Chinese cycling clothes

[jhearrtot]

the same pad as in these:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004436474128.html

perfect! Thanks!

[srf0638]

Anybody know of otherwise quality bibs with a thin, minimal chamois? Like the fleece you sometimes get in tri shorts. I hit up YKYW and asked which of their bibs had the thinnest chamois but they never did get back to me on that.

[cameltown]

Yeah gotta say I agree with this mostly...

The red pads in my cheji bibs are just as good as any of my top brand stuff. I'd say they're superior to my santini pads. Still, Rosti make my favourite pad overall.

But then again, I have an unpadded saddle that seems to fit me perfectly, so I get along with most bibs pretty well. I went through 20 saddles to actually get to this one though.

The fake elastic interface pads, like those offered on brands like darevie or ykykkykykkbike have been pretty ordinary but still usable, unlike those ultra cheap 7d fluoro pads, which are just utter garbage.

This one https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005001939822272.html ?

I've tried three different rion pads and i have no pro bibs from any maker but it seems like the elastic interface is legit and well done. I've looked at pictures of 200$ bibs with elastic interface and its basically the same thing.
The way the rion bibs are made is also amazing when it comes to stitch and everything else.
Most brands actually sells stuff way too expensive for sure rapha or asos bibs cost them 10$-30$ to make maximum with the elastic interface expensive pads that they probably pay a few bucks

[ScottL]

Hi All,

 I'm looking for recommendations for bib shorts. At 168cm 53kg I'm at the low end of the small size for weight and approaching the small/medium for height on the Darevie charts. This roughly matches with the castelli size small I have now, which are a bit tight on the straps and just barely tight enough on my thighs. The castelli pad is too wide for me in the middle, digging into my inner thighs so a pad that's narrow in this area would be good. I have no preference on the manufacturer, but low key or no graphics are preferred.

 Thanks!

[Serge_K]

The fake elastic interface pads, like those offered on brands like darevie or ykykkykykkbike have been pretty ordinary but still usable, unlike those ultra cheap 7d fluoro pads, which are just utter garbage.

I got a darevie bib with the fancy blue/green elastic interface chamois. It's one of the worst bibs I have tried. I got a refund. Beyond the wonky measurements that are totally different from all other bibs, the pad is very thin and uncomfortable.

A friend who's an ex pro is very pleased with the chamois on his ykyw bib. But he's super light and has done a dozen rides on it max.

The AliExpress I get along with best is this one. Especially in aero position, the thick dense front of the pad makes a difference.

I haven't tried the most expensive AliExpress bibs, but that red one is way more comfortable than the castelli bibs I have.

[raisinberry777]

A short history of my AliExpress cycling clothes.

For reference, 174cm tall, 69kg with 88cm chest and 77cm waist. In most European brands, this means an XS jersey and S bibs. For Asian brands, I have bought (Asian sizes) S jerseys and M bibs.

Jerseys:

YJZ946 - YKYWBike summer cycling jersey
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005476142982.html

Tight fit but as expected for race clothing. Sleeve length is similar to most modern race kit (near elbows). Decent size pockets with one zipper pocket. Not the cheapest on AliExpress but quality is (in my view) great.

Spexcel 2021 seamless summer jersey
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32855060942.html

Fit is great, but other than that it's pretty meh. Fabric is very thin, so the pockets sag a bit and it just feels a bit... flimsy. The YKYWBike one is significantly better. Hopefully Spexcel have upped their game in the last couple of years.

YLJZ849 - YWYWBike Autumn cycling jersey
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001652429034.html

Same as the summer jersey but with long sleeves. Tight fit but as expected for race clothing. Sleeve length is perfect for me (a relatively normally proportioned 174cm tall). Pocket sizes are good.

YKYWBike Autumn thermal fleece
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003394640394.html

Nearly great, but the pockets are tiny. My phone (Galaxy S24 Ultra) only fits in the middle pocket. Rear right pocket is basically useless with how small it is. Somewhat annoying when in autumn/winter you need the extra storage space for changeable conditions. Otherwise, fit is the same as the thin long sleeve. Annoying that it's so close to really good!

Shorts:

YPBZ821 - YKYWBike basic bib shorts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005937035832.html

Fantastic for the price ($13 USD at time of buying, now around $18 USD). Have had worse bibs at triple the price. Straps are great, lycra compression is good, leg grippers are great, pad is... good enough. Great for an up to five hour ride (which is 99% of my riding).

YSPBZ865 - YKYWBike 3/4 bibs
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005947951120.html

Same as the basic shorts but with 3/4 length legs. Still has the same basic padding but seems to be a bit more expensive ($30 USD) - but all the good points of the shorts remain.

Pro Level YPB1010 - YKYWBike pro level shorts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005495749706.html

Great... except for the leg grippers. I find that they constantly ride up. A real letdown as the shorts seem great otherwise - great compressibility, great padding, great straps, leg length comes down to near the knee.

Kemaloce bib shorts with pockets
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004323174278.html

Tried these for some cheap bib shorts with pockets - threw them in the bin after one ride. Poor stretchiness, terrible bad, very basic straps.

Swiftofo bib shorts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002772409932.html

One of the best I've tried from China (but on the pricey end for AliExpress). Availability seems to have always been very limited. Good all-round option but for that price range now I'd try something like Lameda.

Darevie 2021 bib shorts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001622154194.html

Okay to good. Lycra not very compressing. Pad is okay, but fairly thin. Leg grippers not great - did not always sit flat against leg. Fit was good though - would be interesting to see how their products have changed since.

Spexcel 3/4 thermal cargo bib shorts
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003480427106.html

Not very good. Pad thickness is inconsistent. Leg grippers are bad and ride up. Lycra pilled quite quickly. It's a shame, because the lycra has good stretch and the bibs fit nicely.

Socks:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005628832005.html

Good basics - hold elasticity well, nice bright colour on the pink, can't ask for much more.

[kbernstein]

Darevie bibs (2023?): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005057467316.html
My experience doesn't mirror others at all. They are by far my favorite bibs, the pad is perfect, gripper is good and construction lasts. I got 3

X-tiger thermal fleeced overshoes: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006146554661.html
Haven't used them much yet but toasty for sure. Feet got too warm at 7c. Nobrainer for occasional cold rides

2023 Darevie jerseys: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005368814809.html
Great fit, love the sleeve material. Great overall but I wish the pockets sat lower (there is a vented mesh under them), wish there was a zipper pocket and wish there was no rubber gripper. Tends to come up after some time which doesn't happen on jerseys with no gripper IME. I also have 3

YKYWbike jersey: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33002919708.html
So oversized for me it's not even funny. Be very mindful of size as mine is easily 2 if not 3 sizes too large. Looks great but can't review. Has a zipper pocket

YKYWbike bibs (similar to RION unless the pad is different): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005266133348.html
Great materials, awful pad. Extremely rigid, doesn't bend/wrap around the saddle or legs. Sitting is "fine" but walking with them is torture

Spexcel 2021 bibs, can't find anymore, hopefully discontinued. Very itchy straps and awful coolmax pad. Extremely soft but somehow rigid. Stand up and it magically tapers into a V that goes straight into your crack. Not my cup of tea

The cheji skinsuit was discussed a bunch here before, can I have some sizing examples for reference?

Generic thicker socks: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002797544747.html
I mostly use them for running/hiking, they are very well constructed, breathe fairly well and zero rubbing. I'm 44EU for reference and they are quite snug

Generic aero socks: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004958591750.html
-A nobrainer for me. Comfortable, don't slip. Not sure I'm saving 30W but even if they don't save anything they are awesome for the price

[Crash217]

Hi All,

 I'm looking for recommendations for bib shorts. At 168cm 53kg I'm at the low end of the small size for weight and approaching the small/medium for height on the Darevie charts. This roughly matches with the castelli size small I have now, which are a bit tight on the straps and just barely tight enough on my thighs. The castelli pad is too wide for me in the middle, digging into my inner thighs so a pad that's narrow in this area would be good. I have no preference on the manufacturer, but low key or no graphics are preferred.

 Thanks!

If you find something good.  I'm 165cm / 55kg and almost everything I find either shows I'm too small for what they offer.   The only bib from AliEx i've gotten that I liked is a Rion thermal, and its really just "ok".  Not as comfy as my summer stuff.   The pad is a little big and like almost every other brand i've ever tried the pad is also too far back/up.

[TidyDinosaur]

Darevie bibs (2023?): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005057467316.html
My experience doesn't mirror others at all. They are by far my favorite bibs, the pad is perfect, gripper is good and construction lasts. I got 3

2023 Darevie jerseys: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005368814809.html
Great fit, love the sleeve material. Great overall but I wish the pockets sat lower (there is a vented mesh under them), wish there was a zipper pocket and wish there was no rubber gripper. Tends to come up after some time which doesn't happen on jerseys with no gripper IME. I also have 3

I also love those darevie bibs. Ordered 2 more in the last sale.

I also like the fit and quality of those jerseys, but I HATE all the logo's and cheap slogans on them. I only wear them when I ride alone because I find them embarrassing... If they would leave them off I would buy a bunch of them. I tried to remove the text with acetone but ruined the jersey by doing so...

[perneto]

Does any reputable brand make custom cycling clothes? I saw some listings with WeChat/WhatsApp contact details but they seemed to offer dubious quality.

I'm looking to get something like the new Rule28 Gravel Suit / Rapha Blaerosuit, with a quality long distance pad.