There is a hum in the air….the rumours are flying…there maybe a new kit….will it be light (dark) enough?? Will it arrive in time to for me to give it to my significant other for Xmas or for them to give it to me?? Who will the sponsors be?? How much will it cost?? Will there be matching socks?? Are the gloves any good?? Will the kit fit my individual shape??? Oh the pressure, oh the excitement.
Firstly some background. Our club has grown. We have a broad range of riders with different cycling aims and ambitions. Earlier this year SPR conducted a fairly extensive survey and the section concerning the kit was fairly definitive. Members want more range, a lighter kit, and a kit that fits better. The kit committee have investigated several design and supplier options to better meet these requirements.
The new kit will be made by Champion System. We have gotten out our creative hats to come up with a new kit design and we hope we have made something that you like. If you don’t like the new kit, we look forward to hearing the feedback in the next survey! If you do like the kit, we look forward to hearing the feedback at the coffee shop.
The rough PLAN.
The idea is to have a kit order go through before Xmas. This should see the new kit arriving by the end of January. There will be a substantial discount on jerseys and shorts/bibs, for those club members that purchase a kit during this order. Orders will be placed, as we have done previously, through the SPR paypal site. The range of products available is much broader than previous kit orders, and there will be even more choice in subsequent orders.
Items available in this initial kit order include:
- A range of jerseys
- A range of shorts and bib shorts
- Skin suits and crit suits
- Wind vest
- Socks
- Gloves
- Arm and knee warmers
- Shoe covers
- A complete range of Triathlon attire
Future orders will allow members to order the complete range of products (i.e you can choose from either an Endurance or Race chamois) including those essential wardrobe pieces for the cooler winter months. Subsequent to this initial order, at least 4 more kit orders will occur throughout 2013. At this point we are looking at having kit arrive in:
- April
- July
- October
- December
Future orders will be placed through the Champion System (CS) online ordering system. They will also be pre-packed (i.e. CS will package each individual order. Unless you have previously been involved in a kit distribution you may not understand how exciting this is, but it is…trust me!)
The detailed PLAN.
- Some sizing kits and info packs will be at DOME next Saturday (the 1 December and also the 8 December)
- The new kit design will be on the web this week and also be at DOME next Saturday
- Kit orders open later this week on the “shop” section of the SPR website.
- Kit orders CLOSE midnight, Saturday 8 December 2012
- Kit will arrive late January 2013, and be distributed on Saturday mornings at DOME. If you would prefer to have your kit posted to you, there is an option to pay the postage when you order the kit and we will express post it to your door.
IMPORTANT. Size.Does.Matter.
CS has several different cuts. The options for jerseys are:
- RACE. This cut is more traditional Euro size cut that is tighter and closer fitting
- CLUB. This cut is more generous fitting jersey being bigger in the arms and chest
- WOMENS. A ladies specific anatomic cut
The options for knicks are:
- CYCLE SHORT AND BIB SHORT: Have less fabric panels and suit those with thighs like Shane Perkins or Mark Cavendish
- RAZOR AND ELITE PRO: Have more fabric panels and suit those with thighs like Cameron Myer or Andy Schleck (The SPR Pyrenees Kit used the Razor Cut)
Check out CS website sizing charts for more information. Compare the sizing to your favourite fitting supplier’s size charts. Come and try on some different sizes at DOME next weekend. Take the time now to ensure that you get the right size for you.
The ELITE PRO jerseys and bibs are made entirely from Lycra. These evidently make you ride faster and are suitable for racing (or racing for Strava segments). Please note the fabric isn’t long lasting nor suitable for everyday use – it will wear quicker than the other fabrics.
The new kit is limited to SPR members, so don’t forget to renew your membership or join SPR now.
If you can’t find your answer on the SPR or Champion System website, or can’t catch us on Saturday morning, you can email your query to Kit@southperthrouleurs.com.au
The SPR Kit Committee:
- Meghan Thomas
- Alison Ramm
- Jason Cawthorne
- Chris Ainsworth
- Johnathon Bolton
- Heiko Potzeldt
Three cheers for the kit committee, hip hip hooray.
You guys had such a difficult tasks, i hope everyone appreciates your time and efforts.
I have every faith that the ordering and distribution will be as organised as this blog.
ooohhh exciting!!
VERY excited to hear the new kit is getting close – I can’t wait to see it and order it! I can only imagine the “fun” you’ve had in your meetings & discussions. So well done in anticipation of you efforts to try and keep everyone happy… or should that be the ‘least unhappy’?!
Well done on a very difficult job. Excited now. The question now is how much I can get away with spending before I get into trouble with handbrake (oops…I mean wife)
Good to hear – Been hanging out for a kit since I started riding with the club, can’t wait to see it!
This is all great stuff.
But more importantly, is the kit black/red/white?
That would work best with my frame and new wheelset.
Or we need a blog on +1 bikes to go with the kit.
🙂
Will put you out of your misery…it is green, white and black. You will just have to get yourself red shoes if you want to match your wheels!
from the peek i got at the design, it looks gorgeous!!! really superb work!
Good choice on Champion System, work just paid for a corporate kit and their quality is top notch.
My only request is could we please have the choice of full zipper this time around? thx
Yes, we’ve been impressed with the Champion System quality and fit. The SPR Pyrenees trip kit used Champion System too and it was even comfy riding up large mountains!
Re the full zip, yes this initial order will all come with a full zip (we aren’t providing an option for a part). In future orders members can decide on their zip length.
Congratulations to the Kit Committee on getting this achieved. It all sounds very good and may be the tipping point for me to finally buy some SPR Kit.
Awesome!
Great work Kit committee! I am getting excited, will be able to ride in the “new SPR kit” group when Pete does the great divide on Saturday mornings 🙂
might have to split it 3 ways. new kit, old kit, no kit.
Woop wooo, shotgun leading the ‘no kit’ group!
Save us lots of $