Posted: April 11, 2009

The $5000 nanotechnology cycling suit for gentlemen

(Nanowerk News) This news comes with perfect timing for your bike excursion plans on a sunny Easter weekend: Textile company Rapha – who according to their website "creates the finest cycling clothing and accessories in the world" – have unveiled a bespoke three-piece cycling suit in London last night. Price tag: £3500 or a bit over $5000.
>Rapha cycling suit
Rapha cycling suit
The garment is the result of a year's work with Savile Row tailor Timothy Everest, and is designed to be at home "on the bike and in the boardroom".
Bike-friendly features include the front flaps of the jacket, which turn back and button under the pocket so they don’t flap when riding and, along with the underside of the collar and sleeves, are pink for visibility.
For additional reach on the bike the jacket has a stretchy ‘action back’ and the cuffs turn down, making the sleeves longer.
The fabric is a wool with a Prince of Wales check. Rapha say nanotechnology in the fabric makes it amazingly water and stain resistant, and keeps the wearer cool in summer and warm in winter.
Timothy Everest said: ''The brief was to tackle the response to growth in commuting by bicycle and compromises in available clothing. The first suit is a purely bespoke design with the ergonomics needed for cycling as well as looking reasonably smart.
"The fabric is inspired by old-boy country suits worn by farmers to market – think Reid and Taylor 1958. Having said that, this colouring is more urban, being black-based with grey and a Rapha pink overcheck, so that it fits with most people’s wardrobes.
"The yarn has a nanotechnology, making it very showerproof, but unlike Teflon it doesn't affect the appearance or how the cloth handles.”
Source: bikeradar.com