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Design Inspiration
Neil Goodman
An InTRODUCTION
An informal chat with Neil Goodman, owner of C3 Products. A conversation focused on custom cycling kit, spills into all things design; bikes, clothing, watches and coffee. We've picked out the soundbites.
25 years working in the cycle trade encompassing both retail and distribution. Neil's atypical working day is split between C3 Products and Giro Cycles (Co-owned with Jordan Addison). The latter is located in Esher Surrey, an award winning coffee shop / eatery and in Neil's words something of a social hub for the local cycling community, of which he's immensely proud to be part of.
An old school club cyclist, Neil is a stickler for good group etiquette whilst riding a bike with others. And should you see Neil riding his bike, in the Surrey Hills - please wave back.
Clean, Classic & Functional
Looking beyond the bike industry, Neil's design inspiration for custom cycling kit design reads like a Mr Porter mail-shot; Sunspel, Jon Smedley, Common Projects to name but a few. A belief that every day objects should be and can be, clean in aesthetic, classic in style whilst being functional (not mundane) goes some way to explaining the choice of the time piece on his wrist or the espresso machine that graces the kitchen counter in his home.
No Ordinary Bike
2 bikes hang discreetly in the utility room and this leads us neatly onto Neil's current choice of bike(s). Argonaut based in Bend, Oregon offer a full bespoke build that extends not only to geometry but carbon fibre lay-up. Customisation that enhances the riding experience, complimenting the rider's style... One disc, one non-disc equipped. The former w/ Dura Ace the latter Sram Red E-Tap. Aesthetically they're understated, clean almost classic looking and of course functional.
"Having ridden an Argonaut, it makes the search for the next bike all that much harder and as of yet I haven't found it"
Closing Thoughts
Wrapping up the conversation, it seems only right to touch upon the Sportful brand, as the apparel in question is the canvas for Neil's designs. With the advent of the Australian "fast fashion" brands coming to the market in the last few seasons, where does Neil see Sportful and it's relevance in an ever changing, faster paced scene. Neil voices an admiration and respect but and he admits it's a well coined phrase.
"Style is nothing without substance"
Neil's closing comments might read like the art of Zen for custom kit cycling design but as he points out being happy and in the right frame of mind is key to executing any degree of creativity, no matter what the medium.
"Inspiration comes when your mind is in the right place"
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