i’ve seen quite a few responses to what seems to be astronomical pricing on pro level kit over the years, with the general trend towards dismissing the pricing as absurd. perhaps it is if you aren’t riding a ton, or aren’t taking on the pointy end of the sport. i used to agree until i leveled up for the first time on a pair of rapha classic bibs, just in time for the hardest ride of my life, the 2013 edition of alpine, california’s death ride, realizing for the first time the actual value in top level kit earning my 5 pass finisher pin.
in my experience, if you haven’t ridden hard/long in the kit, it’s very likely you won’t understand what the actual cost/perceived benefit ratio is (especially averaged out over several years of service if you take the care to wash on gentle mode in delicates bags). there actually is a palpable increase in the quality of materials and the fit, where wicking/compression/support/air flow/fit/etc all take a turn for the better. even a placebo effect of \*feeling\* faster can mean riding faster. and the cost of that kit is at very least one more motivation to \*ride\* – hard/fast/often enough to keep wearing to make that a worthwhile investment for multiple years! ‘cos \*you can do it! you can do it! you can do it!\*
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNCopmqsw1Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNCopmqsw1Q)
by Snoo_91606