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Post by Forum Admin on Jun 8, 2006 20:19:43 GMT
Heading out the door like hot cakes... But meantime, we need to get women's kit in too.
The feedback from Julene, Claire and Karen on the stuff from Impsport is not very complimentary. I've tried to find Owayo on the web but can't and the feedback on them is that it seems to not last very well. TAL/Endura don't look like they do women's-specific short-sleeved jerseys for club designs.
HELP! What manufacturers are there out there from our recent trawl that can do smaller quantities in decent quality and tolerable lead times?
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Post by daniel on Jun 8, 2006 20:56:39 GMT
James and myself got the names of quite a few manufacturers a while ago now, I'll speak to him and email you the list.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2006 22:28:01 GMT
I'll have to see if I've still got the list. I know most of the names I had formed part of an earlier post canvasing opinion. This was before the board got split into categories so I don't know if there is still an archive?
From memory most of the better known manufacturers (nalini, santini etc) all had high set up costs. There was a portugese company who were very good on price, not as good quality as Sportful, can't remember if I asked about womens kit. I'll what details I still have.
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Post by Sean McKibben on Jun 12, 2006 13:41:13 GMT
Claire has tried on Sportful XS jersey and it fits pretty well. S shorts are ok, although bib straps are too long and I think legs are probably too long as well. The problem with Impsport or other manufacturers in the UK is that I don't think they'll be up to the job of making such a sophisticated design - there's no way they'd be able to do the shorts, I don't reckon. Plus, there are different sides and front and back, which has always caused problems in my experience. What about posting on some forums to ask women riders from other clubs what kit they use?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2006 20:42:29 GMT
haven't been able to find the contact details I had- I'll keep looking. Bob - do you have an archive of previous posts?
Phil have you got details for the company you used for your new kit? Any comments re quality?
The difficulty I think is going to be in finding a company who'll provide the quality required and also do short runs. I'll put a post up on Cycling plus and see if we get any helpful advice.
I'll be honest, I'd be grateful if someone could take this on - I have other committments of work outside of my job at the minute that really need my attention more. Maybe one of the girls could pick it up?
James
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2006 21:37:29 GMT
These guys quote the following: We offer discounts for large club orders and would be happy to talk with you to discuss your requirements. Lead times are typically 6-8 weeks on full payment with no mimimum order, plus a one off artwork and technical charge of £150. Prices are available on request.
They do kit for cycling plus magazine I think. Contact details are : 0870 201 1901, Maria or Dan on info@dynamiccyclewear.com
It does say womens kit 'coming soon' - not sure how long that is though.
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Post by julene on Jun 13, 2006 8:40:10 GMT
Do we know roughly how many of the female members would be interested in kit? A quick look through the members spreadsheet reveals about 25 women. I'd be happy to canvass their opinion by email if anyone thinks that it would be helpful to get an idea of numbers before we go any further?
For my part, especially as I don't race, I am not TOO bothered about new kit, and if I want some I would most likely buy a man's shirt. But that is just me, others may think differently.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2006 10:21:15 GMT
Julene
When I sent the original inquiry to the whole club I had two positive responses for women specific kit. So not a large order I'm guessing! I would imagine that the idea would be to hold a certain amount of stock, again maybe Bob could advise.
My own guess would be somewhere around 10 jerseys maybe? It depends on what Bob is happy with holding in stock.
James
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Post by BobSki on Jun 13, 2006 20:10:36 GMT
I've checked the dynamiccyclewear.com website and under "Ladies Clothing" it says, "coming soon...". Bio Racer have been recommended by Graham, so will follow this up (any feedback on Bio Racer quality?). The company City Hub have used got a bit of a thumbs down from Tom.
I would like us to get a few dozen jersey and a few dozen shorts in so that stuff is available for women when they want it, same as for the gents. I think the club should be making an investment in the expectation that women will join. Whenever we've taken that attitude, before long a "virtuous circle" develops. "Please come and join us but we won't hold any kit for you..." is off message, so to speak.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2006 20:30:56 GMT
Bob I think Bio Racer make the Belgian national kit. Could they be more appropriate - all they have to do is print Dulwich on top of the existing stock of Mr Boonen's jerseys... He won't mind, he's like that.
R
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2006 10:41:32 GMT
Some other details I've found: Biemme: seem to recall there were some set up costs, think they do womens kit: D.H.W. Agencies Ltd Unit 2 George Trading Estate, Cemetery Rd, Southport, Merseyside PR8 5EF www.dhwagencies.comTel. 01704 545838 - Fax. 01704 546816 email info@dhwagencies.com Carvalho - a portugese company, I brought a sample of short and top to the club meeting. Not as good as sportful but good value. www.fcarvalho-ciclismo.com, Charlie Cutler - fernando@fcarvalho-ciclismo.com. Not sure if they do womens kit. Aparantly Endura also do custom womens kit although I don't have any contact details for them. Giordana: again not sure whether they do women specific kit: Yellow Limited TEL. 0044/1785811810 FAX: 0044/1785818794 MAIL TO: yellbrian@aol.com James
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2006 11:11:06 GMT
I, like James, have very little spare time at the moment but I will help as much as I can. Let me know what needs doing.
I'll post something on shecycles.com, but I think its mainly MTBers that post there, and Londoncyclesport.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2006 12:30:28 GMT
Hi all,
I really hope I'm not treading on anyone's toes, as due to ill-health I haven't been out on a ride since last summer - but I'm quite keen to get back on the bike and I'd love some Dulwich kit to motivate me!
Anyway, I contacted the editor of SheCycles because I know she's been organising some women's-specific jerseys for the forum, and there aren't loads of us on there. She gave me some supplier details and I have now spoken to Ben at ProVision Clothing (www.provisionclothing.co.uk). They can supply women's-specific kit, jerseys and shorts. The minimum order is total 40 pieces, min 5 pieces any particular item - so we could order, for example, 10 shorts, 10 short-sleeve jerseys, 10 long-sleeve jerseys and 10 gilets. There is a one-off £180 set-up charge. The price obviously depends on materials and colours - the cheapest material, and using just 3 colours, would be approximately £24 per jersey, £27 per pair of shorts. Using the bio-active material (sounds dangerous to me) and more colours would increase the expense.
The guy I spoke to would be very happy to send out samples for us to have a look at first, and said if we email the existing artwork for the men's shirts, he can give us a more accurate quote. I've got all the details so if anyone's interested in this option email me and I will hand them over (or forward stuff to him if that's easier).
Re the set-up charge, would it perhaps be possible for existing women to contribute, say, £18 each to that (then it would only take ten of us), but then we get a £5 reduction on a future order whilst newcomers pay £5 extra so that it balances out? Sort of a mass loan...
Anyway, hope this info is of use, and that I'm not upsetting anyone by pitching in...
Kirsty
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2006 12:39:49 GMT
Kirsty
Thanks for that - that's fantastic research. Seems worth looking into further. If they can send you a sample I owuld try for that as obviously you will want to be sure that the quality and fit is right otherwise it's quite a shot in the dark.
On a slightly different angle - not being a woman I don't really know what the big differences between men and womens kit are (aprt from the obvious in terms of jerseys). Is it the case that both shorts and jerseys are very different? If for instance it was mainly jerseys that were different then we could possibly look at getting sportful womens jerseys and stick with tHe shorts we have as it looks like we will nee dto order around 40 items this way anyway. It's just a thought an dit may well be that mens shorts aren't at all suitable for women.
Of course the other side to that may be that the women are more interested in the jerseys and aren't too bothered with the shorts? Again that way we could posisbly stick with Sportful if the club is willing to hold 40 items in stock.
Just a thought that may or may not be worth persuing.
James
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Post by Keith on Jun 15, 2006 12:58:02 GMT
Kirsty - it all sounds good, but I don't think the women should specifically bear the setup cost associated with the women's kit. I'd prefer to see it spread throughout the membership otherwise we end up with a monetary disincentive to women joining or at least taking up the kit.
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