Indie Bike Clothing Companies

Less expensive, but still not cheap........

No one said they were cheap. It's worth remembering that SWRVE is made in the USA (relatively expensive wages) where Rapha is made in China (relatively cheap wages).

No one said they were cheap. It's worth remembering that SWRVE is made in the USA (relatively expensive wages) where Rapha is made in China (relatively cheap wages).

You have a talent for understatement.

I know. I was trying not to be confrontational.

Confrontational is in this week. Just leave my son out of it.

Woah. You're his dad?

THis is getting more interesting by the minute

Nope. Not indy enough.

http://www.houseofpistard.com/
they're just a printing house? rad for shirts, but I'm biking in two feet+ of snow.

Someones taking the piss. £45 for an old tyre turned in to a belt.

No one said they were cheap. It's worth remembering that SWRVE is made in the USA (relatively expensive wages) where Rapha is made in China (relatively cheap wages).

The vast majority of textile manufacturing has moved to the far east now. I believe when Rapha started they tried to use UK factories but they were either too busy or couldn't deliver the consistent level of quality required.

Hopefully one day outsourcing will be recognised as the ethically suspect business method it actually is. The savings made in labour costs are dwarfed by the totally unnecessary transport costs that are having a major impact on global warming, nevermind the social costs on those who lose their jobs and they have to retrain in something else (if they are lucky).

That's exactly why SWRVE make their product in the US.

That's exactly why SWRVE make their product in the US.

Are we certain it's mainland US and not one of those weird overseas facilities that are allowed to be counted as US? And is their workforce unionised and payed above minimum wage? This is why I never buy clothes. Nudism FTW!

To be honest, I haven't looked that deeply into it.

This came off their site

'we are dedicated to the happiness and welfare of our workers. we think things like a clean and safe working environment are important. we don’t think it’s right to take advantage of anyone, so we offer a competitive hourly wage and additional pay bonuses. most garment work is seasonal but we think it's only fair to offer year-round employment and job security. we also have paid days off because there are more important things than work... like getting out on your bike!'

Communists!

I know. Don't you just hate those pinko bastards?

Are we certain it's mainland US and not one of those weird overseas facilities that are allowed to be counted as US? And is their workforce unionised and payed above minimum wage? This is why I never buy clothes. Nudism FTW!

I think one of the little tag things that came with some swrve clothing said they were made in LA.

To be honest, I haven't looked that deeply into it.

This came off their site

'we are dedicated to the happiness and welfare of our workers. we think things like a clean and safe working environment are important. we don’t think it’s right to take advantage of anyone, so we offer a competitive hourly wage and additional pay bonuses. most garment work is seasonal but we think it's only fair to offer year-round employment and job security. we also have paid days off because there are more important things than work... like getting out on your bike!'

it the same with Howies, Tim posted here that they made sure in choosing the right factory that has fair trading and wages to the worker, as well as the best way of importing them, unlike other company who simply went for the cheapest and sell it for a lots more (such as Nike).

he posted a detailed explanation about it here somewhere, just trying to find it.

I think one of the little tag things that came with some swrve clothing said they were made in LA.

yep they're made in LA, like American Apparel.

I'm not having a go at you here Ed, but despite what people like to think, Nike have one of the best worker benefit programs in the industry. 'fair' wages, air conditioning, etc.

That was a direct result of being exposed to using child labour in the 80's, but they're better than almost every other company out there. People sit there wearing their skate shoes, saying 'Nike suck, they exploit people', when everybody does it.

That's no excuse, of course.

(Back on topic...)

I'm a HUGE fan of Swrve. Just a note for people looking to invest in their women's shorts - I tried on two different sizes of the herringbone version the other day, and they both looked bloody awful. I think they'd only really look good on someone properly lean and lithe. However, Chris suggested I try the men's, and they look brilliant (I bought them). Apparently quite a few women find this, so if you're not keen on the fit of their women's stuff, try the men's.

how many of you think that the majority of high street brands use ethical labour ? poll !

Erm, very few?

Who buys high street clothes though?

I hear Primark are ok.

Primark have all of their clothing made by elfin grannies on a boat in Henley

Thinking about getting the swrve shorts (the cheaper ones) is it worth getting the more expensive ones?

I'm not having a go at you here Ed, but despite what people like to think, Nike have one of the best worker benefit programs in the industry. 'fair' wages, air conditioning, etc.

That was a direct result of being exposed to using child labour in the 80's, but they're better than almost every other company out there. People sit there wearing their skate shoes, saying 'Nike suck, they exploit people', when everybody does it.

That's no excuse, of course.

fair enough, last I remember their business eithic isn't exactly golden, defintely need to check into this again.