Topless models for Total Rush shop re-launch?!?!

[nathanm]

Total rush do sell women's bikes. As in high end women's bikes with the female geometry.
Full carbon Mtb's (S-works Fate) with Shimano XTR or SRAM XX.

They Also have high end road bikes (s-works amira) for women. Full Shimano Di2 dura ace or SRAM red.

I know, my wife has them. She races for the ladies TR team on the road, mtb and CX.

Would you have been okay with your wife getting nude body painted to promote the store then?

Evey time I've gone to a strip club there's been probably around 130 people there and none of them were complaining either.

If they wanted women to promote the store then why not use their team riders, in team kit?

 

[cleeshoy]

Would you have been okay with your wife getting nude body painted to promote the store then?

The models were not nude, they were topless wearing body paint.

Rather then me telling her what to do or what not to do, I actually let my wife make her own decisions. Once again, noone was forced into doing anything.

Evey time I've gone to a strip club there's been probably around 130 people there and none of them were complaining either.

OK - I am not sure what to say to this.

If they wanted women to promote the store then why not use their team riders, in team kit?

The team riders were there as guest of the party as opposed to fulfilling team duties.

 

[nathanm]

The models were not nude, they were topless wearing body paint.

Rather then me telling her what to do or what not to do, I actually let my wife make her own decisions. Once again, noone was forced into doing anything.



OK - I am not sure what to say to this.



The team riders were there as guest of the party as opposed to fulfilling team duties.

IMO body paint is not clothing, and if you're topless your nude.

I didn't ask whether or not you let your wife make decisions. As you seem to be defending the store's act, I'm asking how you would feel if your wife was one of the "models"? The debate isn't around people being forced to do things, it's whether what was done was appropriate?

Harmonix, Dozer & Cypher (amongst others) have all made valid points that mirror my feelings, so I'm interested in your counterpoint.

 

[UncleFeet]

...anyway, where are the photos?

 

[Danny B]

Simon Coffin's a self-conceited fuckhead. If anyone wants proof of this they should read his 'apology' on their site.

Total Rush is quite obviously marketed squarely at the cashed-up douchebag set. Many of whom, it would seem, wish to trivialise non-acceptance of institutional sexism, racism and other forms of bigotry, by claiming these views as merely knee-jerk reactions, labelling them under this vapid umbrella term of "political correctness". It is complete horse shit.

The body painted models was a media stunt made in poor taste, and as many others have already pointed out is disrespectful to women. It did alienate a good number of their female customers, many of whom are just as serious about their cycling as their male counterparts. I think its good that they've shown their true colours in this very public way and even happier that its backfired so badly for them. I do hope that people choose to talk with their feet and buy their bikes elsewhere. I know I will.

And lastly if anyone wants another reason to not buy Specialized they should check out this fiasco: http://redkiteprayer.com/2013/12/the-explainer-because-i-ing-hate-bullies/

 

[gregp]

I think you all need to chillax. It could have been much worse considering the neighbourhood they're in........

 

[Danny B]

Do they still have that retarded sign on their roof that reads 'Alcohol Doesn't Cause Violence... Blame and Punish The Individual". ??!! They're in good company in that neighbourhood. They could just rename it Fuckhead Alley.

 

[cleeshoy]

IMO body paint is not clothing, and if you're topless your nude.

The models were wearing undies so I don't call that nude.

I didn't ask whether or not you let your wife make decisions. As you seem to be defending the store's act, I'm asking how you would feel if your wife was one of the "models"? The debate isn't around people being forced to do things, it's whether what was done was appropriate?

Harmonix, Dozer & Cypher (amongst others) have all made valid points that mirror my feelings, so I'm interested in your counterpoint.

Given my wife was not one of the models, its a bit difficult to speculate, so the answer there is "I don't know".

Personally I didn't find it uncomfortable and didn't think it it was sexually offensive. The girls were not being leered or ogled at and no-one approached them in a sexual manner. My wife had no issues with the girls either.

That's my opinion - clearly my opinion is in the minority.

 

[pharmaboy]

Simon Coffin's a self-conceited fuckhead........ Etc etc etc

And lastly if anyone wants another reason to not buy Specialized they should check out this fiasco: http://redkiteprayer.com/2013/12/the-explainer-because-i-ing-hate-bullies/

Now we get to the bottom of it.

So, do you know him? Sure seems it with all the emotion going on.

This isn't discussion, its a maniacal tirade.

Specialized have otoh given themselves the biggest blood nose in years - a self inflicted upper cut of Epic proportions.

 

[cleeshoy]

I'm not going to bother wading into this conversation after this post - it appears to be de-generating into a series of F-bombs, etc

I am just going to quote a post from Emma Carney who posted this elsewhere when Catherine Deveny was a on boycott the shop tirade....I respected Emma as an incredible athlete and I respect Emma as a person...


To all those who have decided to boycott Total Rush, I pity you.
My time as a world class female athlete was full of requests for me to pose nude for magazines, as are most female athletes today. I was never interested and was never involved. It simply wasn't me. Many other female athletes of my era took the opportunity to make some money doing this - it was their choice. Just as the girls at the Total Rush launch did. No one forced anyone into anything. No one decided to disown or boycott their friendship with a male athlete of that era for looking at the photos or - dare I say - laugh... What did I do for women? ….
Heres a few -
I raced once in Dubai, and 5 minutes prior to the race an official organiser approached my and asked that I race in shorts, as it was against the Shieks religion to see the top of a womans leg. I replied and told him to tell the shiek it was against my religion to be told what to do by a stranger.
Throughout my career, I refused to ever race where the prize money for women was not equal to the mens.
I didn't force my opinions on anyone. I didn't need to. I prefer to lead by example. I wonder how many of the Total Rush critics are aware that there a number of women in the top end of the hierarchy at Total Rush. I wonder how many bike stores donate their time to charities and raise as much money as Total Rush….
Anyway…. I'm sure I will see you out on the road. I will be the one on the pristine, perfectly running Specialized.
Enjoy life - just incase we are only here once.

 

[stinkytodamax]

I think you all need to chillax. It could have been much worse considering the neighbourhood they're in........

View attachment 279243

ha I was trying to post the same google street image. I visited Melbourne once and told the taxi driver 345 Punt Road he said joyfully "ah Ladies for Gentlemen" I was like FTW? Anyway laughed once I worked out what he was on about.

Also a quick wade through the TR Facebook page will show you where he got the idea.

 

[JakeLemin]

i just bought a p.slope off them ahah!

 

[al_]

I'm not going to bother wading into this conversation after this post - it appears to be de-generating into a series of F-bombs, etc

I am just going to quote a post from Emma Carney who posted this elsewhere when Catherine Deveny was a on boycott the shop tirade....I respected Emma as an incredible athlete and I respect Emma as a person...


To all those who have decided to boycott Total Rush, I pity you.
My time as a world class female athlete was full of requests for me to pose nude for magazines, as are most female athletes today. I was never interested and was never involved. It simply wasn't me. Many other female athletes of my era took the opportunity to make some money doing this - it was their choice. Just as the girls at the Total Rush launch did. No one forced anyone into anything. No one decided to disown or boycott their friendship with a male athlete of that era for looking at the photos or - dare I say - laugh... What did I do for women? ….
Heres a few -
I raced once in Dubai, and 5 minutes prior to the race an official organiser approached my and asked that I race in shorts, as it was against the Shieks religion to see the top of a womans leg. I replied and told him to tell the shiek it was against my religion to be told what to do by a stranger.
Throughout my career, I refused to ever race where the prize money for women was not equal to the mens.
I didn't force my opinions on anyone. I didn't need to. I prefer to lead by example. I wonder how many of the Total Rush critics are aware that there a number of women in the top end of the hierarchy at Total Rush. I wonder how many bike stores donate their time to charities and raise as much money as Total Rush….
Anyway…. I'm sure I will see you out on the road. I will be the one on the pristine, perfectly running Specialized.
Enjoy life - just incase we are only here once.

She seems to have missed the point spectacularly.

I'm just staggered that people still make mistakes like this. These situations just offer so little upside and can be very easily avoided.

 

[rone]

i just bought a p.slope off them ahah!

See any tits?

 

[0psi]

I am just going to quote a post from Emma Carney who posted this elsewhere when Catherine Deveny was a on boycott the shop tirade....I respected Emma as an incredible athlete and I respect Emma as a person...


To all those who have decided to boycott Total Rush, I pity you.
My time as a world class female athlete was full of requests for me to pose nude for magazines, as are most female athletes today. I was never interested and was never involved. It simply wasn't me. Many other female athletes of my era took the opportunity to make some money doing this - it was their choice. Just as the girls at the Total Rush launch did. No one forced anyone into anything. No one decided to disown or boycott their friendship with a male athlete of that era for looking at the photos or - dare I say - laugh... What did I do for women? ….
Heres a few -
I raced once in Dubai, and 5 minutes prior to the race an official organiser approached my and asked that I race in shorts, as it was against the Shieks religion to see the top of a womans leg. I replied and told him to tell the shiek it was against my religion to be told what to do by a stranger.
Throughout my career, I refused to ever race where the prize money for women was not equal to the mens.
I didn't force my opinions on anyone. I didn't need to. I prefer to lead by example. I wonder how many of the Total Rush critics are aware that there a number of women in the top end of the hierarchy at Total Rush. I wonder how many bike stores donate their time to charities and raise as much money as Total Rush….
Anyway…. I'm sure I will see you out on the road. I will be the one on the pristine, perfectly running Specialized.
Enjoy life - just incase we are only here once.

Sorry but that's just bullshit. Unlike a lot of people here I know who Emma is and I have a lot of respect for her but I've raced many events where our prize pool was well above theirs.

In regards to the boobies. Well I don't see what the big deal was but I still think it was poor taste.

 

[Dozer]

To all those who have decided to boycott Total Rush, I pity you.
My time as a world class female athlete was full of requests for me to pose nude for magazines, as are most female athletes today. I was never interested and was never involved. It simply wasn't me. Many other female athletes of my era took the opportunity to make some money doing this - it was their choice. Just as the girls at the Total Rush launch did. No one forced anyone into anything. No one decided to disown or boycott their friendship with a male athlete of that era for looking at the photos or - dare I say - laugh... What did I do for women? ….
Heres a few -
I raced once in Dubai, and 5 minutes prior to the race an official organiser approached my and asked that I race in shorts, as it was against the Shieks religion to see the top of a womans leg. I replied and told him to tell the shiek it was against my religion to be told what to do by a stranger.
Throughout my career, I refused to ever race where the prize money for women was not equal to the mens.
I didn't force my opinions on anyone. I didn't need to. I prefer to lead by example. I wonder how many of the Total Rush critics are aware that there a number of women in the top end of the hierarchy at Total Rush. I wonder how many bike stores donate their time to charities and raise as much money as Total Rush….
Anyway…. I'm sure I will see you out on the road. I will be the one on the pristine, perfectly running Specialized.
Enjoy life - just incase we are only here once.

Ha! That's funny and sadly very typical of "a world class athlete". Blah blah blah. Shut up and perform on the track, not on your Twitter page.

It just struck me that maybe Total Rush launched their new team kit that night; just lingerie bottoms and painted torso and chest for girls and stiff pompous suits for dudes. It all makes sense now.

 

[Danny B]

Now we get to the bottom of it.

So, do you know him? Sure seems it with all the emotion going on.

This isn't discussion, its a maniacal tirade.

Nah I don't know him, but I don't need to in order to form an opinion of the guy - he has a public profile and that's what I'm basing my opinion on.

Apologies for the blue language, might have given the impression that I was more worked up than I really am. I am nevertheless dismayed by sexist attitudes in pro and social cycling. It is already a very male dominated sport. But as someone who enjoys the company of women (as well as men), I want to see women being encouraged to participate in the sport, rather that be alienated from it.

Anyway I've given plenty more than my 2c.... moving on.

 

[tricycle]

It was clever - we're all discussing it. They were targeting their primary market. Their primary market likes boobs.

I really love boooooooobies

 

[Big JD]

absolutely typical behaviour

I personal have always found the shop to be exclusive, not welcoming or friendly and elitist. I have found it to be a drag to get quality service unless I spend the big money. I personally find it completely typical of this business to act in this way - it suits them to a tee. I have been in there many times over the past 10 years and usually purchase something- now Fitzroy stock Specialised tyres, clothing and bikes- I never have to venture in there again.

I also would say- those wearing the TR strip would be the least likely to acknowledge you on the trail and most likely to yell track or strava. Just my observations and doesnt mean sh!t

They have a culture unique to them and it is no surprise they lacked forethought or sensitivity.

I also like boobies very much- but I wouldnt put my business name on them for the world to see unless i was Blokesworld, Summer Nats, Playboy or Graters Rub and Tug Emporium

 

[slowmick]

If they launch an all mountain team will fat dudes in their jocks get painted up to look like they are wearing the latest in baggy enduro kit?

I've got a specialized (from elsewhere) and a suitably baggy body - maybe i'll get the call up.