RACC Kits - New Developments

Sorry for the long delay, I've been in the states and otherwise occupied for more than a few weeks now. In that time a proposal for new jerseys was brought forward by Franks. Please read through this and post if you would be interested, don't need a commitment now, just trying to see if there is enough interest to pursue this.

Full disclosure - Erik (Slim83) works part time at Franks and got this rolling.

Frank's is interested in carrying RACC clothing made by Northwave (they currently do this for other clubs in the area). Northwave would do the designing and we approve the proof. Frank's shop logo would be on the jersery somewhere, but they would also keep clothing in stock for new members or for existing members to buy more. Frank's currently stocks all the Northwave clothing so you could go in and actually try it on before the initial order. I still have to get pricing from Frank but the jerseys should sell for 35-40 euro. Also whomever buys a jersey and is a member of RACC would get a club discount off of other merchandise at the shop. That detail still needs to be worked out but would probably be around 15% off (and you could still use VAT forms on top of that), but wouldn't be for every single item (i.e. some items are already too low to be marked down further), again details TBD. Available kits include all the standard items: Jerseys (sleeveless, short, long), shorts, knickers and long tights, all with or without bibs, winter jackets, rain jackets, etc. Franks carries all of these items so again you could go check out the quality and fit.

The old style kits are still available from Canari (and will be forever for that matter) so this isn't an either/or deal. Personally I'm interested in the new kits so I'll let Velo-doc take over on the Canari kits if anyone still wants one.

Please post if you're interested so we can move forward on this. Thanks.

Jamie

Had a chance to talk with Eric Tuesday about the offer from Frank. I think that this is a much better option than constant reorders from Canari. Especially since we can try things on at Franks before ordering. Like James, I also plan to go this route for my kits, but would be happy to supply information to anyone who wants to buy the old kits from Canari. Right now it's about 8wks go get the Canari gear. Thanks for getting this started Eric.

Just a few questions? Has there ever even been a second order? I know someone started one but what happened with the order? And is frank sponsoring the RACC. Because if that's the case we need to have more businesses on the Jerseys like the Bank of America or Volvo who might be interested in advertising on americans to make more money off of us . Which should bring down the cost of an order from any jersey made from any company. And whats with not getting to vote on or have the opportunity to design ourselves. Saving a few bucks on on a jersey sounds nice. But what if we want a different one next year? Do we have to go to Frank and ask if we can have a new design? O and what about the conversion cost from dollars to Euro for full kitts?(price list would be nice) I agree we should have a new design however I believe the Racc should have a lot more to do with it other than putting it in the hands of an LBS. And letting it set the price and the standards. What do you think?

[Please read through this and post if you would be interested, don't need a commitment now, just trying to see if there is enough interest to pursue this

Its hard not to say something if your looking are interest lol.

I think it's a good idea as long as the RACC determines what the final product is going to look like....and there's that additional sponsor thing...

I second what Zenke is saying. Will we be able to turn in our own ideas for the Jersey? I have a few ideas for the design/racc logo. I haven't put anything on paper, but I will soon.

If anyone is going to order one of the old jerseys, I am down for one.

I started talking about reorders because I just missed the initial order and had been waiting over a year and a half for a reorder. I contacted Chris and Dave several times all with no real success so I finally just called Canari myself and got it rolling. Those of you who feel strongly about controlling the jersey, by all means STEP UP AND TAKE IT OVER. I think additional sponsors would be sweet, but I don't have time to coordinate something like that so it's all yours. I'm out, good luck, and I look forward to purchasing the final product.

Jamie

jvanhuis wrote:I started talking about reorders because I just missed the initial order and had been waiting over a year and a half for a reorder. I contacted Chris and Dave several times all with no real success so I finally just called Canari myself and got it rolling. Those of you who feel strongly about controlling the jersey, by all means STEP UP AND TAKE IT OVER. I think additional sponsors would be sweet, but I don't have time to coordinate something like that so it's all yours. I'm out, good luck, and I look forward to purchasing the final product.

Jamie

I wouldn't mind jumping in on a reorder myself...

Just to clarify, we will get to design the jersey, pick the ideas, or whatever you want to call it. We then send our ideas to the company and they have a team that makes a proof of OUR ideas. They send a picture to us and we say yes or no. So we pick everything we want. The prices will be cheaper than the current Canari stuff and like anything else, if you choose to change the design later you must meet all new minimum orders.

I proposed this idea to Jamie because I thought it would be beneficial to everyone involved. It would allow better quality clothing that will be in stock when we want it, it will allow new or existing members to purchase clothing anytime they need it, it will also help bring more members to The RACC as 40% of Frank's customers are American and most don't know about The RACC, and in the end it gives you guys a set in stone discount and a relationship with a local shop that of course will benefit from the business.

It was an idea that was put out there for you guys to vote on. Nothing was set in stone and it can always be changed.

The idea doesn't really work if everyone wants a re-design of the jersey every year. Frank's kit would become obsolete every time the group decided to make a new jersey and of course anyone looking for kit would want the latest design, not the old stuff.

Sounds like a great idea, but one that requires a solid design that everyone likes and will stand the test of time.

slim83 wrote:Just to clarify, we will get to design the jersey, pick the ideas, or whatever you want to call it. We then send our ideas to the company and they have a team that makes a proof of OUR ideas. They send a picture to us and we say yes or no. So we pick everything we want. The prices will be cheaper than the current Canari stuff and like anything else, if you choose to change the design later you must meet all new minimum orders.

It was an idea that was put out there for you guys to vote on. Nothing was set in stone and it can always be changed.

Thanks for clearing that up.

To me, that sounds like a pretty good plan. We just need to come up with a design to submit.

Ya know that's what I'm talking about. Great answers! Now design and price! I love it when a plan comes together!

Let's do a shirt design contest and vote on the best one.

I like the idea of having easier access to kits, riders join all year long, so its nice that they can get a jersey easily. Plus, the idea of getting some sponsers to help pay for gear and maybe start putting together some races would be awesome. I think it would be imporant to not limit ourselves to just one sponser (only letting Wheelsports put an advertisement on the jersey.) I am excited about the new found possibility of the expanding RACC, I mean doesn't everyone like a big RACC?

Small question: is it possible to get jerseys with full zip fronts? I have one like this and I really like it. Just my two cents,

He said..."Big RACC"!!!! Good one...

Getting outside sponsors will be tough. Germans hate giving anything away. I just organized a unit Golf tournament and the absolute hardest part is getting them to release anything. Now exactly what would the return be for a sponsor? If you aren't going to put his name on a podium or have a chartered club benefiting the community in some way, you are going to have a real time getting any significant money out of a sponsor.

I like the idea of Frank's. He does a lot for the local riding, so giving something to him while getting a benefit for ourselves back is a win/win deal. The option of trying clothing on first is always a winner.

During a trailside discussion, the point was brought up, that we really ought to control the distro etc. of the clothing ourselves.

If we're a more organized club, then clothing with the club's logo etc. should be an internal function of the club to the greatest extent possible.

Kendal already did quite a bit of footwrk and got some SIGNIFICANT sponsors.. think with te sponsors, and certainly includign Frank as one of the sponsors, and controlling the ordering and distrobution of the clothing oruselves through the club, I think we'll be better off.

Just my two cents...

Seems like this might be a good first voting issue ofr the first pres./committee meeting....

Sounds like there's a fair amount of support for going with Frank. I agree w/ being able to get more sponsors on the jersey if we want, and I don't think that will be a problem. Also, sponsors don't have to come from the German economy. I could see US companies which sell online, etc, throwing sponsorship our way. If there aren't any other major concerns, then let's get rolling so we can get some stuff in a reasonable amount of time. I think Eric can give the people at Northwave some ideas and they can put something together for us to decide on.

Point taken on voting. So let's decide on a place to meet and we can vote in the first officers. No dilly dallying.

I like the idea of Northwave. I am thinking we need to add Aerlites to the kit since I have been eyeballing a pair for a couple weeks now!

?

i like the beer drinking werewolf...very German/underworldish. Better than anything I've put up yet.

That is supposed to be a boar. time to go to art school.

I was just messin with you bro...it's a far better boar than I could ever draw...keep the designs coming!

I was messing around today at lunch and this is what I came up with...



Ok, sizing didn't work out but this is the result of an hour worth of work. I didn't wanna put much more into it if I wasn't on the right trail...