B E N D E R's non sweary review site, roubaixcycling.cc (and general kit discussion)

bendertherobot

Alex222 wrote:

Bender I finally, with the heat wave, got round this weekend to wearing the DHB Aeron mitts you'd previously reviewed. Very pleased with them and certainly an upgrade on my old pair.
Has actually felt a bit weird being able to cycle again with just a short sleeve jersey and finger-less mitts

Quite good in the wet as well :shock: though I do feel that when they get wet the padding takes in a bit of water and they become a bit less spongy. Good gloves though. Reckon they will last for ages.

dyrlac

Picket up a Perfetto over the weekend and wore for the first time today. Light rain, temps at about 13 deg C; so should be the perfetto's sweet spot. Fits OK, looks ace, but even without a base layer/arm warmers, it was a bit warm; actually, felt like I was wearing a fleece. Have never tried a fancy foul-weather jersey before, is the theory that these things need a s/s base layer to function correctly through some kind of wicking mechanism?

I tend to run hot, generally switching to bibshorts (no tights/kneewarmers) once the temperature is above 5 deg (or 1 March, whichever comes first), and losing l/s base layers and/or l/s jerseys once the temperature is reliably above 8 deg. ... is this tech wasted on me?

bendertherobot

Dyrlac wrote:

Picket up a Perfetto over the weekend and wore for the first time today. Light rain, temps at about 13 deg C; so should be the perfetto's sweet spot. Fits OK, looks ace, but even without a base layer/arm warmers, it was a bit warm; actually, felt like I was wearing a fleece. Have never tried a fancy foul-weather jersey before, is the theory that these things need a s/s base layer to function correctly through some kind of wicking mechanism?

I tend to run hot, generally switching to bibshorts (no tights/kneewarmers) once the temperature is above 5 deg (or 1 March, whichever comes first), and losing l/s base layers and/or l/s jerseys once the temperature is reliably above 8 deg. ... is this tech wasted on me?

Yep. The theory is just that. Of course, that means more layers, more heat. It will still work without one and, for me, I got it up to 20 degrees ok. Thing is I'd never USE it for that. Just wanted to see if it worked. Key is to check the weather, if it's cool first thing and will warm up then, as long as no rain, I'd just go out dressed for the later conditions.

I think anyone who runs hot is likely to be overwhelmed by the Perfetto. I used to run hotter than I do now (age?) so I can get away with it being a bit warmer.

I'm testing the Lusso Corsa which is a much lighter affair. Comparable in terms of what it's designed to do. I'll comment fully soon but I think that it's more or less equal to the Perfetto in terms of protection but perhaps a better proposition at warmer temps? I'm currently deciding.

I do think we run a very real risk of trying to identify a niche for everything now though. I wonder if I'd be happiest in a gilet for some protection and just get wet? Much depends on how long for etc.

bendertherobot

Oh, and the other thing, foul weather gear, I wonder sometimes if we need to rethink what foul is. I mean today wasn't pleasant but it wasn't all that bad.

fenix

I remember the days when you had
- a pair of shorts with PROPER chamois that dried to cardboard consistencies.
- a pair of wooly longs.
- a set of braces that would ping off and take out your eye
- A wooly long sleeve top
- A wooly short sleeve top
- A nylon fronted winter jersey
- a peaked winter cap
- a peaked summer cap
- mesh mitts
- whatever gloves you could find for winter

Things seemed much easier then. Summer was Shorts.
Winter was 'wear all of your clothes".

Gasaero

Has anyone invested in the DHB Aeron Rain defence range? Keen to know how it performs, after today's ride in the wet, looks very appealing.

bendertherobot

Gasaero wrote:

Has anyone invested in the DHB Aeron Rain defence range? Keen to know how it performs, after today's ride in the wet, looks very appealing.

It's fairly easy to predict how these things work given a set of variables. It's listed as waterproof so it will be some form of windstopper as well. The back is the same material. There's a vent up top, which is good.

It'll keep you from getting wet, eventually you will get damp, it will be warmer than something like the Perfetto or Corsa I would imagine.

I have to say that, currently, if I wasn't testing rain jerseys I'd probably be looking for a lightweight gilet.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/

My mate Jon has been doing coffee. I'm writing about Active Travel and new cycle paths. Reviews coming of some Parentini bibshorts, Lusso Corsa jersey, Pedla socks and I think I might just buy the S7 Equipe shorts to produce the definitive review of "do you ever need to buy anything else."

lakesluddite

So after saying I'd return the Lusso Corsa, I had the Fred Whitton last sunday, which had showers forecast but high temperatures, so I thought I'd give it a go, given it's thin-ness. It was actually very good, although the forecast rain never arrived so I can't judge it's water repellence yet. I started off with arm/knee warmers and a gilet, and the pockets coped well when these came off, along with holding the phone, gels/bars, mini-pump etc. I didn't overheat too much, only on the big climbs when anything else would have been too hot as well. I paired it with a s/s mesh base, so on the climbs I just unzipped it completely, then zipped back up for the descents.
I just need some rain now to test it properly (although I'm in no rush for rain!)

So the dhb Rain Defence is the one to make way. I did have to return the XS anyway, despite the size guide saying this was the better fit - the neck was far too tight around my throat. It was a bit more heavyweight than the Corsa, so I would say for the same temp. range as the Perfetto perhaps?

I did have a look at a Perfetto on a stall at the FW start 'village', and tbh I though I was handling a short sleeve Gabba until I saw the branding on the side - I couldn't see that there was much to choose between them, although I didn't try one on, so just a first impression.

bendertherobot

LakesLuddite wrote:

So after saying I'd return the Lusso Corsa, I had the Fred Whitton last sunday, which had showers forecast but high temperatures, so I thought I'd give it a go, given it's thin-ness. It was actually very good, although the forecast rain never arrived so I can't judge it's water repellence yet. I started off with arm/knee warmers and a gilet, and the pockets coped well when these came off, along with holding the phone, gels/bars, mini-pump etc. I didn't overheat too much, only on the big climbs when anything else would have been too hot as well. I paired it with a s/s mesh base, so on the climbs I just unzipped it completely, then zipped back up for the descents.
I just need some rain now to test it properly (although I'm in no rush for rain!)

So the dhb Rain Defence is the one to make way. I did have to return the XS anyway, despite the size guide saying this was the better fit - the neck was far too tight around my throat. It was a bit more heavyweight than the Corsa, so I would say for the same temp. range as the Perfetto perhaps?

I did have a look at a Perfetto on a stall at the FW start 'village', and tbh I though I was handling a short sleeve Gabba until I saw the branding on the side - I couldn't see that there was much to choose between them, although I didn't try one on, so just a first impression.

I wonder if they've not positioned the Perfetto far enough away from the Gabba. The Corsa is a better rain jersey, the Perfetto still, arguably, a bit more of a jacket.

Sounds to me that the dhb is essentially a Gabba, it being sealed all the way round rather than having a lighter back than the Perfetto.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/11/th ... l-journey/

Bit on (Wales) Active Travel. England has one as well, will look into that.

darkhairedlord

I noticed the chapeau mitt review, have you any more mitt's in the pipeline?
Are the DHB Aeron mitts much cop at all?
I'm currently sporting a set of Gore Power mitts which have been durable enough apart from the gel padding being in the wrong place. Essentially the wear patch completely misses most of the padded areas, where it does coincide it has merely squished it flat.

bendertherobot

darkhairedlord wrote:

I noticed the chapeau mitt review, have you any more mitt's in the pipeline?
Are the DHB Aeron mitts much cop at all?
I'm currently sporting a set of Gore Power mitts which have been durable enough apart from the gel padding being in the wrong place. Essentially the wear patch completely misses most of the padded areas, where it does coincide it has merely squished it flat.

Nothing coming on that front I'm afraid. Both of those are excellent choices. The Chapeau are really posh though so for every day I'd recommend the Aeron.

I'm not a glove expert, the Aeron worked for me in the position I ride. Indeed, they seem to work on all 3 bikes (one of which is flat bar). The reviews on Wiggle all seem to be utterly positive.

I did wonder, in retrospect, whether they could be described as cheap. £25 (£22 with platinum) is still quite a lot of money. The dhb classic are a tenner less and look, on the palm, just as good. Look as good, but no experience.

bendertherobot

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/16/pa ... bibshorts/

Parentini shark bibs. One of the best I've tested.

bendertherobot

I've new socks from the Pedla. 6 inches mind. I think that might contravene a rule. Lush though.

daniel_b

bendertherobot wrote:

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/16/parentini-shark-2-bibshorts/

Parentini shark bibs. One of the best I've tested.

They come across pretty well.

I still don't really understand why they don't either sell direct via their website (Galibier, Torm, Shutt, Chapeau can all manage it), or find some dealers to take on their products.

I ordered, but didn't get on with the Mossa, from Italy, and it cost me around £16 to send it back with adequate insurance.
It was a risk I was willing to take, but I think they will struggle to make a decent amount of sales over here, if people have to seek out their products.

Or are they on sale somewhere openly and I am a fool :oops:

FWIW I have a fairly large collection of Marin jerseys, of which a fair few of them are made by Parentini, and very nice they are too.

bendertherobot

Daniel B wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/16/parentini-shark-2-bibshorts/

Parentini shark bibs. One of the best I've tested.

They come across pretty well.

I still don't really understand why they don't either sell direct via their website (Galibier, Torm, Shutt, Chapeau can all manage it), or find some dealers to take on their products.

I ordered, but didn't get on with the Mossa, from Italy, and it cost me around £16 to send it back with adequate insurance.
It was a risk I was willing to take, but I think they will struggle to make a decent amount of sales over here, if people have to seek out their products.

Or are they on sale somewhere openly and I am a fool :oops:

FWIW I have a fairly large collection of Marin jerseys, of which a fair few of them are made by Parentini, and very nice they are too.

I think that's very fair. They visit quite regularly now and try to get new dealers. They've picked up 3 or 4 on their last visit so the brand is growing. I think what they want to do is to protect the dealers they have rather than having a direct sell website. Or they could go low key website with direct sales (like Lusso) and then do the bigger distribution thing. It's quite noble how they approach it but, as you say, it does mean that I can be preaching to the converted sometimes. I'll have a word though.

apreading

bendertherobot wrote:

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/11/the-start-of-the-active-travel-journey/

Bit on (Wales) Active Travel. England has one as well, will look into that.

Interesting read - I grew up in Cowbridge, not far from you. May be cycling from reading to my parents house there this summer - any advice on good cycling routes from the Severn bridge to the area, avoiding the worst of Newport & Cardiff?

bendertherobot

apreading wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/11/the-start-of-the-active-travel-journey/

Bit on (Wales) Active Travel. England has one as well, will look into that.

Interesting read - I grew up in Cowbridge, not far from you. May be cycling from reading to my parents house there this summer - any advice on good cycling routes from the Severn bridge to the area, avoiding the worst of Newport & Cardiff?

I'll see what I can plan out for you. Ok with a bit of the road less travelled?

Note the edit at the end of the piece. Turns out England don't have one. I was actually involved in the periphery of the Welsh one on stuff that didn't make it in. Big stuff that I hope sees the light of day.

apreading

bendertherobot wrote:

apreading wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/05/11/the-start-of-the-active-travel-journey/

Bit on (Wales) Active Travel. England has one as well, will look into that.

Interesting read - I grew up in Cowbridge, not far from you. May be cycling from reading to my parents house there this summer - any advice on good cycling routes from the Severn bridge to the area, avoiding the worst of Newport & Cardiff?

I'll see what I can plan out for you. Ok with a bit of the road less travelled?

Note the edit at the end of the piece. Turns out England don't have one. I was actually involved in the periphery of the Welsh one on stuff that didn't make it in. Big stuff that I hope sees the light of day.

Thanks - you dont need to go to town on it but any suggestions appreciated, Particularly if you know any of the bits from the Severn Bridge the other side of Cardiff.

RidewithGPS plotted the following route left to its own devices: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13814231
(start of the day I wanted to go into Bristol & Severn Beach to recreate the end of a ride I did with my son when he was 11 and we rode the Kennet & Avon and on to Severn Beach)

If we go through Cardiff, I was thinking of hitting Cardiff Bay and then something along the coast to Barry/Llantwit and then up, rather than straight along the A48.

Then again, should we go further North through Caerphilly/Llantrisant and down, avoiding Newport & Cardiff altogether?

Road less travelled is good, as long as road surface is OK.

As I said any thoughts, however well thought out appreciated!

dork_knight

Might I suggest North;
https://www.strava.com/routes/5050719

South;
https://www.strava.com/routes/5050724

apreading

Dork Knight wrote:

Might I suggest North;
https://www.strava.com/routes/5050719

South;
https://www.strava.com/routes/5050724

That North route looks pretty good if we choose to go that way, although might try to go North of Newport via Caerleon (and miss Newport altogether) if that makes sense?

For the South route, I was thinking maybe more coastal after Cardiff but definately an improvement on the RideWithGPS route as it would be nice to go down and along the sea wall at Cardiff Bay rather than through the City Centre.

Although, there is maybe a third option if we add an extra day - we could overnight in Chepstow and on the last day get to Cowbridge via Treorchy where my Nan used to live and go over the Rhigos and The Bwlch. I know I would love this but not sure if it would be a bit much for my son...

bendertherobot

South one is better as it comes across the flats. That's a lot of the way the Velothon is going on Sunday.

Rhigos and Bwlch easier that way around (you'd have to go up past Aberdare to hit the Rhigos, down the other side and up and over the Bwlch. Easier climbs in both directions. Once you're over the Bwlch there's a cycle path all the way to Bridgend (more or less).

apreading

Thanks guys - much appreciated. I will let BTR's thread go back to normal service now and start a new one if/when I have something more concrete planned!

Now, just need to buy a Perfetto for the ride (would have been perfect on today's commute)...

Cheers

bendertherobot

Get a Lusso Corsa mun

apreading

bendertherobot wrote:

Get a Lusso Corsa mun

Maybe but I want more breathability - the Fawesome is possibly my favourite item of clothing and the Perfetto shares the same back but with a lighter front and short sleeves. Provided it fits, then it will be exactly what I have been asking for over the last couple of years.

I run soooo hot that I suspect I would get too warm in the Lusso Corsa. And I dont want another black jacket - want either red or blue.

Besides, I is a self confessed Catelli fanboi innit...

Fit may point me back towards the Lusso though, based on your review but I would be going for XXL Perfetto so my experience may be different. and hopefully I can find one somewhere to try on.

lakesluddite

apreading wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Get a Lusso Corsa mun

Maybe but I want more breathability - the Fawesome is possibly my favourite item of clothing and the Perfetto shares the same back but with a lighter front and short sleeves. Provided it fits, then it will be exactly what I have been asking for over the last couple of years.

I run soooo hot that I suspect I would get too warm in the Lusso Corsa. And I dont want another black jacket - want either red or blue.

Besides, I is a self confessed Catelli fanboi innit...

Fit may point me back towards the Lusso though, based on your review but I would be going for XXL Perfetto so my experience may be different. and hopefully I can find one somewhere to try on.

apreading - the Corsa isn't a jacket, it's a jersey, and a very thin one at that! I did the Fred Whitton in 25c+ the other weekend in one and it was mostly fine, it seems as breathable as anything else I have owned with water resistance, more in fact. It is very lightweight, so much so that I was about to send it back but the forecast for the FW said occasional rain so I decided to keep it and try it out. Turns out there was no rain whatsoever, just heat! I did find myself unzipping completely on the big climbs, but on the big descents zipping up provided enough protection.
The only thing is the colour - the black did seem to absorb the heat a little, but that was an exceptional day of 25c+ temperatures and 30% inclines! I've not taken it out in the wet yet though, so can't speak for it's water resistance - other than throwing a bit of water on it, and it beaded off okay (I realise this is very unscientific).

apreading

I realise all that, but as I said, I run REALLY hot and overheat in just about anything. The back on the Fawesome is a godsend as it breathes really well but wont be as waterproof - a compromise I am happy to make to have something that I can bear wearing. In 25C I would have been too hot in just a normal jersey, no way would I be able to have ANYTHING on top of one. I cant wear the Gabba in anything over 5/6 degrees as its just unbearable. With the Fawesome I have to unzip it over 14/15 degrees. The Corsa is supposed to be more waterproof than the Perfetto, with a proper barrier, so I cant believe that it breathes as well and it has the same waterproof back unlike the Perfetto that has something even more breathable.

And I just dont like the look of the Corsa as well as not wanting black.

bendertherobot

Perfetto should suit you. The Corsa is better for me, and it is cooler overall (even though it's fully sealed). But we are all different and it's important to get what works for you. I don't know how many Lusso sell, it's not out there as much as the others but has been around a while (1 1/2 years). It's super good. I'm going to see a) whether they can do custom ones and b) whether they'd like my input on jazzing up the colour!

apreading

Actually, I have just remembered that I got a log sleeve Sportful Fiandre Light Norain top for silly money last year and have yet to wear it - wonder how that will fair. I bought it because it sounds kindof like the Perfetto but with long sleeves. Must dig it out now the weather is warmer and I am back on the bike.