production / ethics

Apologies for double-posting from another thread, but think this is relevant;

This article needed to be written years ago. Great to see issues (and opportunities) being laid out in a pragmatic and honest way. It goes someway to begin the reset we need to do around expectation of waterproof-breathable technology;

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/the­-future-of-waterproof-clothing-one-year-­closer-to-the-pfas-ban/

Thought this was a good, honest discussion;
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sUNjtg6WwRgzlxjxcnZJN
'3 Experts Explain Why Your Waterproof Jacket Isn't Waterproof' podcast on BikeRadar

Getting someway to acknowledging that waterproof membranes need exceptional conditions in which to magically perform like the diagrams on swingtickets.

...realise this thread is largely waterproof/PFA etc. I'll setup another thread to discuss waterproof/post-PFAs tech, plus cleaning, reproofing etc.

Clickbait-y title, but reminds me of this video I watched recently.
tl;dr - only really breathable when not wet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGEzJJYiROk

A bit off the jacket beaten track, but Cotic are stopping titanium bikes:

https://cotic.co.uk/news/

difficulties in processing does mean titanium frames tend to have a higher failure rate than steel over time

Glad to see somebody finally saying it, so tired if the "frame for life" bullshit.

Also, try welding the ti frame again once it has cracked. At least you can do that with steel.

Thanks for posting, lots of interesting points in there - despite the strangely unnecessarily laddish moments.

Very interesting all of this. Great list of companies and membranes on the link above also.

Another question, somewhat unformed, likely naive. I've been wondering whether there are any industry discussions about limiting production? Or between companies that decide to stay small(er) / resist growth / speculative or boom expansion? I'm wondering this partly in relation to a conversation with a friend who has quite a lot of experience as a fashion designer for big houses/brands re: companies that are 'big' but never make a profit, often being acquired by investment funds on the basis of potential to make a profit, and then thinking about the year on year losses of at least one major cycling clothing brand and wondering what degree overproduction is at root of these trading losses (plus advertising spend and coffee trucks and product development etc. I realise, but still)...? I'd be curious how the scale conversation intersects with conversations around durability, repair / loops, product lifecycles etc.

I’d say SEH Kelly has decided to limit their production.