Bike Tart
alwaysriding
With the 2011 edition of la Vuelta a España upon us, we thought that it would be a good time to write about the Spanish bicycle apparel brands we have in our fold at Always Riding.
Whilst writing this article, we realised just how strong the Spanish cycling apparel market truly is, and more so, the rich history many of the brands have. Whilst Italy and France might be able to claim a greater combined breadth of cycling history, we would argue that Spain can more than hold its own. Oh yes, and the food is way better than anywhere else in the world. Ok, we're biased, one half of Always Riding is Basque! Now, let's begin...
Hailing from Igualada, near Barcelona in Catalonia, Buff Headgear is one of Spain's biggest sportswear brands, and this popular product in all of its multitude of guises, can be found in regular use around the world for just as many different activities.
Ideally suited to cycling, the Buff Wool, with its beautifully soft merino wool finish, is a firm cycling favourite for commuters, right through to mountain bikers and road riders.
Based in Yecla not too far from Alicante, Catlike is one of the top cycling helmet brands in the world. They also do a rather nice line in glasses, but it is their helmets that Catlike is most known for amongst the cycling community. Taking the standard cycling helmet design and putting their own spin on it is what Catlike do best, and the most representative model from their range that attests to this unique design approach is the Whisper Plus helmet.
For arguments sake, let's call Etxeondo a Spanish brand, but to anyone in the town of Irura where this renowned cycle clothing brand calls home, a stone's throw from the coastal city of San Sebastian, they are Basque through and through.
Etxeondo have a rich history in the cycling world, having clothed such greats as Miguel Indurain, Perico Delgado and hardman Sean Kelly during their illustrious history. Today, Etxeondo remains at the forefront of the road cycling apparel market, and still proudly manufactures its collections in the Basque Country. Truly an Always Riding favourite, Etxeondo apparel is quite simply a revelation on the bike.
The newest kid on the block, Muxu hail from the Catalan city of Barcelona, and are charged with creating a small but growing line of extremely practical and stylish urban cycling apparel. Muxu's attention to detail and design led approach is typical of the Barcelona manufacturing tradition, and with their products, is bringing the city a deserved place in the cycling community.
Another Basque brand, but this time from the lively town of Llodio near Bilbao, Spiuk was founded over 20 years ago, and since then, has developed impressive collections of both cycling shoes, biycle apparel, and cycling glasses. Often spotted in the pro peloton, most recently as the headgear, shoe and glasses sponsor to members of the Ag2R-La Mondiale Team, Spiuk is a great choice for both well priced and functional apparel and accessories.
If you have ever been to Girona, you probably know it as a place for culture, architecture, and a mecca for cyclists the world over. Situated just 40kms from the Pyrenees, it is here and for this reason that during his career, Lance Armstrong lived and trained in the Catalan city.
With such an illustrious history, you would expect Girona to have produced a cycling sportswear brand, and whilst it might have taken some time, the cycling world can now say hello to Sumattory.
A completely new brand, (and one that has its offices in Lance Armstrong's old appartment building), Sumattory was co-developed by UCI Mountain Bike World Champion José Hermida. Featuring bold colours, high end fabrics, all finished off with a Made in Italy tag, Sumattory is a high end brand for riders looking for a World Champion's approved ride.
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