Voler race apparel

Chris

How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web site
that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for racers or
is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?

I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I thought that
the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt overly abrasive. I
think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc but if the Volers have
gotten any better I will order a lot more than just the minimum.

Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the saddle (up
to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made any significant
changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot of groaning these days
from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style of chamois, but I like the
articulated padding as long as it is not too thick and I have not had any
problems but I do not think I have had the same thick styles that are
getting the complaints. Hopefully Voler has something along the lines of the
Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.

I have also emailed Voler for info but I would like to hear from unbiased
users if possible.

TIA

Race170

>How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web site
>that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for racers or
>is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?
>
>I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I thought that
>the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt overly abrasive. I
>think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc but if the Volers have
>gotten any better I will order a lot more than just the minimum.
>
>Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the saddle (up
>to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made any significant
>changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot of groaning these days
>from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style of chamois, but I like the
>articulated padding as long as it is not too thick and I have not had any
>problems but I do not think I have had the same thick styles that are
>getting the complaints. Hopefully Voler has something along the lines of the
>Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.
>
>I have also emailed Voler for info but I would like to hear from unbiased
>users if possible.
>
>TIA
>

Our team has used Voler for the last 4 years, and yes, they have improved.
Quality, durability, and fit is better. You'll notice some of the U.S. D3
teams use Voler now. I've had no problems w/the chamois, although I don't
routinely put in 5+ hour rides. I believe Voler offers a discount if you allow
their logo at certain locations on the kit. Overall, I recommend their stuff.
Good Luck - Fred B.
Freddie Fu Cycling Team

Dave

Chris wrote:
>
> I have also emailed Voler for info but I would like to hear from unbiased
> users if possible.
>

You've certainly come to the right place!

Chris

"Dave" <velocat@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:c7k5is019pe@news4.newsguy.com...
> Chris wrote:
> >
> > I have also emailed Voler for info but I would like to hear from
unbiased
> > users if possible.
> >
>
> You've certainly come to the right place!

lol...

I meant WRT to Voler...

warren

In article <409d89f2$0$35085$812600b3@news.nntpaccess.com>, Chris
<chrismcreynolds@hotmail.com> wrote:

> How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web site
> that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for racers or
> is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?
>
> I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I thought that
> the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt overly abrasive. I
> think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc but if the Volers have
> gotten any better I will order a lot more than just the minimum.
>
> Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the saddle (up
> to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made any significant
> changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot of groaning these days
> from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style of chamois, but I like the
> articulated padding as long as it is not too thick and I have not had any
> problems but I do not think I have had the same thick styles that are
> getting the complaints. Hopefully Voler has something along the lines of the
> Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.

I've trained and raced only in Voler for the last 6+ years. I'd say
their lycra is very good. Some years the chamois isn't so good for
rides over 3 hours. I've had occasional problems with getting chafed by
the outer _edge_ of the chamois. The fits are good. The "club" ("full")
jersey sizes are a bit loose if you're under say, 18% bf. Go for the
"race" cut.

-WG

Matt O'Toole

Chris wrote:

> How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the
> web site that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both
> suitable for racers or is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high
> BMI guys only?
>
> I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I
> thought that the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt
> overly abrasive. I think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc
> but if the Volers have gotten any better I will order a lot more than
> just the minimum.
>
> Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the
> saddle (up to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made
> any significant changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot
> of groaning these days from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style
> of chamois, but I like the articulated padding as long as it is not
> too thick and I have not had any problems but I do not think I have
> had the same thick styles that are getting the complaints. Hopefully
> Voler has something along the lines of the Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.

I just bought some Voler team shorts, and I've had a few long rides with them.
The quality and fit is superb. I don't have any chafing problems whatsoever,
but I do think the chamois is a bit thick. It might be fine with a harder
saddle, but in combination with my Terry it's a bit too squishy, causing
occasional numbness. Because of this, I may go back to a Flite saddle which I
had been thinking about anyway.

I've heard people say the same thing about Castelli shorts -- that the pad is
too thick. Others seem to think Castelli are the cat's pajamas, so maybe some
people just don't like thick pads.

Until now my favorite shorts have been Hind, which have a thin pad that's
basically just a synthetic chamois. But I can never find them, and they seem
inconsistent year to year.

Overall though I think the Volers are great, and unbeatable for the money. They
really are as good or better than others costing twice as much. For me they're
good but not perfect, but for someone else they may actually be perfect. And
with a harder saddle they may even be perfect for me.

Matt O.

BVM

I got several pairs of Voler around 1999-2000 and really the only
problem I had was that the elastic in the lycra material wore out much
faster than other brands (PI), especially on the back. Actually I am a
commuter and not a racer. I've found MEC lycra commuter shorts better
for my purposes, because the lycra is a thicker more durable lycra.
Also they are cheaper.

http://www.mec.ca

PedalChick

The Voler stuff is OK - I used it for three years. Then our team got
Castelli, and I think the US branch of Castelli was having some severe
"issues" at their production plant, because the stuff was a huge
disappointent it cut and quality. The lycra on the shorts pilled up,
and the small jersey was as long as the XL jersey only narrower. They
didn't scale our artwork to fit the different sizes correctly - it was
a mess. I hope they've gotten their act together, but this year we've
gone with Hincapie Sportswear and their stuff is awesome. The best
cycling clothing I've ever had. Makes Voler look like Nashbar.

Chris

"warren" <warren@usvhremove.com> wrote in message
news:080520042139301631%warren@usvhremove.com...
> In article <409d89f2$0$35085$812600b3@news.nntpaccess.com>, Chris
> <chrismcreynolds@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web
site
> > that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for
racers or
> > is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?
> >
> > I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I thought
that
> > the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt overly abrasive. I
> > think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc but if the Volers have
> > gotten any better I will order a lot more than just the minimum.
> >
> > Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the saddle
(up
> > to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made any significant
> > changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot of groaning these
days
> > from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style of chamois, but I like
the
> > articulated padding as long as it is not too thick and I have not had
any
> > problems but I do not think I have had the same thick styles that are
> > getting the complaints. Hopefully Voler has something along the lines of
the
> > Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.
>
> I've trained and raced only in Voler for the last 6+ years. I'd say
> their lycra is very good. Some years the chamois isn't so good for
> rides over 3 hours. I've had occasional problems with getting chafed by
> the outer _edge_ of the chamois.

Right, that is where my problem it too. Is that a QC issue or with specific
models? Are the '03 and or '04 any better?

The fits are good. The "club" ("full")
> jersey sizes are a bit loose if you're under say, 18% bf. Go for the
> "race" cut.

Cool thanks. I thought it was club and peloton but regardless I will stay
away from "club".

>
> -WG

Tom Kunich

"Chris" <chrismcreynolds@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:409d89f2$0$35085$812600b3@news.nntpaccess.com...
> How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web
site
> that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for racers
or
> is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?

Voler actually offers 4 different cuts if I recall properly. Large in
"clubman" cut is the same as extralarge in racer cut. Voler is the best
company I've used for getting custom jerseys. Their workmanship, design and
quality control is very good. VO2Max is pretty good as well.

Most of the other places I've used were OK but nothing to write home about.
I prefer Voler.

warren

In article <409e6c89$0$35089$812600b3@news.nntpaccess.com>, Chris
<chrismcreynolds@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "warren" <warren@usvhremove.com> wrote in message
> news:080520042139301631%warren@usvhremove.com...
> > In article <409d89f2$0$35085$812600b3@news.nntpaccess.com>, Chris
> > <chrismcreynolds@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web
> site
> > > that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for
> racers or
> > > is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?
> > >
> > > I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I thought
> that
> > > the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt overly abrasive. I
> > > think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc but if the Volers have
> > > gotten any better I will order a lot more than just the minimum.
> > >
> > > Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the saddle
> (up
> > > to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made any significant
> > > changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot of groaning these
> days
> > > from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style of chamois, but I like
> the
> > > articulated padding as long as it is not too thick and I have not had
> any
> > > problems but I do not think I have had the same thick styles that are
> > > getting the complaints. Hopefully Voler has something along the lines of
> the
> > > Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.
> >
> > I've trained and raced only in Voler for the last 6+ years. I'd say
> > their lycra is very good. Some years the chamois isn't so good for
> > rides over 3 hours. I've had occasional problems with getting chafed by
> > the outer _edge_ of the chamois.
>
> Right, that is where my problem it too. Is that a QC issue or with specific
> models? Are the '03 and or '04 any better?

'03 was the worst. I carefully trimmed the ecess beyond the seam and it
helped a bit. I'm not sure about '04 since I haven't wanted to risk it
yet, although 3 hours of racing seems okay so far.

-WG

Chris

"warren" <warren@usvhremove.com> wrote in message ? Are the '03 and or '04
any better?
>
> '03 was the worst. I carefully trimmed the ecess beyond the seam and it
> helped a bit. I'm not sure about '04 since I haven't wanted to risk it
> yet, although 3 hours of racing seems okay so far.
>
> -WG

Wow. Thanks, that is exactly what I needed to find out. I will just wait a
month or so for the '04 order and hope for the best with a trial run. You
trimmed the seam? Hmm, I might look at an old pair to see if I can improve
them.

Thanks again.

Suz

"PedalChick" <pedalchick@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:6624fba9.0405090553.4fffc0b0@posting.google.com...
> The Voler stuff is OK - I used it for three years. Then our team got
> Castelli, and I think the US branch of Castelli was having some severe
> "issues" at their production plant, because the stuff was a huge
> disappointent it cut and quality. The lycra on the shorts pilled up,
> and the small jersey was as long as the XL jersey only narrower. They
> didn't scale our artwork to fit the different sizes correctly - it was
> a mess. I hope they've gotten their act together, but this year we've
> gone with Hincapie Sportswear and their stuff is awesome. The best
> cycling clothing I've ever had. Makes Voler look like Nashbar.

I've had a different experience with Voler and Hincapie. I ride for 2
teams, one uses Voler, one just switched to Hincapie. The women's sm. Voler
jersey fits me a lot better than the Hincapie in the same size. I think the
cut of the Hincapie women's jersey is the same cut as the men's only shorter
in length. Both the Voler and Hincapie shorts fit pretty well (though, come
to think of it, I got the men's sm. Voler shorts). The quality of the
Hincapie fabric is nicer than the Voler. But we had problems with the
artwork with Hincapie that we didn't seem to have with Voler. Our Hincapie
stuff was at least 2 months late. The legband on the shorts came unraveled
the very first time I washed them. My TT bootie got a hole in the them the
first time I walked 10 meters in them. The arm warmers are nice, but way
tight (for everybody- and no, I don't have fat arms.) The knee warmers,
OTOH are huge. No, I don't have skinny (or short) legs. The Hincapie
jacket and vest are pretty nice. I have a stray blue splotch on the white
background of one of my Hincapie jerseys. I ordered gloves but I can't tell
you how they are because I haven't received them yet. Oh, and Hincapie has
this annoying gripper on the waistband of the jersey; supposed to keep it
from riding up, but since the jersey is a little on the short side, it rides
up just fine, but doesn't ride back down easily. I have a small line of
sunburn across my low back to prove it. :-)

The don't really have any complaints about the Voler stuff, though it is not
quite as high quality fabric. To be fair, I didn't get as much of their
stuff, so I can't tell you about the arm/ knee warmers, booties, or jackets.
The vest seems okay, nothing fancy. I've had no problems with shorts or
chamois.

I am wondering if Hincapie just got so popular this year that they had
problems meeting production. If you go with Hincapie, they do have some
good stuff, but I would definitely be sure to try on some samples, (which I
did) and then hope that the samples aren't different than what you get. And
don't walk around in your TT booties!

Suz

chris

In my humble, but experienced (I've worn just about every brand out
there including Good Stuff) opinion drop Voler and go Stelvio
TEAMWEAR. You cannot beat everything they offer on top of the
quality. No one compares!

CH

"Chris" <chrismcreynolds@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<409d89f2$0$35085$812600b3@news.nntpaccess.com>...
> How are the recent ('03 and '04) team kits from Voler? I see on the web site
> that they offer 2 models of the jersey. Are they both suitable for racers or
> is the "full cut" the jersey that is for high BMI guys only?
>
> I used Voler up to '02 and it was fairly good but not great. I thought that
> the chamois was a bit harsh in that it's always felt overly abrasive. I
> think I am probably just spoiled by the Vermarc but if the Volers have
> gotten any better I will order a lot more than just the minimum.
>
> Anybody using the current stuff these days for long rides in the saddle (up
> to 5 hours)? I would also like to know if they have made any significant
> changes in the years indicated. I know I hear a lot of groaning these days
> from folks that dislike the thicker "3D" style of chamois, but I like the
> articulated padding as long as it is not too thick and I have not had any
> problems but I do not think I have had the same thick styles that are
> getting the complaints. Hopefully Voler has something along the lines of the
> Vermarc (Giordana) chamois.
>
> I have also emailed Voler for info but I would like to hear from unbiased
> users if possible.
>
> TIA