I’m debating between the Performance model and the Apex model. From what I can tell, the Apex model uses a different material (100% Hydrodry), has an “elite” fit, an “upgraded” chamois (Elite vs Performance) and silicon leg grippers (vs elastic). Has anyone tried both and can give a compare/contrast?
I really like the Desoto Forza (not Riviera) Low Cut Tri Shorts. Are either of the Champ Sys models similar?
I think both of these lines are new this year so I don’t know how much info is available for them. My gear will be here in a few weeks, then I could tell you more.
I looked at both before our kit refresh this year. The performance is basically the same junk they’ve had for several years. The Apex was actually very nice. Light water-wicking fabric and silicon dots for leg grippers. If we had stayed with CS that’s what we would have gotten.
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Does anyone have any additional feedback on the Apex Link vs. Performance Blade tri shorts (and tops for that matter). Club has the choice between the two and I can’t figure out how the two differ in feel and fit from what I see on the CS site.
Thanks!
Hi! Was able to try both as my team got fit kits before ordering this year. We all went with the Apex because the fabric is way nicer. The Performance is the same fabric as what CS had last year and although the cut/fit is overall WAY better (no more highwaisted tri shorts) the fabric is not comfortable (from my experience with last year’s uniforms). The Apex fabric, when wet doesn’t feel like it’s dragging and stays “clingy” if that makes any sense? The other fabric, when wet, almost grew on you and would get all baggy and heavy. My two cents.
I ordered the Apex Tri top. My thoughts.
The fabric is very cool. It really does repel water. I put it on, wet my hand and flicked water on it and it literally bounced right off. The fit was snug around the stomach area, but I have a somewhat bulky/muscular upper body/shoulders. I think it would fit the average skinny triathlete okay, but for me I looked like I was popping out of a sausage casing around the arm holes. Never had a problem with this using my zoot tri tops.
Don’t get the pockets on the trip top. They suck and are not worth the $10. They are on the sides, not in the rear, and they are not that deep (maybe 3 inches). I wouldn’t put a gel flask in there for fear of it falling out…also not very aero on the bike as it will increase your frontal area as compared to if the pockets were in the rear. They also are not very tight which means they could easily scoop up water during the swim…as well as not being able to securely hold something like a gel flask.
Ok…so I could deal with not using the pockets, and the sausage look around my arm holes…so I took it out on a test ride. I’m not sure if it was just me, but when I got into the aero position, the thing acted like a gawd damn parachute. My bars are not super close together, but enough so that it created a small pocket between my collar bone and the neck line of the tri top. And poof…it was like instant air conditioning for my torso. Again…it may just be my body type and how the top fits me, but I never experienced anything like it. It was worse than wearing a bike jersey and dropping the zipper halfway down because it seemed like the air couldn’t escape the fabric.
I didn’t even bother swimming with it because there is no point if I can’t bike with it. I tested my zoot tri top again the next week just to make sure it wasn’t a change with my body type (I lost about 10 pounds) or my lower position on the bike, but the zoot top worked as normal.
So my really cool Apex tri top…it’s now a running race top. If there is any takeaway from this…the fabric is very different from normal tri tops. Don’t get the pockets unless they start stitching them in the rear, and make sure it fits you properly.
I notice that the Apex products note an “elite fit”. I’m assuming that if you have to ask what that means that you won’t fit in it? 
I’ve used the Desoto model you are referring to, and my team uses Champs…I hate it; chaffing, uncomfortable, etc; I now use the Desoto bottoms and our team kit top…stick with Desoto!
I notice that the Apex products note an “elite fit”. I’m assuming that if you have to ask what that means that you won’t fit in it?
LOL…touche.
Maybe that’s why I had to beg them to make me a medium…they only had S and XS in their listing
I’m not sure if it was just me, but when I got into the aero position, the thing acted like a gawd damn parachute. My bars are not super close together, but enough so that it created a small pocket between my collar bone and the neck line of the tri top. And poof…it was like instant air conditioning for my torso. Again…it may just be my body type and how the top fits me, but I never experienced anything like it. It was worse than wearing a bike jersey and dropping the zipper halfway down because it seemed like the air couldn’t escape the fabric.
Same exact experience here. I was thinking about folding over the flap and having it sewn flat. If I can see the parachute over my shoulders, you know its huge. BTW, I think I’m pretty normal size/framed, so think its a design flaw and not some anomaly due to my shape*. *
Do you think that’s more of a function of the wider shoulders on the Blade version of the CS tops? They have the Link version that is the more “singlet” type top and I wonder if the parachute effect wouldn’t be as significant?
I’m a little worried about chafing under the arms with the Blade/sleeveless design as well. I have an old LG top with a small armhole cutout like that and would get chafed all the time. Is that a concern with the CS design?
I had a problem with the arm holes also. On the bike it rub so hard that I was debating cutting it in t2. Overall I would not get this kit again, I did love our lg kit we had the year before.
My team just switched to champion and I hat the tops. Going to wear an old team top with my despot shorts. Waste of money.
So, the feeling that I’m getting is that the Apex fabric is the best, but not in the blade/sleeveless design? The link/singlet cut is the best? Unfortunately the club only offers the Apex Blade top and to get the Link version I’ll have to order the Performance level.
Now, what about the shorts? Measurable difference between Apex and Performance there?
Bump on this old thread as my team is ordering from Champion Systems.
I am looking at the blade for more cover up from the sun however if the blade with apex fabric causes a parachute effect, i will want to stay away. Will i have the same issue if i ordered the blade/performance fabric instead?
Thanks
Also, if anyone can comment about the fit compared to Pearl Izumi (say a large top fits about the same as PI, etc.).
I ordered a champion system tri top last year – the apex link one. I wear pearl izumi men’s large select tops and they are a hair big. I got the champion systems one in XL based on the size measurements and it is so tight, I can’t wear it right now.
I have the parachute problem with the Apex Link. Know lots of people who have it in either the blade or link, so not really sure whats going on. Its a bummer cause I really like the fit and feel besides that. But I will never wear it again on the bike.
I decided to get the apex blade to support the team and have the parachute problem. Even the moisture wicking material isnt that great in my opinion. Feels like riding/running with a wet rag lol.
bummer. was hoping that they had that figured out by now. guess not. oh well, back to the drawing board to look for a new top.