Jackets!
#127
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 12
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Surly CreamRoller. 98 Giant Rincon. SE UVT
I have that chrome cobra hoodie size medium in the mail as my xmas gift from my rents. I hope its not to small but I like my hoodies snug anyway but i just want to be able to fit a plain old navy hoodie underneath so i hope theres enough room for it. My riding gear now is just a emerica skateboarding jacket with a hoodie underneath or a hoodie with a hoodie with another hoodie over it with fur lined hood and a neff beanie works good but i need something windproof the cold air blows straight threw all of that so I hope this works a lot better than what im doing now.
#129
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
I came across the Nike Vapor jacket a little while ago. Has the tapered back as well as a hood. I like it, but it's expensive for what it is, i think.
https://www.zappos.com/nike-vapor-jacket
https://www.zappos.com/nike-vapor-jacket
#131
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Unless you normally wear small stuff, it won't be big enough. The Cobra hoodies run a full size small.
#132
One-track, one-speed mind
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MO
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Rustbelt Marco polo bike
I've only had two experiences with Chrome, and one of of the two involved a return. They handle returns well IMO. Free shipping label is always a plus. So if it's too small Philasteve, worry not.
#133
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Chrome support explicitly says they don't do exchanges (but you can return for refund + re-order), but my experience is that if you call them on the phone and talk to them about it they're pretty awesome about it.
Basically, the Cobra is sized like an under layer, not a hoodie.
I know about the Cobra sizing because I got a M hoodie during that 50% off ibike deal, and it was definitely too tight for an over-layer. I'm 6'2 175 and achieve a rather "euro" fit in Medium american apparel, sugoi, and pearl izumi. I wear large in Castelli. ...so that should give you an idea of how the Cobra sizing compares. I could still wear it, but it was snug and all I could fit under it was a poly baselayer. Definitely no room for a sweater or wool jersey under the Cobra.
On the other hand, if you're going to be using the hoodie as an under layer (poly + cobra + orion, for example) then the sizing is probably more true.
Basically, the Cobra is sized like an under layer, not a hoodie.
I know about the Cobra sizing because I got a M hoodie during that 50% off ibike deal, and it was definitely too tight for an over-layer. I'm 6'2 175 and achieve a rather "euro" fit in Medium american apparel, sugoi, and pearl izumi. I wear large in Castelli. ...so that should give you an idea of how the Cobra sizing compares. I could still wear it, but it was snug and all I could fit under it was a poly baselayer. Definitely no room for a sweater or wool jersey under the Cobra.
On the other hand, if you're going to be using the hoodie as an under layer (poly + cobra + orion, for example) then the sizing is probably more true.
Last edited by dsh; 12-10-10 at 11:21 AM.
#134
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 12
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Surly CreamRoller. 98 Giant Rincon. SE UVT
Thanks for the info dsh it should be perfect then i usually wear size small hoodies im pretty small 5'8 140 so he med should be perfect thats what size i buy all my cycling clothes in.
#135
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Ah given your size you're probably gonna be in perfect shape.
The cobra is pretty awesome, I've been liking it quite a bit. Just make sure you've got something to stop the wind (I've got a softshell vest that does the trick), because wind rips right through the thin merino.
Once you cure the wind, though, it is deceptively warm. Poly + Cobra + Windbreaker is good into the 30's as long as you keep moving.
The cobra is pretty awesome, I've been liking it quite a bit. Just make sure you've got something to stop the wind (I've got a softshell vest that does the trick), because wind rips right through the thin merino.
Once you cure the wind, though, it is deceptively warm. Poly + Cobra + Windbreaker is good into the 30's as long as you keep moving.
#138
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
So how long should I wait before posting my review of the Orion?
#142
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
But would that new bike keep you warm and dry on a rainy winter day?
Says the Rascal-bound wal-mart patron:
"$800 for a bicycle?? For $800 I could get a new big screen TV!"
Says the Rascal-bound wal-mart patron:
"$800 for a bicycle?? For $800 I could get a new big screen TV!"
#145
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 2
From: Modesto, Ca
Bikes: klein quantum, litespeed tuscany, bianchi pista concept, centurion comp ta, centurion super le mans, traitor ringleader
i couldn't afford the orion jacket, so all i got were the sleeves.
best jacket sleeves ive ever worn.
best jacket sleeves ive ever worn.
#149
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,834
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
The ergonomics of the vertical center-chest pocket are unfathomable.
#150
.


Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
I've got a number of cycling jackets, depending upon how cold it is. This PI Elite Thermal is quite nice at $120:

I got the red but it also comes in hipster-approved black.
Campagnolo makes a winter jacket that I'd like to get called the Heritage Thermal. $150 or so.

When it's 40 or below, windproof front panels are a must but the rest of the jacket doesn't need to be.
The trick to riding in the cold is that to be comfortable on a decent ride you will be cold for the first ten minutes. If you are plenty warm at the start, you will be burning up ten minutes later.
Here's a pic of me riding at 40-45F at Little River Canyon near Fort Payne, AL.

baselayer, jersey, arm and knee warmers, full finger gloves, booties over my summer shoes and headband for my ears. In my back pocket I had a windbreaker vest just in case.

I got the red but it also comes in hipster-approved black.
Campagnolo makes a winter jacket that I'd like to get called the Heritage Thermal. $150 or so.

When it's 40 or below, windproof front panels are a must but the rest of the jacket doesn't need to be.
The trick to riding in the cold is that to be comfortable on a decent ride you will be cold for the first ten minutes. If you are plenty warm at the start, you will be burning up ten minutes later.
Here's a pic of me riding at 40-45F at Little River Canyon near Fort Payne, AL.

baselayer, jersey, arm and knee warmers, full finger gloves, booties over my summer shoes and headband for my ears. In my back pocket I had a windbreaker vest just in case.




