Insights - Vol I
Discovering New Brands
Here at Sigma Sports, we pride ourselves on offering our customers a diverse range of brands from all corners of the globe. Some big, some small, others focusing on just one or two specialist areas of our sport.
Often overshadowed by household names, it’s important to recognise, and explore these smaller brands. For us, their dynamic approach to design and construction is a key part of cycling’s vibrant culture and undoubtedly contributes towards its constant progression.
Restrap
Based in Yorkshire, England, Restrap creates intuitive products with a focus on function and durability. Tailored to excel in the great outdoors, and tested in Yorkshire’s changeable weather, this is gear you can depend on.
Starting off in a bedroom with a sewing machine creating pedal straps, the brand has expanded over the years, now operating out of a large workshop in Leeds. Specialising in bags, the small, family-run business makes everything by hand. A close-knit team of machinists, cyclists, designers and friends, Restrap are passionate about what they do, and it reflects in their work.
THM
Founded in Alt Duvenstedt, northern Germany by Thomas and Petra Mertin, THM creates some of the most premium, lightweight and beautiful components on the planet. An aerospace engineer by trade, Thomas took his skills, experience and knowledge, and turned his attention to the cycling market back in 1996.
Their first breakthrough products were a fork and crank. Not just any though, these were the lightest in the world at the time. Over the years, THM has expanded their portfolio to include handlebars, stems and brakes.
7Mesh
Designed and tested in Squamish, Canada, 7Mesh produces high-performance, technical apparel for both on, and off-road cyclists. Back in 2013, members of outdoor brand, Arcteryx, came to the realisation that while outdoor wear had peaked, cycling apparel was way behind. Spotting this gap in the market, they took the plunge, quit their jobs and launched 7Mesh.
A seasoned collective of road cyclists, mountain bikers and above all, apparel professionals, their clothing was always set to be fantastic. After years of testing, their first collection launched in spring 2015. An immediate success, the brand has steadily grown in terms of both product and infrastructure. The original team of 3 has expanded to 10, while their range has branched out to ‘fit the needs of their community’.
If you need any proof that 7Mesh are dedicated to their cause, the story of seventeen hoods says it all. Yes, you read that correctly. Set on creating the perfect hood for their Revelation jacket, VP of R&D, Ian, stitched no less than seventeen variations before he was satisfied with the end result.
Quoc
Founded in 2009 by Central St. Martins graduate and keen cyclist, Quoc Pham, design sits firmly at the centre of the brand’s heritage and ethos. Experimental in their approach, Quoc offers everything from full-grain leather finishes, to 100% vegan alternatives.
Representing British shoemaking at it’s finest, Quoc produces performance focussed footwear that oozes style and sophistication. Merging timeless craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, their range of road, gravel and urban footwear makes the perfect choice for the most discerning of cyclists.
If British design and premium craftsmanship sound appealing, you should certainly consider Quoc when picking your next pair of shoes.
