Assos vs Rapha

Kris, we know you belong in a nuthouse.

Being raving mad may not be a requirement for hanging out here... but it helps. So I'll take that as a compliment ;)

the testicle nest "kuku penthouse" basically wins this arguement
until rapha come out with a chamois in the shape of a hand

Assos and Rapha are the best on the planet largely because their marketing is the loudest.

Ain't that the truth, MOA makes the Rapha Sky kit and most of the top UCI teams kit but isn't marketed so it doesn't come in the running in this tread.

Despite what Rapha et al say. Isnt half the battle finding a perfect fit. I'm well aware that Sidi make awesome shoes. But even the most eye wateringly expensive Sidi model would have my pasty feet in agony.

I have some lovely Castelli bibs. With a high end pad, flashy compression lycra etc. But they dont place the bib very well on me. It kinda hangs. Probably awesome on someone else. But on me they're turbo training bibs now.

Much as I feel the desire for some nice Assos bibs. I think I'll just grab some Skins C400 bibs. I know the fit is perfect.

what is the fit like on Assos bibs? For reference I am a large in the Rapha classics.

New assos bibs look great.

Straps look really really good.

http://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/gear-reviews/assos-reloads-with-s7/

Not convinced on the Assos plum holder pad at all - managed to get some top of the range ones cheap and much prefer the Rapha ones at half the price - they obviously "fit" me much better..

^^ I'm a spot on L in everything Rapha sells (though I've never tried the pro team kit, but have at least a couple of items from every other range of the past few years).

Assos XLG is just as good a fit on me. Usually takes a couple of long rides to break in a new pair of Assos bibs though. On the first couple of wears they feel very tight around the junk and the top of my thighs.

6'6" and 168lbs.

I'm a pound heavier than you and 4" shorter, all my Rapha kit is Medium.

And I am a few kg's lighter then you and if I breathe in the stitching on any Rapha L but baselayer will break.

While I was on an audax in May I drafted someone wearing Rapha shorts and someone wearing Assos shorts. The Assos were certainly a lot thinner. I might have been able to see less through a sheet of cling film.

I have some Assos shorts like this. Now firmly in the 'turbo and under padless winter tights' pile. Have some old Rapha cross 3/4s that have the same issue around the knees.

I'm not make to feel a bit sicky from visible knees.

Decided to give said Assos top of range bibshorts one last chance on Sunday. Poxy chamoid had split... pain just subsiding now - binned them sticking to Rapha from now on.

Assos rule.

Maybe you do not know that you can send them for repair?

Assos rule.

Really?

Of course.

There you go. You said it.