Go Clipless

How would you design cycling apparel for women?

Linda Morgi is frustrated with all of the pink and baby blue found in women's cycling apparel today. Linda on Specialized's womens cycling gloves:

But yikes, come on, I don’t want to look like a baby room! Baby blue and pastel pink - and that’s all the colors they come in (and this is not even a choice… if you want short gloves it’s pink, long gloves it’s baby blue)…

So I'm sitting here pretending that I'm a product manager (wait a minute, I am a product manager - just not in the cycling industry) for Specialized and I'm totally perplexed. I hear Linda's frustration. There's no doubt that this incident would appear to highlight an overly simplistic view of the women's cycling market. But just what is a cycling product manager to do?

These days, women have it all. They get to be pretty and tough and wear mens clothes and they're even beginning to turn the term slut into a badge of honor. Now, it would seem that I am saying that with a hint of disdain. Trust me, I'm not. I was raised by women (wow, I said that like I meant to say "I was raised by a pack of wolves"). But, given all of the personas (not sure that's the right word) women can take on these days, how would one design a line of clothing, equipment, or bikes that would not seem to alienate some significant portion of the market?

If the clothes are conservatively designed, there are women that will want them to be sexier. If the colors are too dark, they may be seen as too masculine. If the choices are the same as for men, they will not be seen as special. A conundrum to be sure.

So what would you do? Play cycling product manager for a day. What's your strategy to approach this market, whether you are male or female?

Update: Both Smithers and Phil have something to say about this topic...check them out. (Hey, Smithers stop stealing all my comments...haha...just kidding...love to see the conversation expand.)

Swobo introduces new urban bike collection

Cult favorite cycling apparel company Swobo has entered into the bike building business in a serious way. Last year they hired Sky Yaeger, former brand/product manager at Bianchi to develop their new line of urban bikes.

Swobo's outlook on the cycling industry is both unique and refreshing. Instead of looking at the market in segments like road or mountain, etc., they design bikes that will have a cultural fit for certain groups of people. So, for example, their urban bikes are not just road bikes with tougher components, but instead a whole new breed of bikes that allow a canvas for personalization and can withstand the abuse that a city puts on a bike everyday.

For more insight on the happenings at Swobo check out the most recent Crooked Cog Podcast where, Tim Grahl interviewed founder Tim Parr. Also, Dirt Rag has an interview with Sky Yeager specifically detailing the inspiration of the new line of bikes. I love this quote from Sky on the new Folsom street bike:

I used the coaster brake so you can ride with one hand on the bar and still brake. Say you're coming home from the bar with a 12-pack... you can carry it and still slam on the brakes.