Re KCC socks, I kinda like em! They are definitely a little thicker than Defeet or other socks but they stay up well. I’m partial to Swiftwick socks too though, they give a good lil squeeze at the ankle. 

Shameless plug for 400Wattsclub! 

New jersey coming out for pre order at champsys!
https://custom2.champ-sys.com/teamstore/?400WCJuly2021

Duck jersey is also back! Store is open till July 12.

#PROTIP, if you live in NYC, you can just do the group shipping and I can drop it off or meet you at PP, so you don't have to pay for shipping

Is it just me or is champsys quality way better now compared to even a few short years ago? Just picked up new kit from Redbeard today and blown away by the materials and construction on these standard performance jersey and bibs. Gonna be a little bit until I can ride again, but can't wait to wear these out.

in basic agreement. Champ Sys lower tech level is incredibly durable, the mid performance range is fantastic and well cut, and the higher apex line is, well, as good as the best maap or Rapha stuff. 

eloy said:

in basic agreement. Champ Sys lower tech level is incredibly durable, the mid performance range is fantastic and well cut, and the higher apex line is, well, as good as the best maap or Rapha stuff. 

Mostly I wished they got the sizing better dialed, maybe is because I fall right between their med and small tops

I think CS stuff is dramatically better than even 5 years ago. I'm not sure I'll go as far as to say it's Rapha quality though.

Seriously I bought a bunch of apex kit around 2013/2014 and this performance stuff I just got is markedly better. I mean, yes, they should definitely strive to be better especially with more competition and with better available fabrics/tech, but what a pleasant surprise!

Wow! Huge!

My fiancé went all out for my 30th birthday and got me a custom pair of S-works 7s with my doggo’s face and a very cool geometric pattern. Look sharp won’t know what’s coming!

FANTASTIC!

These look amazing! 

EVERYTHING AMAZING.

Got some 100% which are pretty reasonably priced and do the job. Come with a good case and a spare clear lens. 

I'm personally a fan of Oakley (I've had some retina problems so I'm hyper sensitive to taking care of my eyes). Their lenses are shatter resistant and have been balletically tested (i.e., if they get hit with a rock or something hard enough, the glass will effectively bend around the object- GCN showed the testing in a behind the scenes video a couple years back). The Prism technology is also genuinely impressive, though I think other companies have caught up in some respects at this point. They're pricey but you definitely get glasses that will last a very long time if you treat them right (I think my oldest pair of everyday glasses are about 14 years old and my oldest pair of riding glasses are 10 and both have been heartily used and abused)

Also, you can generally find some good sales on either their website, sites like competitivecyclist or backcountry.

I got a pair of Oakley Jawbreakers a few years back and they’re still holding up strong. I also recently bought a pair of Radars that I found on sale for $150 and they’re truly so much much better than any of the knock off shades I’ve purchased. Oakley seems to have some decent sales on certain configurations (like I think you can get those big Hollywood- flashy Sutro glasses for $120). You can also buy non-OEM lenses on the internet that are cheaper than the authentic Oakley lenses if you want a clear pair for trails or something like that. 

FWIW, I bet I’ve purchased $100 worth of $20 Amazon/eBay knock offs over the years that fit a lil wonky or fell apart after a few months. 

Agreed on investing once and taking care of the nice sunglasses. I used to buy the cheap stuff over the years and they kept breaking or not fitting and performing well. Finally got a nice pair of Oakley Radars and they've lasted a decade. Styling is a bit old skool now since they're not giant wraparounds, but they're comfortable and durable and look "generic" enough that I'll use them forever.

I wore a cheap pair of "street" sunglasses from Goodr on a long solo ride up up Alpine. They have pretty solid grip and good optics, but the hooked arms started digging into my ears and became uncomfortable. I'll probably still use them for shorter rides just for funsies.

You should get whatever MVDP is wearing this week 

Redbeard can hook you up with almost any glasses you want. Just ask them. Or stop by. they usually stock Oakleys and some Koos (made by Kask) -- 

High quality glasses (Oakley, POC, Kask, Bolle, 100%, Rudy Project) are all about the same, and will all be pretty awesome.

There are some considerations, like how dark the glasses are, and how they fit, etc... Else, the goal should be to look sharp, in 2021 that means get the most ridiculous pair of glasses you can.

Earlier this year, got a pair of Koo Demos Much to my surprise the glasses don't fog up much, and handle sweat very well. They also look ridiculous AF. Maybe, who knows, the best pair of sunglasses I have owned. Recommend.

I’ve really wanted a pair of Oakleys but could never get contacts in my eyes. Need to try again so I can look sharp for the “look goods” as my gf calls them

Oh yeah, Redbeard had awesome new Oakleys in stock when I visited last. They were the hotness!!!

https://instagram.com/p/CRt0HbCs178/embed/

@Nathaniel Picard Busky

I'll throw Tifosi into the mix.  

I got a pair to test in May.  They've been excellent.  I got the Sledge Lite. (I'll do a video review in a week)  Optics are much better than I expected--I'd put them on par with Oakley, 100%, and Rudy.  And when VeloNews tested them, they were about as distortion-free as the pricier competition.  They usually sell the glasses with three lenses (a sun lens, a contast lens, and a clear lens).  The blue mirror (for sunny days) has a contrast tint. like 100%'s blue mirror.  

I expected them to fog easily; they don't fog as quickly on my face and with my Kask Protone as the 100%'s, as those fog up pretty easily on humid days.  For me, these Tifosi's barely fog, even when climbing hard in the rain.

For the first month of using them, I swapped lenses daily, just to see how they'd hold up.  They were fine.  The nose piece, compared to Oakley and 100% is shorter, so the glasses sit higher on my face, which I like.  

And the price of Tifosi is only beaten by Goodr.    

I have a weakness for Oakley styling, but I can't stand the company--they're a division of Luxottica, which is a crushing monopoly in the eyewear world (my insurer has a deal with them).  I have an older pair of Radars and fondly remember my Factory Pilots, Razor Blades, Mumbos and Frogskins, but can't see getting another pair.  

Hey Kissena teammates - I want to get either a long sleeve blue jersey or a blue Kissena jacket for colder weather training. What do you think is more versatile? I'm thinking jacket?

I know we need to wear white jerseys when racing but is there a specific bib colorway we need to wear as well?

The jacket is very warm , I don't think I've ever worn it with anything other than a base layer , 
The long sleeve fleece jersey and a Gillet is probably the most versatile option.
Any color way is good in the shorts

@DavidVibert While the tech bibs are available with the white panel as well as solid blue, the club membership has tended to order the solid blue as it is closer to the solid blue performance and apex bibs, but go with whatever you prefer.

+1 on Mark's note that the long sleeve fleece (aka Performance Intermediate Jacket) along with a sleeveless vest is practical for a lot of rides that start cold and warm up. The winter jackets are good for the days that stay cold all day long

@DavidVibert

+1 on Mark's note that the long sleeve fleece (aka Performance Intermediate Jacket) along with a sleeveless vest is practical for a lot of rides that start cold and warm up. The winter jackets are good for the days that stay cold all day long

Make that +2 for the long sleeve fleece jersey.

I think you can wear nothing underneath it down to probably 50 degrees or so, then a short sleeve or sleeveless base layer to 40-45 depending on the effort, and a long sleeve base layer to go a bit colder.

For me, the jacket is pretty warm.  I can go with a light base layer on days when I'm barely turning over the pedals at 45 degrees and it's too warm.  And I've taken it down to probably 15f or so.  At that temp, it takes a heavy sleeveless layer, a heavy long sleeve layer and a vest then the jacket.  

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PCTapparel
where you'll find this and many more:

DavidVibert said:

Hey Kissena teammates - I want to get either a long sleeve blue jersey or a blue Kissena jacket for colder weather training. What do you think is more versatile? I'm thinking jacket?

I know we need to wear white jerseys when racing but is there a specific bib colorway we need to wear as well?

I think everyone comments are sound.

I will say that the champion long sleeve jersey is likely the piece that I wear the most, specially this time of year, 40 to 55ish almost 60. Usually with a vest on top etc.

Trust your instinct on this, both purchases are worth it, both are likely to get tons of use.

JP is staunch. Riding in the teens is a drag mostly, but upside is that you're part of an "exclusive" club.