What are the biggest wastes of money in biking?
09-01-22, 11:02 AM
#177
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We've been over this, before, IIRC. You say that you won them some time in the nebulous past, you link to a full page of a given manufacturer's wares, not to the specific garments in question and certainly not to pics of the jerseys themselves. We don't know if they're MTB, Road, Club Fit, Race Fit, etc. My assumption, and I think that it's a pretty safe one, is that these are entry-level, club fit (and possibly not properly sized) jerseys that are nothing special.
Anyway...in my experience fit, form, function, quality just isn't any better on more expensive jerseys. Even on long 75-100 mile rides the Amazon stuff works great.
The only reason we have higher priced jerseys is because cycling enthusiasts are a niche market full of people with disposable income that are willing to spend that much and the companies that sell these jerseys know that and price accordingly.
Padded shorts are definitely a "get what you pay for" thing...mine vary in price from $75 -$100 a pair. But jerseys, mountain bike shorts, alleged cycling specific socks etc. just don't fall in the same category.
Last edited by prj71; 09-01-22 at 11:12 AM.
09-01-22, 11:03 AM
#178
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$20 plus $80 equals $100, which is a mid priced jersey.
In other words, you are arguing from a position of ignorance. We see so much of this on bf: people who think that their opinions trump everyone else’s, and that their preferences should be universal. Such an egotistical and childish fallacy.
In other words, you are arguing from a position of ignorance. We see so much of this on bf: people who think that their opinions trump everyone else’s, and that their preferences should be universal. Such an egotistical and childish fallacy.
Aren't you one of those ppl who think their opinion trumps all? Hmmm...
09-01-22, 11:08 AM
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09-01-22, 11:17 AM
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Try to keep up. No one in this thread has made that argument. No one has suggested that the only difference between lower and higher priced jerseys is pockets.
Nope. I've never told anyone that they're wasting their money on $20 jerseys, nor tried to convince anyone to spend more.
You got anything else?
You got anything else?
Last edited by Koyote; 09-01-22 at 11:24 AM.
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09-01-22, 11:20 AM
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09-01-22, 11:27 AM
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"Proper size" for you might be a different set of parameters than someone else.
I have about a dozen jerseys in my closet. Each one has variations in the way they fit my body, and as such, some are more preferred than others. A couple turned out to be mistakes, don't get worn, and I will sell them off at some point. A couple others were great when I got them (compared to my other options at the time), but have been surpassed by others purchased later due to better fabrics or other details that are an improvement in some way. A someone who tends towards a more "racer" fit, but has an "ex-racer" body, finding the right balance between being snug and being a sausage casing is one of the details I pay attention to. Tightness of the sleeves, sleeve length, and how the sleeves are finished, are also things I pay attention to. So is the cut at the bottom of the jersey. One jersey I have I really like everything else about it, except that the cut in front is just a bit shorter than I prefer.
I have about a dozen jerseys in my closet. Each one has variations in the way they fit my body, and as such, some are more preferred than others. A couple turned out to be mistakes, don't get worn, and I will sell them off at some point. A couple others were great when I got them (compared to my other options at the time), but have been surpassed by others purchased later due to better fabrics or other details that are an improvement in some way. A someone who tends towards a more "racer" fit, but has an "ex-racer" body, finding the right balance between being snug and being a sausage casing is one of the details I pay attention to. Tightness of the sleeves, sleeve length, and how the sleeves are finished, are also things I pay attention to. So is the cut at the bottom of the jersey. One jersey I have I really like everything else about it, except that the cut in front is just a bit shorter than I prefer.
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09-01-22, 11:35 AM
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Try to keep up. No one in this thread has made that argument. No one has suggested that the only difference between lower and higher priced jerseys is pockets.
Nope. I've never told anyone that they're wasting their money on $20 jerseys, nor tried to convince anyone to spend more.
You got anything else?
Nope. I've never told anyone that they're wasting their money on $20 jerseys, nor tried to convince anyone to spend more.
You got anything else?
09-01-22, 11:51 AM
#185
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If this is the quality of your contributions -- two false assertions and an insult -- then yes, by all means, please ignore me!
That's a little harsh -- I'd give a C, maybe a C-minus.
From an Econ 101 perspective, some of these posters refuse to acknowledge the substantial product differentiation that accounts for the price differentials among some of the apparel under discussion. While the persistent price differentials themselves are prima facie evidence of the product differentiation, it's actually pretty easy to see the differences between a cheap and an expensive jersey -- in the quality and types of textiles, quality of the stitching and zippers, pocket designs (stability, durability), aesthetics, etc -- not to mention other forms of differentiation such as warranty, crash replacement or repair service, shipping and return costs, etc. Those are all forms of product differentiation for which some consumers are willing to pay higher prices.
That's a little harsh -- I'd give a C, maybe a C-minus.
From an Econ 101 perspective, some of these posters refuse to acknowledge the substantial product differentiation that accounts for the price differentials among some of the apparel under discussion. While the persistent price differentials themselves are prima facie evidence of the product differentiation, it's actually pretty easy to see the differences between a cheap and an expensive jersey -- in the quality and types of textiles, quality of the stitching and zippers, pocket designs (stability, durability), aesthetics, etc -- not to mention other forms of differentiation such as warranty, crash replacement or repair service, shipping and return costs, etc. Those are all forms of product differentiation for which some consumers are willing to pay higher prices.
09-01-22, 11:55 AM
#186
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I've bought plenty of cheap stuff which turned out to be a waste of money because the reason why it was cheap is because it is a bit crap. To wit, two carbon fiber out front Garmin mounts from Aliexpress which broke under the weight of a Edge 1030 plus and a bike light, three cheap CF bottle cages from Aliexpress which eject bottles over potholes (on the other hand the only slightly more expensive CF bottle cages from Decathlon are great).
Club trisuits turned out to be the same quality as upper end of Aliexpress stuff but for more money, however high end stuff is a cathegory by itself and the Castelli trisuits are my favourite cycling / triathlon wear.
I've used Brooks saddles for a while on a touring bike, and they were in my experience, a bit crap. The tensioning mechanism was poorly made on two (necessitating pliers to tension it alongside the supplied tool because the bolt would freely spin) and in the end a Specialized Power turned out to be a more comfortable saddle which costs a similar amount and is durable and much lighter.
Velotoze shoe covers. They're not bad, they just break after two uses. What else... hm. There's probably more stuff which turned out to be a bit crap in retrospect. Wool jerseys? Meh.
Mostly the more expensive and more mainstream stuff turned out to work better, with exceptions here and there. Sometimes cheaper stuff exceeded expectations - mostly I have to give a shout out to Decathlon, their upper end kit is really quite good.
Club trisuits turned out to be the same quality as upper end of Aliexpress stuff but for more money, however high end stuff is a cathegory by itself and the Castelli trisuits are my favourite cycling / triathlon wear.
I've used Brooks saddles for a while on a touring bike, and they were in my experience, a bit crap. The tensioning mechanism was poorly made on two (necessitating pliers to tension it alongside the supplied tool because the bolt would freely spin) and in the end a Specialized Power turned out to be a more comfortable saddle which costs a similar amount and is durable and much lighter.
Velotoze shoe covers. They're not bad, they just break after two uses. What else... hm. There's probably more stuff which turned out to be a bit crap in retrospect. Wool jerseys? Meh.
Mostly the more expensive and more mainstream stuff turned out to work better, with exceptions here and there. Sometimes cheaper stuff exceeded expectations - mostly I have to give a shout out to Decathlon, their upper end kit is really quite good.
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09-01-22, 12:20 PM
#187
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So we can all pay for the design, materials, style and quality we feel is best. A quality jersey from Rapha can be had for $60, or a higher priced one with different materials, style or features can be purchased if desired.
Why are those who prefer cheap stuff always angry that there are many options at various price points for those of us who don't prefer the cheap stuff?
Why are those who prefer cheap stuff always angry that there are many options at various price points for those of us who don't prefer the cheap stuff?
Hold on there--I'm an absolute tightwad when it comes to gear, and I am not the slightest bit angry that you guys spend money on stuff I don't want.
09-01-22, 12:33 PM
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Appreciate your candidness. Not many will say they bought crap and regretted it as well as were disappointed by some of the more expensive stuff. I know that in my poorer days, I could only afford cheap stuff, but now those days are over, I still appreciate a bargain as long as it functions well and shows good longevity. Have to agree 100% on Velotoze. Was massively disappointed by a couple of their products and the hassle using them. Also agree about the values to be found at Decathalon. Am wearing a pair of their excellent cargo shorts right now and have other of their products which I have been very happy with. Will have to look into their bottle cages, since mine are $6 specials not worthy of my ride. All the best.
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09-01-22, 12:36 PM
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I just ordered a jersey from Rapha, which is closer in price to the $20 Amazon jersey than to a $100 "expensive" jersey. If it turns out to be a good jersey, does it vindicate cheap or expensive jerseys?
09-01-22, 12:39 PM
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09-01-22, 01:05 PM
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Correction to my original post: There are some who prefer cheaper gear that don't get angry and repeatedly state their opinion is fact. Thank you for being a reasonable person.
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09-01-22, 01:16 PM
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09-01-22, 01:17 PM
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A pic showing what you believe to be expensive and well-fitting would go a long way to getting on the same page - we may be talking apples while you're talking oranges.
Side note: I'm not sure how a pic of yourself would qualify as "sick and twisted."
09-01-22, 01:18 PM
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No fair. You bought it from the sale section, and it's the Core jersey. But yeah, it'll be nicer than any Amazon branded jersey.
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09-01-22, 01:41 PM
#197
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i will agree to anyone who said pockets cost more, my specialized set of kit with 8 pockets between the jersey and shorts ran me 210. and once again i want to thank everyone from bike forums who gave me their leftover kit back when i was really poor and getting started and couldnt afford kit. as for stuff being in stock, I was piecing together a campag groupo yesterday, and it is pretty much out of stock every where i looked except for alibaba.
and in this pic, about every fit you see, is the proper fit, because they are comfortable, even at the world naked bike ride, the kit fit is right, because thats the towel they wanted
https://flic.kr/p/MPtnh
and in this pic, about every fit you see, is the proper fit, because they are comfortable, even at the world naked bike ride, the kit fit is right, because thats the towel they wanted
https://flic.kr/p/MPtnh
09-01-22, 02:00 PM
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09-01-22, 02:38 PM
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I stay reasonable as long as the phrase "well, if you're only riding 12 mph for 5 miles on a MUP, I suppose anything is adequate" or its like doesn't appear. It's invariably uttered by someone who rides less/slower than I do.
I've noticed that the people who buy more expensive stuff who actually seem to know a lot about cycling and ride well also know a lot of people who don't buy expensive stuff who also know a lot about cycling and ride well. It's almost like there's more than one way to do things.
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09-01-22, 02:42 PM
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