Kit Reviews
TheBigYin
Posts: 5,686 Member
Anyone got any riding kit (I'm really talking clothing rather than the Bikes themselves or workshop equipment) that they just wouldn't be without ?
I've finally got to a size where pretty much all of the riding kit I'd bought in the last 4 years or so is now hanging off me... Nice snug fitting road shirts now look like (and have been relegated to) MTB duties, and pretty much all the lower body stuff is now bagged and ready for the recycling centre. Indeed, I've actually returned to a size where some of my kit from maybe 20 years ago now fit... in some cases, this is a good thing - e.g. the circa 1990 Castelli Thermodress+ Long sleeve jersey that's kept me dry and relatively toasty for the latter half of this seemingly endless winter. Sadly, the 20 year old stitching is suffering from it's regular wash-wear-repeat treatment, and I think over half the seams have been re-stitched in the past month
Much the same is occuring with the Assos LS Roubaix Fleece jersey - and also, frankly it's "decade that taste forgot" Fluro Yellow with Lime Green and Ping detailing (what the hell was I thinking, buying that FFS !!)
So - It's been time for me to drop a few beer tokens on clothing...
Jersey - DHB Windslam Blade LS Jersey
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windslam-blade-long-sleeve-jersey/
It's sort of a half-way house between a Roubaix Fleece jersey and a Softshell Jacket. The front of the chest and arms have a stretchy windproof laminate facing, with the back plain Roubaix fleece - so it keeps the cold off your chest, keeps you warm, but breathes really well - it's even got a couple of zipped mesh vents at the front, and frankly, for the money it's superb. Since I bought it last month, I don't think I've done more than a couple of rides without it. Only problem I have with it is that it's only available in black, which while looking great, doesn't exactly aid visibility to other road users. Still, it's a 5/5 from the Yorkshire judge :laugh:
Castelli Sorpasso Bibtights.
http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/castelli-sorpasso-thermpflex-core-due-bibtight
Well - I guess you probably all know i've got a bit of a soft spot for all things Italian when it comes to Cycling (and food, and drink come to think about it...) so I guess you're going to expect a rave review on these? Correct. They are, without doubt, the most comfortable winter riding tights i've ever had the pleasure to climb into. The pad is easily on a par with the one in my summer-best Assos FI.Uno shorts, and the thermal material manages to be lighter and stretchier (read better fitting) whilst still being at least as warm and as tough (yep - i've been "down the road" on them once on a hidden spot of black ice) as the typical "Roubaix Fleece" longs. Fine for temps down to about 3°C on their own, or maybe -5°C with a considered application of "belgian kneewarmers" Sizing is typically Italian however - I take 38" waist jeans and I need the XXXL (depressing as i'm finally XL in most kit now)
DHB EQ2.5 Waterproof Cycling Jacket
Another one of Wiggles amazing own-brand deals...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-eq25-waterproof-cycling-jacket/.
Normally, I'm not really a fan of full-waterproof jackets - preferring a "stashable" raincape in the back pocket and wind/water resisting clothing that breathes properly. Pretty much every jacket I've had (and I include top-end mountain/hill walking gore-tex jobs) haven't been properly breathable, and if you wore them all day, whilst exercising hard, you were going to boil-in-the-bag. Well - the DHB's the same. Yep - it's a £70 jacket, what do you expect. But, it does keep rain out, and it's got a good mesh liner inside so it doesn't feel clammy and horrible. It's got pit-zips, a zipped rear pocket and a couple of small inside pockets that'll keep your phone and keys secure and out of the rain. It's a put on and wear for the entire ride jacket though - good for fast commutes, or for those 2-3 hour training rides when it's already raining, and you know it's going to keep on doing for the duration. I think of it as my Rule 5 and 9 jacket.
Prendas Cyclismo "Belgian Hat"
http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ID=3229
Very retro, very warm, very practical and half the price of Rapha's overpriced equivalent. And it's got a little "hand made in italy" badge on it. What's not to love. I would say that the more modern microfleece skullcaps are better under a helmet however, but again, sometimes it's good in the wet to have a peak to keep the snow out of your glasses...
Anyone else got any tried-and-trusted riding kit, that they just wouldn't be out and about without at the moment?
I've finally got to a size where pretty much all of the riding kit I'd bought in the last 4 years or so is now hanging off me... Nice snug fitting road shirts now look like (and have been relegated to) MTB duties, and pretty much all the lower body stuff is now bagged and ready for the recycling centre. Indeed, I've actually returned to a size where some of my kit from maybe 20 years ago now fit... in some cases, this is a good thing - e.g. the circa 1990 Castelli Thermodress+ Long sleeve jersey that's kept me dry and relatively toasty for the latter half of this seemingly endless winter. Sadly, the 20 year old stitching is suffering from it's regular wash-wear-repeat treatment, and I think over half the seams have been re-stitched in the past month
Much the same is occuring with the Assos LS Roubaix Fleece jersey - and also, frankly it's "decade that taste forgot" Fluro Yellow with Lime Green and Ping detailing (what the hell was I thinking, buying that FFS !!)So - It's been time for me to drop a few beer tokens on clothing...
Jersey - DHB Windslam Blade LS Jersey
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windslam-blade-long-sleeve-jersey/
It's sort of a half-way house between a Roubaix Fleece jersey and a Softshell Jacket. The front of the chest and arms have a stretchy windproof laminate facing, with the back plain Roubaix fleece - so it keeps the cold off your chest, keeps you warm, but breathes really well - it's even got a couple of zipped mesh vents at the front, and frankly, for the money it's superb. Since I bought it last month, I don't think I've done more than a couple of rides without it. Only problem I have with it is that it's only available in black, which while looking great, doesn't exactly aid visibility to other road users. Still, it's a 5/5 from the Yorkshire judge :laugh:
Castelli Sorpasso Bibtights.
http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/castelli-sorpasso-thermpflex-core-due-bibtight
Well - I guess you probably all know i've got a bit of a soft spot for all things Italian when it comes to Cycling (and food, and drink come to think about it...) so I guess you're going to expect a rave review on these? Correct. They are, without doubt, the most comfortable winter riding tights i've ever had the pleasure to climb into. The pad is easily on a par with the one in my summer-best Assos FI.Uno shorts, and the thermal material manages to be lighter and stretchier (read better fitting) whilst still being at least as warm and as tough (yep - i've been "down the road" on them once on a hidden spot of black ice) as the typical "Roubaix Fleece" longs. Fine for temps down to about 3°C on their own, or maybe -5°C with a considered application of "belgian kneewarmers" Sizing is typically Italian however - I take 38" waist jeans and I need the XXXL (depressing as i'm finally XL in most kit now)
DHB EQ2.5 Waterproof Cycling Jacket
Another one of Wiggles amazing own-brand deals...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-eq25-waterproof-cycling-jacket/.
Normally, I'm not really a fan of full-waterproof jackets - preferring a "stashable" raincape in the back pocket and wind/water resisting clothing that breathes properly. Pretty much every jacket I've had (and I include top-end mountain/hill walking gore-tex jobs) haven't been properly breathable, and if you wore them all day, whilst exercising hard, you were going to boil-in-the-bag. Well - the DHB's the same. Yep - it's a £70 jacket, what do you expect. But, it does keep rain out, and it's got a good mesh liner inside so it doesn't feel clammy and horrible. It's got pit-zips, a zipped rear pocket and a couple of small inside pockets that'll keep your phone and keys secure and out of the rain. It's a put on and wear for the entire ride jacket though - good for fast commutes, or for those 2-3 hour training rides when it's already raining, and you know it's going to keep on doing for the duration. I think of it as my Rule 5 and 9 jacket.
Prendas Cyclismo "Belgian Hat"
http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ID=3229
Very retro, very warm, very practical and half the price of Rapha's overpriced equivalent. And it's got a little "hand made in italy" badge on it. What's not to love. I would say that the more modern microfleece skullcaps are better under a helmet however, but again, sometimes it's good in the wet to have a peak to keep the snow out of your glasses...
Anyone else got any tried-and-trusted riding kit, that they just wouldn't be out and about without at the moment?
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Replies
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Wouldn't be without my Gore Phantom SO jacket. Windstopper technology, very light & removable sleeves make it a very versatile jacket. Over top of a good base & a thick mid-layer, I can comfortably ride in temps down to 32 degrees (0 to you Brits). Still available from Nashbar at $99 it is a bargain.0
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All of my gear is Pearl Izumi...I swear by the Thermafleece (Elite) tights/bids, older model Barrier (Elite Thermal) jacket or Gavia jacket and Cyclone gloves....perfect in my area down to the mid 30s F.
The Cycling Jacket and Jersey you posted links to look really nice...and I think free shipping to the US....just may have to try it out.0 -
I have a piece of gear that I actually do not recommend. I bought the Nashbar thermal bib tights and they are absolutely awful. The chamois on them sits incorrectly and almost has a sharp edge. I couldn't ride for a week after wearing them because it chaffed a very sensitive area. I still wear them for warmth because I don't have anything else but I wear another layer of bib shorts underneath them. Giving me what I call the diaper butt effect.0
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All my older stuff, tri and cycling, is Zoot and Pearl Izumi. Love it all.
My sponsored stuff and my company's stuff is all Champion Systems which isn't great but gets the job done. Wish the custom programs at Zoot and PI had lower minimums.0 -
Our team kits are CCN. They are tolerable for race day, but I'm not a fan in general.
Garneau Corsa bibs
as much as I complain about the pads in them "only" lasting two years (admittedly under heavy use), they were really fine and comfortable bibs that got a ton of wear, especially on the trainer.
Assos Mille bibs
They are too new to say how well they hold up but the are amazingly comfortable, even two hours into a trainer ride.
Castelli Free Aero bibs
Castelli pads are pretty thin so some people are leery of them, but these are really nice. They are skin tight and kind of sheer, so they are not good if you have body modesty issues.
Gizmo socks:
A brand I'd never heard of until my wife bought me some. They are comfortable, have held up well after a few years of use, and at $10 a pair are not any more expensive than any other brand of cycling sock..
Sidi Genius shoes
These shoes have over 30,000 miles on them and they are still holding up. What more could you want?
Castelli Contatto Jersey
Thermal jersey that actually breathes so you don't sweat to death in it. My favorite jersey for temps in the 40's.0
