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The moleskin fabric that I found is so nice I thought it was worth testing it in a sample. Although it has gone a little shiny on the seat it has worn better than I thought it might. The trousers are super warm and i've really loved wearing them over the last few very cold months!

hi Schalk, really sorry, but this sold a couple of days ago... forgot to update the thread.

thanks for the replies... flat seams is a good shout. I will get onto that!

I'm not 100% on pricing yet, I will update when I know what the price will be - I am trying to keep the price down, but not overdoing the features.

Velocity is kind of common in cycling, but there doesn't seem to be a clothing range of that name - i was going for something that reflected the 'urban-ness' of cycling. I guess it's also good to have a name that relates to cycling somehow.

thanks again...

hi there, yes, open to offers...

So... here goes. These are some quick pictures of the samples I have so far. I am still testing the cut, style, fabrics etc.

I have one pair of full length trousers - in very thick, dark brown moleskin. The fabric is amazingly warm - and pretty shower resistant due to its density. It's wearing well after weeks of daily use. It's gone slightly shiny on the seat - i'm not sure if this a common thing or not?

They have a raised waist at the back, reinforced seat, reinforced belt loops and articulated knees.

The 3/4 length pair have the option of rolling them up above the knee. They also have reflective piping on the back pockets - for a high-viz behind!

The base layer is pretty simple - long arms (that can be buttoned up when not cycling), longer in the body at the back. I have designed the snood to cover the shoulders so that it can be worn with tops that are lower around the neck. It's funnelled so it fits like a polo neck - but with the advantage of being able to take it off when you're hot.

I've also attached the branding i've been working on... any thought on that would be great too!

Is this too expensive? Too small? Will post at cost I that helps matters.

Shorter track bike for sale, aluminium frame (identical to Dolan precursa) 52cm ctt, virtual top tube 54cm.
Surly forks with brake drilling.
Gold finger (left hand) brake,
Navigator pista clincher wheels,
Continental Super Sport tyres 28mm,
Ambrosio 165mm cranks, ISIS drive carbon shell BB,
Ambrosio carbon seatpost,
Vintage black suede saddle,

Well used, but in good condition - never been in a crash and well looked after. Quite a few chips to the paintwork, thanks to attempted thefts...
Have tried to show everything in the pictures.

SOLD

Gone to Fox...

Ltd Edition natural waxed cotton Sanction by Mission Workshop. Hardly used in excellent/ almost new condition. Cost over $220 new. £100 hand delivered in central/ SE London.

http://missionworkshop.com/products/limited_edition_gear/waxed-canvas-rucksack.php

Can someone post pictures here for those not on Facebook?

Yes sure, I'll post them up here in the next few days.

Hi there, just to let you all know that I have set up a facebook page for so I can update on the cycle clothing. Search for 'Velocity Urban Cycle Wear' for a few pictures and a logo! Feedback etc appreciated.

Can I ask, how about these Brooks 'Imperial' saddles with that cutout in the middle?

Are they any good?

And something else: why are the ladies versions that are called 'S' and are shorter more suitable for 'ladies'? What is the advantage for women in a shorter saddle?
This cutout is something I can imagine that it makes a difference, but the length?

I have one of these... nearly killed me for the first couple of weeks! I persisted and now I love it. If you leave the 'corset laces' pretty loose the break in period is quite short.

Tried a San Marco Regal once and didn't manage 100 metres on it. I can only cope with saddles with the middle cut out.

Hey good luck with the venture :)

My two cents:
Can't get technical trousers... SWRV/Levis only do blokes (which never will fit me, I take a bold curve model in Levis...) and the UK shops don't do water resistant fashion trousers either.
For tops, I end up changing top anyway at work. Even in cycling tops that wick sweat the top will still have some smell.

So trousers like SWRV, Jeans and Warehouse style skinny trousers etc. that are waterproof/repellant with practical touches like pockets, lock loops would get my vote :)

RE coats, I just end up wearing Gore Bike wear. A short nice waterproof jacket would be good, but I despise the mandatory hi-vis. Dots of reflective material are spot on though, or turn-ups that reflect.

And maybe make some cycling hats when at it? People can flash out more cash for accessories if just right. I can't find a Gore belgian cycle cap, wool gets soaking wet, and things like trouser straps and other nice "decoration" items can also be good.

Thanks JWestland, I totally agree re: trousers, which is what got me started on this in the first place... Are the Levi trousers genuinely water resistant, or just treated with something that wears off over time?

Oh and I found you a gore cap... Hot off the press it seems. Not sure if the uk site does them.
http://swrve.myshopify.com/products/goretex-belgian-cap

thanks again for this feedback, it's really helpful.

I pick up my full length trouser sample on Monday! I'm really excited and will be posting some pictures soon. I can confirm that there will be no cracks, camel toes or muffin tops - and if there are the pattern will be changing! Same with the fabric - i've chosen some with a long history of workwear strength - but if it doesn't stand up to cycling, then it's back to the drawing board.

Trouser fabrics are all dark colours - I've never really understood light colours for cycling trousers. Although I am looking into 'wine' coloured cotton... which I really like.

I am hoping that I have got all the necessary cycling specific features to make them really functional, without too many stylised functions to make them unaffordable. I'm looking forward to your feedback anyway.

I have a 'Ninja Style' black merino base layer and snood sample on the way too - with long arms and long body! Can't wait...

By the way - do people like to wear their trousers on their hips - waist, or somewhere in between? I'm a hips girl myself, but realise that I might not be in the majority.

have edited it now...

have you all seen this?
http://www.hmpressrelease.com/?path=/en-gb/2012/12/hm-for-brick-lane-bikes-a-men%25e2%2580%2599s-collection-inspired-by-the-urban-cycling-scene-4/

more men's clothes...

Its generally not advised to leave your email in it's full form on a public forum, otherwise you're likely to get lots of automated spam :(

cheers... that's my special spam email address - but don't really want any more!

^ Do you have an email address so people can contact you?

yes, it's

Hey Carolyn

Are you happy for me to share this post with Southwark Cyclists/LCC?

Hey missmouse, definitely repost... That would be great. Thanks, Carolyn

Fantastic. I've been saying for years there's a gap in the market for this. Good luck to you and well done for listening to the customers. Sounds like you're on to a winner.

For me it's trousers and 3/4 length like you've said. I wear Rapha and Swrve but they're mens cut so not great. Jean in both styles too with reinforced gusset. I would be interested (assuming you post o/s) in practical yet casual tops also.

I'm working at a bike shop in Melbourne if you need an overseas outlet btw.

Really good luck with this!

Hi Wicksie, Thanks so much for your support! I will definitely keep you updated... and the trousers i'm designing are indeed reinforced of gusset... and no seams in the wrong places!

I have countless merino tops, from cheap to expensive, and I like the raglan sleeves the best also kinda flexible since women's shoulder width varies a lot relative to chest size. The big issue with merino would seem to be it not being vegan. fluff - thanks for the rapha baselayer review, I have a couple of mens ones I wear a lot, had been considering the womens version but it doesn't sound so great!

definitely agree that trousers/bottoms is the thing that is most lacking.

also... the ananichoola site makes me cringe. okay, the clothes aren't all my thing (a couple of things I really like), but it's stuff like

(dodgy grammar aside) that I find off-putting. then again, you will never attract everyone. I can't even put my finger on what it is I don't like...

I hadn't considered the vegan issue, but it seems an important one. I too have loads of merino - I like Icebreaker and I have a nice one from Moods of Norway which is good and long. I have one from Moon, which is a rock climbing brand, and it's horribly short... a real no. Embers do some nice merino t shirts too...

my vote would be trousers. trousers trouser trousers. or leggings, or whatever. bottoms.

I'm with a few people above - ananichoola and cyclodelic and such make lovely-looking things, but i'm not a girly-girl, really not into pink and i just don't feel comfortable in things that look so 'styled'. similarly i couldn't get the hang of the swerve 3/4s although i know they are much loved by some. tops-wise i generally make do with some merino underneath whatever keeps me warm and doesn't reveal unsightly things, but the big gap for me is trousers and jeans i like on and off the bike, so chinos sound great.

I also wear quite a bit of rapha although i'm far from happy with the women's baselayer (too thin, short on waist, gets baggy really easily, seems to be a different fabric to the mens' one, which is odd), and i squeeze myself into their jeans because they don't get destroyed in the ass quite as quickly as the rest of my trousers. my other half has rapha knitwear which is super lovely and much stolen.

personally i'm a big merino fan, despite rapha comments above. I've had a howies baselayer for five years now and its still going strong despite being worn on average for a third of all my rides.

um, end of feedback. this sounds like exciting stuff and i hope you'll keep giving us peeks of the creative process. also thanks to this thread i've discovered that levi's have started doing commuters in size 27. off to check them out.

Hi Fluff, thanks for the feedback! I'm with you re: trousers - which is where I started. I will definitely update on the process.

I have Rapha men's merino - the polo neck one - it's lovely, but the raglan sleeves do mean that it rides up a little. Keeps my kidneys and my neck warm though, which is the most important thing!

Thanks again...

Road Rags stuff looks good, but painful website and the logo doesn't sit right (visually).

weaselyone: I think there is a market for what you are trying to do. I predominantly wear mens clothes both on and off the bike, but wish there were versions that just fit me slightly better. same style, but cut for women. some Howies womens stuff fits the bill. as far as cycle-specific stuff goes, I wear a lot of Rapha (tops only). the only bottoms that I've found to work, fit-wise, are the skinny fit Swrve 3/4 shorts, which I think quite a few women have.

to be frank, I think you will find the pricing that's out there is a consequence of small scale UK-based production. I don't expect you to be any different - if you're designing and testing, and producing decent quality, it won't be dramatically cheaper.

Hi Hoefla, I agree about the price issue - what I can produce won't be dramatically cheaper, but i'm aiming to keep prices reasonable.

I have Rapha tops, which do fit fine - but the trousers don't come close to fitting me. I understand the Swrve cigarette shorts might be be a good bet too.

I went to the Road Rags launch and without meaning to sound like sex pest, it was by far the most appealing stuff I've seen thus far in women's garments. It wasn't all pretty pinks, in fact it was pure grey merino but just looked awesome. Their range is worth trying out.

Thanks for the Road Rags heads up... looks great and fits my merino obsession!

Hi Lolabelle, Thanks for your reply. I have tried so many 'unisex' trousers and never found anything to fit. I know with tailored trousers you can't make something that will fit everyone... but if the pattern was made with a woman in mind it would be a start!

Ninja Style... that's a great description and pretty much my look too - watch this space!

Thanks for your support.

Carolyn

I love it! Being a redhead I have long moaned about either having to wear pink or purple (major colour clashing) or suffer ill fitting menswear.

I'm a fan of merino too, to me it's important that any material you choose is durable (especially round the derrière - haha).

I guess price point is also a big buy in factor - there are some lovely womenswear products around but I personally don't have £200 for a jacket (alas).

Good luck & keep us posted on how it goes!

Hi Agsieb, thanks for you reply. I have a redhead cycling friend who has suffered a similar fate! Colours I'm looking at for trousers are muted... Black, dark grey, dark brown. I've got a moleskin and a heavy cotton. Moleskin has a long history of use for hard wearing and durable work wear. It will be a great fabric for winter cycling trousers, so I'm hoping it comes through my tests!

Price is definately a real issue. There are some very high prices around. I have discovered that uk small scale manufacturing is costly, but as this project is one that I am passionate about rather than undertaking an a career move, I am aiming to produce a small run that is genuinely reasonably priced.

Thanks for your reply and I will keep the forum posted.
Carolyn