96 lines
5 KiB
Markdown
96 lines
5 KiB
Markdown
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date: 2015-12-11
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title: Got some new cycling gear
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category: cycling
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featured_image: /images/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-windslam.png
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---
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I\'ve been shopping! I\'ve recently bought myself a new pair of pair of
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bib tights (for the full Dave Lee Roth effect) and a new jersey. More
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specifically I\'ve bought [DHB Vaeon Roubaix padded
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tights](https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-padded-bib-tight/)
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and a [DHB Windslam
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jersey](https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-windslam-long-sleeve-jersey/).
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DHB is the house brand of online cycle megastore
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[Wiggle](https://www.wiggle.co.uk). Wiggle are based in Portsmouth,
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which is where I studied, lived for 10 years, met my wife and where both
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my children were born. As a result, I probably have a slightly bias
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opinion of them - I could justifiably call them my LBS after all. I will
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try and put any bias aside however and just give an honest opinion here
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though.
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DHB may be a house brand, but that does not mean Wiggle are just chosing
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from the menu of some anonymous Chinese factory. I know for fact that
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they have passionate cyclist designers working hard to make there gear
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the best they can. I know this because I was introduced to them by other
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parents at my sons\' school who work at Wiggle (my old LBS remember).
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They put a lot of effort into there clothing and it shows.
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Both are what Wiggle call \"Performance Fit\". This means that it is
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tailored tight, but not quite to the point of the stuff they make for
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their pro riders. Whatever, I can tell you that there is not a single
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bit of fabric flapping around which is great - aero is everything after
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all. In both cases I took a small (I am 5\'5 and weigh 61kg for
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reference) and the fit is perfect).
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<img class='image-process-article-image' src='/images/dhb Vaeon Roubaix Padded Bib Tight.jpg' />
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The tights are Lombardia lycra which is quality stuff, usually seen on
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garments costing 2 or 3 times the price. They look great - all black
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with just the right amount of highlighting and reflective material to
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make me visible in the dark. The fit is (for me) absolutely spot on,
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although your mileage may vary here. If you have exactly the same shaped
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bottom as I do the chamois is perfect. I have tree trunk thighs for my
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size and often find the edge of the chamois rubs on my inner thighs,
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this one does not. As the name suggests they have a roubaix fabric
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lining. Wiggle say they are good for 8-15deg Celcius, but I strongly
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disagree. So far I have worn them in conditions ranging from 3-12
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degrees for both gentle and full gas rides. At 3 deg Celcius I was more
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than warm enough, even riding gently. For me these will easily be
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wearable below freezing. At 15 deg Celcius, to be honest, anyone not
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wearing shorts is just weak.
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<img class='image-process-article-image' src='/images/5360082447 - Mens Windslam LS Jersey - frnt.jpg' />
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The jersey is equally good. Again the fit is perfect for me. Initially I
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thought that the sleeves were a little long, but in fact once on the
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bike they are about right. It has full length zip which seems sturdy
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enough. On the back there are 3 pockets, plus an extra small pocket with
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a zip. My phone (Moto G) fits in there in its wallet nicely along with
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my badge for work. Here is one area I will critise this jersey - if
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anything the pockets are little too deep. Getting an energy bar, or my
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keys, out of them is a little awkward when walking. It is better on the
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bike, but I would still take an inch off them perhaps. The front panel
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of the jersey is what gives it its _Windslam_ name as it has a wind
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resistant layer which seems to work nicely. Around 10 deg Celcius I have
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been wearing it on its own over the bibs, below about 7 deg Celcius I
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put a MTB jersey underneath and I am comfortable. One final thing, and
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this is my only real critism, is that it is sold as blue. I would say it
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is more a turquoise - my bike is properly blue, so it does not match as
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well as I had hoped.
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As DHB is a house brand, it is amazing value too. The RRPs are €67.79
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and €49.99 for the tights and jersey respectively. In terms of fit and
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quality, they compare favourably with the likes of Castelli and Rapha
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which cost considerably more. Now add in the fact the Wiggle often sells
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them 50% off and the value for money is quite simply off the charts.
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So, the important stuff. Does it make me faster? Incredibly I would say
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actually yes. I feel better on the bike, I can move around easily and
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with no fabric flapping around I am more aero, at least on paper. I
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think I am seeing this in my speed too. According to Strava I am
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actually 2-3km/h faster since I got these, which equates to nearly 10
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minutes on my commute home! That is not something to be sniffed at.
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Finally, the service was amazing! I ordered on Black Friday and it
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arrived at the relay point for me to collect (in France) the Tuesday
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afternoon (with free delivery).
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Am I happy with my purchase? Damn right!
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Disclaimer: I paid for these out of my own pocket and Wiggle have never
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even offered me anything - despite the fact I am fast turning into
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self-powered advert for them and sing their praises to anyone that
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listens.
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