbs up back and was was on my way :-)

[Kell]

As a 'larger gentleman' myself, I don't mind the kit.

I think it would be better to be in something that recognises my size and the fact that I'm likely to be slower than the whippets at the front.

And if I do come last, then I can always say that I knew I would. But imagine the humiliation if I overtake you...

Unfortunately, the prices are as large as the clothing.

[sleepezy]

Difficult market to penetrate as an 'outsider' - look at Union 34 (OK, not aimed at hardcore riding but still aimed at keen cyclists) - some really innovative ideas in both clothing and equipment but a complete flop commercially

[5potTurbo]

FLATB are stocked by Evans. When I showed my wife she said, "I'll buy you some of that to go with your new bike!"


I've lost 25kg before I start back on a bike!




But yes, they are pricey!

[Gizmoish]

Never sure about "funny" jerseys. Aren't they just a bit "wacky"?

Did like the WWF sponsored ones last weekend though: "The panda made me do it."

[bakerstreet]

pablo said:

Best of all was the guy at the end in full Movistar gear, overshoes, gloves, jersey, shorts, ban-fking-dana and catlike team helmet...

Always plenty of those at the Sportives. I've seen a few people in full team sky gear right down to the socks. I know we are all meant to be 'its not what you wear, its the cycling ect ect', but the first thing I think when I see people in full team gear is 'idiot'!

I admit, I like some of the pro team jerseys, but I would never go out in team everything.

[Gizmoish]

I was going to do RL in full La Vie Claire.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Gizmoish said:

I was going to do RL in full La Vie Claire.

That's a belting bit of kit.

[bakerstreet]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

That's a belting bit of kit.

Reminds me of a TV test signal

[Gruffy]

Is £49.99 considered pricey for a jersey?

[Some Gump]

Gruffy said:

Is £49.99 considered pricey for a jersey?

It is by the guys that swear by aldi.
It's not by the guys that swear by rapha.

All depends on the quality / price ratio, and how much you like the design!

[yellowjack]

Some Gump said:

Gruffy said:

Is £49.99 considered pricey for a jersey?

It is by the guys that swear by aldi.
It's not by the guys that swear by rapha.

All depends on the quality / price ratio, and how much you like the design!

Pretty much what he said, really. I've had a jumbled mix of jerseys, ranging from freebies/cast offs from a friend to a Foska jersey. My current favourite is my PH jersey though, and in my opinion, that is a 'sweet spot' garment when it comes to quality and value for money. I've only had five days in the last 24 that I didn't ride at least once, and I'd say I wear the PH shirt about 75% of the time. All of my riding is currently off road, and the jersey is washed about 3 times a week, so it's had a stern test, and passed with flying colours. Save a few pulls in the sleeves (brambles to blame for those) it's still in perfect shape.

The Foska jersey I had was lovely, while it lasted. Great fit and very comfortable, but it didn't take too well to a daily washing/wearing/washing regime in winter, and the pocket and waistband elastic gave up, which consigned it to the bin, unfortunately. For winter wear, I switched to the Karrimor stuff from Sports Direct. Cheap, and pretty easy to tell why, the fit and fabric are pretty poor, but they are hardy things, and last well when worked hard in the winter time. Loose fitting, so plenty of room for layering underneath, and a very 'loud' orange colour so as to be seen. With a quality base layer, the slightly scratchy fabric isn't a problem either. Their biggest drawback is that they tend to be loose and flap about a lot when on a road bike.

I don't think I've ever spent as much as £50 on a jersey, because I don't see that I'd need anything better than the PH (Owayo) jersey in terms of quality, and the price is absolutely spot on. I've wasted a fair bit on Aldi/Lidl stuff though, because despite the low prices, the fit has been terrible on some of their gear, and the quality is pretty dire too, so I've ended up not wearing them very much at all. (I'm thinking especially of a winter jersey I bought from them, which seems to have been designed for a fat man with pipe cleaners for arms).

As others have said already, I think the 'Fat Lad' brand/slogan is a bit of a giggle, but the novelty, for me, would wear off pretty quickly, so even if I was a fat lad, often found bringing up the rear (which I might well be ), I don't think I'd want to buy into the brand. It might appeal to those who like to have a sly dig at the chubby fellas in full pro team kit on carbon superbikes who struggle to get up the Box Hill zigzags in one go though. I can't imagine it's great for morale if you get caught and dropped by a 'Fat Lad at the Back' when you're on a Dogma and dressed head to toe in Rapha

[Kell]

I'd like to add to my comment above in that, while I would no real problems with wearing the kit, it would be good if they did more subtly branded stuff. Or even non branded.

I know that there are lots of people out there who are not comfortable with their weight and the thought of anything which basically says "I'm a fat pig" on it would put them off wearing it.

If the idea is to make kit that, even if can't flatter its wearer, fits and doesn't constrict movement, then it should be made appealing to as wide (pardon the pun) a target market as possible.

The one truism about cycling any type of distance is being comfortable and I guess that applies mentally as well as physically.

Edited by Kell on Wednesday 13th August 10:12