Long story short: I’m a MTB guy who’s slowly but surely becoming a Roadie in my older age (49).
Bought a road bike early July, put my trusty old XTR SPD’s on it and started riding with no brand cycling shorts under joggers + T-Shirt and hoodie. Fast forward I’m doing laps around Centennial Park (Sydney Aus.) 3 times a week, wear S-WORKS Torch 3 wide (perfect for my wide feet!) road shoes, bought some SIROKO bibs and starting to get over feeling naked in full kit (lol).
A week or so ago I had a good look at the MAAP online shop and was kinda blown away at the prices. For the price of one MAAP Jersey I could get 2 jerseys, 2 pairs of bibs and 2 pairs of socks from YKYWBIKE on AliExpress so I placed a $200+ AUD order on the AliExpress stuff, it was shipped fast but AliExpress chose a local courier called iMile, which looks to be some sort of international Uber-like delivery service. The delivery agent dumped the parcel outside my apartment building (very busy street with bus stop outside) and the parcel was stolen.
I’ve spent hours with AliExpress chat, had multiple refund rejections (as they keep stating the parcel was delivered). They’ve advised me to contact iMile but there’s no phone number, no physical address and they weren’t replying to my emails. I’ve since tried to get a chargeback going with PayPal (still waiting).
I thought I’d put in an order with MAAP. 10x more expensive than the AliExpress stuff, but I’d be supporting local. Items came quick, packaging for all items was all eco-friendly (nicely designed too). Everything looks good, feels good and fits even better (though the rear pockets in the jersey feel a bit high). Chamois in the bibs is super thick (not complaining), shorts are long too which I like. Gloves don’t fit that tight, and smell a bit funky, but padding is good and there are no sharp edges unlike POC gloves. Kit is super light and makes the SIROKO and Van Rysel gear I have look and feel baggy, cheap and nasty in comparison.
I’ve read some reviews of the gear not lasting, fingers crossed it does as it’s the most I’ve ever spent on cycling apparel.
2 Comments
Long story short: I’m a MTB guy who’s slowly but surely becoming a Roadie in my older age (49).
Bought a road bike early July, put my trusty old XTR SPD’s on it and started riding with no brand cycling shorts under joggers + T-Shirt and hoodie. Fast forward I’m doing laps around Centennial Park (Sydney Aus.) 3 times a week, wear S-WORKS Torch 3 wide (perfect for my wide feet!) road shoes, bought some SIROKO bibs and starting to get over feeling naked in full kit (lol).
A week or so ago I had a good look at the MAAP online shop and was kinda blown away at the prices. For the price of one MAAP Jersey I could get 2 jerseys, 2 pairs of bibs and 2 pairs of socks from YKYWBIKE on AliExpress so I placed a $200+ AUD order on the AliExpress stuff, it was shipped fast but AliExpress chose a local courier called iMile, which looks to be some sort of international Uber-like delivery service. The delivery agent dumped the parcel outside my apartment building (very busy street with bus stop outside) and the parcel was stolen.
I’ve spent hours with AliExpress chat, had multiple refund rejections (as they keep stating the parcel was delivered). They’ve advised me to contact iMile but there’s no phone number, no physical address and they weren’t replying to my emails. I’ve since tried to get a chargeback going with PayPal (still waiting).
I thought I’d put in an order with MAAP. 10x more expensive than the AliExpress stuff, but I’d be supporting local. Items came quick, packaging for all items was all eco-friendly (nicely designed too). Everything looks good, feels good and fits even better (though the rear pockets in the jersey feel a bit high). Chamois in the bibs is super thick (not complaining), shorts are long too which I like. Gloves don’t fit that tight, and smell a bit funky, but padding is good and there are no sharp edges unlike POC gloves. Kit is super light and makes the SIROKO and Van Rysel gear I have look and feel baggy, cheap and nasty in comparison.
I’ve read some reviews of the gear not lasting, fingers crossed it does as it’s the most I’ve ever spent on cycling apparel.
Nice gear, did you get it online?