Assos kit, is it worth the money?

portuguese mike

it looks fantastic on the websites, the descriptive blurb is very convincing (to a sucker like me anyway) but, man, their stuff is expensive. So, is it worth it?

I'de be particulary interested if anyone has any experience of the airblock 851 jacket cos, despite the hefty price tag, my mind is formulating cast iron reasons why my cycling pleasure will depend on it come the cooler months (or now for that matter - it was baltic this morning).

Monty Dog

It's not just the fit or the quality of the materials, but the fact that it generally lasts a lot, lot longer than the competitor's stuff. Assos don't change their ranges every year either, so your 2-3 year old kit still looks current. That said, in recent years, I've found it harder to justify their high prices. The reason that so many people use it is that if you're into serious winter riding, it's one of the few things that stays warm after 3-4 hours. Also worth considering the Gore range too - the Tool is an excellent, although less tightly cut alternative.

giant_man

Yes on the whole Assos kit is excellent and worth paying for. Their jackets, jerseys and bib shorts are brilliant. I wouldn't buy anything else. Socks very good too.

Their gloves however IME I wouldn't buy again as you can better value elsewhere.

Blonde

Yes. Never thought I'd say this, but only people who haven't tried it ever ask that!!! The shorts are probably the best buy in that they make the most diffrence to comfort. Even more sundry items like knee warmers though are better when made by assos. On Sunday we notcied how wrinkled other people's knee warmers were and how they got in the way of pedalling and bunched up beghind the knee and how other people were faffing with them all the time and pulling them up. I didn't touch mine all day. 8) Assos kit is well deisgned around fairly extensive research, with features such as very ergonomic pannelling and articulated knees/elbows and also made with very low bulk materials which mean that even the warmest winter jackets dont make you look like michelin man either!

Assos are very good at after sales service. They will send replacements or mend anything if it fails through no fault of yours, even if it's long after it is non- refundable at the retailer you bought it from. Simply send the item back to assos themseves stating the problem. They have even been known put new logos on and stich in a replacement chamois!

If you look at the catalogues (I know they look really posey and daft) they actually help you make decisons about what kit you need and which layers will work together. All their kit is based on air temperature, wind chill factor and your riding effort/intensity so you can pick the kit that's right for the conditions and you. It does work too. The kit is very versatile - if you chose items carefully you wont need to buy many itmes as they will work well together in a comprehensive layering system, without being bulky or sweaty.

top_bhoy

I have the Assos armwarmers and legwarmers and find that although I got the small legwarmers (for my short legs ), they struggle to stay up during a ride. The armwarmers are great though. I'm quite happy enough with my Giordano Tenax kit not to change any of that.

colint

Qulaity is superb. I paid £100 for a pair of shorts 3 years agao and they seem as good as new.

aracer

Question is when you're comparing Assos stuff with other people's kit, are you comparing like for like, or are they using the cheapest stuff going (on the warmers I had a pair of Assos arms, but now have the cheapest Wiggle own brand, and couldn't really say I could tell the difference)? IMO you do pay a premium for the brand name, not just the functionality - if you get top end stuff from other manufacturers then it's pretty much as good for half the money. For winter kit have a look at Endura.

Kléber

I don't think you can judge kit by the quality of a armwarmers, it's like comparing a Saville Row handkerchief to a Matalan one.

You need something substantial to make the comparison like shorts or a winter jacket. And this is where they excel. So ignore their armwarmers, mitts or gloves.

There are other good companies out there that use innovative combinations of fabrics but I've got Assos stuff that's a decade old and it still looks good and works perfectly.

Interestingly, they don't sponsor pro teams and don't need to shout about their kit. Pricey but worth every penny.

kmahony

Shorts are excellent. Worth every penny and more.
I have a top which is ok, but probably not worth the extra price over other high end brands.
Not tried the jackets.

eh

While it may last longer the price differences between Assos and other good brands is now so huge, that it would have to last over 3 times longer to make it worth it. For instance Assos Gilet ~£110 RRP, compared to £30-40 for other top brands like Adidas, Giordana, etc.

I do think Asso kit has increased in price way above inflation, it wasn't long ago that there was only about a £20-30 gap between them and the other brands, seems more like £50+ now!

Although saying all that I have to admit the jacket does look excellent and is one of the few bits of Assos kit that a most of my mates swear by. Very few, however, buy the rest of their stuff, so poosibly that answers your original question.

giant_man

You have to buy and own Assos to recognise its superiority in cycle clothing. Once you try you seldom buy anything else.

Blonde

Top_Bhoy wrote:

I have the Assos armwarmers and legwarmers and find that although I got the small legwarmers (for my short legs ), they struggle to stay up during a ride. The armwarmers are great though. I'm quite happy enough with my Giordano Tenax kit not to change any of that.

I assume the leg warmers are similar in design to the knee warmers - with the leg grippers at the bottom? I have the knee warmers only and they do not have leg grippers at the top, but have them at the bottom instead. Most knee warmers are the other way round. I think the assos ones are more comfortable, but they will probably slip down if you dont wear them with assos shorts that have the external leg grippers.

Blonde

eh wrote:

I do think Asso kit has increased in price way above inflation, it wasn't long ago that there was only about a £20-30 gap between them and the other brands, seems more like £50+ now!

You're right there, though you do see it discounted by as much as £25% quite often, and that's when to buy it. I've never bought any assos kit at full price! They had the gilets on Wiggle recently for £26 less than the ticket price.

portuguese mike

Thanks everyone, i think i'm going to have to take the plunge. That being so, i need some advice on sizing. I've heard their stuff comes out small compared to other brands and i'm of a reasonably chunky build (40" chest, 33" waist with short arms ang legs).

i'm also thinking about getting some of their shorts but i'm concerned about how tight they'll be around the leg gripper area as i've got quite beefy thighs and the models they use all have the build of a racing whippet.

aracer

Only commented on the armwarmers because Blonde was saying how good the kneewarmers were.

Titanium

Assos measures up small but it's meant to be tight. The winter jackets for example stretch around you, they are elastic. You don't want to be constricted inside them but I see way too many riders with oversize clothing. Assos is designed to function properly without airpockets inside your clothing. Worth trying on for size before you buy.

jimmythecuckoo

I only wish I could afford something from their range...

Do they do buttons? or headbands?

Pagem

this will sound rather snobby but i think the qualtiy of and respect developed for assos kit comes down to how and why you use it.

if you're farily serious about your cycling and do plenty of it all year round then you will appreciate the fit, style, longevity and functional ability of this stuff.

i've just bought a couple of new bits from their range and even though i found a decent discounted site my anal sphincter still tightens each time i pay for it. however, i know that it will serve it's purpose and outlast most other brands. as assos say: "enjoy the ride". their stuff certainly helps me to.

Titanium

Sadly the cheap Assos things aren't worth it. Buy a cotton cap or socks and you don't get value.

jimmythecuckoo

dammit.

Blonde

Pagem wrote:

this will sound rather snobby but i think the qualtiy of and respect developed for assos kit comes down to how and why you use it.

if you're farily serious about your cycling and do plenty of it all year round then you will appreciate the fit, style, longevity and functional ability of this stuff.

i've just bought a couple of new bits from their range and even though i found a decent discounted site my anal sphincter still tightens each time i pay for it. however, i know that it will serve it's purpose and outlast most other brands. as assos say: "enjoy the ride". their stuff certainly helps me to.

No that's not snobby - you're right - it's about gettiing kit that allows you to do the riding you want to do in comfort and kit that suits the job you need it to do. I used to suffer on long audax rides and also in winter. 200kms in November, December, January, February can be really hard without the right gear. Longer rides in summer are unbearably painful on soft tissue and on sweaty skin without decent shorts. It really helps! It is hard enough riding a bike all year round every day commuting and weekends rides, and often though crap conditions without having to put up wth being uncomfortable from sweaty or not warm enough, bulky kit, or in pain from useless shorts as well!

Regarding caps - I have swapped pro-team cotton caps for Nike running hats even though they cost £12-15 as oppsed to a fiver. It's because they wick sweat away and the mesh lets air flow through to dry my hair. I have thick and long hair and my head gets so hot it's unreal. Even in winter I dont wear a hat, only a headband, as I wear a permanant furry hat all the time anyway! With a cotton cap, my hair is wringing wet and stuck to my head in about half an hour. The cap then comes off an sits in my back pocket all day till evening or when it rains and I want to put it on for warmth, only to find it's still wet ... and cold. With the wicking cap my hair is reasonably dry all day and the hat stays on all day even in hot sun, meaning I dont get sunburn on my face or sunstroke.. a big improvement in life just by spending a few more £ on a hat.

APIII

portuguese mike wrote:

Thanks everyone, i think i'm going to have to take the plunge. That being so, i need some advice on sizing. I've heard their stuff comes out small compared to other brands and i'm of a reasonably chunky build (40" chest, 33" waist with short arms ang legs).

i'm also thinking about getting some of their shorts but i'm concerned about how tight they'll be around the leg gripper area as i've got quite beefy thighs and the models they use all have the build of a racing whippet.

I'm the same chest size and find the Large is a good fit for me. The jacket will be a slim fit (which may take some getting used to), but not tight or restrictive. I would definitely try the shorts before you buy, or buy them from somewhere with a good returns policy, as the grippers can be a little 'aggressive', particularly on the 3/4 lengths.

Eat My Dust

Well it looks like I'll have a chance to wear my new Assos overshoes on the way home tonight as it's pouring down at the moment! I'll let you know how they perform!!

BigG67

I've an airblock and it's the best bit of kit I have. Wore it all last winter and on the coldest days in Scotland only had a heavy base layer underneath....heaven help those who live where the Fugu jacket is needed

oldwelshman

I have two air block jackets but would not pay full price, I got them off ebay.
These are very good but I also have other jackets just as good for half the cost price from decathlon.
I have an intermidiate jersey and find this no better than any other of my jerseys.
For leg and arm warmers and shorts i use santini and they are great and half the price so I do not see need to get assos for all items of clothing.

overmars

portuguese mike wrote:

it looks fantastic on the websites, the descriptive blurb is very convincing (to a sucker like me anyway) but, man, their stuff is expensive. So, is it worth it?

imo. Yes. I worked seven days a week for a solid nine months. Threw in about five or so long rides too. So I think my Assos have had a good testing! And I'd rate the comfort of the shorts the highest.

portuguese mike wrote:

I'de be particulary interested if anyone has any experience of the airblock 851 jacket cos, despite the hefty price tag, my mind is formulating cast iron reasons why my cycling pleasure will depend on it come the cooler months (or now for that matter - it was baltic this morning).

I have the 851. Hardly wear it because unless its really cold, I get too hot! I wear the intermediate instead (liked it so much I bought two).
The Jerseys are rather excellent too. But its the shorts that won me over.

(I'll admit now that I got some great deals off of Ebay!!!)

ddraver

I don't own any but if you re gonna spend that much on shorts go n try em on somewhere, even if you make your excuses and by em from ebay

Zendog1

No

Pagem

Zendog1 wrote:

No

any reason/s why?

the op may fnd it useful...

portuguese mike

overmars wrote:

portuguese mike wrote:

it looks fantastic on the websites, the descriptive blurb is very convincing (to a sucker like me anyway) but, man, their stuff is expensive. So, is it worth it?

imo. Yes. I worked seven days a week for a solid nine months. Threw in about five or so long rides too. So I think my Assos have had a good testing! And I'd rate the comfort of the shorts the highest.

portuguese mike wrote:

I'de be particulary interested if anyone has any experience of the airblock 851 jacket cos, despite the hefty price tag, my mind is formulating cast iron reasons why my cycling pleasure will depend on it come the cooler months (or now for that matter - it was baltic this morning).

I have the 851. Hardly wear it because unless its really cold, I get too hot! I wear the intermediate instead (liked it so much I bought two).
The Jerseys are rather excellent too. But its the shorts that won me over.

(I'll admit now that I got some great deals off of Ebay!!!)

Where abouts do you live because i get hot quite easily so that could be an issue?

NickM

Supplied in the UK by Yellow Ltd., the people who connive with Corima to make UK buyers pay more for their wheels than people anywhere else in Europe. That probably explains the prices.