Assos - Are they really worth the money ?

jaredpace

I'm doing the ultimate Ventoux challenge this summer. That's up to the top and down from all three roads and villages, see www.clubcinglesventoux.org.

After buying my Colnago, I'm now thinking of upgrading the clothes. Having never used Assos, I am unsure of the expense. I've never heard anyone rave about the brand, all I know is it costs almost double everything else on the market. Is it really worth the extra?

Thinking of the S5 range.

Anonymous

Best bibshorts I've ever used (S5, may they rest in peace:( )

851 Airjack is fantastic.

Chamois cream is essential for me now, started using it when I got some free with my S5 shorts and it was a revelation!

Some of it is shockingly expensive though! Fugu anyone?...

nickwill

I've only had their bibshorts. I wouldn't use any other brand. I recently bought a pair of S5 bibshorts, and unfortunately tore them on their second trip out. Knowing that Assos will sometimes repair damaged items, I packed them up and sent them off to Switzerland. I enclosed a note which explained that it was my fault, and that I would happily pay if they could be repaired. A week or so later I received a parcel containg a brand new pair of shorts.
I was a fan before this, but customer service like that makes me even more impressed. I just wish I could afford to buy more of their kit.

Anonymous

Errr, wow!

Perhaps I should have sent the ones that were cut off from me in A + E back!

jaredpace

Many thanks. Just been looking on Wiggle. Think I'll take the plunge and go for the F1 Mille S5. I notice roadcyclinguk give them 10/10. Not sure about the sizing. Being 5'8" puts me in for a medium, but chest size of 42" puts me in for a large. What's the best fit?

Jared

Anonymous

You really should try some on, I ended up with different sizing to what I expected to be honest...

Ribble are a lot cheaper than Wiggle at the moment too...

elevated

I have four pairs of the S5 bibs: fi.uno, fi.uno logo, fi.mille and fi.13. The cost was offputting at first, but I wouldn't wear anything else now. I've done 8.5hr rides with no discomfort - just make sure you use the creme too!

The Uno's got 10/10 in C+ mag this month and rightly so.

I've got plenty of other bits too - gloves, hats, jerseys and jackets etc All excellent kit and worth the money I feel.

redddraggon

As NapD says Ribble has them loads cheaper

jaredpace

Yeah. but they're out of stock of the F1 Mille in med & large

cougie

I wore my brand new dhbs for the day long epic that was the cheshire cat. Great kit and 1/3 the price.

antfly

I was just going to say Ribble have bugger all in stock.

giant_man

Assos are the best you can get for the money you're paying. Thank god they're expensive; at least people take them seriously. Always be my choice.

giant_man

jaredpace wrote:

Many thanks. Just been looking on Wiggle. Think I'll take the plunge and go for the F1 Mille S5. I notice roadcyclinguk give them 10/10. Not sure about the sizing. Being 5'8" puts me in for a medium, but chest size of 42" puts me in for a large. What's the best fit?

Jared

If you're unsure about your size, order two pairs and send back the wrong ones. Simples.

akkers

Assos is the dogs danglies for sure....yes its expensive but its well worth it. The fit, the quality, the shape, the pads etc...second to none. And remember...pay cheap you pay twice....so Assos always gets my vote.
I have many pieces....Fi Mille with S5, the airblock 851 jacket,3/4 bibs, the Fugu, Evo jersey, winter glove system, socks, baselayers and overshoes.

What I would say is not all of it is best in class. For example I find my Castelli Radiation jacket better than the Fugu, and I also find the winter gloves not to be the best even though theyre 3 layers. My Rapha baselayer is better than the Assos spring shirt.

But....the shorts, 851 and Evo are different gravy - all top notch gear.

I also personally find Assos needs gentle handling, and I ALWAYS use their cleaner.....never any other brand of detergent. I know many have used other soaps etc with no issues, but I find Assos lycra quite delicate and needs careful looking after.

But if its shorts you want...there really isnt anything that compares. But for jackets, baselayers, gloves, and overshoes.....there are competitiors that can match em IMO.

blongers

jaredpace wrote:

Many thanks. Just been looking on Wiggle. Think I'll take the plunge and go for the F1 Mille S5. I notice roadcyclinguk give them 10/10. Not sure about the sizing. Being 5'8" puts me in for a medium, but chest size of 42" puts me in for a large. What's the best fit?

Jared

you really need to try them out without the hassle of buying two lots and then sending one back. the whole idea of the internet is to make things easy.

i've just bought some s5 uno bib shorts for a tad over £100 from lbs... came in box with cream and detergent.. nice touch...
i am 5'8" - 38 chest - 32 waist and still needed large !! (bigger than average thighs i think).

i checked online and saw the same at £89 that look a bargain until you realise that they have no stock.
we should all boycott bulls**t retailers that do this especially as some take your money before informing you of the wait for stock!!

p.s also bought some short sleeved full zip tops and still had to go large... so be careful

bendertherobot

Brian Rourke best for cheap(er) Assos stuff IMO. Got my Uno's for £89 and Mille's for £124.

simmo3801

I bought S5 Uno bibs for Etape Caledonia last year. They have a small Assos oval shaped badge in the rough vicinity of the top of your right butt cheek. Strange I thought when I noticed it on opening the box. Annoying I thought after the 81 miles when i had a friction burn underneath it where the bottom of my jersey rubbed on it. I also bought the Airjack 851 which I agree is a very well put together jacket. My only disklike of it was that the sleeves weren't windproof. I ended up buying a Gore Phantom windproof soft shell with zip off sleeves instead. It didn't come with it's own specialist cleaner but with the near £100 difference in price I can buy non bio soap flakes that will wash it gently. I still have a S/S jersey and an intermediate evo which I like but am more pleased with the Gore range to be honest.

Moaner

Going back to the sizing question, I'm 5ft 9 with a 40 inch chest and weigh 11.5 stone. I've just received a medium pair of S5 Uno from Wiggle. They fit fine - a snug fit, but you want that.

giant_man

blongers wrote:

jaredpace wrote:

Many thanks. Just been looking on Wiggle. Think I'll take the plunge and go for the F1 Mille S5. I notice roadcyclinguk give them 10/10. Not sure about the sizing. Being 5'8" puts me in for a medium, but chest size of 42" puts me in for a large. What's the best fit?

Jared

you really need to try them out without the hassle of buying two lots and then sending one back. the whole idea of the internet is to make things easy.

i've just bought some s5 uno bib shorts for a tad over £100 from lbs... came in box with cream and detergent.. nice touch...
i am 5'8" - 38 chest - 32 waist and still needed large !! (bigger than average thighs i think).

i checked online and saw the same at £89 that look a bargain until you realise that they have no stock.
we should all boycott bulls**t retailers that do this especially as some take your money before informing you of the wait for stock!!

p.s also bought some short sleeved full zip tops and still had to go large... so be careful

Why is it hassle man? It's what online shopping is meant for. If you're nowhere near an Assos dealer and you won't travel 200 miies to the nearest one what else you gonna do? Duh!

Anonymous

I called in at my LBS today to say hello and pay some money towards my repairs

They've started stocking Rapha stuff.

Oh my.

The club jersey that comes with the arm warmers is stunning.

The pictures on the website are so far from doing it justice it's unreal.

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=641

Even more than Assos though...

Brian B

I have the 851, Element 1 and Intermediate Jackets plus the Uno shorts and there are the best items I have ever had for cycling. Pricey but worth every penny.

blongers

][/quote]
Why is it hassle man? It's what online shopping is meant for. If you're nowhere near an Assos dealer and you won't travel 200 miies to the nearest one what else you gonna do? Duh![/i][/quote]

duh?!?!?

click on the assos website and go to UK dealers.. there won't be many people on this forum that would have to travel 200 miles to find nearest dealer!
if they do... then internet might be the only option but i was talking generally.
how many people can afford or want to fork out £120 twice on a pair of bib shorts in the hope that they get the right size and then have to post one of the items back.. hope it gets there ...and then wait for the money to come back into their account?

duh

guilliano

Think I'll stick to Endura kit personally. Paid £55 for some FS260 bib shorts and never had an issue with comfort, even doing 40 or 50 miles offroad without chamois cream.

redddraggon

guilliano wrote:

Think I'll stick to Endura kit personally. Paid £55 for some FS260 bib shorts and never had an issue with comfort, even doing 40 or 50 miles offroad without chamois cream.

I'll stick to Assos then, they were cheaper than that Endura set of bibs

guilliano

Where??? I'd be tempted to go astray if it's cheap enough....

redddraggon

I got two sets of Assos a year from Ribble, uno and mille, £50 - £55.............but it was a year ago.........

jaredpace

Took the plunge and purchased a pair of S5 F1 Mille. Took them out on an 80 miler, they are just soooo comfortable! Why didn't I buy these sooner? Worth every penny! Will now be buying some more.

giant_man

Well done Jared, good choice mate. It's only until you buy Assos do you realise how good they are .....

pud77

I recently bought a set of Uno S5 bibshorts, and a pair of Giordana Tenax bibshorts in the Ribble 15% off Spring sale. Both had great reviews and many recommendations. Tried them both and found the Assos pair to be in a completely different league in terms of quality and comfort. The pad is just so comfortable.
I sent the Giordanas back for a refund and unfortunately the Assos had sold out in that time. Now they're back in stock, but over £100, they were £76 a fortnight ago !

Assos all the way in future with bibs 8)

Anonymous

Once you gone on da Assos bibs, dere ain't no way yous goin back man.

I'm still mourning the loss of my one pair and I can't even ride at the moment!

GemmaAtkinson1

have to admit i was a bit dubious about the assos effect, then i found some f1 uno's on sale for £50 at parkers as they were only in small and OMG, i dont think i could wear anything else now. they are ridiculously comfy, i dont even notice they are there ! definately will be looking at picking upanother pair when the weather gets a bit nicer.,.. top stuff.