EN Gear plans?
I'm looking at getting another pair of bib shorts and there are some clearance sales out there these days.
However, if we're going to do another EN gear order [shorts, jackets, tops, etc] as we did last year, I'll hold out over the winter and pick up another pair of the EN shorts.
Can you guys fill me in on the plans?
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Comments
Here are our plans for EN Gear, in summary:
Matt and JIm - I agree about the cycling jersey. I would wear an EN jersey alot, especially when riding with roadies, instead of a tri top. I was hoping to pick one up for Xmas and went to the EN store only to find the cubbard bare. Guess I'll have to get another tri top, and wait for the next team order for jerseys since I don't have one.
Agreed. What's the point in less EN branding? The tri top is nice & all, but it goes public 5-10x/year, tops. The cycling kit gets work 3-4x/week, 30 weeks out of the year. For that matter, why not do the same with tech tees, running jackets, etc? I can think of several clubs here in Chicago (Well-Fit, VisionQuest, EndureIt, etc) that supply/offer members the whole gamut of branded apparel. Every time you see one of them on the road riding or running, there is no doubt who they're with. They also have transition bags, race-day warm-up outfits, etc. Great branding, team comraderie, and looks super pro.
Seems like it'd be the cheapest possible form of marketing for EN, no? Heck, we are paying to do the marketing.
More is more, in my opinion. Seems like the decision has been made, but here's my after-the-fact .02.
That Capo stuff is top notch, to be sure. But if we are looking at ordering some stuff where mass quantities of members could actually afford a load of EN kit, we might look at other brands that teams tend to use (Squadra, Voler, Vermarc, ChampionSys, etc). I'd love to have a closet full of EN Capo gear, but that's just not in the cards.
Just a thought.
I am with Matt and the others on the Cycling gear - wear that more during the season than the tri singlet (races only). I too wish I snagged a jacket. I am fine without the tri shorts and have been going the DeSoto route prior to our sponsorship...
I like Voler tri shorts.
I know that companies like ChampSys, etc, have "on demand" ordering once a minimum threshold is hit, but to be honest, I don't like their stuff at all. I bought a sleeveless jersey at IMAZ - and now I don't want it. Just not a fan of their materials, cuts, etc. I'd be interested in what other manufacturers have this "on demand" process to fulfill orders - and see if I like their stuff better.
Folks, thanks for the feedback and for wanting to rep EN! We know you want cycling kit, and while we appreciate that, we have other gear-related priorities for the 600+ person team...as in less than 50% of folks race in EN kit on race day (!).
In short, we will be firing up an EN jacket order in January for folks to represent in. If you live where it's too warm for a jacket most of the year, then you should be wearing your EN singlet.
Next fall, when we order the cycling gear, we should have well north of 100 folks looking to get into the kit, which will make everything more cost effective, etc. As Rich noted in his OP, we are a tri team and that's our top priority right now.
Thansk for understanding!
Patrick
For example, I want to represent, but I also want to race in a long sleeve, skin cooler fabric, full zip top. So, I'm having a custom one-off EN printing job being done on a standard longsleeve Desoto heat jersey by a place in NC (then I'm having a full zipper installed by my tailor, which is another story). Additional cost is something like 45 bucks incl. artwork setup.
My point is if there were a group of 5-10 athletes that wanted to coordinate efforts with that place, it might be your workaround to get your specialized gear on.
Doesn't seem like a bad idea. Ideally we'd all subscribe to the same color scheme, for some sense on continuity. This is assuming of course that we get the OK to use EN logos.
I hate racing in 2pc suits. We asked during the last order, but Rich said no on 1pcs. So my choice when racing is either represent EN or race in what I want to. Not ideal.
Most brands are willing & able to do custom work (DeSoto, Kiwami, etc)
The new Forza has awesome quad support,and never rides up from its position about an inch above the knee.
The new Forza has awesome quad support,and never rides up from its position about an inch above the knee.
The DeSoto ITU suit with the Forza pad is quite nice. It's my go-to for sprints & non wetsuit-legal races. I'd prefer to use it 100%, but I tried to rock the EN singlet when possible. Now that we have a DeSoto deal & they do custom printing, we might be on to something. The red & black one is pretty badass.
Sorry, a one-peice EN kit will never happen. Over the years I've organized about 6-7x huge orders of tri and cycling kits and, in my experience, the demand is just not there.
Fine if you want to hook up or organize your own one-off one-peice. We can give you EN logo's.
If anybody is following this thread, and still lusting after an EN 1pc, check out my project here:
http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/9081/Default.aspx