Assos vs Rapha

helly hanson used to do a range of undergarments, laminating polypropolene inner for hydrophilic, with marino wool outer for warmth and a bit of lycra for shape recovery.... now thats what i call good, and up to date.

assos shorts worth every penny. dunno about their jackets though i only have gore windstoppers which are very good. i also have a cheap windtex jacket by bicycleline which is very good i noticed a giordana jacket made with windtex for about £45 on the primera-bournmouth site, probably a good low-price softshell.
if i was spending assos money i would get the rapha one, it has a higher annoyance factor.

'the bike factory' in chester has a big assos sale on FYI, i was there yesterday.

'the bike factory' in chester has a big assos sale on FYI, i was there yesterday.

Blimey. That's within walking distance of me.

If I invested in a decent sewing machine & a pile of performance fabrics (I know a supplier)

And went about constructing some not so gross but similarly performing but better value bicycle clothing, do you reckon Id have a sucessful business model?

Platini, are you not from London? If i'd have known i'd have stopped by for a brew and a breadcake ;)

assos stuff really is amazing. but it looks so... i dunno... technical. it's like gear for astronaut wannabes.

Assos is really good kit and for key garments like shorts and body warmers well worth the price. The Rappa stuff is clearly cooler though, too cool for me anyway... maybe one day I will make it to full fakenger grade.

Iv never tried it but have been told that for a good product at bargain price wiggle own brand DHB do decent kit, also I really like my altura jacket which is bargain basement in comparison

i reckon the rapha stuff is really expensive though.
i also like the Citroen DS.

Platini, are you not from London? If i'd have known i'd have stopped by for a brew and a breadcake ;)

You should have. Mind you, I would have upped the menu to a pint or so...

If you are putting in hard miles on the bike, Assos, if you are commuting and want something you can wear to the pub, then Rapha -or if you want to save cash, the swrve Milwaukee hoodie.

I was out over the past two weeks putting hard miles in wearing Rapha. Have I erred?

If I had the money I'd get a Gore bike wear jacket (probably Oxygen).

Went for a mountain run this afternoon, in their running gear (Concurve, now Gore run wear), cant imagine anything else performing better, and lasting longer.

Having said that, nearly all my winter bike gear is Endura. Made by people who live in a shitty climate like me, and sold at reasonable prices!

What do the italians know about commuting to work in horizontal rain, that warrants those price tags?

I have the Assos Fugu jacket and would recommend it.

You flash git:) I wanted that one, bank card says no. 851for me............ in orange don't you know.

The F1 insert for Assos shorts is pretty special imo. 100 miles and no sore bum. £100, worth it? perhaps not but I don't think they are so wildly priced against the likes of Santini Twist Gel etc.

Obviously if Assos shorts were £40 I would be happier but you get what you pay for eh?

What do the italians know about commuting to work in horizontal rain, that warrants those price tags?

Assos are Swiss. I cycled through a Swiss winter one year so think they know their onions.

Agree on the Gore Bike Wear kit, it's excellent stuff and long lasting too.

Assos are Swiss.** I cycled through a Swiss winter** one year so think they know their onions.

Agree on the Gore Bike Wear kit, it's excellent stuff and long lasting too.

One hell of a long ride, that.

I was out over the past two weeks putting hard miles in wearing Rapha. Have I erred?

Absolutely, you must repent by going out and buying some Assos gear :)

Having said that, I have gear from both manufacturers, and love 'em all!

I think Assos and Rapha both use the same chamois pads.

interesting - i got some rapha bibs at the sample sale/riot, recently and the pad is of superb quality.

I think Assos and Rapha both use the same chamois pads.

no they don't. i have a pair of rapha shorts and a pair of assos ones... the pad in the assos ones is infinitely better.

my error, both use cytech pads, though cytech make hundreds of different types of pad

(the rapha ones fit and look better though...)

Are they the current Rapha shorts teddy or the first edition ones they did? (They changed pads for the current ones and they are much more comfortable).

the current ones.