Quality of Replica Team Bibshorts

Rhods

Hi

I'm considering buying some team replica kit, however would like to know people's views and experiences of the comfort of the bibshorts. Are any particular team bibs good quality and are there some I should avoid?

Will be doing fairly long rides and have recently been considering a pair of Assos, but being tempted by the flashy kits!

Thanks

andyp

In my experience they aren't that good. I think manufacturers cut costs in the replica kits by putting in lower grade padding. I'm sure your average pro cannot be doing 200 km rides wearing the same shorts I've bought.

Also, and if you're being tempted by flashiness, it's imperative that if you do wear team kit shorts then you must wear a matching jersey. Wearing another, non-matching jersey is a despicable crime.

acorn_user

Santini used to do an official team replica kit, but they've discontinued them afaik. Those were exactly the same as the teams got. We had Santini make our club clothing this year, and it was excellent.

cougie

Quality does vary quite a bit - you dont know until you get it.

Plain kit is far better cos it matches everything.

Monty Dog

Depends who makes it - Nalini and Biemme kit is fairly low rent whereas Santini and Sportful are far better IME. ProTeam quality kit is very different from the 'replica' kit also

Rhods

Cheers guys, now I'm really stumped! I think I saw a thread at some point (but ca't find it) that said Craft were good quality and make some of the pro kit. Does anyone know what teams?

Thanks

bobtbuilder

Craft were good quality and make some of the pro kit. Does anyone know what teams?

I think Saxo Bank are the only team using Craft kit.

I rate the main manafacturers as follows:

Vermarc - extremely good, a great chamois insert.
Santini - almost as good as Vermarc, especially if you get the shorts with the Twist Gel insert.
Nalini / MOA sport - A bit more basic.
Biemme - pretty poor.

snedden9485

I have some PBK nalini kit (PBK team and LPR Brakes kit). Its not bad quality and is ok for 100mile rides IMO. I recently got some 2009 cervelo test team kit made by castelli and its beautiful. Very comfy and fits great.

Nuggs

Lights blue touch paper...

IMHO, you shouldn't weat team kit unless you've EARNED it (i.e. ride for the team).

And retreats to start a thread on the virtues of helmet-wearing. Muahahahaha :evil:

A Load Of Bull

IMHO, you shouldn't weat team kit unless you've EARNED it.

Imagine applying that philosophy to the football world, huh?

Nuggs

A Load Of Bull wrote:

IMHO, you shouldn't weat team kit unless you've EARNED it.

Imagine applying that philosophy to the football world, huh?

You're right, I'm being a little too hard line.

How about we agree that you can wear the kit if you're good enough to have earned it. I just bought a Faemino jersey as I reckon I'm probably just about as good as Merckx (I grant you that he'd probably edge it though)...

schweiz

Rhods wrote:

Craft were good quality and make some of the pro kit.

I have a pair of plain black Craft bibshorts and a pair of last seasons Astana bibshorts. The quality of the shorts is the same and I did last years Alpen Challenge (220km 4000m) in the plain black ones and had no problems.

As for current teams, only Saxo Bank by the looks of it as posted earlier

http://www.craft.se/athletes-teams/teams/

hammerite

I bought some Nallini old Illes Balaers 3/4 lengths from Prendas. I'm quite impressed with the quality compared to the relative quality of a nallini jersey I have - although they are a tad warm to wear this time of year.

And I've committed the despicable crime of wearing them with another teams jersey..... they are pretty discreet though.

The Mechanic

Imagine applying that philosophy to the football world, huh?

True. But can you also imaging turning up at the airport with the wife and kids at 6:00 am to catch a holiday charter to Ibiza wearing your best Garmin jersey and shorts. Check out the ManU shirts next time you are tavelling.