What justifies an "expensive" kit
04-06-13 | 06:29 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Brown Jersey Winner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 13
From: The Bad Woods.
Material and construction. R&D costs.
A better example/ place to not skimp out on for comfort are bibs/ shorts, a higher end pair has more panels sewn together providing a more ergonomic and less restrictive fit that better hugs your body providing more freedom in addition to a chamois that is likewise with such bells and whistles as variable density foam, etc.
All of which require more man hours, materials, hardware, skill to produce.
A better example/ place to not skimp out on for comfort are bibs/ shorts, a higher end pair has more panels sewn together providing a more ergonomic and less restrictive fit that better hugs your body providing more freedom in addition to a chamois that is likewise with such bells and whistles as variable density foam, etc.
All of which require more man hours, materials, hardware, skill to produce.
I can definitely understand the bibs half of it, though 300 for just that is outrageous either way
04-06-13 | 06:38 PM
#28
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,354
Likes: 6,128
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
ill always buy the cheapest possible thing thats comfertable
hopefully im racing well and i dont have to pay for clothes but thats not every year
hopefully im racing well and i dont have to pay for clothes but thats not every year
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
04-06-13 | 08:57 PM
#29
Painfully average.
Joined: Jun 2010
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Bikes: Caad10 / All-City SP
04-08-13 | 03:56 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
Comfort.
Material.
Construction.
Cut/Style.
I bolded the things that are more important to me, personally.
Material.
Construction.
Cut/Style.
I bolded the things that are more important to me, personally.
04-12-13 | 01:31 AM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 1
From: Woolloomooloo, Australia
Bikes: A fixed gear, a vintage roadie and a POS.
Having owned a range of knicks and jerseys at various price points, for me, the difference is cut, quality and style.
Cheap knicks usually have chamois that ends up like a wet, bunched up nappy, while good knicks fit well and have a chamois you can ride all day on. The materials don't stretch out and sag, or become see through after 6 months, and the bibs don't dig in to your shoulders. They jerseys hold their shape and colour, they also breathe and don't cling to you like a wet plastic bag.
Assos and RAPHA can always be found on sale (around $140-150) and at that price they are competitive. They aren't as expensive as CAPOFORMA and couple of other lesser know, high quality brands. Quality gear will usually always outlast the cheap stuff and is much more comfortable to wear for longer periods. It's not all about 'brand names'.
Cheap knicks usually have chamois that ends up like a wet, bunched up nappy, while good knicks fit well and have a chamois you can ride all day on. The materials don't stretch out and sag, or become see through after 6 months, and the bibs don't dig in to your shoulders. They jerseys hold their shape and colour, they also breathe and don't cling to you like a wet plastic bag.
Assos and RAPHA can always be found on sale (around $140-150) and at that price they are competitive. They aren't as expensive as CAPOFORMA and couple of other lesser know, high quality brands. Quality gear will usually always outlast the cheap stuff and is much more comfortable to wear for longer periods. It's not all about 'brand names'.
04-12-13 | 07:06 PM
#32
:)
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1
From: duluth
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
I rock a nasty old arse rummage sale Tommy Hillfigger jersey and army shorts for long (100k+ rides), if anyone one asks, I tell them that I am sponsored.
04-14-13 | 06:34 PM
#34
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic
Fits well, feels good.
My team uses top of the line Pearl Izumi stuff, but the my Rapha Classic bibs are still much more comfortable.
I didn't think there would be a huge difference but there was a noticeable one.
My team uses top of the line Pearl Izumi stuff, but the my Rapha Classic bibs are still much more comfortable.
I didn't think there would be a huge difference but there was a noticeable one.
Last edited by Jaytron; 04-14-13 at 06:38 PM.
04-15-13 | 12:03 AM
#37
THE STUFFED
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
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From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone Gen 8
04-16-13 | 10:58 PM
#38
Sqrl
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
I'm a big fan of both champ-sys and Voler. Both will sell you solid colour kits if you ask nicely.
04-17-13 | 12:11 AM
#40
Fixie Infamous
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,480
Likes: 28
Each or total?
04-17-13 | 11:32 AM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,088
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ
04-17-13 | 11:50 AM
#42
Sqrl
Joined: Mar 2012
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04-17-13 | 12:06 PM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
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From: San Francisco, CA
04-17-13 | 12:40 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,088
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ
Haha, I was looking around seeing if any other websites had deals on Rapha gear and stumbled across that. I had to share.
There's a shop in Scottsdale that sells Rapha, might head there sometime soon and drop some bank.
Speaking of specials though, are there any good websites for finding good gear marked down? I know competitive cyclist has stuff on occasion.
There's a shop in Scottsdale that sells Rapha, might head there sometime soon and drop some bank.
Speaking of specials though, are there any good websites for finding good gear marked down? I know competitive cyclist has stuff on occasion.
04-17-13 | 01:25 PM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 2
Theclymb.com has some good deals popping up from time to time, you get a daily email of whats on sale that day.You get all kinds of outdoor stuff so you have to be patient and wait for bike stuff to come up. Ive seen quite a bit of chrome bags up there though.
04-17-13 | 01:28 PM
#47
sniffin' glue
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,177
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From: Seattle
Bikes: Surly crosscheck ssfg, Custom vintage french racing bike, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road
it's possible to justify just about anything to yourself...
just don't do with cheap bibs, i did once and learned a major lesson when i noticed that the material was flaking away and they had become see through....scared some children that day
just don't do with cheap bibs, i did once and learned a major lesson when i noticed that the material was flaking away and they had become see through....scared some children that day
04-17-13 | 02:17 PM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,088
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ