My Assos gear is also all size L, btw. My Equipe RS jerseys are race-fit and sit tight around my body. I have no Assos bibshorts. I have a couple of fall/winter tights that are fine too, but they could be a few cm shorter. (I usually fold them up a bit since I only wear those with overshoes). Castelli winter/fall tights are the right length for me.
Rapha Closes Office, Lays Off Staff
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TheBelgian
- Posts: 195
- Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:09 am
- Location: Belgium
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I have dozens of kits from Assos, Maap, Paul Smith, Rapha, and Cafe Du Cycliste. By far the worst quality bibs in fit and quality are the Rapha. Their jerseys, vests, jackets, socks, gloves, caps are all excellent. The bibs are absolute garbage!
Bianchi Oltre XR4, De Rosa SK Pininfarina, Trek Madone SLR, Giant TCR Advanced SL, Cervelo R5 Disk, Giant Revolt
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EtoDemerzel
- Posts: 518
- Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:13 pm
Rapha has always been the most durable and best service. The attention to detail and tailoring is excellent. Most of my stuff is Pro Team. Absolutely the best stuff. It just wears well, technically excellent and lasts.
They have poor photography on their site, and become unimaginative and stagnant with design and colors. The only interesting stuff is limited edition sponsored kit. Quality and technical materials is top notch though.
Maap doesn't last and their quality and service is not on par with their prices. They are also often more expensive than Rapha Pro Team. Influencer kit of the moment. None of my Maap kit lasted even 1/4 the time of Rapha Pro Team.
Castelli is always interesting in technology but they are horrible in style. Not horrible, just outdated. Their stuff doesn't last and they are the OG of transparent bibs.
Rossa Corsa stuff is good but just no style points.
The only people I see wearing Castelli are team issue, and freds.
PNS is tops in style and colors. They self destruct about as fast as Castelli but most PNS buyers probably swap out every season anyway. I can't wear PNS across my back.
LeCol is LeMid. LaPassione is LaMid
There are some good smaller brands but the high quality stuff is a tough sell. For the money people usually go for a name brand.
The smaller cheap stuff seems to do well like Black Bibs, Neo and others. Though I don't see much of it out on the road, it's probably a big market.
They have poor photography on their site, and become unimaginative and stagnant with design and colors. The only interesting stuff is limited edition sponsored kit. Quality and technical materials is top notch though.
Maap doesn't last and their quality and service is not on par with their prices. They are also often more expensive than Rapha Pro Team. Influencer kit of the moment. None of my Maap kit lasted even 1/4 the time of Rapha Pro Team.
Castelli is always interesting in technology but they are horrible in style. Not horrible, just outdated. Their stuff doesn't last and they are the OG of transparent bibs.
Rossa Corsa stuff is good but just no style points.
The only people I see wearing Castelli are team issue, and freds.
PNS is tops in style and colors. They self destruct about as fast as Castelli but most PNS buyers probably swap out every season anyway. I can't wear PNS across my back.
LeCol is LeMid. LaPassione is LaMid
There are some good smaller brands but the high quality stuff is a tough sell. For the money people usually go for a name brand.
The smaller cheap stuff seems to do well like Black Bibs, Neo and others. Though I don't see much of it out on the road, it's probably a big market.
