Champion System Sizing...?

[SheFly]

Oh - don't get me started on buying pants! It's a good thing hipsters haven't gone out of style

I just measured, and my chest is just over 35" (I am also a 34D), but I have reasonably narrow shoulders, and what I affectionately refer to as T-Rex arms... The sleeves on the jerseys do fit a bit on the snug side on the elastic banding.

I didn't buy the heavier weight. I could have probably gotten away with a medium if I did that I think - if it's any comparison, I have several of the Pearl Izumi Select long sleeved fleece jerseys that are a size medium. I did just buy the size small wind vest though.

I can't compare the chamois, unfortunately, as I bought the standard one. I like it a lot - really comfortable on long rides. I don't remember exactly what the shorts model is, but they have flat lock stitching. I REALLY like that they are a bit higher waisted than others (and by that, I don't really mean high waisted, but that the material is not mesh quite so low) - I have a long torso, and jerseys tend to ride up on me. With these shorts, I don't have an issue with the white mesh showing, which I have had with other brands (Castelli, for instance). I ride A LOT, and get a lot of saddle sores through the year. These shorts don't bother me the same way that some others have in the past.

Overall, the quality is good, and the fit is also good. I am also a bad person, and wash and dry the kits in the machines (wash in cold).

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions!

SheFly

[zoom-zoom]

Ahhh...you have the higher end shorts. I wish the photos on their site were better so that I could compare the entry level and higher end shorts. I like my DH's bib shorts with the razor leg, but I don't think they offer that on standard shorts and I hate bibs.

[SheFly]

Oh - sorry! I actually have the bibs, as I hate shorts . With a long torso, my jerseys always ride, and I get the awesome lower back sunburn... The bibs are just so much more comfy for me - all I wear now no matter the brand. The other great thing about them for me is that they don't bind at my waist. I just looked up and the bibs are the CS Edge with Flatlock stitching and the Performance chamois. I also ended up with the CS Air Lite jersey, which is awesome on hot days - a bit lighter weight than the regular CS jersey.

I was also thinking last night about your comment for layering under the jacket for races when it's really cold. Be careful about this! I DO NOT EVER wear a wind layer when racing, even in temps down to 8 degrees (yes, it was this cold at Worlds this year ). If I have a wind layer, I over heat, and then end up really cold because I am wet. The best thing that has worked for me is to wear a base layer and then a heavy weight jersey on top. This is often enough even just doing a winter ride in temps as low as about 25.

And we are thinking about fat bikes this winter . Time to sell the barely ever used anymore snowmobiles

SheFly