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From: AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Helmet efficacy test
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:29:17 -0500
Organization: Yellow Jersey, Ltd.
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On 3/25/2025 1:32 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:22:55 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
> 
>> A significant amount of sewing time for a $40 retail product.
> 
> It's not too difficult to make cycling gloves.  However, it does
> require some practice and experience.  The problem is that no part of
> the glove will lie flat on the sewing machine bed plate.  That means
> that fixtures, jigs, attachments and preforms don't work well.  I can
> easily find automated glove making machinery, but they're all for blow
> molded rubber or for knitted gloves.  The leather palm and knitted
> back of the typical bicycle glove do not lend themselves to
> automation.  The leather palm can be preformed, but that creates a
> problem for store display and packaging, which are best done flat.
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=automated%20glove%20making&udm=2>
> For me, the problem was making the stitched leather seams inside the
> glove reasonably comfortable.  Some of the gloves I've seen don't even
> bother with this and simply leave a lumpy seam inside the glove.  I
> tried Latex glue instead of stiching, but found that the glue was
> messy, aged badly and would not remain very flexible.
> 
> When all else is likely to fail, machine sewing the gloves, without
> automation, is probably best.
> 
> 
> 
Right, it certainly is.

I have sourced my own private label gloves in three 
countries so I'm familiar with the relationship between 
pattern and cost. Most cycling gloves are indeed flat which 
does lower cost somewhat. Also, less detail = fewer stitches 
= lower labor cost.

Compare $15~$20 Pakistani cotton-back goatskin cycling 
gloves with $140 Italian driving gloves for example:

https://www.fratelli-orsini.com/collections/mens-collection/products/arturo-cognac-hand-sewn-italian-crochet-driving-gloves-from-lambskin-leather

Yes lamb costs more than goat, but still.  Even at the $120 
sale price.



-- 
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971