Road Apparel by Specialized: Spring and Summer Essentials

Ok, so we spend a lot of time reviewing perhaps the most important kit for cycling, i.e. bikes, wheelsets, and shoes. But surely no one is out there riding in the raw, ergo apparel need not be neglected. Whether you are looking for increased performance from your apparel or not, I think that we can all agree that at the very least we want to be comfortable in our attire when we cycle. In this post, we shall discuss some of the Specialized road apparel line, helmets shall be discussed at a later date as they are well worthy of a complete post of their own.

This blog emphasizes the essentials, bib shorts and jerseys. With regard to endurance road apparel, Specialized offers three levels of bib shorts. The basic RBX Sport Bib Shorts still offer the benefits of VaporRize™ moisture transfer, they have a well articulated cycling fit, a silicone print on the fold-over leg cuff, the RBX Sport Chamois, and Deflect UV of 50+. For those unfamiliar with the Deflect UV technology, it is technology integrated into the fabrics to protect riders from Ultra Violet rays.

One model up is the RBX Comp Bib Short with which you get the all the benefits of the RBX Sport Bib Shorts, plus a higher grade Body Geometry RBX Comp Chamois.

And at the top end of the spectrum, the RBX Pro Bib Short, riders get the added benefit of the Coldblack® technology, which makes the black materials absorb less heat than others. Moreover, the rider also gets RBX silicone grip elastic, and the top of the line Body Geometry RBX Pro Chamois.

 

Specialized also provides endurance apparel Jersey at these same three levels, with benefits of each particular model as well of course. The basic RBX Sport Jersey is semi-form fit and made with VaporRize™ moisture transfer knit fabrics with Deflect UV 30, equipped with three expansion pockets, and has a full-length zipper.

The RBX Comp Jersey comes with all the features of the Sport Jersey plus a side panel stash pocket as well as more color options.

And with the RBX Pro Jersey, top of the line for Specialized endurance road jerseys, the rider gets the added benefit of the sweat-proof zippered pocket. This feature can be clutch when one is needing to carry their phone.

 

The Men’s Endurance apparel line is going to cover all the needs of the weekend warrior and/or distance yet non-competitive cyclists. But as we now, competitive cyclists have different needs, and those little advantages can often make a difference when fighting for fractions of seconds. For these cyclists, my recommendation is the SL Pro Bib Short. The SL Pro Bib short of course is constructed with VaporRize™ moisture transfer knit fabrics and Deflect UV 50+. But the true benefit to the competitive cyclist is going to be in the articulated cycling fit of these bib shorts, which is noticeable instantly when you put them on. Moreover, they come with the Body Geometry SL Pro Chamois, super comfortable and aerodynamic. And lastly the silicone infused fabric cuff is another added feature to this model meant to enhance the fit of the short.

Having used Specialized Bib shorts and jerseys in both road and track, they have held up better than most kit I have experience with. Moreover, the manufacturing of the high end kit is arguably equivalent to that of a comparable level of kit such as that from Castelli. Yet, I think the real benefits of specialized apparel are realized through their BG fit as well as the technology that is integrated into them such as the Coldblack® technology, VaporRize™ moisture transfer, and Deflect UV technology.

Keep it up Specialized, innovation at all angles.

Tuesday Banter: Funny Cycling Kits!

I must admit, though I am an all black kit and clothing kind of guy myself, there is something to be said about whimsical jerseys and cycling kits. There is something fun about showing up to your Saturday ride with friends and having the most colorful and sometimes hilarious kit, especially when you are feeling strong and pulling them around all day. Bicycling.com has scoured and found some of the funniest kits out there in the following feature. A few are definitely worth highlighting, and I have followed with a couple of my personal favorites from experience.

Feature: 12 Crazy Cycling Kits

This kit is my particular favorite from the feature, I literally laughed out loud as I came across this one while scrolling through. The Banana kit by DJ Clever Kits from Sommerville Sports! Need we say more? This kit speaks for itself in our opinion. Vivid photography of real bananas, no animation here, completely covering the jersey. Peers at your weekend ride will simply be amazed, and may even get a chuckle, or two, or many.

I think that most who have grown up in the 90’s can agree that this kit is pretty much totally AWESOME! Think Zack Morris, Kelly Kapowski, Samuel “Screech” Powers, and A.C. Slater; If “Saved By the Bell” had a cycling club, this would surely be their team kit. Another amazing Australian cycling export, Attaquer is making super high quality cycling apparel with the attitude desired by even the most outspoken cyclists.

Okay, once again I am at a loss of words. What can really be said about a majestic Unicorn spewing rainbows all over the place… nothing more than “AWESOME”! This unique kit is designed for Halters Cycles in New Jersey, a bit jealous that they thought of it first to be completely honest. Yet it wouldn’t work for our branding here in Brooklyn anyhow. Either way, bravo Halters Cycles, totally awesome and I would be amused to say the least if I saw this jersey on the way up to Nyack or down to Surf City.

One of my personal favorites, the team Near Naked men cycling kit. Team Near Naked has joined together to raise money for the Male Cancer Awaerness Campaign, specifically male prostate cancer. So, not only is the kit hilarious with a nearly naked appearance and simple foliage covering rider’s bits, but team Near Naked is out their riding in the fight against cancer; a cause that is difficult to not admire. I had the pleasure of lending one of my bikes a couple years ago as Team Near Naked premiered the kit in a photo shoot at Look Mum No Hands’ Clerkenwell location in London  as seen in the following photo. Riding for a good cause, we are all about it.

And lastly, the Heinz Beans kit! Yes, a thousand times yes.

Made by Foska Clothing. Please let us know about any funny cycling kits you know of or may own. We would love to hear about them, always a good chuckle.