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Pedal wise, i’m still sticking with flats with big pins and a pair 5:10 trainers!!
Road shoes are *much* better
I've moved into road biking from MTB like you. Started with flats but got myself some Giro Berm SPD's. They're pretty comfy for walking about shops/cafes etc' and don't clip clop like tap shoes. They feel pretty stiff on the pedals.
Would there be any benefit going to full on road shoes? Don't know.
Are they that much better then flats? A little bit.
I'm happy with them though, and they're inexpensive way of trying out being clipped in.
I've found the best compromise between price and quality/function is the Rivelo stuff on Sport Pursuit. Been disappointed by the Castelli stuff that I've had. Endura has been ok, and I was given a pair of Rapha bibs which are really nice, but clearly very spendy.
I’ve also always had really good customer service off Galibier- little freebies on orders. A couple of weeks ago I bought some jerseys which were too small - my fault. Quick email and they said they’d send out new ones straight away and for me to post the others back when convenient.
Have a look at Stolen Goat - their tops are lovely and comfortable and the CC jacket keeps me warm on the coldest of days.
Not tried their shorts but they're on my wish list.
My standard new roadie advise is:
Decathlon kit is great for the money, the shorts are partially good and the jerseys are fine too.
Galibier jerseys are very good and not mega bucks either.
If you use MTB SPD’s then they’re fine to begin with, but the road system is better if you want to spend money, they have a bigger platform and generally feel more supportive. Flats on the road are just making things unnecessary hard.
Accessories make road biking more pleasant. Arm warmers are brilliant and worth having a pair or 2, knee warmers are the same. Gilets are great for 3 seasons of the year as are simple, cotton caps, tow covers help for in between conditions.
Baggy kit may look better but just doesn’t work on the road (I’d argue it doesn’t work as well off-road either but that’s a debate for another day...), same applies for peaked helmets.
And finally, don’t assume an upright position is more comfortable, give a more aggressive position time for your body to adapt, you may find it comfy after all.
Pactimo are the nicest shorts I've tried. Decent sale on at present too.
Jerseys - Rapha the best. La Passione also nice. Torm for slightly nore casual look.
Lusso and Galibier make some good value kit.
Lots of stuff on Sportspursuits.com at knock down prices, e.g. my winter bib longs were Rivelo which only cost £45 and were excellent.
DHB is good value, all my shorts are from their range.
Not that impressed with Rapha myself, although you see a lot of it about, must be the most common roadie brand around here, followed by Castelli.
Anyone tried Komraid clothing, their adverts keep appearing in my FB feed?
Rapha tops are good, but I find the cut to be a little short. I have one of their gilets and it’s a brilliant bit of kit.
Rapha bibs are lovely quality, but as others have said, they stitch a seam right down the middle which I found irritating to my soft bits. Seems insane really, I don’t get why they would do it.
Assos bibs are fantastic. Assos tops are good too. Pearl Izumi are also nice
Going to try Le Col next with the Strava vouchers.
Can anyone recommend any decent bib shorts
Simple answer from me/. Endura pro f260 or wahatever its called, 600 pad. Got bibs, tights and roubaix shorts. just works for me. MTB'er turned to mainly darkside. Buy at discounted times , really good value and comfortable as. 13000 miles in 30 months worth.