Long Distance Cycling - Highest quality road biking apparel

Hi Peeps, simple question...if cost was no concern, what's the best brand/piece of road bike clothing you've ever worn/tried on an wouldn't mind sporting a whole wardrobe? I've been doing some shopping and I'm finding out Sugoi / Assos / Castelli is what I've seen to be high quality stuff. I've recently purchased assos arm and leg warmers. Though I did pay a bit more out of pocket, I'm extremely pleased with the fit, weight, and flexibility of the material. Granted I use it almost every day, I don't see why it's unreasonable to invest in pieces of clothing similar to these, instead of going through clothing of less quality and having to replace them frequently.

Most expensive, and stylish, definitely Rapha

http://www.rapha.cc

The fixed shorts are the best cycling clothing I own (they were a Christmas present). The rest of the more roadie gear also gets good reviews, but it all costs a fortune.

As far as jerseys go ... I've got a whole range of them from the extremely inexpensive to the quite expensive, and most have lasted me for a lot of years. My favorite is a yellow short-sleeved jersey I got from Nashbar for about $15 about 10 years ago .... it's bright and very comfortable. I lived in it for 3 months during a cycling tour of Australia.

Rowan just bought me a Nike merino wool long-sleeved jersey from an LBS for $20 in August. I've only had it for a little while, but I love it ... it's very soft, warm, and comfortable. I can't tell you how durable it will be yet, but even if it doesn't last me 10+ years, I think it's worth it. :) :)

AFAIK, Assos is regarded as the best out there. I've done well with Louis Garneau bibs, I also like Descente base layers. I'm not worried too much about price when it comes to bibs / shorts, as quality is very important there.

However, I haven't found much difference between a $20 Champion jersey and a $200 jersey, especially if I'm wearing a base layer anyway (which is most of the time).

Hi Peeps, simple question...if cost was no concern, what's the best brand/piece of road bike clothing you've ever worn/tried on an wouldn't mind sporting a whole wardrobe? I've been doing some shopping and I'm finding out Sugoi / Assos / Castelli is what I've seen to be high quality stuff. I've recently purchased assos arm and leg warmers. Though I did pay a bit more out of pocket, I'm extremely pleased with the fit, weight, and flexibility of the material. Granted I use it almost every day, I don't see why it's unreasonable to invest in pieces of clothing similar to these, instead of going through clothing of less quality and having to replace them frequently.

I picked up a full-sleeve Sugoi wool jersey the last time I visited Toronto and have been in love with it. My girl and I definitely agree that Sugoi has some good quality stuff.

I've also have an Ibex wool long-sleeve that has been a standby for me over the last year or so.

With all that said, I find that doing distance riding and year-round cycling will wear down any piece of clothing no matter how finely made. Both of us own Shower's Pass jackets, which are widely renown for their breathability and overall quality, but have found it difficult to maintain their waterproofing after two years.

How about this, $305 for a plastic top

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=440

I recently picked up a touring jacket that is awesome. It's made by a company named showers pass. It's a good winter/pouring rain riding jacket. They also make a lighter version called the double century it woud be ideal for spring/summer riding.

bib shorts there are two i have found really good.

Assos (FI-13) are incredibly comfortable for long distances, but very expensive.

I also really like Giordana (laser line) -- less $$, more stylish and more durable.

For anything up to a 200k, I'm really happy with my Performance Ultra bib shorts. Especially in really hot weather. Actually, I did a double century in them this summer and they were comfortable, but after about 175mi I could have done with a bit more padding than they have. I think I spent $80 on them, and they're my warm weather commuter shorts as well.
Now that it's cool and rainy, I'm wearing PI Gavia Plus bib tights. I nabbed them on sale for $170, but I think they retail for about $225. Worth every penny, IMO. They're pretty much like wearing a 1.5mm bib-john wetsuit with windproof front panels and a chamois pad. They're super warm, the back panels are breathable so you don't overheat, and they use the PI 3-D Pro chamois which is bulky and uncomfortable when off the bike, but it's like sitting on a cloud when your butt's on the saddle.
I'm thinking about trying a pair of Assos FI.Mille bibs next summer. I talked to the distance crew at my LBS and they all seemed to be of the opinion that the real benefit to the FI.13 shorts starts to kick in over the 400km distance. I don't have any plans for going much farther than 400km, so (believe it or not) their suggestion was the less expensive FI.Mille bib.

For jerseys, I'm far less picky. I've got my freebie company team jersey (East Bay Sports brand, 3/4 length zip, very thin lightweight race fit), and my freebie TdC jersey (Louis Garneau brand, 1/4 length zip, lightweight club fit), then I have my long sleeve Performance Tundra II super-heavyweight full zip. I have a couple of wicking t-shirts I got for $10 on sale at Performance, and sometimes I just wear that instead of a jersey.

I like PI gloves for the fit and cushioning. PI Gel Race shorties for warm weather, and PI Cyclone full finger for rain/wind/cold.

I don't care much about socks. In the winter I wear thin Smartwool hiking socks and in the summer I wear whatever freebie schwag they give away at events I attend. I did buy 1 pair (DeFeet brand, maybe) at my LBS because they have the shop logo on them.

I like PI gloves for the fit and cushioning. PI Gel Race shorties for warm weather, and PI Cyclone full finger for rain/wind/cold.
just as a dissenting opinion -- over the last couple of years, I've found the quality of Pearl Izumi Gel gloves to be wretched. Normally, within two or three months, they are start to spontaneously shred or lose adhesion on the palms.

I've owned a set of Pearl Izumi AmFib lobster claws and these, however, have been generally excellent. It just seems that their more mass-market, base glove models are sacrificing quality for quantity.

Lately I've been riding with Specialized Body Geometry gloves and have been generally pleased with them.

just as a dissenting opinion -- over the last couple of years, I've found the quality of Pearl Izumi Gel gloves to be wretched. Normally, within two or three months, they are start to spontaneously shred or lose adhesion on the palms.

Odd. I've never had that problem. I go through maybe a pair of PI Gel Race shorties in a "warm season" (about 7 or 8 months) and I've had my Cyclones for going on 2 years now and they get everyday use for about 1/3 of the year.
What kind of bar tape do you use? (could some tape cause faster wear-and-tear on gloves?) I have Co-Union cork mix, which is a fairly cushy tape.

Odd. I've never had that problem. I go through maybe a pair of PI Gel Race shorties in a "warm season" (about 7 or 8 months) and I've had my Cyclones for going on 2 years now and they get everyday use for about 1/3 of the year.
What kind of bar tape do you use? (could some tape cause faster wear-and-tear on gloves?) I have Co-Union cork mix, which is a fairly cushy tape.

ooh, that is an interesting theory. I've normally been using standard Cinelli cork tape, but never found them to be too abrasive. mmm... I'm still pretty happy with my Specialized Gloves, but I'm curious enough to ask other riders if I see them with PIs.

How about this, $305 for a plastic top

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=440

they also sell an $85 dollar bandana, and a $750 dollar jacket! having said that, i own a rapha jacket - was it worth the money? prolly not, but oh well.

for me, ibex is where it's at. my cycling uniform these days consists of: ibex wool knickers, ibex wool base layer, ibex wool LS jersey, ibex wool hat. oh and their wool arm warmers too. i'm all ibex!!

they also sell an $85 dollar bandana, and a $750 dollar jacket! having said that, i own a rapha jacket - was it worth the money? prolly not, but oh well.

for me, ibex is where it's at. my cycling uniform these days consists of: ibex wool knickers, ibex wool base layer, ibex wool LS jersey, ibex wool hat. oh and their wool arm warmers too. i'm all ibex!!

I'm never buying a jacket that costs almost twice what my frame did! :lol:

I was checking out the Ibex jerseys at SVC a couple weeks ago, and I'm debating whether to get one of those, or to go with a lighter weight wool baselayer longsleeve for under my neon-lime commuting jersey. (I'm leaning that direction, for the night time visibility aspect.)

I'm never buying a jacket that costs almost twice what my frame did! :lol:

but it's tweed! =]

for me, ibex is where it's at. my cycling uniform these days consists of: ibex wool knickers, ibex wool base layer, ibex wool LS jersey, ibex wool hat. oh and their wool arm warmers too. i'm all ibex!!

if you decide you need an ibex sleeveless jersey too, REI Outlet has them on sale now (http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/777059), 55% off. on days where it's cool but not quite cold and the temps aren't likely to change much, i've been using them with a l/s wool base layer.

ibex wool and wabi wool. the rest suck.

they also sell an $85 dollar bandana, and a $750 dollar jacket! having said that, i own a rapha jacket - was it worth the money? prolly not, but oh well.

for me, ibex is where it's at. my cycling uniform these days consists of: ibex wool knickers, ibex wool base layer, ibex wool LS jersey, ibex wool hat. oh and their wool arm warmers too. i'm all ibex!!

OMG chcek this out

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=539

My default gear is a pair of Rapha fixed shorts (actually knickers). They are expensive but for fall riding they are fantastic. On top I use Smartwool long sleeve zip T-shirts and in the cold I add a Marmot driclime windshirt. I also always have a bandana, but it's a $1.50 one from REI

Kucharik (http://www.kucharik.com/) makes really nice merino wool jerseys, more durable than Ibex IMO. Castelli makes excellent bib shorts and tights. I've got some Ibex tights that I really like. Assos makes beautiful stuff, but it ain't cheap.

fan of the ibex. knickers, shorts, and jerseys. along with the woolie base layers and several jackets, hats, and liner gloves. and arm warmers and knee warmers. big fan of the wool and wool blend. i'll pick up their new bib shorts when i can.

i'm eyeing some of the woolistic stuff. tempted to have them do a run of a jersey i'm desiging.

i also love my bicycle fixation knickers. i've worn them around town - they are so comfy i'm tempted to wear them for ld stuff.

some of the rapha stuff looks great too - but i've heard hit and miss on the quality - some folks impressed, others not - esp. for the price.

i've got a drawer full or synthetic jerseys - some pricey, some not. i wear the better quality ones in the summer when i don't mind looking like the cycling alien.

re:spokenwork from 11/10

I bought a pair of PI gloves this summer that came apart between the fingers on one of the gloves. Strangely, they have stayed together enough to still use but they are not what they should be.

+1 on Rapha. Mosht of my bibs and jerseys I bought from them. While it may be pricey, the stuff is no more than Assos (which is NOT as good and way overhyped). The quality of Rapha is top notch, and I can say the stuff lasts a lot longer than anything else I've tried. The fit is wonderful and the customer service is better than anything. For example, I had an issue with a pair of socks. Some stiching was flawed and came undone after a few months. Returned it and they were replaced right away. They even refunded my shipping costs to send it back.

I think Sugoi is pretty good too. Never heard any complaints. Craft as well. I would say the base layer clothing, as well as the jerseys, are among the best you can get.

Today I bought a high-collar zip-front Smartwool base layer from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/723969). It's great for underneath my synthetic hi-vis winter jersey, and when it warms up a bit it won't be bad all on its own (although I may rethink that, since it doesn't have any pockets.) With the 20% off one item coupon, it was only $64.00
Unlike Performance "wool" jerseys, this is 100% merino wool, while the Performance stuff (even the Pearl Izumi Mammoth jersey) is a wool/acrylic blend.

I ride a lot, both in California and Europe, and some high quality brands that never fail for me (no matter the weather) are: Nalini/ Moa, Santini and Exteondo. Also, I always buy online at this place: www.nonsstopciclismo.com

- They are the best, with great prices and amazing service!

Cheers,
Cphgrl

Today I bought a high-collar zip-front Smartwool base layer from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/723969). It's great for underneath my synthetic hi-vis winter jersey, and when it warms up a bit it won't be bad all on its own (although I may rethink that, since it doesn't have any pockets.) With the 20% off one item coupon, it was only $64.00
Unlike Performance "wool" jerseys, this is 100% merino wool, while the Performance stuff (even the Pearl Izumi Mammoth jersey) is a wool/acrylic blend.

+1 on those Smartwoll zip Ts. I always wear one and I don't miss the back pockets. I use the mid weight an find it good on it's own on the hottest of days and combine it with a Marmot Driclime windshirt/jacket for temps in below 55 down into the 30s

Interesting thread. Nobody has mentioned Sugoi RS bib shorts. Gotta put in a positive plug for them. I have been using them for about 3 years now and they are really comfortable (for me). They are about $145, but they seem to last forever. They ride great on long, hilly rides in hot weather.
Cheers

Shorts:
I am a huge fan of the Louis Garneau Lycra Power 2 shorts. So much so I want the bibs too. Waiting for a sale. My second favs are my Boure Elite Shorts. Again I would like a pair of bibs. They look terrible on the site but the craftsmanship is high and the chamy is real leather, which is great for really long days in the saddle.

Jersey:
My fav is my Hammer jersey. It's a euro race fit Voler jersey with full zip. I know it's nothing special but the fit it perfect and the quality of the material and construction is great. Far better than the Castelli jersey I have.

Gloves:
I like my PI Pittards leather but open to something new.

Rapha stuff is stylish, construction ranges from good to average (e.g. my leg warmers stitching is already falling apart... and the coloring of the material is not very impressive)

For wool, I prefer Icebreaker over Ibex or Kucharik. Better fit and style. Smartwool is good but not as comfy to me.

Sugoi and Campy stuff seems well made. Castelli stuff is good looking, construction is decent but not stellar. I have a Hincapie jersey that I like a lot, but can't comment on their bibs or shorts. Boure stuff is well-made, but not flatlock seamed. My Voler shorts are pretty nice so far, but I like a bit more compression.

Begin Rant
What I dislike about a lot of the bike companies is their use of their fabrics with disguised names, making it hard to actually evaluate on the technical merits. Why Assos thinks they can get away making a rain jacket that isn't eVent at the prices they charge, I just don't think I'll understand. Either you are making the best stuff and using the best materials, or you aren't. Frankly, even at the high end of cycling wear, there isn't really a ton of innovation going on and the construction varies. Stuff like aerogels, d3o, eVent, Outlast should be in regular use at the prices they are charging. Skiwear and hiking gear seems to be more aggressive about adopting this sort of stuff.

Does anyone wear wool shorts? I have been looking at the Boure wool shorts and was just wondering what the pro and cons were to wearing them.

Does anyone wear wool shorts? I have been looking at the Boure wool shorts and was just wondering what the pro and cons were to wearing them.

love my ibex.

+ 1 on the Icebreaker. I got a cycling jersey last year and I really like it. I got a couple of Icebreaker shirts and I wear them all the time, the Icebreaker EXP serie is really comfy for riding and hiking. I climbed Mount Fuji wearing only two layers.

Merino wool is my new favorite.

shorts and bibs: assos shorts are the best quality, most comfortable I have worn, GREAT pad. Hincappie shorts/bibs are very, very good as well. Also good and comfortable are Pearl Izumi PRO bibs and shorts. Ibex wool bibs, shorts and jerseys are very comfortable but the pads are not quite as good as the above IMO. In the future I will save up and buy only assos mille shorts and bibs when they are on sale.

Agreed, Rapha is tops: Fixed shorts, Fixed jersey, club jersey, softshell, musette bag, etc.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the Woolistic jerseys. They have a temperature range from 25-80 degrees and you can sometimes get front pockets! The fabric and build quality is the best I have seen in over 30 years (there is no way you can beat some of the wool-silk blend jerseys from the 50's). In hot weather you can douse the jersey in water and ride for over an hour with air conditioning. Unfortunately my wife got laid off so I can't replenish my supply, three jerseys have lasted for nine years of nearly continuous commuting. I have two left but both need replacing soon. And wearing a Molteni replica jersey...priceless.