SRAM acquires cycling apparel brand Velocio

SRAM is taking its first foray into softgoods with cycling apparel brand Velocio now the latest addition to its ever-growing portfolio.

This most recent acquisition comes just weeks after GPS cycle computer brand Hammerhead joined SRAM’s fold, alongside the component giant’s now huge family of subsidiary companies which includes RockShox suspension, Zipp wheels and handlebars, Time pedals, Truvativ bars and cranks and Quarq power meters.

Velocio says that its supply chain, manufacturing and product design will stay separate from SRAM’s manufacturing arm, but the move will enable “more independent product design and development, including a still bigger push towards sustainability in our product offerings and how we deliver them.”

Velocio says it will also benefit from SRAM’s reach into racing and teams as well as their insights into global distribution and retail support.

“Velocio, today, is a brand we’re really proud of, the brand we set out to create,” reads the statement on Velocio's site.

“Yet, there’s a unique challenge to running a business that often gets overlooked: succeed and your reward is a deeper expectation to grow. Grow too large, too fast and the risk is the often -lamented loss of brand, the dilution of product, and corner-cutting changes to boost profits. We won’t do any of those things.”

> Review: Velocio Women’s Thermal Bib Tights

Velocio says its focus was to find a partner, large brand or brand family that would value its three pillars of design, responsibility and culture, and “SRAM’s loyalty to their own employees and their efforts at outreach through World Bicycle Relief, among other causes, fits with how we see bikes and people and business.” 

SRAM’s history with Velocio goes back to 2015, with the shared sponsorship of the UCI pro cycling team, Velocio-SRAM, and has since continued through shared sponsorships and marketing efforts - Velocio clothing, for example, featured in SRAM’s first AXS product launch ads.

> Review: Velocio Women’s Alpha Merino Air Jacket

The brand's Ultralight women's bib shorts also made it into road.cc recommends selection and and also won our editor's choice award thanks to the fantastic breathability and comfy pad for long rides, as as well as the effective comfort-break design.

Velocio is also well known for its approach to producing high performance cycling apparel that’s durable and aims to be sustainable in both the materials used and the manufacturing process. 

“Since our launch in 2014, we’ve looked at how we can continue to push forward our product offering to reduce our impact on our planet,” says the brand. “We all need clothing, but what we choose to buy has a profound impact on not only its longevity, but the environmental cost in creating it.”

> How environmentally sustainable is your cycle clothing?

As part of this, Velocio has already partnered with other like-minded brands in order to open up regional repair hubs to reduce shipping distances for renewing its garments. In the UK, that’s Apidura, who have also opened up its own Revive store for selling used bikepacking bags to increase the lifespan of its products. 

It’ll be interesting to see how the brand continues develop and expand with SRAM’s support and backing. 

velocio.cc