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Cycling clothes review

L

luelling

Guest
I was hoping this could be made a sticky and so we could post up reviews on the different brands and types of clothing we own.

Background: I have ridden, in the past, primarily Verge Sports clothing.

The review:
Onto my initial impressions of the Louis Garneau Ergo Sensor 2 Short. I bought this product off a website (nashbar.com) and one of the things that attracted me to it was the chamois, it has a unique multi panel design. In a short I am REALLY picky about the the chamois; I want a chamois that will conform to my underside and keep saddle sores at bay, but yet be comfortable to ride in.

I did a four hour ride today (initial ride) in these shorts and I had no problem with chafe (I normally put a little Assos cream on during longer rides). The material of the short seems to be a looser, or more spacious, thread. They seem to be a bit more "see through". I like this because the short breathes really well.

Overall I would say the short is good, I would give it a 4/5 stars. My only complaint (and this may go away with time) is that the chamois rubbed together a bit funny when sprinting out of the saddle.

<edit> I'll add to this review in a couple of weeks after I have more time in the short
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
Big ups for the Pearl Izumi 3D Chamois.
I just got some Verge shorts that my friend's team had made up, and I'm not super impressed with their chamois.
I also just got some Giordana shorts, and they rule, great padding. Ditto for the high-end Nike stuff, have a pair of those.
 

LordOpie

MOTHER HEN
Oct 17, 2002
21,022
3
Denver
SHORTS
Descente Aero-X Pro bibs
In my hunt for good shorts, I first did NOT want a diaper. Too many shorts have way too much padding. I wanted a high-quality chamois that focused on sweat absorbtion and had non-irritating seams. You'd think that'd be easy, but apparently not. Thiniest chamois that did its job.

SOCKS
Ingenius cycling sock
Doesn't seem like a big deal to most people, but I fvcking hate seams and most cycling socks had seams that irritated the outside toes. These have great seams, or lack thereof, and wick moisture away.


I'm far less picky about jersey, gloves, and skull caps.
 

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
Shorts:
Forte (basic's) Suck, started to chaff after 45min
Pearl's, great chamois, but not enough padding for my taste
Canari Gel's... AWESOME! Just the right amount of padding, since it's gel, it doesn't get flattened out over time. Awesome Chamois even though some pilling started up after the 20th hour or so

Socks:
Injinji Toe Socks, laugh if you will, but once you wear them, you'll never go back to a regular sock
http://www.rei.com/product/728371?vcat=REI_SSHP_MENS_CLOTHING_TOC
 

Silver

find me a tampon
Jul 20, 2002
10,840
1
Orange County, CA
I like Castelli shorts. Jerseys...anything with a full zip is nice. Why are those so hard to find?

edit: By shorts, I mean bibs. I don't have any roadie shorts.
 

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,669
1,847
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
I just got a pair of Sugoi Flex Shorts (Team Luna Chix uniform) and they are quite comfy. I also have a pair of the Sugoi (TLC) Tri-shorts and haven't had a problem with either short moving (sometimes they pull up and down my legs when I am riding in and out of the saddle) and both have no issues with chaffing.
 

Pbody

Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
341
0
I've always wondered the performance (sorry, no pun intended) of Performance branded clothing, namely the riding shorts. Do they hold up (stitching, lycra, leg grippers)? Is the chamois comfortable? I've read elsewhere, that performace usually uses other brands shorts and puts their "P" logo on them, so it may be hit'n miss on the exact materials you get. What is everyone's experience. Come on, DON'T BE SHY NOW!:redface:
 

LordOpie

MOTHER HEN
Oct 17, 2002
21,022
3
Denver
I tried on one of the more expensive Performance Bibs and felt like I was wearing a diaper.

I don't like that much padding/chamois, so I can't say more than that.
 

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
54,225
20,003
Sleazattle
I recently got the Microsensors with the thinnest 10mm 3-D pro chamois. Awesome, less is more in this case.
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
:stupid: I am riding both Nike Race short and Nike Race bibs. I prefer them even to the Pro short.
I rode with the pro and race shorts back-to-back, and I have to say I like the pros better. I didn't even notice the pros, but for some reason the chamios in the race ones just 'feels noticeable' -- it is the same chamios, but...
 

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
Cannondale LE Carbon windstop base layer/ long sleeve....
unreal. unfortunately, the seams appear to be a little weak. starting to fray after wearing it twice. rather disappointing given how awesome this thing is otherwise.

tried one of PI's EKG base layers today...still wearing it, short sleeve. just as nice, from what i can tell. i love the fit of both base layers, however, i prefer the fit of the PI more. probably because of the lack of a wind-stopping material.

both work very well, PI's a little cheaper.
 

reflux

Turbo Monkey
Mar 18, 2002
4,617
2
G14 Classified
What do you guys ride in terms of gloves? I'm looking for a new pair of full-finger gloves that would jive with CA's warm weather and mild winter. Thanks.
 

splat

Nam I am
What do you guys ride in terms of gloves? I'm looking for a new pair of full-finger gloves that would jive with CA's warm weather and mild winter. Thanks.
I have a Set of Crafts which are good for between about 25 and 50 degrees,

I just got a set of heavy duty Lizard Skins for the really cold stuff, I also have a Set of Perl-ixumi lobster claws for the cold stuff too.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
Picked up a pair of Rapha bib shorts not too long ago and wanted to report that they are great. Stuff is really pricey but super comfy.

http://www.rapha.cc/

Also, now that the chilly weather is here I need to restate my love for Swobo wool jerseys. The benefits of wool have been said before, but for those who don't know, wool is amazingly versatile and will keep you comfortable across a broad temperature range. Swobo also makes a messenger/pant-style knicker that is pretty cool, along with comfy base layers, etc.
 

cycleryshop

Chimp
Oct 23, 2007
66
0
I wouldn't have thought about buying clothes from this company, but I am using a pair of Specialized Bib Knickers. I like them so much, I stopped wearing baggies over them.
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
What do you guys ride in terms of gloves? I'm looking for a new pair of full-finger gloves that would jive with CA's warm weather and mild winter. Thanks.

I picked up a pair of these last year for the cooler days(around 40°). They have a leather palm with no padding. I also picked up a pair of cheap windproof gloves that I can pull over them for colder/wetter days. They work great for Texas winters.*







*I do sweat a lot(even in the winter) so I tend to wear stuff that is a little warmer so when it gets wet it is still warm.
 

Silver

find me a tampon
Jul 20, 2002
10,840
1
Orange County, CA
Got some Demarchi Contour Racing bibs from Steepandcheap for $70 last week.

Goddamn they are nice. Way too expensive at regular price though...
 

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
I'm not very impressed with the few pieces of under armour stuff I have.


Sweat(wrist) bands -- stretched out in less than 10 ride/wash cycles.

Running shorts -- the elactic waist is stretched out. I bought a pair of Nike shorts at the same time that are still fine.
 

Silver

find me a tampon
Jul 20, 2002
10,840
1
Orange County, CA
Damn it. I got sniped on those.
The little "Racing" graphics on the side are flaking off already...

I'm actually happy about that, because I think it looks stupid. Having said that, the difference between $100 bibs and $250 bibs isn't that big.
 
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ire

Turbo Monkey
Aug 6, 2007
6,196
4
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-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
I've toying with the idea of just taking some Dickies over to a tailor and asking them to make 'em shorter and not so damn baggy.
 

proglife

Monkey
Apr 18, 2002
339
0
Annapolis, MD
Those are the ugliest shorts I've seen.
this is only untrue because lycra shorts exist. i'm just looking for some shorts that are A) not lyrca, B) not baggy, C) not extremely short and D) lightweight.

I realize stuff like this is the darling of Pista riding hipsters, but I live in a town without hipsters, so I think I'd still be able to sleep at night.
 

proglife

Monkey
Apr 18, 2002
339
0
Annapolis, MD
How can Lycra not be an option? If you are riding a bike for more than ten or 15 minutes, lycra is the only option.
Well, right now I'm wearing lycra under some mesh shorts. That's fine with me, I just wish the mesh shorts were thinner in the leg.

Lycra without shorts over top is not an option for me. My rides are not any more than 35 miles.
 

dsotm

Monkey
Jul 21, 2006
151
0
WRJ, VT
Cannondale LE Carbon windstop base layer/ long sleeve....
unreal. unfortunately, the seams appear to be a little weak. starting to fray after wearing it twice. rather disappointing given how awesome this thing is otherwise.

tried one of PI's EKG base layers today...still wearing it, short sleeve. just as nice, from what i can tell. i love the fit of both base layers, however, i prefer the fit of the PI more. probably because of the lack of a wind-stopping material.

both work very well, PI's a little cheaper.
I think weak seams is a hallmark of cannondale. I have two pairs of surpass shorts. I love them, but the seams are pretty much gone after only 1500 miles (tops).
 

Squeak

Get your pork here.
Sep 26, 2001
1,546
0
COlo style
http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=47&product_id=1318546

Ok. I picked up a pair of these pants to use for commuting, snowy mtb rides, and cyclocross warmup laps.

They are a waterproof, breathable pant. They have a cool built in velcro strap on the right leg to avoid the dreaded chain \ pants confrontation that the chain rings always win. Zippered pockets on the left and right front. Also venting in the legs via zippers. Fairly durable, but I would not want to crash hard on pavement or anything. If you have a pair of rain pants or a rain jacket (Marmot or the like), the liner is like that. No fleece or thermal layer though.

After using them for a few months, I am glad I bought them. They are light, non restrictive, and hold in some warmth pretty well. I have not tested the water proof part of it in a downpour or anything like that, but yes they do seem to be water proof for the splash back ect. Trying to stay dry in a downpour on a bike is almost futile anyway, but these work well for those random puddles, snowy crashes, light drizzle times.

The one bad thing is the size, which seems typical of PI stuff. They run a little large. I got a medium and they are a little to big. Not much, but a little.
 

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,669
1,847
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
Socks:
Swiftwick socks. I have multiple pairs of the merino wool version as well as the olefin version and they are hands-down the best socks I own (including my smartwool socks). They aren't super thick but they definitely hug your feet and keep them warm and dry in the winter (wool) and cool and happy in the summer (olefin). I won't be buying any other brand anytime soon!

Shoes:
I got a pair of the new Mavic Tempo mountain bike shoes in May and they are AWESOME! Nice stiff sole, very adjustable and the fit is just perfect for my foot! I ran them in my 24 hour race this past weekend and they held up to the abuse of torrential downpours and peanut butter mud and still remained comfortable. They're quite breathable too which is nice for those long warm rides, and somehow my feet didn't get too cold when the temps dipped after the rains too (probably the socks and the nice mud coating over the shoes). I highly recommend them as they are reasonable priced too!
 

maddog17

Turbo Monkey
Jan 20, 2008
2,815
105
Methuen, Mass. U.S.A.
anyone use 3/4 knickers for mtb'ing? i've been wanting to get a pair of loose fit one's but can't seem to find a decent pair. it would be nice to have a removable chamois liner but it's not a deal breaker. so if you have a pair (no pun intended) chime in on pro's and con's.
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
anyone use 3/4 knickers for mtb'ing? i've been wanting to get a pair of loose fit one's but can't seem to find a decent pair. it would be nice to have a removable chamois liner but it's not a deal breaker. so if you have a pair (no pun intended) chime in on pro's and con's.
Knickers rule. I almost miss living up where it was cold a lot of the year, just so I could wear them. I have a couple of pairs of Pearl Izumi, but my favorite is a Castelli cold-weather pair. I prefer chamois in, that way you're not bundling a lot of layers.
Oh, non of mine are loose-fit though, they're lycra/road. Still, they rule.
What about just getting some nice knee warmers?