Bike innovation styles from UK designers

April 2018

4 styles within Urban & Performance

LTP presents 4 bike styles with focus on urban & performance

“LTP collaborates with the most cutting-edge designers and product developers in the sports and outdoor industry and regularly pushes the boundaries of what is possible. As part of our ongoing R&D program we are working with Ffion Appleton Design and Sarah Cuthbert from SportswearConsultancy.Com to develop our semi-annual innovation collection, which is created to inspire the designers and buyers among our current brands.

“The styles will be presented during Performance Days in Munich on April 18-19 and in our innovation centers in Lithuania and Vietnam,” says CCO Alex Ingildsen from LTP Group.

Here is what Ffion and Sarah Appleton said as we met at LTP’s innovation center in Lithuania: "We have curated the most innovative and performance driven fabrics and trims for this collection and tailored these to the specific requirements of each piece. The overall objective is to produce performance clothing that enhances the wearers' experience and helps them achieve their goals".

Urban Bike Innovation Styles

All-over bonded pre-shaped windblock DWR jacket with unzipped reflective pieces & highly stretchable denim troussers
All-over bonded pre-shaped windblock DWR jacket with unzipped reflective pieces & highly stretchable denim troussers

These pieces are still highly technical, performance driven but with an urban casual edge. We recognize that even when racing or training, innovation and performance are still important factors for the consumer. We have taken functional menswear favourites and engineered performance features into the garments that elevate them beyond the expectation for urban styles. The garments provide the ultimate in weather protection and comfort in everyday situations. Durability and practicality are the keys to these pieces and we marveled at pocket placements and other key features.

Light & breathable all bonded high abrasion fabrics & special attention on details
Light & breathable all bonded high abrasion fabrics & special attention on details

The jacket is made as a high performance soft shell for protection and comfort, with stretch panels that are concealed so they don’t take away from the classic look of the jacket. Pockets are hidden with the additional feature of invisible reflective print. Ergonomics have driven the design at all times, which is why we have also added a side vent, allowing for flexibility and movement while improving the wearability of the garment.

The polo is made of sublimated wool, which is naturally antibacterial and breathes with the body. It also features super lightweight grippers on the sleeves, invisible reflective print, laser cut holes in the back of the collar for ventilation and concealed mini poppers, for the placket, to add a technical edge to this classic garment.

The trousers are made from a durable poly cotton, with Cordura gusset, mesh panels at the back opening for airflow and wicking, and with a hidden pocket for practicality. They also have subtle reflective print for safety, raised back yolk for added protection and concealed zip pockets for safe storage. The look is casual but the construction and fabrics make it a very high performing piece. By adding performance design elements to everyday utility, we can redefine the norm by producing items that are highly wearable and fashionable but can also perform at the highest level.

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Bike Performance Innovation Styles

Our aim was to create a zero-distraction product that supports athletes who demand the highest quality design and technical precision. We considered what benefits were needed and edited out what is not necessary to create a product with purpose that aims to break records.

The cycle jerseys focus on lightness and airflow for a highly breathable performance product with areas zoned for airflow, wind resistance, ventilation, and bonded seams for comfort fit and reduced bulk.

Visibility and protection are key features of the second piece using cold black and UV stop technology, ceramic protection printed panels, and invisible reflective detailing. A special hem gripper, which becomes more effective when it gets warmer and the bib continues this theme with heavier weight protection panels, ventilation, reflective sections, and areas to channel airflow.

“We are very pleased with the result and are excited to able to showcase these garments to our customers” says Alex. We would also like to thank all the innovative fabric and trim manufacturers who have collaborated on this project, including:

MITI, PLASTOTEX, SCHOELLER, SOFILETA, MECTEX, TAIANA, PAIVE MAITEX, RENTEX, WINDTEX, FOV FABRICS, ELASTIC INTERFACE,  RIRI, CORNO, YKK, NIFCO, FRAMIS, LAUREMA

Sarah Cuthbert, SPORTSWEAR CONSULTANCY    Sarah Cuthbert  has been at the forefront of Sports Performance Clothing development for over 30 years, she has worked with some of the industry’s most innovative companies and has witnessed it grow into the important industry it has now become. Sarah runs her own performance sportswear development consultancy, working with clients across a range of sporting disciplines, offering the best solutions for range development, and working with the most cutting edge technical manufacturers, fabric and trim suppliers to consistently deliver the best product for clients.  One of the key benefits of working with Sarah is the combination of her wealth of experience and her ongoing R&D. She is constantly sourcing new products and suppliers and keeps up-to-date on the latest manufacturing techniques. This enables her to offer clients creative solutions to the challenge of producing the highest performing products, within budget and on schedule. Sarah can be contacted through her website www.sportswearconsultancy.com
Sarah Cuthbert, SPORTSWEAR CONSULTANCY
Sarah Cuthbert has been at the forefront of Sports Performance Clothing development for over 30 years, she has worked with some of the industry’s most innovative companies and has witnessed it grow into the important industry it has now become. Sarah runs her own performance sportswear development consultancy, working with clients across a range of sporting disciplines, offering the best solutions for range development, and working with the most cutting edge technical manufacturers, fabric and trim suppliers to consistently deliver the best product for clients.One of the key benefits of working with Sarah is the combination of her wealth of experience and her ongoing R&D. She is constantly sourcing new products and suppliers and keeps up-to-date on the latest manufacturing techniques. This enables her to offer clients creative solutions to the challenge of producing the highest performing products, within budget and on schedule. Sarah can be contacted through her website www.sportswearconsultancy.com
Ffion, APPLETON DESIGN     FFION   is a freelance designer and creative director with over 20 years experience having worked with brands such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and successful start ups such as Castore and Fe226. She has designed product for elite athletes such as Usain Bolt and teams such as Manchester United and The All Blacks implementing the most recent innovation and fabric technologies.     About LTP    LTP   is a Danish-owned garment manufacturer for 60+ premium brands within active sportswear, outdoor, athleisure and sustainable fashion. LTP was established in 1991 and is probably the biggest functional garment manufacturer in Europe with bluesign® setups in Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Vietnam.
Ffion, APPLETON DESIGN
Ffion is a freelance designer and creative director with over 20 years experience having worked with brands such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and successful start ups such as Castore and Fe226. She has designed product for elite athletes such as Usain Bolt and teams such as Manchester United and The All Blacks implementing the most recent innovation and fabric technologies.

About LTP

LTP is a Danish-owned garment manufacturer for 60+ premium brands within active sportswear, outdoor, athleisure and sustainable fashion. LTP was established in 1991 and is probably the biggest functional garment manufacturer in Europe with bluesign® setups in Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Vietnam.