LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Bio-Racer cycling apparel: approved by champions
Tuesday 16. November 2010 - No doubt you've already seen it ... maybe you've even worn the Bio-Racer apparel once. That's possible, because worldwide countless amateurs, pros and world champions wear Bio-Racer cycling apparel. Even several national cycling teams (road, track and cyclo-cross riders) wear the apparel produced by this Belgian company.
Bio-Racer was founded in 1984 by Raymond Verstraelen, who himself was cyclist and coach of top cyclists for many years. He wanted to use his experience and technical knowledge to realize his mission: developing cycling equipment and apparel that is literally made to measure. Increasing the comfort for the sportsman is his continuous concern. His first challenge was the improvement of the posture of racers on a bike. Verstraelen worked out a measuring system that takes physical height, shoulder width and length of the feet, legs and arms into account. This Bike Fitting System immediately proved its worth and became a lasting value in the world of cycling.
Improving the cyclist’s comfort on the bike is just one aspect of Bio-Racer’s mission. That’s why the company kept looking for solutions for other comfort problems that cyclists have to face. Resulting from this vision, Bio-Racer started with the production of cycling apparel that is completely in tune with the wishes and needs of cyclists. Some of the company’s well-known innovations are the use of Lycra, the invention of a seamless chamois and the development of new fabrics.
The Bio-Racer innovations are renowned in the world of cycling. Throughout the years, the company managed to secure the position of market leader in cycling apparel in the Benelux. But the company’s products are highly regarded in many other countries as well. What’s more, several national teams wear Bio-Racer sportswear at world and European championships and the Olympic games. The American cycling team recently joined the group of Bio-Racer adepts.
Traditionally, Bio-Racer uses screen printing for the production of the designs, but since a couple of years, the company uses digital printers as well. Koen Vekemans, who used to be professional cyclist and now works as representative for Bio-Racer, explains: “We were looking for a technique to print smaller jobs. When you use screen printers, you need to print at least 50 pieces in order to be cost effective. For digital printing on the other hand, the amount of pieces doesn’t matter. At the moment, we use two Roland sublimation printers and print about 40% of our orders digitally. We are convinced that this amount will increase even more in the future. Huge advantages of this technique are the possibility to produce small runs, the amount of colours in one production, the limitation of space and costs and the practically unlimited design possibilities. Moreover, digital printing is for us a fast production method. We once did the test: the time you need to print 200 pieces digitally in six colours is shorter than when you print everything with a half automatic screen printer.”
Bio-Racer is the only West European company that has the complete production of cycling apparel under one roof. The building in Tessenderlo in Belgium houses everything from design, printing and sublimation to confection, packaging and sending of the clothes. In order to be able to keep up with the increasing demand, the company has set up a production department in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Tunisia.
Today, Bio-Racer also develops apparel for ice skaters, athletes and triathletes. Accessories, breathable patches (called ReSkin) and leisure wear complete the product range.