Opinions sought re Team Kit v Expensive bibs

Red Belly

As I will be stepping up my cycling distances this month and hope to do a lot of long sportives next Summer I've been looking at investing in some decent kit. I have half decent budget stuff at the moment.

I'd been toying with the idea of getting a Team Set and bobshop and a few other sites have sets for €150 or thereabouts. However I came across this http://www.assosfactoryoutlet.com/men/shorts/t-fi-mille-s5-blue-1895.html

For the same price as a replica set it seems I can get a really top notch bib. What would you do?

RB

Guybrush T

I'd buy a pair of bicycle line bib shorts when they are on offer at Wiggle/CRC/Cycle Superstore and then spend the €100 I'd saved on drink.

Team kits are not really approved in the rules, and with the speed cycling sponsors change, they'll be obsolete by next summer.

happytramp

In my opinion, team Jersey's are okay but I think pairing them with matching bib shorts is a step too far. As someone here pointed out before it's akin to turning up to a friendly five-a-side wearing full Man Utd Jersey, shorts and socks.....it just looks a bit off.

That said I just today received two "Replica" Jersey's (wink wink) from a Ebay seller in China and I have to say the quality seems surprisingly good given the total price of €30 for the FDJ and Cannondale jersey's posted.

Squidgy Black

I think you should buy them all. Everything.

Yeah wearing full team kit is a bit goofy, but if you start mashing two team kits together ie a Sky jersey and BMC bibs, you'll probably be lynched.

theSHU

all the kit, ride like ****

theSHU

Roger Hassenforder

Red Belly wrote: »

However I came across this http://www.assosfactoryoutlet.com/men/shorts/t-fi-mille-s5-blue-1895.html


RB

thats the first time Ive seen a bloke with cameltoe.
buy what ever the other option is, they're brutal

slap/dash

Jerseys ok, but team shorts generally seem to have low quality chamois

hueylewis

Buy and wear whatever gives the best bang for buck, and what you feel most comfortable in. If that happens to be a team or branded kit, so be it. Ignore the "rules" about how you dress, unless you're still in high school. There are more important things to worry your mind with.

Darkglasses

Although I do like team kits myself, you do get better value going for normal gear.

Leroy42

Might be a better price in the outlet but that is still €150 euros for shorts? It is more akin to turning up in fell Predator (or whatever top line boots exists nowadays) for your local 5 a side.

This is the type of gear the pros wear, but they are doing stages of full on racing, you are doing sportives (nothing wrong with that it's what I do).

Do you really need top of line kit.

A decent pair of shorts (€50) will see you through most days easily.

Remember, Merckx et all used to use wool jerseys etc and although it is better to have nicer kit there comes a point that you are buying the PR rather than stuff you actually need.

Saying that, if you can afford to spend 150 instead of 50 then go ahead its your money.

I know that people will be on saying that Assos etc are brilliant etc, which I am sure they are, but are they worth the extra money for amatuer cyclists?

ednwireland

Leroy42 wrote: »

Do you really need top of line kit.

A decent pair of shorts (€50) will see you through most

I know that people will be on saying that Assos etc are brilliant etc, which I am sure they are, but are they worth the extra money for amatuer cyclists?

wear santini shorts mainly 70 to a 100euro plus . once you get over 100km plus decent shorts are a must. know plenty who swear by assos. cheaper shorts are ok for 20-30km (for me ). had some replica sky shorts which were crap. my vermac omega pharma lotto shorts are great mind.

as far as are they worth it only you can decide. but if your doing lots of miles you need decent shorts.

Leroy42

decent shorts absolutely, assos are top of the line not just decent.

there is a big difference between Lidl type shorts and Santini/nalini etc. Is the difference between Santini and assos really worth twice the price.

Very personal choice, in a very personal area, but I have used craft shorts (€70) on W200 and evil Boards 200 and its the shorts thats causing you problems at the end its the fact I cant mmove my legs

mirv

Totally agree with Leroy on gear overload.

Same thing goes for lads (but especially heavier lads) on 1200g wheelsets which cost the better part of a grand, and are simultaneously less comfortable and less durable - there's a point of diminishing returns. Squeaky and badly maintained campy 11 speed or dura ace/ultegra and 10/11 speed electronic groupsets are another pet peeve of mine. There's no point buying the best if you're not going to take care of it.

I guess the clothing equivalent would be like you're better off buying two 70-80e shorts than a single 150e short just simply because you can wear clean shorts two days in a row without having to wash them. Too much padding can chafe just as badly as too little padding. If the pad and fit suits you it doesn't matter how much it costs.

Full on team kit can be a bit naff, but if I ever see a Maillot Jaune or a Polka Dot jersey I'll try to chase him down if I've the legs!

Red Belly

Thanks for all the input. Have decided to go with a set of Santini bibs (non-team branded) for about €60 and saving me dosh for some winter gear.

RB

rollingscone

It might just be a reflection of my crapness but I don't want to wear anything that might create an expectation that I might be good at stuff.

ford2600

Red Belly wrote: »

Thanks for all the input. Have decided to go with a set of Santini bibs (non-team branded) for about €60 and saving me dosh for some winter gear.

RB

Try prendas for sale items

TinyExplosions

Those shorts are really fucking comfortable, I'd have no problem spending that on a pair of shorts -it's amazing how many folk will spend thousands on a crabon bike, but then go 'urgh, 150 beans is far too much for a pair of shorts'.

Buy em

Craig06

Buy the best gear you can afford. I have castelli gear and the quality is fantastic. It pays to buy the best for comfort and durability

helimachoptor

I work for Sky so wear the kit, however as one of my friends said after the tour if Louth... Dressed like a pro, cycled like a schmo!