@mperlberg it involves a good amount of kneading with my feet. I pretend I'm making grime wine.

The Goot needs his own thread.

Erika Tarte said:

@mugwump the flare is more of like a slight outward roll (think "boot cut" not "bell bottom") that I believe is the result of machine washing combined with stretching the grippers over leg warmers. I love the razors so much I'll continue to chose them over the standard CS bibs. But after only 6-ish months, mine have the elasticity of a second hand balloon.

I take back my original opinion.  Used with warmers, the grippers don't stay put so start riding up/flaring.  I'm going to go with a smaller size next order which I'm hoping will ameliorate some stretching...

FYI after posting here, Champion Systems, via Wes and Aaron, reached out to me to arrange a replacement chamois (see my pg. 4 post about migrating chamois syndrome) on suspicion that mine was defective.

Question for the ladies, first time ordering.  Choosing "Performance" vs "Endurance" chamois?  Assuming it's a less vs. more padding situation.  Recommendations?

@Emily I've only ever ordered/used the performance chamois, and haven't had any problem regularly putting in 200mi+/week on them (including 4 back-to-back grueling ~70mi rides during KCC training camp last month). I've had more issues with the fit of my bibs than the thickness of the chamois. My knickers are over a size too large for me and the chamois slips around a lot, which has lead to my worst saddle sores (they weren't too horrible, but any saddle sore is worse than no saddle sore). Likewise, my non-razor shorts are a tad too large on me and the chamois slips around a little bit. Not the most comfortable on longer rides.

I think the sample kit at Ride Brooklyn has both kinds if you want to see them in person.

FWIW, the slipping chamois issue has been brought up by another KCC member recently. I believe Champ Sys through our contacts, offered to fix what was ultimately deemed a manufacturing defect.

Another newbie fit advice solicitation (bonus for lady respondents).  I'll be making my first kit order soon and just tried on some items from the women's fit kit at Ride Brooklyn.  Feel like I'm between sizes.  On the bottom the smaller size takes some wriggling to get into, but feels pretty good once it's on.  The larger size pulls on easily, but is a little roomier in the crotch, not terrible.  With both, the hem elastic gives me a bit of the mid-thigh equivalent of a "muffin top" is, but worse on the smaller bottoms.  Do I need to worry about circulation or is it just a vanity issue?  For the jersey, the smaller size is form fitting and maybe just a tad short on me (I'm 5'9''), and the larger size is fitted and a good length but not tight at all.  For now let's assume I'll be racing in these items.  Better to be too snug than too loose?

 

Good advice @Erika Tarte, thanks!  I have to go back tomorrow for a bike fit and might take another look at the fit kit then.  I feel like I tried on the razor bibs because it looked like the flatlock stitching, but come to think of it I can't really afford the razors so should probably make sure I try on the other option if available. 

And @Bruce van-Schalkwyk, tight or not I actually felt instantly BOSS, even in the dimly lit bike store.  If that is amplified when actually riding a bike, look out. 

I agree with what folks are saying here -- err on the tighter side.

Muffin tops are in this year.  For me anyway.  Don't leave me alone.  It's cold....

Ha, the muffin top is actually quite an accomplishment when wearing bib shorts. I now wish all my pants had built in suspenders.

Anybody have one of those Apex summer suits? I wear medium bibs and jerseys, but a small skinsuit. Razor bottoms have me worried that the small would be too tight, while skinsuit experience tells me that a medium is a looser than skin and potentially annoying. What to do, what to do?!

A loose skinsuit defeats the whole purpose of the skinsuit. I think it's supposed to fit really tightly.

The "Apex Race" suits (both summer and regular) are new this season so if you want to try one on you should head up to the CS office.

Does anyone know how those suits hold up to the use of 3M Super 77 adhesive for attaching race numbers ?

@PatrickG‌ used some spray-on adhesive in times past...

3M 77 worked well on my old skinsuit. There was no permanent impact on the fabric. In fact, it probably held up better than having a 100 pinholes in it. The problem with the adhesive is that it leaves a little residue. As environmentally unfriendly as it is, a small bit of WD40 and a rinse under the sink was all that was needed to remove the residue. Throw in the wash and it would come out like new... Well, not new, but you know what I mean.

@Ian - are you thinking of racing a TT this year? Adam and I are planning on the state champs if you're interested...

I'm so glad I started the mini-thread on sausage-casing/muffin top.  Anyone else hungry?  Meanwhile, tried on the kit again today and the smaller size really wasn't that bad, so I'll take everyone's advice and go for the tighter fit. 

Interesting sartorial choices for team Katusha and winner Kristoff today.

So this is a new one:  My brand new, just out of the plastic long sleeve tech fleece lite whatever jersey's zipper broke last night when I was trying it on after pinning my numbers.  Luckily, Ros's friend James was able to finagle it back on and saved the day (much gratitude was expressed).  However in order to keep the zipper from popping off, I had to stick a safety pin at the top of one of the zip "rails" so the zipper doesn't fly off when I bring it up to the neck.

@david - gimme. we'll do a repair. 

I had exactly the same thing happen to me 15 minutes before my race -- already pinned up. Luckily I was able to get it back on in my panic and remembered throughout Battenkill that I shouldn't zip it all the way up under any circumstances.

I did. Haven't picked it up yet, but we'll see...