Even on sale, these are expensive. But I have 5 pairs of Assos, so it isn't a shock. About half of my Assos have some kind of odd quirk, like binding/chafing on one side, too short (wife bought them as a gift), so I was open to try another brand. I haven't found a flaw in these Pearl Izumis. I have about 5 rides on them, with increasing distances to about 50 miles.
They are very tight; I was convinced to get a size Small based on other reviews, but I feel like a muffin top in these. (I am 5-9, 138lbs).
The only oddity is that the chamois seems to stop lower down on the butt than Assos. Maybe that is a size thing, or maybe it is just they way they are built, since it does cover the saddle contact area just fine.
Wow, first time wearing shimano shoes and really impressed with the confort, quality and how i perform with them. You will feel the power benefit from the first minute. You won't go wrong with them.
I own 3 KASK Protone helmets. Having survived 2 serious crashes aboard 2 different road bikes, both without cranial damage of any kind, my black/red unit and my light blue unit are retired. I have owned many quality road specific helmets. It so happens that the KASK Protone fits my head as though custom formed for it. My first violent get off occurred when a medium sized German Shepherd darted out from my periphery directly in front of my wheel at 21 mph. 7 broken bones and a week in hospital. My helmet absorbed a major blow that easily would've been a severe concussion at best. That was the legacy of my black/red Protone. Severely scarred, but not fractured. Thank you KASK. More recently, i experienced a sudden deflation of front tire/latex tube, watching both peel off the carbon rim almost instantaneously. Freak happening. Lost control of the bike and down i went. Again, my noggin was saved by Light Blue that day. There might be equally effective helmets out there, but KASK has won my confidence with their amazing Protone.
