Would YOU pay $150...

[Veronica]

Yes, I am the person who paid for the wicked expensive LG shorts, and I'd do it again. But $150 for a jersey?

V.



PS You can see the specs on TE. It's made by Castelli.

[Selkie]

Pretty. Am tempted. Even though I follow the Betty Rubble/Wilma Flinstone shopping credo ("chaaarge it!", haha) and go for quality stuff, that is way too expensive for a jersey.

[jobob]

Would it make me go faster?

[KnottedYet]

I might get close to $100 if it were wool.

There is an orange LS wool jersey at www.ibexwear.com for $125. I'm waiting for that puppy to go on sale.

Meanwhile I'm happy with my LS wool Ibex t-shirt. (that was $36, much easier to handle!)

Why do men get more choices in biking clothes than women? I thought WE were the clothes-horses? Even Ibex: men have 5 jerseys to choose from, women have 3.

[Trekhawk]

Does it have wings at the back?

$150 it should have.

Im with you, dont mind paying extra dollars for shorts but that is a bit much for a jersey.

Now if those wings are included I might change my mind.

[SadieKate]

Bubba words were "boy, that doesn't really light my fire."

Shorts yes, jerseys no. No usually much performance to be gained in really expensive jerseys while there is in shorts.

[SadieKate]

If Assos suddenly produces all those wonderful eidelweiss and cow jerseys in women's sizes I'll be the first in line.

[SAMbike]

Hi,

I actually looked at that jersey, and the shorts that go with it too, because I like to wear bright colors when riding (blaze orange & hiviz yellow).

The jersey's I currently have are mens jerseys by Performance, which work fine - but they stopped making the blaze orange color so I was looking for something else, plus it's actually a womens cut! But cannot bring myself to spending that kind of money. I don't understand why a jersey would be that much. Did you get it? If so, how does it feel? Does it have wings?

On a related note, the shorts - Castelli Physio - are white and orange. Anyone have white shorts? I'd think they might be like a white pair of pants or dress - a bit sheer especially if I get wet from sweating....? Just curious.

-Susan

[Squirrel 2]

I have white shorts. Not the Castellis, these:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18029

I love them, but yes, in certain light you can see through the white sections. Notice that any potentially revealing areas are a matte black, so you're covered. I see the Castellis are white on the seat, probably not a good idea. I have a pair of red shorts that stained on the seat from dyes coming off sweaty saddles. There are reasons to have a black seat.

And there are perfectly good reasons for buying an expensive jersey. No, it does not have wings. No, it does not make you go faster. But if it is cut better and made out of superior fabric, you will be more comfortable and should be able to go longer. It is the same reason you buy more expensive shorts. And just like in shorts, more expensive jerseys might have lots of panels, sometimes even made out of different fabrics in different areas. The fit on these is designed to be snug, like a second skin that wicks moisture off you. They're also designed to be worn in a riding position, so they might feel like they pull when you first put them on. But you get on your bike and go and after a while, you've forgotten all about them, they disappear.

I like to go for long rides, and on long rides the darndest little things start to bug you. A bad chamois won't even make it on a long ride. A hot shoe, or gloves with no ventilation will make you miserable. But jerseys can be treacherous, too. I've worn some that become unbearable on really hot days because they seem to trap heat inside. I've worn some that become unbearable on humid days because they don't wick well & end up getting clammy & soggy. I've had rashes from fabrics or dyes that bothered me. I've even had issues with zippers & threads! One full-length zipper sewn on with a rough, plastic thread rubbed a raw area right down the front of a good pair of bib shorts! Oh, that's another thing to note, expensive jerseys tend to use soft & supple zipper plackets so you don't get the pitched tent effect from a stiff zipper that sticks out over your chest.

Convinced yet? I was a hard sell initially because of innate cheapness, but I have now been ruined forever. I used to wear lots of nice jerseys with fun designs, but I only wear them on shorter rides now. On a long ride I will reach for my really good jerseys.

So would I spend $150 for a really good jersey? You betcha!

[SAMbike]

Thanks for the feedback! Those bib shorts you have are very sharp looking!! Very good advice about making sure there's no white in certain areas. Yours are much better than the ones I was looking at for sure in that respect. As for the jersey, good points about comfort/fit esp. on long rides. Hmmm, I might just buy that jersey afterall (maybe it will go on sale soon ).

Much appreciated,
Susan