We’re a small UK based MTB clothing start-up and we’ve prepared this short survey for market research purposes. We are still very much in the early stages so any feedback would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks.
https://surveyhero.com/c/20ab7e4
Hi done .
Good luck
Complete.
Forget being Premium just do honest workhorse kit.
A couple of points if I may. I'd like to see reference made to technical clothing which is a top priority in the UK climate particularly if you ride all year round.
So, for example, asking how often is cycling clothing replaced would be to treat it as a fashion item. A more appropriate q would relate to longevity especially with regard to waterproofs.
What does the use of your word "premium" mean in this regard? Technical? Goretex? High performance? Rip off?
Defining a "premium" product q - no mention of quality or longevity or technical spec.
No mention of cycling gloves, again important when riding all year round.
Hope this is useful. 🙂
c_g
cycle clothing tart
I agreed with the work horse clothing in some respects,
I want to be able to buy my old Roach shorts now, alas not made.
I want clothing that works away to keep me dry as I sweat like Zindane Zindane, literally drench everything so merino wool as a base layer fails.
Please do "normal" sizes 36" waist isn't XXXL 😳
Wookster - Member
Please do "normal" sizes 36" waist isn't XXXL
Just cus its National Pie week....
Done, but questions like is your cycling clothing made from natural fibres isn't possible to answer yes or no as it's both.
Complete.
'Premium' 😡 No - means nothing to Jo Bloggs biker.
Please do "normal" sizes 36" waist isn't XXXL
What manufacturer does that at the moment?
36 is an XL in most brands which seems perfectly "normal"
shadowfax - Member
'Premium' No - means nothing to Jo Bloggs biker.
Mr Santa Cruz Nomad smashing the red route bloody loves it though!
Defining a "premium" product q - no mention of quality or longevity or technical spec.
Premium = higher price.
Or am I being cynical?
hammyuk - Member
Wookster - Member
Please do "normal" sizes 36" waist isn't XXXL
Just cus its National Pie week....POSTED 37 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
Amen Sister......
Just make stuff out of same material as castelli gabba / perfetto with reinforcement in right places, well fitted with a few other nice features and you'd be somewhere there..
Or am I being cynical?
Yes
There are of course some exceptions to the rule, but generally "Premium" cycling kit does outperform stuff at a lower price point.
As pointed out by c_g, technical materials are very important, and premium products generally use the best of these materials.
Just make stuff out of same material as castelli gabba / perfetto with reinforcement in right places, well fitted with a few other nice features and you'd be somewhere there..
Indeed - the MTB market is definitely missing this type of kit. Although it is tricky as wearing a pack will rub off DWR treatments.
I think I'd like to see clothing manufacturers/retailers really trying to understand what mtb'ers want, rather than what they think they can try and sell to us. Listen to the customer should be the mantra.
Wookster - Member
Please do "normal" sizes 36" waist isn't XXXL
that's just a vanity problem.
on the other hand, please make cycling clothing to fit cyclists.
assume cyclists are skinny, so that 'small' means short and skinny, and XL means tall and skinny.
assume cyclists are skinny, so that 'small' means short and skinny, and XL means tall and skinny.
Next you'll be saying that cyclists don't eat pies, cake or drink beer. 😀
I dont want premium eg.Rapha type clothing.
A lot of stuff made from Organic/Natural fibres seems to attract a premium for that alone, I'm not that bothered as there only going to get covered in shite anyway, That said I have got some Merino wool tops from Decathlon that were definitely in the affordable/non premium price range.
My priorities would be :
Proper fit and sizing not the current vogue of everything being undersized(fact is I have clothes bought years ago that fit fine, but newer stuff I seem to have to buy a size larger to get the same fit).
Well made stuff that doesnt fall apart at the first wash.
Lastly needs to look half decent, not like I have fallen out of a mid 90's rave.
cinnamon_girl - MemberNext you'll be saying that cyclists don't eat pies, cake or drink beer.
that would be silly, ride bikes, eat pies, drink beer, eat cake, ride bikes, drink beer, eat pies, be happy, etc.
today is a 2 pie day - not including the sausage roll i had for elevenses.
Dont use the Endura tape measure.
My endura clothing sizes range from M to XL 😕 🙄
that would be silly, ride bikes, eat pies, drink beer, eat cake, ride bikes, drink beer, eat pies, be happy, etc.today is a 2 pie day - not including the sausage roll i had for elevenses.
Good man, binners will be impressed!
I've done it but don't think i'm your target demographic as I prefer to buy bike kit based on its technical attributes and whether it's hard wearing or not.
I have shorts that are older than my kids!!
Similar comments to above really. Ultimately I'm looking for bike clothing that doesn't overheat me (like Vondally I sweat a lot making 100% merino largely pointless), is comfortable while on a bike and lasts for more than a year being used in all conditions.
To me at least, your survey focuses too much on how much people will pay and too little on what people actually want. I assume you probably have already, but if not look at Flare clothing. They operate in the market that you appear to be looking towards.
The survey is very directed. I could answer with two choices where I wanted to. Even Q1.
I see someone trying to become Rapha v2.
Maybe find a niche and look at what really works, not what everything else is. MTB clothing is all about style not what works. EG trews work best just slack enough to allow legs to bend , not flapping about. Short the same. Most are too long is they don't need to be around the knee.
Howabout trews with gussets for knee pads as they are trendy.
Cater for all legs lengths. Everything I try is too long. 30" jeans are spot on with a 32" waist. As so many MTBers are right porkers I am sure that I am not the only one who wants a waist bigger than the leg length.
And make the buggers washable! I mean wash, not some poncy hand wash only. Hot enough to get all dirt and stains out.
I think I'd like to see clothing manufacturers/retailers really trying to understand what mtb'ers want, rather than what they think they can try and sell to us.
Thing is, that isn't how the mtb market works...mtbers apparently need to be spoon-fed what they need and they seem to be lapping it up at a premium price. Seems mental.
Like a few others on this thread I suspect I'm not in their market as I have cycle kit coming up to 20 years old that still gets used as it works and has lasted. This idea of buying new kit as new colours are in doesn't make sense to me...it has to perform functionally and last rather than have the latest look...I'm not an Apple fanbio that requires something to look good and not work quite as well as something that doesn't look quite right but works very well.
A set of shorts where the aris lasted a couple of years would be a nice feature - I guess this ties in with recognition of the UK market as said above.
I appreciate this isn't the easiest thing to achieve, as riding out in the winter mud is like taking a scouring pad to the back panel. But still seen some very poor efforts in this department from 'premium' shorts.
Thing is, that isn't how the mtb market works...mtbers apparently need to be spoon-fed what they need and they seem to be lapping it up at a premium price. Seems mental.
No, I don't accept that everyone is gullible. What I think many people are fed up with is inconsistent sizing, this is an issue when you have to shop online cos the lbs stocks little. I would say there's a fair few who simply cba'd with the kerfuffle of buying new clothing and would rather rock the hobo look.
I think I'd like to see clothing manufacturers/retailers really trying to understand what mtb'ers want,
this is a very important point
I see someone trying to become Rapha v2.
if the kit is as good as Rapha then that wouldn't be a bad thing TBH.
I've got great kit from 20 years ago, and kit that I bought 20 years that was shit, the two things are not necessarily compatible, I don't mind buying expensive kit for stuff that's worth it.
Perhaps BadlyWiredDog will see this thread and join in, always good to read his comments about gear. 🙂
Yeah, he knows his beans. He made me* buy a really expensive waterproof
*suggested a material that would met my requirements that was expensive
😆
Done, and good luck in your venture
It's wet up North isn't it, did it work then? 😀
yeah, best waterproof I've ever had.
😀
Wow, you need to tell us what it is then nick. 🙂
Done
Done,
For me premium means something that cheap isn't delivering. If that is cut, fit, fabric or features then it's worth it.
Of the nice stuff I have my Morvelo, Rapha and some funky italian road kit is great.
Nice little features - zip pocket that fits a large modern phone in a road jersey
Glasses wipe in the jersey
A nice design
Quality fabric that feels nice to wear and works - there is a big difference betweent he ChampSystems kit that a lot of clubs get printed and something nice to wear.
CG, BWD suggested neo-shell as the best material, and I blew nearly £300 on a acre waterproof...
[url= https://missionworkshop.com/collections/outerwear/products/the-meridian-alpine-waterproof-cycling-jacket ]Mission workshop/acre Meridian[/url]
It's by far the best breathable waterproof I've ever owned, it's very very breathable, (I was comfy even doing a lap of the Beast) I run pretty hot, and I can wear it all day without drowning in sweat. It's very well made, but was ruinously expensive.
nick - blimey, that's expensive! Sounds as though you're very pleased with it, breathability always used to be a compromise but there's clearly been great strides made with fabric and finishes to improve this. Thanks for reporting back. 🙂
Loving some of these replies.
Just make stuff out of same material as castelli gabba / perfetto with reinforcement in right places, well fitted with a few other nice features and you'd be somewhere there.
Yeah, [i]just[/i] do that. But it must be in the [i]right[/i] places.
I dont want premium. I just want proper fit and sizing that's well made stuff that doesnt fall apart at the first wash.
Proper fit and sizing. For everyone, regardless of shapes and size. And it must be cheap as chips, but incredibly well made out of quality materials, and not made by illegitimate children in a Cambodian sweatshop.
It's almost like no-one's ever said 'Light. Strong. Cheap. Pick two.'
Done! Good luck getting your project off the ground - look forward to seeing what you come up with.
From my perspective, all the following are important to me but if I had to put them in order:
- Primarily whether it is going to do the anticipated job it needs to do
(does it wick, is it waterproof, etc.)
- Secondly fit - enough room but without flapping bits, correct length sleeves, enough adjustment e.g. waist band of baggy shorts, etc.
- Style - whether I like it or not and whether I'm going to enjoy wearing it
- Then whether it will last when considered against the price - covers materials and manufacture
- Features - all the right stuff without superfluous features
For me tagging something as 'premium' rings alarm bells and generally translates as 'over-priced' - the cynic is me asks "what are you trying to hide?" 🙂
You've missed a few things off your survey that make it difficult for me to complete or risk you getting poor info.
Deciding factor on your purchase - price/branding/reviews/appearance. Where do performance, quality and fit appear there. I'll not pay £50 for a 'designer' nylon mtb t-shirt but I'll pay c£100 for a Rapha smartwool road top (they fit well, perform well, last a long time.)
Natural fibres - where appropriate. Merino makes a great base layer but poor outer when riding (though merino mixes can work well). I've don't see the benefit of merino shorts but I've not tried them.
For me tagging something as 'premium' rings alarm bells
Absolutely.
Quality? Great
Technical fabric? I'll have some of that.
Premium? That's paying over the odds; I'll put that back.
Your survey really worried me, most of my kit is way cheaper than the lowest values you had on your survey.
Your survey was all about money, money, money and what it looks like, rather than function or quality to do the job.
Having said that the MTV market does appear to be about brand and look over function so perhaps you know your market better than me 🙂
Based on your survey though I would buy your product
Get your sizing right and accurate and then if your selling mail order you will have far less returns. Cycling clothing is ridiculous when it comes to variations even within brands. I don't think I have ever just bought one size and it has fitted bob on. This is never really an issue with normal clothes.
Dam phone... MTV = MTB and I wouldn't buy your product
Your survey was all about money, money, money and what it looks like, rather than function or quality to do the job.
Given the choice between two products that have exactly the same quality and technical features, I'd rather have the one that fitted properly and looked better. Why does that fill some guys with horror, as if somehow wanting clothes that actually fit or god forbid, don't just come in a choice of Royal Blue or Signal Red is something that we shouldn't be interested in?
I've given up buying stuff online, more bothered about fit and stuff that is hard wearing.
I do have massive thighs (and ankles), so online shopping is a lottery that i have given up on.
Just do shorts that have a strong seat for a budget price and you'll be laughing