Group Buy - Tartan Cycling Wear

[ForresterModern]

Definitely would love to have a tartan themed jersey and bibshorts with at least a good sized panel of tartan to match. (My wife and riding partner would probably kill me, but then she wouldn't get the insurance so I think I am still safe).

The tartan shorts posted in the other thread were just a bit over the top as they were completely tartan---I could see the jersey in this but would need some black in the shorts.

I think a generic or regional tartan would be best, but something relatively light in color (not BlackWatch) for safety purposes. Caledonia, Scotland's national, Scots-American, one of the Heritage or Pride of tartans, something colorful but tasteful. And top the whole think off with either the saltire or Rampant Lion, or both, along with labelling it from Scotland in sizable overlay letters, or maybe in one of the side panels. Just some thoughts.

I have already been considering buying one of the Scotland jerseys that were shown in the other thread about tartan cycling shorts. That I am going to do anyway.

[cavscout]

For clarity, this is not a XMTS project. Simply a group buy arrangement hence the use of Universal Tartans being proposed. If enough support is there to head in the XMTS tartan direction we will need to coordinate that with the forum owner.

So far looks like we've got 7 interested with a breakdown of

Jersey - 6
Bibs - 3

(I know that's nine but a couple of us like both )

We'll let this run a while and see what other interest comes in. In the mean time go ahead and post your tartan suggestions (with an image would be preferable) Later I'll start a poll with some of the options and we can start narrowing it down.

[james a. husky]

The Tartan should, without a doubt, be MacMillan!

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...ed=0CBAQsAQwAA

Jim aka kiltiemon

[ForresterModern]

Actually it is not the garent industry to deal with. Cycling gear is generally a matter of developing your design for each panel of each type of piece of clothing your want, more of a graphics design operation than testile. For instance, for a jersey, there are typically a front piece with zipper of varying length, a back piece, a collar piece, two sleeve pieces, a back pocket panel piece, and often two side panel pieces, each of which has to have its own graphic design developed and dye sublimated onto , then cut to sizes and sewn to make the final garment. The basic fabric is typically white until the colors are applied in the graphic design pattern.

So for us to make a jersey somone would have to come up with a basic design, make it up on graphic design software (the companies all work only with specific graphics programs), apply our design and logos, etc... to each individual piece of the jersey, then have the entire collection of pieces sub-dyed. The front could be tartan with a chest or breast logo, the back tartan with a central large logo, the pocket piece could have small logos from potential advertisers or one big logo from xmarks, the sleeves solid or tartan, and the side panels logos or solid or tartan as well. Just depends on how you want it to look, but the job is mostly graphic arts driven based on the customer's design desires ande the patterns available from the manufacturer and chosen by the customer. I can tell you that small volume custom jerseys and/or shorts are expensive, like up to $75-100 a piece, with costs coming down with larger orders.

Just as an example, here is a template from Mt Borah cycling wear (they are one who does relatively small orders) for a customized jersey, that shows the pieces involved and the areas where graphics can/should be placed:

http://mtborahcustom.com/data/mtbora...(new_logo).pdf

My wife and I have looked into this for a cycling team we outfit regulalry, and it is a fairly expensive proposition unless your group is large enough. IF someone wants to do some of the graphic design parts I would be more than willing to help look into options and costs for getting some of the stuff made up. There are a couple places that do not have minimal order sizes, but again that makes costs go up because of the setup charges being relatively high for all the print setup. Let me know.


Jeff

[cavscout]

I'd like the tartan to be one that is bright (for safety), appealing colors and pattern, and universal. Also, if we run into situations where a restricted tartan is considered, we will of course contact the owner for permission.

One that keeps coming back in my mind is Hollyrood


Royal Stewart is always an option


Stewart Navy Modern is nice


Maple Leaf could be nice also for those autumn rides

[cavscout]

Doing a bit more looking and I'm still liking the Holyrood tartan. There are 3 different Holyrood tartans on the STA web site. They all look great.

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qRe...tring=holyrood







Any others for consideration?

[ForresterModern]

What about Ancient Caledonia? Colorful, generic, not restricted, and All Scotland oriented.

[Heming]

I might be interested in one or two jerseys and a pair of bib shorts, especially in XMTS tartan. I do like the blue Holyrood as well, though!

Price will of course be an issue, as well as quality (especially the shorts pad).

I know some manufacturers will allow you to print a graphic design on the front and/or back of a ready-made jersey as well, one might choose a reflective light grey and just print a tartan panel somewhere?

I've linked to a catalogue from a Norwegian company, but it will be cheaper in other countries.

[Raphael]

I am surprised that no one mentioned the Armstrong Tartan.

[cavscout]

I dunno, I'm not big on cycling gear off hand, but do any cycling brands have a tartan?

the Garmin-Slipstream team