Sector Guide: Women’s products

Featuring 2pure, Zyro, Madison, Polaris, Avocet Sports, Fisher Outdoor Leisure, Moore Large, Veho, Buff, Rapha, Fli Distribution, Muc-Off, Lusso, Odlo, Windwave.

Read this article in our digital edition, complete with images, here (from page 55).

Extra UK
Montane’s Featherlite Velo jacket for ladies is an ultra-lightweight endurance riding jacket, made of Pertex Microlight material that provides protection from the wind and fast drying to boot.

It features rear ‘Afterburner’ vents that help keep core body temperature stable and full body ‘Dusk till Dawn’ reflectivity for rides that run into the night.

Extra also supplies the Fizik Vesta saddle, a women-specific model with an Ergonomically-shaped base and concave central zone designed for comfort relief in sensitive areas. The integrated clip system accepts Fizik bags and lights, and the WingFlex allows thighs to move freely.

Sticking with Fizik, the firm also offers the R3 Donna shoes for women.
Designed to match the (typically) smaller anatomy of a woman’s foot, the R3 Donna has the same features as the R1 sole with a Kangaroo/Microtex upper.

Kangaroo Leather/Microtex upper. The R3 Donna shoes are compatible with any three-bolt cleat system, feature a 3D Flex System Carbon Outsole and Sail cloth closure straps.
www.extrauk.co.uk

Buffera
Women’s Slim Fit Buff is a female-friendly iteration of the product Buff is famous for. It’s as versatile as the Original Buff, meaning it can be worn in up to 12 different ways for protection and comfort – as a bandana, head band and yep, ten other ways too. However, this slim fit female version is slightly smaller and the designs – of which there are many – are more feminine. Aside from good old-fashioned black there is paisley-ish Quak, Eastern-influenced Sultan and plenty more. Recommended retail price is £13.00. Contact UK distributor Buffera to find out more or place an order. You can also obtain more information at
www.buffwear.co.uk
01707 852246

Avocet
Avocet’s women-specific models include the Viking Elysee (RRP £325.00) a sporty road option, as is the Whistle Win Sora (RRP £799.99) the latter featuring hydroformed lightweight aluminium triple butted custom frame and geometry tailored for both the track and road. 

There are also seven ladies-specific models in the 2012 Viking Heritage range including the six-speed Vitesse (RRP £219.99), which features a traditional low step over top tube.

The line-up includes two single speed options: the Pinewood (RRP £199.99) and Westwood (RRP £209.99). Other heritage offerings from the brand include the seven-speed Prelude 7 (RRP £229.99), the three-speed Downtown (RRP £269.99), the Déjà Vu three-speed (RRP £299.99) and the Paris six speed (RRP £299.99). And then there’s the Déjà Vu, of course (sorry).
0161 727 8505

2pure
POC has now arrived in the UK and the brand has an offering designed for female MTBers. The colour palettes are super bright and designed to be unisex, however, POC has cut t-shirts specifically for the female shape.

The Colours t-shirt is made of 100 per cent cotton with a high quality print designed to withstand all the wears and tears of riding. There are also Merino wool headbands offered by POC, as well as Merino wool socks and hoodies, all designed with the female MTBer in mind.
trade@2pure.co.uk

Muc-Off
We’re going to adhere to a stereotype or two here, but based on the assumption that women care more about how they smell than men do (or maybe that’s just the BikeBiz team?), the Muc Off Dry Shower is a product perfectly poised for the female cyclist sector. Probably suited best to commuters keen not to whiff when they start work in the morning, the Dry Shower has been formulated to kill odour-causing bacteria. It’s pH balanced and free from Parabens, Formaldehyde and Alcohol. So how does it perform? The not-so secret ingredient is derived from coconut. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and leaves the skin clean and moisturised.

Whatever sex your customer is, if they’ve got a bike they might be interested in a variety of cleaning and maintenance product, such as Muc Off’s C3 Ceramic Lube.

Muc Off is distributed to the trade by CSG UK, Walkers Cycles, Paligap and others.

Fisher Outdoor Leisure
The Santini women’s clothing offering continues to grow for 2012, with the brand promising the range is elegant and performance-related, rather than featuring token ‘girly’ items. It includes the ASA jersey, which is pitched at the enthusiast and uses E1 race cut and high performance stretch fabric. For entry level the Yoru Jersey uses E3 cut reflective detailing and comfortable soft handle microfibre fabrics.

The Fair three-quarter lengths and shorts are an established favourite in the range, while the ASA Short Sleeve Jersey features two-way stretch and breathable Carezza fabric (RRP £69.99). The Fair three-quarter length anatomic knickers and shorts use Santini’s Newport fabric, silicon leg gripers and smooth flat stitched seams for comfort, while the Women’s Yoru Short Sleeve Jersey Giro uses soft micro fibre touch fabrics giving a natural fibre handle. Sporting breathable mesh side inserts, a 75cm reversed divisible zipper and triple back pocket, the Yoru also uses a Santini internal elasticated silicon gripper to keep the jersey in place. It comes in red and white, blue and white, and purple and white (RRP £54.99).
www.fisherb2b.com

Zyro
Altura’s summer women’s range includes the Spin three-quarter length short, ideal for the bike or gym (RRP £34.99). The Aubergine Night Vision Jacket in the winter range now moves in to the Transformer windproof. The Synergy range is designed for performance, cut to fit in the riding position. The short sleeve jersey and stretch shorts (£49.99), with matching gel padded gloves at £19.99. The Spirit short sleeve and sleeveless jerseys, both £29.99, have a slightly looser fit for leisure riders. For the trail the Women’s Quantum X baggy combines hard-wearing durable panels and stretch fabrics on the outer short. Abus’ Arica (£39.99) is an all-rounder with 14 cooling air vents and Camelbak’s Luxe pack is a women’s-specific narrow-gauge product for £79.99.

Prologo’s Nago Evo DEA (£119.99) is also female-focused, while Tifosi’s lady offerings include the Slip (£49.99), Wisp (£49.99) and Altar (£49.99).
01845 521700

Moore Large
Forme offers Feminine Ergo (FE) models for ladies, with a compact design, shorter top tube and longer steering tube. Meanwhile One23 designed components offer comfort, with female-specific models available in road, urban, hybrid and MTB.

Lake’s shoes include the MX160 and CX160 shoes for £74.99. The MX160 MTB comes with Lake’s race sole and non-marking rubber outersole while the CX160 road comes with a competition fibreglass-injected nylon outsole. The new TX211 Tri shoe retails at £89.99. Lake has introduced the MX100 with a Trail Vibram outsole (£74.99). Lake also offers active life cycle shoes, designed for those who want to ride in or outdoors (£69.99). Knog has a huge range of female-friendly locks available in many colours, with cable locks using a fibre core steel cable, unique to bicycle locks. All Limar models have a crash replacement programme and feature InMould technology and Coolmax Pads. Limar offers female-specific designs in the 777 road, 575 MTB, 525 Sport Action, X Gen, teen and kids ranges.
01332 274252

CSG UK
The Cannondale Trail SL Woman’s 3 (RRP £749.99) is a hard tail ideal for those progressing from beginner to MTB enthusiast. Featuring tech from upper end sibling Flash, the frame is light (1,600g) with 6061 alu tubing and mechanical forming allowing complex shaping and over sizing at stressed points. It also sports female-specific geometry, accounting for shorter torsos and longer legs, shorter reach brake levers women’s specific saddle and more.

Charge’s Hob (RRP £499.99) is a single speed urban bike, fixed or free wheel, with a steel Mixte frame. It’s a skirt friendly version of the Charge Plug.

Sugoi’s Evolution Jersey for roadies (RRP £49.99) is a brand new contoured fit jersey for the female road enthusiast, while the Evolution Short (RRP £59.99) is a highly evolved performance short. For MTBers, the Ruby Jersey (RRP £39.99) makes use fresh, progressive styling, designed into a comfortable semi fitted Women’s jersey. The Ruby Short (RRP £59.99) features comfortable fit and lightweight form, with durable double needle stitching, functional back pocket accompanying two comfortable front pockets and a seamless crotch gusset to eliminate saddle hooking and bulk.

Cannondale’s helmet line includes women-specific Radius (RRP £39.99) for the MTB and urban markets, and the Teramo (RRP £69.99) squarely pitched at the road sector.
01202 732288

Madison
Madison’s comprehensive clothing line-up features garments for women whether they’re on the road, mountain biking or commuting. The Flux all-mountain short sleeve jersey has been built tough to withstand the rigours of the discipline. It uses a strong and durable fast wicking main body fabric providing the blend of strength and comfort, backed with contrast mesh panels for increased airflow.
For commuters and roadies, the Skye and Echelon Mitts are both new additions to the range. The former is built for high performance with a soft Amara palm, carefully placed foam padding and a lycra/mesh backing with hook and loop closure on the wrist allowing for maximum breathability.
The Echelon is pitched a simpler offering, with a Terry loop brow wipe to mop away sweat and tears. Find out more directly from the firm at the offical clothing website www.madison.cc or on the number below.
01908 326000

Fli Distribution
It won’t come as a shock to hear that KTM’s City Universe 7 is built for urban and city riders. It comes fully built with all racks, mudguards, dynamo light and kick stand as well as Shimano Nexus 7 speed gearing. Three size options are available and the RRP is £549.99.

The brand also supplies those getting out of the city with the KTM Life Cross. This off-roader also comes in three size options and components ideal for off-road trekking like Suntour coil sprung fork, 27-speed Shimano XT together with an AL6061 frame.
0161 304 8555

Polaris
Polaris has a new and improved version of the Mica, made from the same fabric as the brand’s Niteride. The Wind-X fabric has a windproof membrane bonded into the fabric, blocking out windchill whilst presenting a soft fleece lined inner (RRP £54.99).
This year Polaris has also updated the She-Quartz, a ladies-specific three quarters. With the introduction of mesh panelling in all the high heat areas to aid heat transfer thus increasing comfort, and an ergonomic fit and pad designed specifically with the needs of female riders in mind. Happily, the price remains the same, at £42.99.

The Xena Mitts, designed using ladies-specific patterns the Xena is designed to fit a ladies hand rather than just a down sized guys hand. Gel pads at the key points on the palm ensure all the pressure points get ample support. Retailing at £16.99 the Xena Mitts are available in four sizes.
www.odlo.com

Odlo
Odlo’s collection has been significantly expanded to offer brighter colours with eye-catching designs, not least in the Body Soul (RRP £110).

Also fresh for this year’s summer season are Odlo’s mid-layer stand-up collar tops, Sign and Asphalt (both RRP £70), available for men and women in a variety of bright, up to date colours. The ladies version of the Asphalt comes in fashionable Flame Pink.
The ladies’ race and performance lines predominantly feature vertical stripes while the casual Active line offers a technical-style floral print for women. The Odlo range also has a unique selection of highly functional seat paddings. ODLO’s activity-control-system allows cyclists to choose the right padding for their needs, depending on their activity level and ride time. Three types are available according to the type and duration of the load they will bear.
www.odlo.com

Lusso
British-made Lusso’s Ladyline is, yes, a line-up of products for ladies, including the Cooltech short sleeve jersey. Made from Cooltech fabric it wicks away moisture and is well ventilated too, plus it features two rear pockets (one zipped) and flat seams for comfort. It is available in two colours and retails around £35.

Also up from Lusso’s female range are the Carbon Bib Shorts, featuring Resistex carbon fabric. The material speeds up the evaporation process of perspiration, says Lusso, keeping colour and lower in the acid build up which improves circulation.
There’s also a gillet which comes in a number of colours and is uber light at just 86 grams. The Short Sleeve Silverplus T-Shirt’s main properties are its micro fibre and a silverplus antibacterial coating on the fabric which helps evaporation and curtails pesky odours.
0161 724 5222

Windwave
The tight fit short sleeve Force jersey designed for woman is made of ComfortDry fabric, which has a special finish that results in moisture transportation, quickly dissipating moisture for faster evaporation. As well as a full length reversed zipper, the jersey has Lycra stretch binding on the sleeves and bottom together with four back pockets (one with a zipp).

GirlTech Shorts, made of 240-gram lycra material, has a specific design for woman. Premium performance padding comes with silverplus anti-bacterial protection, while comfort is taken care of with a flat stitched seam and ten-panel composition. Extra comfortable grippers with silicon design keep the short in place and RRP is £59.95. For mild conditions the Primavera lightweight windproof and water-repellent jacket and vest are ideal, both made of the same thin laminated Polyester that stretch properties and a breathable microporous membrane.
023 9250 5320

Veho
In an effort to bring you an eclectic mix of product, we next bring you the Pink Peddle Smartstick. This Portable Battery keeps devices charged on the go, which is ideal for longer days in the saddle. The tidy package promises to work for all mobile devices and is available in a variety of colours. The pink version, when purchased, sees £1 donated to the Breast Cancer Campaign. Veho has so far raised £25k for BCC through sales of the unit and a variety of other ways, including its regular Charity Football Match. Veho is distributed to the trade via Raleigh.
0800 096 9060

Rapha
The women’s Merino Jersey, in grey and cream merino wool, is the first item in the City Riding range. Also new this year is the Lightweight Jersey, made for hot summer riding, with a flattering cut for women and available in two colours – cream with a red arm band and Moroccan blue with a white arm band.

The firm also has V-Neck base layers in stock, which come in a high-wicking ultra-fine Merino wool that is perfect for summer. The cut of the V-Neck makes it more feminine, says Rapha, and it comes in pastels for spring (cream and pink) and also black. As we known by now, the merino wool is high-wicking, naturally anti-bacterial and comfortable.

Rapha also stocks a Silk Scarf, ideal and stylish for those chilly mornings in the saddle while cycling in the city.
www.rapha.cc

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