Assos / Rapha gear
Discussion
I'm currently using some old cycling shorts I've had for years. They work fine and I don't suffer from saddle soreness or anything like that (they are padded but only slightly), but I'd like to get a pair of bib shorts with a proper chamois insert now I'm racking up more miles.
I've been doing some research and it seems the Assos FI Mille S5's get excellent reviews, but are they really worth £140? I'll probably get some legwarmers/kneewarmers to go with them for colder weather
Likewise I quite fancy one of the Rapha stowaway jackets, but again I'm slightly put off by the price, although the close-up pics on the Rapha website go a long way to affirming my thoughts that it's thoughtfully designed and quality made gear.
Durability and quality mean more than price to me, but as always I think you end up paying for the name a lot of the time. Alternative suggestions welcome.
Lastly, what is the PH consensus on team kit? The new Team Sky kit is due to be released in the next few days and is relatively subdued compared to the other offerings. I'm not overwhelmed by riding round with Murdoch's advertising plastered over me but there you go, I quite like the colour scheme. So, is team kit for posers/wannabee's or acceptable for casual riders who are not necessarily as skinny as Bradley Wiggins?
I've been doing some research and it seems the Assos FI Mille S5's get excellent reviews, but are they really worth £140? I'll probably get some legwarmers/kneewarmers to go with them for colder weather
Likewise I quite fancy one of the Rapha stowaway jackets, but again I'm slightly put off by the price, although the close-up pics on the Rapha website go a long way to affirming my thoughts that it's thoughtfully designed and quality made gear.
Durability and quality mean more than price to me, but as always I think you end up paying for the name a lot of the time. Alternative suggestions welcome.
Lastly, what is the PH consensus on team kit? The new Team Sky kit is due to be released in the next few days and is relatively subdued compared to the other offerings. I'm not overwhelmed by riding round with Murdoch's advertising plastered over me but there you go, I quite like the colour scheme. So, is team kit for posers/wannabee's or acceptable for casual riders who are not necessarily as skinny as Bradley Wiggins?
This time last year I'd have said you are crazy to buy Assos, it's just so expensive. However had a little windfall and thought why not. Quite simply the nicest shorts I have ever ridden in. Cut beautifully and very comfy chamois on a long ride.
Honestly I'll be very reluctant to try anything else now, these are just brilliant if wallet bendingly expensive. Just go for plain black and you are fine.
Honestly I'll be very reluctant to try anything else now, these are just brilliant if wallet bendingly expensive. Just go for plain black and you are fine.
assos and rapha gear is genuinely worth it if you are putting in 200+ miles a week. otherwise i would recommend enduro fs260 stuff and chamois cream.
wear what you like, you see fat blokes wearing man utd shirts and they dont have to play 90 minutes in the premier league so if you support team sky riders, buy the shirt and wear it with pride. cycling needs to lose this snobbish attitude to team kit and jerseys.
wear what you like, you see fat blokes wearing man utd shirts and they dont have to play 90 minutes in the premier league so if you support team sky riders, buy the shirt and wear it with pride. cycling needs to lose this snobbish attitude to team kit and jerseys.
pablo said:
wear what you like, you see fat blokes wearing man utd shirts and they dont have to play 90 minutes in the premier league so if you support team sky riders, buy the shirt and wear it with pride. cycling needs to lose this snobbish attitude to team kit and jerseys.
Just be aware we are giggling at you, like we giggle at the 20stone lardo in a footy shirt with his man boobs dragging!Seriously - team kit gets you noticed which is essential on the roads. If you look like a day glow raver no motorist can have the excuse that he didnt see you!
CVP said:
This time last year I'd have said you are crazy to buy Assos, it's just so expensive. However had a little windfall and thought why not. Quite simply the nicest shorts I have ever ridden in. Cut beautifully and very comfy chamois on a long ride.
Honestly I'll be very reluctant to try anything else now, these are just brilliant if wallet bendingly expensive. Just go for plain black and you are fine.
Couldn't agree more. Assos are well worth the money - wearing £30 bibs after a pair of Assos just feels wrong. The S5 Unos are around £100 and well worth a look - it is still £100 on a pair of bibs, but is slightly more justifiable than £140.Honestly I'll be very reluctant to try anything else now, these are just brilliant if wallet bendingly expensive. Just go for plain black and you are fine.
Team kit is fine - noone cares - agree on the no yellow/green/polka/world champ jerseys though.
Thanks chaps. Will try and find a localish dealer and go and try the bibs on. Was specifically looking at the FI Mille S5's as I understand they are not so tight fitting as the Equipe and Uno ranges.
Have also given up on the team kit idea now I have found this site via google - http://www.shuttvr.com/shop/search.php?id=31
Have also given up on the team kit idea now I have found this site via google - http://www.shuttvr.com/shop/search.php?id=31
itsnotarace said:
Thanks chaps. Will try and find a localish dealer and go and try the bibs on. Was specifically looking at the FI Mille S5's as I understand they are not so tight fitting as the Equipe and Uno ranges.
Have also given up on the team kit idea now I have found this site via google - http://www.shuttvr.com/shop/search.php?id=31
If you like retro kit then have you seen Solo stuff?Have also given up on the team kit idea now I have found this site via google - http://www.shuttvr.com/shop/search.php?id=31
http://www.solocc.com/home.cfm
+1 (actually about 3 I think!) for the Assos - I wear Pearl Izumi and Endura FS260 for the commuting (only 19km each way) whereas for longer club type rides I've got a pair of Assos F1's.... if you want something that feels like it was quite literally tailored for you then a pair fo these fit the bill perfectly.
Team jersey - I only now feel I could get away with it but something in me shouts "fraud" too much to buy one!! At present mine are unbranded but soon I'll be getting a tritalk.co.uk one, a PH one and then I'll see if I need another then decide
Rapha stuff just looks too gorgeous to wear!! I need to feel like I'm in sports gear when doing sport, not feel like I should be relaxing in a cafe halfway through a magazine shoot for GQ
Saying all that I want to get one of their Polo shirts just for wearing away from the bike!
Team jersey - I only now feel I could get away with it but something in me shouts "fraud" too much to buy one!! At present mine are unbranded but soon I'll be getting a tritalk.co.uk one, a PH one and then I'll see if I need another then decide
Rapha stuff just looks too gorgeous to wear!! I need to feel like I'm in sports gear when doing sport, not feel like I should be relaxing in a cafe halfway through a magazine shoot for GQ
Saying all that I want to get one of their Polo shirts just for wearing away from the bike!
Gooby said:
pablo said:
wear what you like, you see fat blokes wearing man utd shirts and they dont have to play 90 minutes in the premier league so if you support team sky riders, buy the shirt and wear it with pride. cycling needs to lose this snobbish attitude to team kit and jerseys.
Just be aware we are giggling at you, like we giggle at the 20stone lardo in a footy shirt with his man boobs dragging!Seriously - team kit gets you noticed which is essential on the roads. If you look like a day glow raver no motorist can have the excuse that he didnt see you!
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