Top Highlight:
Nice fabrics, great zipper, good fit at an awesome price
Lowlight:
Ink on fabric can be a little light when stretched
Recommended:
Highly recommended. In terms of niche brands, Pedal Mafia offers high quality fabrics at very competitive prices, race cut and funky patterns.
The Pedal Mafia Jersey
First Impressions
The different fabrics fit well on the body. The collar is not too high, but also not awkwardly low and aerodynamic. The jersey offers plenty of stretch. The zippered pocket in the back is a nice touch that keeps cards and keys safe and sound. At $299 this high end cycling apparel company offers you high end fit and finish at a very competitive price.
Weather Profile
This jersey is an all-round weather jersey. The front and rear panels are thicker than most climbing jerseys, but they have added little dimples in the fabric that allows it to breath. The side panels are light and airy, allowing water vapour to escape easily when you are putting in hard efforts. This jersey is predominantly black, so I find that it gets a touch hot on sunny Australian days (I am a Canadian, I’m not used to the heat!)
Fit & Feels
The jersey is soft and fits pretty close to the body. The Pedal Mafia jerseys fit quite large, so size down at least one size. I normally wear a medium in a Rapha, and I am definitely a size small in PM. The same recommendation goes for the bibs. The sleeves are a great length and I can wear this jersey all day long. The sleeves accommodate all sizes and don’t create sausages of my arms like some of their closest competitors. A quick glance at their website and you will notice that their models have more regular proportions than the typical roadie.
Look
The diversity of fabrics and funky patterns is really appealing to me. This is obviously a team sponsored jersey, but Pedal Mafia isn’t afraid to be loud and original with their patterns. If you are in Perth, you should make an effort to get out to a couple of their weekly rides. If you want to look fast, get on it now!
Details
The zipper pull is big, but makes zipping up and down a breeze. The reflective bits on the back of the jersey are something I expect from higher end products. Again, the materials are great and soft to the touch.
The Pedal Mafia Bib Shorts
First Impressions
The first impressions of the bib shorts are that the fabric is a little thicker than what is typical of the higher end products. I am no expert in chammys, but the chammy is quite substantial which had me a little apprehensive at first. After getting these bibs on the road, the material is less breathable but I have no complaint regarding the chammy.
Fit & Feels
Much like the jerseys, the bibs fit a titch on the large side. I am typically a medium in all manufacturers, but with the Pedal Mafia kit, I sized down to a size small to get rid of some loose material and bunching at the hips. I’m 6’2″ tall, so the length in the size small ends up being a bit short for my liking. The medium would be my preferred size, but for a race cut, I opted for the small, sacrificing a more modern, aussie-style length for aerodynamics. After a few rides the kit did give a little and I’m loving the race cut of this kit.
The chammy feels great when in the saddle, but the material is a bit on the thick side, especially for hot summer days. On the upside, we are heading into winter Down Under, so the added thickness is fine by me!
Value
The value for PM kit is unbeatable. Other Australian brands such as Pedla and MAAP offer high end apparel, but at a seriously aggressive price point. PM’s fabrics and dyes are perhaps a step down from MAAP’s offerings, but the value can’t be beaten. If you’re looking for sharp, unique kit, give these Perth boys a shot! I know I’ll be stocking up before heading back to North America!
Note on Shipping:
Pedal Mafia ships to North America, but remember that you will most likely be charged duty. Typically, I have seen duty charged up to 15%.
Specs:
Jersey: xs (I would probably choose a size small on my Pedal Mafia Jersey)
Bibs: small
Sizes available:
Men’s: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colour range: 2017 TEAM EDITION
Brand based out of: Perth, Western Australia
If you want to read about how I started racing with Pedal Mafia, visit my travel blog!