It's all about performance

Clever Pun

No, not MC Spandex, it's an article why some cycle clothing cost more than others

http://bit.ly/c36Sxt

Any thoughts?



oh ok then
Drop2G's

_Brun_

I thought it was obvious.

vorsprung

Some more expensive stuff isn't as good as the cheap stuff though

Sometimes however, you pay for the label

A couple of examples:

Assos Mitts- cost £25, wick nicely but have (almost) no padding
Endura FS260 bib shorts- Ok £55 isn't top dollar but cheaper shorts work better. See my blog for more details

prawny

vorsprung wrote:

Assos Mitts- cost £25, wick nicely but have (almost) no padding

I don't like padding im gloves though. My fave gloves are some fox long finger ones with a plain leather palm. Lovely.

I'm not paying £25 for mitts though, my lidl ones will have to do!

blu3cat

vorsprung wrote:

Some more expensive stuff isn't as good as the cheap stuff though

Sometimes however, you pay for the label

A couple of examples:

Assos Mitts- cost £25, wick nicely but have (almost) no padding
Endura FS260 bib shorts- Ok £55 isn't top dollar but cheaper shorts work better. See my blog for more details

Of course, I may not be able to be smug about my athletic performance, but at least I am riding a reassuringly expensive bike with matching kit.

shouldbeinbed

prawny wrote:

vorsprung wrote:

Assos Mitts- cost £25, wick nicely but have (almost) no padding

I don't like padding im gloves though. My fave gloves are some fox long finger ones with a plain leather palm. Lovely.

+1 I've got a pair of yachting mitts - long fingerless keeps the knuckles toasty, cost ~£10 lightweight, comfy nice leather palm, pretty much windproof and super quick drying. grrrrrrrrrrreat

davmaggs

At the low end of the market pricing is usually cost+ (e.g take cost of materials and add a percentage), but many companies aim towards becoming brands. Whilst they definitely spend more on materials and design they also add a premium to the price.

The article makes out that the extra price is entirely due to overheads when there is a huge amount of it being down to people wanting to pay more.

jonginge

Guys like Castelli do a lot of RnD on their fabrics and short inserts. That costs quite a bit and that puts a premium to the item cost. It's a bit of a catch 22 situation as the market for premium cycling gear isn't that big so ecomonies of scale don't really kick in. That and they want to maintain a certain cachet.

For my part I buy a lot of castelli coz it works for me and (mostly) like their styles. I find their chamois are better for me than other brands I've tried

biondino

Castelli are edging ever closer to becoming a cheaper Assos in their design. Not sure I like that.

rjsterry

Just to rock the boat slightly, but the first proper cycling gear I ever had was Castelli. The jersey is still good, but the shorts did not last well at all.

spasypaddy

biondino wrote:

Castelli are edging ever closer to becoming a cheaper Assos in their design. Not sure I like that.

opens some popcorn and enjoys the following argument

jonginge

biondino wrote:

Castelli are edging ever closer to becoming a cheaper Assos in their design. Not sure I like that.

Not that keen on a lot of the jerseys this year, that's true. I do like the aero race jersey. Saw a few on the marmotte and they do look good. Got enough jerseys, though.

Never thought I'd write that last sentence :shock:


My first set of bibshorts were castelli. Bought in 2007, they're still going strong*

* not in an odour sense you understand

Clever Pun

_Brun_ wrote:

I thought it was obvious.

Nice but pricey?

In all seriousness some people here love a good old moan about some kit being expensive... I thought this might help

with the assos mits.. if you're wearing those you don't need padding as you're pulling on the handlebars as you're that awesome*


* yes I own a pair

lost_in_thought

Me me me! I love a good old moan I do, but my moaning is focused on Rapha.

God I hate them. I have to get up early in the morning to hate them, or there's just not the hours in the day.

Clever Pun

lost_in_thought wrote:

Me me me! I love a good old moan I do, but my moaning is focused on Rapha.

God I hate them. I have to get up early in the morning to hate them, or there's just not the hours in the day.

you own a hat of theirs... tsk wumen :roll:

Stuey01

Why is a savile row suit more expensive than an Asda george one?
why is a bentley more expensive than a hyundai?
why is a can of heinz beans more expensive than tesco value?
Why is a Cervelo more expensive than a halfords BSO?
Why is a Sony Blueray more expensive than a Beko DVD?
Why is Veuve Cliquot Champagne more expensive than Lambrini?
Why is fillet steak more expensive than beef burger?

cos it's betterer innit.