Long term wearer of Chinese cycling kit, over 5 years ago purchased my first Racmmer and Spexcel kit. Own a lot of kit from Rapha Pro Team (probably my favourite to wear), DHB Aeron (my value for money pick), Pedal Mafia (my local brand) and a heap of Australian, European and Chinese brands.
I am hard on my kit, I sweat a lot, train hard and race hard. Did not always take good care of my kit, ie did not rinse my kit immediately after use and used detergent with added enzymes. If I was lucky I might get 40 or so rides out of a pair of bibs before the went see through. Hence looking for value for money options particularly for my commute/training ride which was 40km one way.
I currently have 30 jerseys and 20 bibs of various colours (everything but white) in rotation. Calmed down purchasing over last 18 months as improved washing techniques have extended the life of my kits and I am spending time in gym which is changing my body shape.
Quality of kit is changing, what you expect from high end kit 5 years ago in design, materials, constructions is common amongst the value end of the market and what was acceptable to me as budget kit a few years ago is no longer.
My experience with Chinese brands
Racmmer: My first jersey cost me $10 and came with laser cut aero sleeves and body that didn’t breath, great value at the time, but not something I would buy now. I find their base layers don’t breath and the bibs shorts don’t do it, cheap and nasty pad in wrong place, harsh lycra, minimal compression.
Spexcel: Had a bunch of their jerseys from a few years back, looked good, felt good, but they deteriorated fairly quickly, after 30 or so rides, badly faded, broken zips, saggy pockets, stitches just unravelling and even a tear in the material from use not damage. Most jerseys last me for a lot longer before I retire them . The bib shorts rarely got worn as they lacked the compression. Did buy some 2021 releases, the compression is better in the bib shorts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002861130474.html , but not the level I get and like from other brands and the jersey
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002580418338.html has survived so far, but probably only a dozen rides, but better than others. Would buy again.
YKYWbike: Love the atheistic of their jerseys, but realising they are deteriorating faster the most others jerseys ie 10 to 15 rides and they are worse that jerseys bought over 5 years ago with 50 or more rides in them. Bought their Korea lycra cargo bibs, first impressions great, so I bought a second pair with the Elastic Interface pad, but again after regular use (maybe 20 rides each) the soft, compressive lycra is a little harsh and lost some compression. Really rate their base layers and socks.
Darevie: Friends rave about them, but did like their style. Bought a plain long sleeve jersey, crashed and destroyed it first ride, did not care, cheap material poor fit. Also bought bibs,
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003127347074.html , the pad is a little thin still done 100km in a pair, does lack the compression I like, the lycra is light weight which is great for summer rides in 30C/90F around here. Liked the range of colours I bought three, only downside is one pair the lycra appears to be damaged on a hip, no idea why.
Cheji took a risk on this brand because they were the first to sell coloured bibs on AliExpress. Happy I did, these are my favourites
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001939822272.html have three different colours and the bright purple take a beating as my race bibs. Decent compression, has taken a lot of use with deteriorating and the lycra still feel good. Quality wise (construction, materials etc) like the previous DHB Aeron bibs and no problem on 4 hour rides. Have a couple of jerseys that have survived a dozen rides without issue. Only word of warning their pricing is unpredictable and fluctuates. I scored two pairs of those bibs at $25 each, current asking $50 and have seen them at $70.
Monton https://montonsports.com/ a level above the AliExpress brands, I own a pair of their Skul bib shorts $66 very lightweight, great compression, my bib shorts of choice when I had to do a ride in 45C/112F. After sales service leaves a little to be desired my shipment disappeared for 9 weeks in transit. Had tracking got to Chinese airport and nothing, negotiating a replacement was challenging process, then suddenly tracking sprang to life after 11 weeks will my shipment appearing at an airport on the other side of Australia.
Other brands, I have taken a few risks with other brands off AliExpress and generally been disappointed and I don’t set my expectations too high.
