Has clothing become more expensive recently?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a few bits & pieces to help me get back on the bike after an 18 month break and is it just me or have all prices gone up?
I'm no stranger to Rapha / Castelli et al and although out of practice at handing over silly money for bits of stretchy lycra it seems that even mid range offerings from DHB have shot up.
I'm no stranger to Rapha / Castelli et al and although out of practice at handing over silly money for bits of stretchy lycra it seems that even mid range offerings from DHB have shot up.
Thought so glancing at DHB after another post. Last bib shorts just over a year ago were at 20% off which felt 'normal' , now 5% max discount, and slightly higher list prices.
Slightly off topic, thought I'd found a bargain Merino DHB top on Wish.com - turned out to be a complete rip off, fake scratchy plastic thing.... lesson learned! Nightmare to get refund as orange top was sent out. Was surprised they target as small a brand.
Slightly off topic, thought I'd found a bargain Merino DHB top on Wish.com - turned out to be a complete rip off, fake scratchy plastic thing.... lesson learned! Nightmare to get refund as orange top was sent out. Was surprised they target as small a brand.
I really want to have a massive rant about clothing prices.
I see the roadie gear being mega expensive and I get that it needs to be comfortable, but it really is just a bit of Lycra and a pad. In MTB we have companies selling waterproof gear for such ridiculous amounts of money and you literally can ruin it in one ride snagging it on a branch or a little rest on the floor. I'm not going to pay £300 for a jacket to throw it away a week later. Standard shorts (not including a pad) for around £100 come on, no way is there that amount of R&D in a pair of shorts, and Jersey's come on £75 for a nylon t-shirt that can be produced for a fiver!
RAAAAAAAANT!
I see the roadie gear being mega expensive and I get that it needs to be comfortable, but it really is just a bit of Lycra and a pad. In MTB we have companies selling waterproof gear for such ridiculous amounts of money and you literally can ruin it in one ride snagging it on a branch or a little rest on the floor. I'm not going to pay £300 for a jacket to throw it away a week later. Standard shorts (not including a pad) for around £100 come on, no way is there that amount of R&D in a pair of shorts, and Jersey's come on £75 for a nylon t-shirt that can be produced for a fiver!
RAAAAAAAANT!
vwsurfbum said:
I really want to have a massive rant about clothing prices.
I see the roadie gear being mega expensive and I get that it needs to be comfortable, but it really is just a bit of Lycra and a pad. In MTB we have companies selling waterproof gear for such ridiculous amounts of money and you literally can ruin it in one ride snagging it on a branch or a little rest on the floor. I'm not going to pay £300 for a jacket to throw it away a week later. Standard shorts (not including a pad) for around £100 come on, no way is there that amount of R&D in a pair of shorts, and Jersey's come on £75 for a nylon t-shirt that can be produced for a fiver!
RAAAAAAAANT!
Yep, I've never been a fan of the fancy stuff, some of my mates who don't have a gang of snot noses thieves at home demanding food and clothes etc like all the TLD / Gore stuff, but as you say, sometimes jackets / shorts last years, sometimes hours. It hurts enough crashing, without getting kicked in the wallet too. I see the roadie gear being mega expensive and I get that it needs to be comfortable, but it really is just a bit of Lycra and a pad. In MTB we have companies selling waterproof gear for such ridiculous amounts of money and you literally can ruin it in one ride snagging it on a branch or a little rest on the floor. I'm not going to pay £300 for a jacket to throw it away a week later. Standard shorts (not including a pad) for around £100 come on, no way is there that amount of R&D in a pair of shorts, and Jersey's come on £75 for a nylon t-shirt that can be produced for a fiver!
RAAAAAAAANT!
P-Jay said:
Yep, I've never been a fan of the fancy stuff, some of my mates who don't have a gang of snot noses thieves at home demanding food and clothes etc like all the TLD / Gore stuff, but as you say, sometimes jackets / shorts last years, sometimes hours. It hurts enough crashing, without getting kicked in the wallet too.
Gore stuff looks lovely and I have a pair of XC shorts that i got in a sale about 80% off, still too expensive at 40 quid. Have you seen the price of POC shirts of Mark Webber's company, Jeeeesus thats stuff is expensive for what it is.
vwsurfbum said:
Just did a search on Ausi Grit, looks like they're no more. Must have priced themselves right out of the market.
I spoke with a couple of their reps at MTB meet-up and they always seemed to have nice, if realllllly expensive stuff. I don't think I was a target customer for them, their "comfort fit" XXL jersey seemed about as loose fit as those white jeans he wears on C4 F1 ha ha.
Sheets Tabuer said:
MC Bodge said:
Everything has become more expensive.
It's almost like governments around the world have been printing money willy nilly.Batten down the hatches.
I was gonna buy some bits at the weekend but the prices put me right off.
I was going to grab a new pair of Fox gloves as my current favourite ones are getting a bit thin on a couple of fingers. At £45 with supposedly 10% off I will get another summer out mine, I'm certain they were £20-25 around 18 months ago.
Another vote for Galibier from me. They’re becoming my go to brand now - good quality and a very good price.
Siroko seems to get mixed reviews but I know people with Siroko kit who have been very happy with it. Very good prices.
I have got quite a few Morvelo items, but their prices do seem to have gone up. Rapha doesn’t feel quite as expensive as I think people assume, certainly compared to new contenders like Le Col which seem very expensive.
Siroko seems to get mixed reviews but I know people with Siroko kit who have been very happy with it. Very good prices.
I have got quite a few Morvelo items, but their prices do seem to have gone up. Rapha doesn’t feel quite as expensive as I think people assume, certainly compared to new contenders like Le Col which seem very expensive.
At the opposite end of the spectrum to Rapha, the Crane soft shell cycling jacket from Aldi has been one of my greatest and most used bike clothing purchases. I used a pair of Crane winter longs for a few years of commuting too.
Decathlon bib shorts and longs have been really good. I often struggle with sizing, but their Large fits me well.
Polaris shorts are another good budget item that I've had a few pairs of over the years.
Decathlon bib shorts and longs have been really good. I often struggle with sizing, but their Large fits me well.
Polaris shorts are another good budget item that I've had a few pairs of over the years.
Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 13th April 11:12
bigtomski said:
I used to spend a fair bit on Rapha stuff but I just can't justify the cost anymore. I'm another one who uses galibier and decathlon.
Both sell excellent stuff at great prices. My galibier kit is particularly impressive.
The good thing about Rapha stuff is that it holds its value quite well. I’ve recovered about 60% of original cost (and in some cases much more) on bits that I’ve eBayed once they don’t fit properly anymore. Both sell excellent stuff at great prices. My galibier kit is particularly impressive.
And their Core range is very good without being silly expensive.
Everything I’ve had from Galibier has something that I’m not quite happy with, bought some of their Firefeet winter socks after rave reviews, the heel cup went baggy after one use. Their anatomically cut arm warmers had the strangest fit of an arm warmer I’ve ever tried and yes I tried them on both arms each way! I bought some mitts that had a nasty seem right in the thumb / forefinger area, a mate wore them and concurred after it rubbing.
I’ve just received some of their airflow overshoes for TT’ing, no mention of it on the website but the uppers are fleece lined, not going to great come summer! I don’t think I’d risk jerseys or bibs from them.
I tend to stick to Rapha, Castelli and Chapeau for main items and companies like Defeet and Madison for socks.
I’ve just received some of their airflow overshoes for TT’ing, no mention of it on the website but the uppers are fleece lined, not going to great come summer! I don’t think I’d risk jerseys or bibs from them.
I tend to stick to Rapha, Castelli and Chapeau for main items and companies like Defeet and Madison for socks.
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