Sector Guide: Cycle Fashion

Tenn Outdoors

As specialists in outdoor wear, Tenn Outdoors caters for cyclists in a big way, with shorts, jerseys, gilets, jackets, waterproof trousers and all the smaller accessories too. In most cases sizes ranging from small through double extra large are stocked.

Tenn’s £24.99 Viper short is made up of an eight-panel construction for a tailored feel. Designed with mid-to-long distance rides in mind, the short carries a three-layer multi density pad, which covers an extended area over the prior version. The pad features an over-locking stitch construction all the way around the edge to prevent chafing.

If you’ve room for a selection of jerseys in store, Tenn’s flagship Sprint jersey, retailing at £37.99, is manufactured using recycled polyester, tweaked to give it high-wicking properties and resistance to odours. Silicone waist grippers are sewn in at the waist to prevent it riding up, while reflective print on the front and rear ensures the rider will be visible as the light dims.
01424 854411

Suarez

Hailing from Colombia and created by former professional cyclist Carlos Suarez, the Suarez label is making plans to expand into Europe, with ex-Raleigh man Paul Wignell in charge of UK development. With each stage of garment manufacture taking place in Colombia, Suarez is particularly proud of its quality control. What’s more, the firm has made strong commitments to environmentally friendly production, having been recognised for two consecutive years with GAP certification.

On to the garments themselves and the £54.99 long sleeve jersey uses a moisture management system to manage sweat, while protecting from harmful UV.

A combination of mesh panels and carefully designed sleeves and neck areas promote airflow. With a full front zip, three pockets and a reflective band you’re getting a lot of bang for the buck here. Sizes start at small and go to triple extra large.

Bib shorts at £69.99 are another highlight of the Suarez range. These are designed with optimal blood flow in mind to reduce muscle fatigue. Sizes small to double extra large are stocked.
07545593413

Madison

The eyewear category has been ramped up for Madison’s clothing range. The three-model strong line-up includes the Recon, Mission and Shield. The Recon features one-piece Carl Zeiss lens, while the Mission – pitched at road and MTB markets – features two lenses, available in a single or triple pack of lenses. The Shield glasses have a single-piece clear lens.

Madison’s own clothing range offers everything from commute wear to road, MTB and more, including kids’ lines. New for 2013, the Stellar commuter jacket has been overhauled, there’s no longer a mesh inner and now comes in three colours, including an eye-catching chilli red.
01908 326000

Silverfish
RaceFace can offer plenty to occupy your empty coat hangers, with the latest spring and summer gear hitting stores around the country already.

Already soaring in popularity are the Charge Guards. Based on a lightweight ultra-low profile mesh sleeve with a stretch foam/Kevlar pad on the front, the Charge knee and elbow guards retail for just SRP £21.95 (elbow).

If your customer is looking for more substantial protection then the new range of d30 core vests, which fit snuggly under a jersey, are designed to protect as contact is made with terra firma. The d30 equipped Ambush pads and ladies only DIY armour are also out now.

Spiuk celebrates 15 years of producing cycling gear this year and the eyewear line has recently graced the faces of Tour de France and Vuelta riders, as well as Iron Man competitors the world over.
Whether your customer seeks a dynamic set of riding glasses with light adjusting lenses (Lumiris II), or a set of clear glasses for the local club run, Spiuk has a style, colour and lens to suit all conditions.
01752 843882

Vaude

Going after the regular rider who doesn’t want to look too much like your stereotypical cyclist, Vaude’s Homy Rainpants are styled like your average pair of jeans, but feature a heavy dose of weatherproofing too.

With reflective elements sewn in and a series of Velcro adjusters to bring the trouser in to the desired fit, there’s little danger of these getting sucked into the chain. What’s more, these are made from recycled polyester, so have eco credentials and will keep the rider dry in an unexpected downpour.

Within the trouser you’ll find a mesh lining that keeps the air circulating. Belt loops, button and zip fly closure and deep pockets round off a simple, but effective garment. Contact Vaude sales on
01665 510660.

Bob Elliot
Funkier clothing is available through Bob Elliot’s, with men and women both catered for in all the common sizes.

Starting with the ladies gear, jerseys in various prints are available in a tasteful selection of colours. Cut to the female form, the polyester mesh garments dry quickly, offer UV protection and carry two back pockets and a central waterproof pocket.

Men’s jerseys are offered in varying levels of performance, with the same polyester mesh used, but arranged in a five net panel structure for fuller ventilation. Treated with Quick Dry Active Protection, the rider can expect all moisture to be quickly and efficiently wicked toward the surface.
01772 459 887

2pure

With any luck sunglasses will be necessary this summer but failing the rays blinding us all, it’s always handed to have some protection from pesky bugs flying into the eyes.

2pure’s eyewear brand Dual has a selection of nine glasses this year, with some SKUs claiming to help the rider read cycle computer screens thanks to a discreet magnification area molded into the lower portion of the lenses.

With prices ranging from £44.99 to £59.99, the line has styles for any rider all at reasonable prices. There’s glasses carrying polycarbonate shatterproof lenses, models with quick release head straps for rougher rides and lightweight models for the weight weenies among us.
0844 811 2001

Extra

Few Core visitors would have passed Extra’s stand without spending some time ogling Brook’s new luggage and clothing lines.

The highlight of the much-expanded clothing range has to be the Jon Boultbee 1866 jersey, a limited numbers wool and acrylic, retro design worn by the Brooks team at the 2012 L’Eroica in Tuscany.

At £130 it’s not the cheapest, but we at BikeBiz would go as far to say you’ll be hard pushed to beat the styling of this De Marchi-made jersey.
01933 672 170

Hotlines
Plenty to choose from in Hotlines catalogue, with the likes of Sombrio, Ixs, Nema and OneTen, among others offering soft goods.

OneTen’s Pioggia vest is one for the sudden shower, coming highly packable, yet waterproof and with a large fold down dipped tail ready for when the clouds roll over. Stretch mesh side panels give good flexibility and fit, while on the practical side of things, the Pioggia vest also features minimal seaming and direct-print internal labels to prevent chafing and irritation. A custom textured zip pull is easy to use with gloved hands and custom reflective tabs complete the package for excellent low-light visibility.

Nema, now with Hotlines, has a new casual jersey for summer, retailing at £31.99 and made from what the label describes as a ‘Translink Motion Fibre’, which we think means that it’s lightweight, breathable and stretchy.
IXS, profiled in the last edition of BikeBiz, has a fresh short out for summer, dubbed the Lozza BC Comp. Casual enough for the pub, but technical for the trail, the Lozza is mesh lined, zip-vented and moisture wicking. At £64.99 and like all other products from the label, it’s hard wearing and should last and last.
0131 319 1444

Windwave

BBB has shouted loudly about its Select Giftbox, a nod to the customisation that many of us riders apply to our bike and component choices.

Consisting of one of the Select frames in either black or white and including six lenses to adapt to every light condition, the £99.95 package goes as far to let you colour customise the rubber tips. This entire package comes boxed in it’s own protective travel case.

For the customer on a bit more of a budget, but still seeking a sporty pair of shades, BBB’s Impact glasses start at £54.95. The ventilated design prevents fogging up in the saddle, while providing a snugger fit than the Select model. The temple tips have been modified to be interchangeable with those of the Select, allowing the same options for colour customising. Also seven different lenses are available.
02392 505320