Tag Archives: swrve

5ive Points: Harbingers of a new Paradigm – Matt & Muriel of Swrve cycling apparel

Every so often (perhaps not often enough) a group of motivated souls grows weary of the status quo, tired of searching, waiting and sifting through the standard offerings, adrift in a sea of sameness, and strikes out on their own. In comes Swrve. Founded during the summer of 2005 and hailing from the City of Angels, Swrve has quickly established itself as a design and fabric-savvy cycling apparel brand that is no doubt causing the producers of those aforementioned standard offerings to take note.

We took notice of Swrve a few years back because of the quality of their products and their Made-in-the-USA swrve_blk line, and have been expanding our representation of their collection ever since. The duo of Matt and Muriel have been steering the ship in the right direction, as evidenced by the Waxed Cycling jacket, wool sweaters, and wool caps. We are happy to be a part of their team and we thank them for participating in our Q&A! So, without further ado…

NYC VELO: What bikes do you both rides?
Swrve (Matt): There are a couple that have been in heavy rotation for me lately, a triple three fabrication (333Fab) road bike (it makes me feel faster than I am) and a Sycip internally geared belt drive errand bike (“mine goes to 11″). Muriel has been riding her Ritchey Swiss Cross.

NYCV:  What’s your favorite ride?
Swrve (Matt): There is a loop i like from the shop that goes into the Angeles National Forest. It amazes me every time in just a 15 or 20 minute ride that scenery changes so much I can forget that we live in a big city. I also like it because I can easily customize the distance and hills depending on how I’m feeling. Then there are always the evening rush hour grocery runs that are so satisfying in so many ways.

NYCV: What’s your favorite post-ride food?
Swrve (Matt): Depends on what is in the fridge. For Muriel it’s ALWAYS chocolate (pre, during, and post-ride.)

NYCV: What is one thing you always carry on a ride?
Swrve (Matt): The usual (flat fix kit and small tools), I don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere or in a cellular dead zone. Oh, and a set of keys so i don’t get locked out.

NYCV: What’s next?
Swrve (Matt): The world! Then a nap, or maybe the other way around.

SWRVE Wool Jersey

December conjures different things to different cyclists, but above all else it clearly signals (at least to us Mid-Atlantic and New England riders) the time for wool gear. Wool is, of course, the all-natural wonder material for those chilly and sometimes wet days, either on or off the bike. While fall is arguably the best season of the year for cyclists to enjoy New York City and its surrounding locales – we’ve said it here on the digital NYC Velo many times – it signals the chill of whats to come.

Leave it up to our good seasonless Southern California friends at Swrve to develop and produce some of the finest (as in phenomenal fit and high-quality domestic construction) fall and winter garments (in all of their woolen glory) to grace the NYC Velo shelves. The Made-in-the-USA S/S Wool Jersey uses 100% itch-free 18.9 micron, 185 g/m sq. New Zealand merino wool, an impressive pedigree to be sure. The Wool Jersey has a traditional 3 button placket and collar, the classically trim fit of a fine cycling jersey and a single angled pocket on the reverse. Missing are extraneous labels, “retro” peacocking hues, and an oversize rear tri-pocket “trunk” (no chance of an overloaded jersey here – capacity tops out at a cellphone and a Probar, leave the tub of chammy cream and 5 spare tubes at home folks).

Swrve makes their _blk label for the discerning cyclist, though those of us who spend with abandon will appreciate the line’s thoughtful combination of price, performance, and style. See other quality Swrve goods, including the spectacular Waxed Cotton Cycling Jacket, Wool Cycling Sweater, and Wool Belgian Cap here @ NYC Velo.