Potential new cycling clothing line - Anything missing in the market?
10-31-13, 10:50 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Potential new cycling clothing line - Anything missing in the market?
Hey all, a friend of mine and I are discussing what it would take to start a new cycling clothing line and if there's a need in the market. We've been thinking about something similar to the way the market is going; more subdued colors and styles with a focus on city living. Probably a mid-range price point, something above Pearl but below Rapha.
So my question for the forum, anything you wish you were seeing out there in the cycling clothing world that you're not?
So my question for the forum, anything you wish you were seeing out there in the cycling clothing world that you're not?
10-31-13, 11:07 AM
#3
SuperGimp
The "above Pearl" part is leaving me cold... and I'd call above Pearl expensive, not mid-range.
10-31-13, 11:09 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Swobo is got that market pretty well covered. And Giro is also entering this exact market segment.
10-31-13, 11:43 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,085
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
Sounds like you identify the need in terms of style and to a lesser extent function. Assos and Rapha is a lot about function and thus high end. I guess its who you are trying to appeal to.
Now for the racing high end, it would take a lot of research and development to design an integrated system for the racing crowd. That would mean the long staged races. Eventually some of the benefits would trickle down to the casual or recreational rider to some extent.
This might seem far fetched but the U.S. Army is in the experimental stage for their foot soldiers. You might think some of this is irrelevant but its not. Applications go all over the place. Sensors, lots of sensors, is the active way and everything to this date for cycling is passive.
https://www.army.mil/article/113332/_...f_development/
Now for the racing high end, it would take a lot of research and development to design an integrated system for the racing crowd. That would mean the long staged races. Eventually some of the benefits would trickle down to the casual or recreational rider to some extent.
This might seem far fetched but the U.S. Army is in the experimental stage for their foot soldiers. You might think some of this is irrelevant but its not. Applications go all over the place. Sensors, lots of sensors, is the active way and everything to this date for cycling is passive.
https://www.army.mil/article/113332/_...f_development/
Last edited by Garfield Cat; 10-31-13 at 11:48 AM.
10-31-13, 11:43 AM
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 354
Bikes: team miyata, '73 p-14, MB-3, centurion lemans, Mystery TT, mongoose atb '85
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
make it cheaper with understated colors/design and you win.
10-31-13, 11:47 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275
Bikes: are better than yours.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I want the impossible. Something that keeps the core warm for rides up to four hours near 0 degrees F. That means it has to be both windstopping AND it has to wick moisture away from the skin.
And here's a preemptive STFU for anyone who wants to say "wool".
And here's a preemptive STFU for anyone who wants to say "wool".
__________________
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
10-31-13, 11:56 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
At 0 degree F, your extremities are probably harder to keep warm than your core. I can't imagine you will have enough blood circulation in your feet regardless how protective your boots are.
10-31-13, 11:57 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
As a former Canuck, I've ridden in that temperature range, and the longest I have kept going is about 2 hours.
10-31-13, 11:58 AM
#10
Middle-Aged Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 2,276
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito CV 2014, TREK HIFI 2011, Argon18 E-116 2013
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I want a knee warmer that goes all the way down to my booties. Last year my shins went numb on my 28 deg F ride. I was sad. (bib knickers)
10-31-13, 01:13 PM
#12
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
I don't care what anyone thinks... a line of merino wool jerseys in plain vintage styles, but without lettering. Made simply and priced affordably, say $50, they would be a home run.
10-31-13, 01:38 PM
#14
Portland Fred
Urban stuff is all about style and appearance of function that nonriders imagine is needed (but isn't). So whatever you do, make sure it has a gimmick like reflective thread in the seams or special pocket for a bus pass so using the racks on public transit is more convenient but make sure you use some material that's only comfortable in a 10 degree temperature range that doesn't breathe.
I'm not sure the world needs more crap like that, but I'm sure it will sell.
10-31-13, 01:42 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
Bike caps. We need more bike caps.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
10-31-13, 02:52 PM
#16
Senior Member
Depends built into bibs, for the aging population with incontinence issues.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
10-31-13, 04:45 PM
#17
Middle-Aged Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 2,276
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito CV 2014, TREK HIFI 2011, Argon18 E-116 2013
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-31-13, 04:49 PM
#18
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 169
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-31-13, 06:07 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275
Bikes: are better than yours.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I'm looking in technical gear for XC skiing. I suspect that's where the good stuff will be.
__________________
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
10-31-13, 06:10 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275
Bikes: are better than yours.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
That's still going to be a niche market and the fabric is expensive, especially at low volumes. So I suspect there's no profit at that price point.
__________________
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
Telemachus has, indeed, sneezed.
11-01-13, 06:24 PM
#23
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
As a Canadian who has ridden up to 15 hours in those temps ... a combination of polypro and wool works. It's all about layers.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
11-01-13, 06:28 PM
#24
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
So ... like what I wear when I'm touring? I pick up wicking T-shirts in various colours from Decathlon in France for <$10, and I wear stretchy capris or basketball shorts, acquired in various places (Decathlon, an outlet store in Germany, Target in Australia) all for <$20.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
11-01-13, 07:13 PM
#25
ka maté ka maté ka ora
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: wessex
Posts: 4,423
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I like what Road Holland is doing.