When we designed the V-Kit in the winter of 2010, we thought we’d arrived at the ultimate Velominatus look. But, as it turns out, Spinal Tap Black isn’t for everyone. Apparently, not every climate is like that of the Pacific Northwest, where a heat advisory is issued when the mercury hits 30C (85F) and businesses close when it dips below 0C (32F). Evidently, some places get a touch warmer and colder than that.
Just like having a perfectly curated stable of bicycles ready for each and every possible weather condition, year-round Rule #9 Cycling Awesomeness requires the kit to support it. Which meant that we needed to expand our kit options. With each season comes a different array of requirements. With each climate comes a different set of boundary conditions. Each requires a different bit of kit, and all of it needs to be Rule compliant (though the very fact that any of this is being discussed begs the question whether Rule #5 isn’t being violated in heaps) not to mention that every bit should work in perfect harmony with every other bit.
It is with this objective in mind that we present you with three lines of Velominati V-Kit, Zwarte, Witte, and Winter. (I’m disappointed that Dutch doesn’t have a more exotic word for “Winter” than “Winter”. For the Love of Merckx, would it kill us to put a “V” in there somewhere?)
The obvious place to start is with the easy stuff. The first addition to the V-Kit family was the Long Sleeve V-Jersey, which was released earlier this year; a no-brainer, really. Next came the Obey the Rules Arm Warmers released in the Spring, an even less-brainer than the LS V-Jersey. Based on the realization that there is nothing more disappointing than covering up that beautiful V-Cog on your chest with a garish YJA when the weather turns unexpectedly nippy, we now have the V-Gillet; an uninsulated lightweight wind & waterproof vest that stuffs down for easy storage in your jersey pocket.
Then things got complicated, and leave it to KRX-10, our genius V-Designer, to ask distressing questions that reveal how poorly thought-out our concepts were. Why were we offering a second kit, aside from the obvious reason that the community is asking for it. What was the purpose of a white kit? Would it be a revision of the black, or is it an entirely new design? How would it relate to the overall identity of Velominati? How would it work with the existing V-Bibs? Would we make adjustments to the black V-Kit to better support the white? Would we add V-Bibs specifically designed for the white V-Jersey? Would we only offer them in defined configurations, or would we design it with the flexibility to mix and match? Finally – and perhaps most importantly, what would we call it?
Obviously, the answer to the above questions are somewhere between “9” and “yes”. An all-white V-Jersey is paired to all-black V-Bibs in what we are calling the Witte V-Kit. While the black Witte V-Bibs* are designed to go with the white Witte V-Jersey, they look smashing with the original (now re-named) Zwarte V-Jersey; the women have been rocking this combination all season with the Women’s V-Shorts. Conversely, the Witte V-Jersey looks dapper as fuck with the original Zwarte V-Bibs.
We leave you with the choice: Zwarte, Witte, Winter. However you choose, choose wisely and choose carefully. Place your order by midnight on September 15 for the next V-Kit shipment, scheduled to arrive in early November. If you have already ordered the V-Kit and would like to switch your order to the Witte Kit, please contact us.
*Please don’t attempt to distract us with the observation that “Witte” is the Dutch word for “White” and that the Witte V-Bibs are, in fact, black. They are named in parity with the intended full kit, not individually.
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Ok totally off topic, but your position looks great. We had touched on this a while ago and I never got back to you on my thoughts. My thoughts are merely projected from a friend with 15 years of fitting expertise.
Your humerus is approximately 90° to your thoracic spine and that is the main indicator of proper bar position. You could pull the stem back a cm if you really wanted to.
Additionally your pelvis/sacrum is well angled over. The angle of the pelvis is usually "fixed" meaning you can't lean over any further than you generally lean. It depends on hamstring flexibility and placement of the sensitive bits on the front of the saddle. People who can't get their pelvis leaned over for whatever reason usually have to bend their lumbar spine way over to get low, causing back problems. You don't look like this is an issue for you, there's really just a gentle bend in your spine despite the low bars which are worthy of ridicule.
Resume normal discussions.
Awww, Fuck...Looks like the wife is eating ramen for the next month or so. Okay, I've looked about as deep into my Spinal Tap Black soul as possible, in conjunction with the sizing chart and I still don't have a clue as to what size to order. Perhaps I could call on fellow 6'3" 195lb (1.91m, 88kg for Rule 24 compliance) Velominati for a little guidance? I called out to Merckx and he just came back with 'lose some weight and ask again next season...oh, and harden the fuck up while you're at it' I wear XL in DeMarchi, Assos and Capo - Is that the same thing I want here? Frank has me scared that I'm still too fat for an XL.
Methinks the Witte Kitte might shave a few minutes off the volcano, but this is salesmanship going in the wrong direction. Beautiful stuff, though: terrific. And I've even got more than two weeks to work on Mrs. Steampunk...
"It is with this objective in mind that we present you with three lines of Velominati V-Kit, Swarte, Witte, and Winter. (I'm disappointed that Dutch doesn't have a more exotic word for "Winter" than "Winter". For the Love of Merckx, would it kill us to put a "V" in there somewhere"
W is 2 Vs stuck together. Therefore, Winter is the season of Double V.
@VeloVita
I'll leave the heightier Frank to comment on the length of the shorts, but at 1.75m and 88kg, I went with the XL last year. Good fit. Now 1.75m and 77kg, the XL is still looking sweet, but I wonder if I couldn't go down to a L in the jersey...
@minion
The French call it "hiVer."
@Steampunk
Thanks for the insight - I don't see me ever getting down to 77kg (81.5kg is the lightest I've ever been in recent memory) so XL would be fine weight-wise, but I'll wait for Frank to chime in on the height.
@VeloVita
I am 6'3" and 195. I went with XXL bibs and XXL SS jersey, and look resplendent in them. The fit is Pro, meaning the cut is snug. The question you should ask is not between XL and XXL, but between XXL and 3XL. Fairly, I just couldn't do that, but am not displeased with the fit. I have worn the XXL SS jersey with a base layer, but it is certainly not flapping in the breeze.
183cm / 78 kg, XL bibs and L jersey. Perfection. And great news on the gilet. Can't wait! For those of you who have yet to experience V-Kit, this is Top. Notch. Shit.
Do it.
Rule 4a. It's all about the kit.
Rule 12a. The correct number of kits to own is n+1. Plus it's easier to hide than a new bike.
@VeloVita
In the photo above, I'm 1.93m (6'4") and about 82kg (180lbs), and wearing an XL V-Bib with a Large V-Jersey. In that shot, I'm not carrying anything other than shot blocks and gels in my pockets, so keep that in mind. When I carry all my gear, the pockets bulge and sag just a touch more.
Given my current weight (I'm delighted at how light I've gotten, but not nearly satisfied at my weight), the L jersey is slightly loose around my shoulders and chest when I ride and only tight around the mid-section when I'm belly breathing. These days, I get the zipper-fold of a jersey that's just about too big; I like a snug jersey fit, though, and if it gets any looser, I'll switch to a Medium jersey.
Based on the number of V-Kit's we've sent out, I would follow this advice: This is pro-fit, Italian race gear. That means the stuff is pretty fucking tight. It does stretch out a bit over time (over the course of a season) but is very snug. It is also true to the sizing chart. If you are on the verge between sizes, go up unless you like a race-fit (snug) jersey. One last point, the stuff is made for riding; jerseys feel much tighter off the bike than on it; once you get into your postion, the shoulder seams line up with your shoulders and everything feels fantastic.
As for the LS Jersey, it is made of a thicker material; the same sizing applies, but due to the fleece-lined material, it sags much less than the SS jersey; you can afford to go just a touch bigger on it than on the regular jersey. Also keep in mind you may want to layer. Same goes for the V-Gillet, though it is not a lined fabric.
We've rarely had people complain that the kit is too large; when we get complaints about sizing, it's usually that the kit is too small. This kit fits snugger than most of the Castelli (and other Euro-sized kit) you'll find at your LBS.
One last note, the arm warmers feel very tight. I went up a size at first, but they stretch a touch over the first few rides. I ended up in the same size as my jersey.