It’s time for winter clothing, and I’m not up for wearing multiple layers of gear that isn’t made for winter-riding to begin with. Assos’ website gets me all excited, which has me a bit perplexed because my birth certificate and all signs previous to this point towards me being a male, and yet that is a website dealing with clothing.
If you have any thoughts to offer, other than those dealing with the high costs of these products, based on experience or hearsay, about the Airblock LL 851 Bib Tights, Airprotec F.I. Mille Bib Tights, Airjack 851 Jacket, or Powerstatic Base Layer, I’ll read it with interest.
the gator is the warmest piece of clothing that i ever have seen. assos clothing is second to none in terms of quality, but, as you know, you have to pay for it. i sound like i work for them but i don’t. i just think that their shirts, jackets and socks are the best that i have seen.
Not sure if its in any of categories, but I have the Assos kicker. It was the only pair the LBS had and I said “no way I’m paying $225 for a knicker”. The guy gave them to me for $150ish (Cost +10%?). In retrospect, it was probably worth $225…
The chamois needs A LOT of butter/cream or else it feels like sandpaper. With ample amounts, it’s a nice pad…
I’ll spend a lot on booties (winter shoes actually), pants and gloves…but won’t spend much on a jacket. All the ones I’ve tried are too warm.
I have a older style of the Assos winter bib tight…airblock and a very heavy fleece on the inside. I only use these tights for the very cold days…they are really too warm. If it is that cold outside I will get a better workout and ride by watching a couple of movies on the trainer…For not as cold riding…I really like the Peral izumi therma fleece bib tight…they are perfect…and have a wide temp range
I am a huge advpcate of anything Assos. As for cold weather stuff, I’ve had their Gator jacket and also the vest (whatevr it’s called). Both the best stuff available. I haven’t had their tights, but I know a guy who does have airblock jerseys and tights and swears by them. I have a garment called the “intermediate jersey” that is tops. Excellent for 45-60. Basically it’s airblock front w/ thinner sleeves sewn onto it. Kind of like intergrated arm warmers.
All that said, I’m a big fan of Cannondale’s winter gear too. I think it’s all really good for the money. C-dale has some really well cut, well tailored (which means it fits well and lasts long) and very functional garments for reasonable $$. Just a thought.
Be warned prior to buying anything Assos that you will inevitably endeavour to stock your whole wardrobe with nothing else but Assos. Once you buy one item of Assos clothing everything else is inferior! I have the Airblock Jacket (prior to the Airjack 851) which is superb at this time of year, either with nothing underneath or a base layer in cooler temps. I am also lucky enough to have two Gator Jackets (purchased on such a good closeout deal that my wife bought me the second one) which are the dogs bollocks of cold weather cycling, even rode when the snow was flying and the Airblock material did not allow any cold air to penetrate. Last winter I wore one xc skiing in minus 15f and was a little too warm! The Roubiaix bib knickers are also great, but alas I have no oportunity to comment on the full tights… yet. It’s your money, and comfort knows no price.
I’ve had a pair of airblock tights for three years now and find them superb. They are a little dangerous in that you ride in weather too cold for your hands or feet because your legs don’t get cold. Oh, and as previously mentioned you start to want the whole Assos wardrobe!
I’ve had a pair of airblock tights for three years now and find them superb. They are a little dangerous in that you ride in weather too cold for your hands or feet because your legs don’t get cold. Oh, and as previously mentioned you start to want the whole Assos wardrobe!
Trust me, I already do. Looks like at the least I’ll give the airblock tights, jacket, and base layer a go. Of course I’ll have to sell my bike to pay for that.
You should really take a look a Craft. With the money you save you could buy a new disc wheel. There’s no miracle fabric right now. Wind-tex, Wind-stopper, Air-tex, eVent, Air-block all do the same thing (and do it well), marketed between the brands. Unless you’re looking for the “Ferrari” label, it’s a bit overrated.
I don’t have any experience with Assos gear, but I like these tights for winter riding. They’re unpadded, but are good quality (Polartec Powerstretch 100 fabric) and very reasonably priced ($56 list).
anything under $200 clearly does not belong on this thread, didn’t you see the title?!
…craft had a huge advertisement in the new velonews and i must say it looks like nice stuff, and it’s not inexpensive, which leads me to believe it actually is nice stuff.
I am a huge fan of Assos and own all of the items you list below, except for the Airprotec tight. I also own the Intermediate EVO, RX LL and the Powerstatic Plus. I have several of their bib shorts as well. I don’t like their bib shorts, the pad is just too much, I feel like I’m wearing a diaper. After you wash their bib shorts a few times the pad gets rough, you need a lot of creme to keep them soft. Also, the shorts don’t cover much of your thighs, if you are short they may work for you, if you have long femurs like most cyclists, forget it. Personally, I like shorts that have a longer inseam.
I would say my favorite piece for cold winter riding is Airblock 851 jacket, the airblock 851 tights are great too but I would spend your money on the jacket first. Keeping your core warm is more important than your legs. Your hands, feet, core and head are the first priority. Any fleece tight (Nike, Pearl Izumi (I really like the therma fleece tights) will do. Also, my tights tend to get trashed fast (in the saddle area they pill and around the ankles from bootie zippers rubbing they get small holes). In addition, the airblock tights don’t move as well as the regular fleece tights in my opinion – they are more restrictive in the knee area, but if you really want airblock tights, the Assos 851 are the best. As far as base layers go, I really like the powerstatic plus a lot, the sl is ok, but for that temp range, I like craft base layers better. You really can buy base layers that are just as good or better for less $. The Plus is heavier/different from any base layer out there and is really good in cold weather.
I would buy the Intermediate EVO, 851 Jacket and the Powerstatic Plus before anything else. The airblock booties are awesome as well. Just my 2 cents.
Where Assos has a competitive advantage is in the airblock material, there is nothing else out there like it.
