Alright so here's my review on the fake Team Sky kit off Aliexpress, or more specifically:
Aliexpress.com : Buy FreeShipping 2013 Sky Team Cycling Jersey BIB Shorts Quick Dry Breathable Cycling Clothing (maillot ) Wholesale Bike Jersey from Reliable cycling jersey suppliers on iBike Cycling Jersey
Sizing:
I am 5 foot 7, 145 lbs. Chest 38 inch, thigh 22 inch. In Rapha (and all other brands) I wear a Medium Jersey. In Rapha Classic Bib Shorts, I currently wear size Medium, but they are a tad loose now (i used to weigh 155) and I know that I fit a size Small in the Classic perfectly. In the Rapha Pro Team, I am still a medium.
Aliexpress Size and Fitment:
I ordered Medium Jersey and Medium bib shorts. The size chart on the ad was confusing, so I spoke with the rep on live chat, and they recommended me to either order Medium or Large. I went with Medium size I'm on the smaller side.
The Jersey
The jersey kinda fits, kinda doesn't. It fits in the way that it doesn't look or feel silly, but it's baggy in annoying areas. I fit in the neck, shoulder and arm holes, but it's baggy in the chest. When I'm leaning over my bars, it looks baggy in the chest and flaps around in the wind. The length is okay, but the bottom of the jersey creeps up because there isn't a gripper on the inside. It also has to do with the elastic used.
I think I could probably get away with a size Small
The Bibs
I know it's not fair to compare aliexpress bibs to actual Rapha bibs, but these aliexpress bibs are not comfortable. Not even compared to my $40.00 Funkier bibs from CRC.
The aliexpress bibs do not have flat lock seams. The bibs are multi panel, so there are large seams that run on the inside of your legs in areas that rub around quite a bit when riding. Keep in mind, i only rode around for 1 hour but my skin is pretty red and itchy right now. Even tho I lathered on huge layer of chamois cream.
The leg gripper is horrendous. It's raised rubber lines that dug into my leg. Very red and sore right now.
The chamois pad is thick in the wrong spots. They don't support my sit bones. It's very thin and I suspect will deform and not hold it's shape after a couple uses / washes.
I could have gone for a Larger size maybe?
Does it look real vs. the real Rapha Sky Kit?
Yes, from 5-10 feet away. The aliexpress bibs have sublimated graphics on lycra. The real Rapha bibs have a different lycra material and the graphics are screen printed on top of the material. When wearing the aliexpress bibs, you can notice the printed areas of the bibs have a different color black to the non-printed areas. Sublimated prints are done on white lycra, so when majority of the lycra has been dyed black, when you bend over the material on your ass turns white because the white lycra starts coming through. It also makes the seams look like they are coming undone because there's white coming through at the seams.
Would you buy them again?
The Jersey, sure. But not the bibs. I foresee the bibs doing more harm than good. They are not comfortable, at least for me. I'm not sure if going up a size would solve all of the problems, especially the raised seams. One of the most important thing for riding is a comfortable pair of shorts and these aren't it.
It's $35.00 for jersey and bibs so yea, you get what you pay for.
Pics of the seams, the rubber gripper and what it did to my skin after less than 1 hour
