Performance Bike continues its evolution of very, very affordable cycling kit with refined winter and cool weather gear, mountain bike clothing and their CHCB commuter/lifestyle lineup. Most of it’s graphical and color updates with subtle design tweaks, but there are a few all-new items in the line, including the extremely warm Collins “fat bike” jacket.
Above, the Elite Krio and Neve LS thermal jerseys get updated colors and styling. Men get three hues, women two. it has a heavier fleeced fabric with overlocking stitching with locking zipper and zip garage, three main pockets and a sweat-proof rear zipper pocket. MP3 port in pocket with cord loop on inside of collar. Semi-form fitting for the average rider. Women’s gets all the same features plus a scalloped cuff with reflective hits there and along the zipper, and two main pockets rather than three. All of them have 360º reflective bits with a reflective loop for attaching a blinky light just below the pockets. All get raglan sleeves and silicone gripper segments along the waist. $79.99.
The Elite Stratos (men’s) and Chill (women’s) are a midweight jersey that’s a little more breathable for higher output training sessions or milder climates. Has a lot of the same features, with a zipper garage for the men.s and a Mandarin collar with higher back for the women’s. These have a more relaxed fit. $69.99
Boundary II tights get improved, thicker material that’s more supportive all around with a heavier brush on the inside to make them a bit warmer. They get the same chamois as their Elite shorts. They get reflective stitching along the outside of the legs, and the material takes the black dye better, so it’s a better, deeper black. $79 with pad, $69 without. Women’s gets a yoga style waist band, men’s gets a drawstring.
Also available in a bib knicker for $89 that uses the same thick fleeced material all the way up the back and straps for more warmth. These and the tights are made in SoCal. I’ve tested these through this unusually warm-ish-then-freezing winter and they’re solid. Legs and stomach cover are super warm, and it’s stretchy enough that the tall waist doesn’t inhibit nature breaks.
The Zonal (men’s) and Flurry (women’s) soft-shell jackets have been all black for the past two years, but now they get colors. $99 retail for a heavyweight brushed polyester all the way through with cuffed wrists and a Napoleon pocket on the chest (men’s only). Reflective stitching and hits all the way around and a giant rear kangaroo pocket with side zip entry on both sides. Men’s comes in red and blue, women’s in blue only. Women’s gets even more reflectivity with a killer offset zipper that wraps the collar around like a scarf that closes with magnets. There’s a small front side corner zip pocket instead of the chest pocket. Highly wind resistant and has a drop tail hiding inside that adds more butt coverage and reflectivity.
I’ve been wearing the Zonal this winter and it’s extremely warm, but runs just a bit big. I usually wear an XL (6’2″, 187lb) and it’s a little baggier than their LS jerseys.
The Dewer jacket gets graphics on top of the otherwise clear fabric to add a bit of style while still letting your jersey’s colors show through. Packs into its own pocket. $59.99. Water resistant, but has a mesh armpit area and standard zipper.
The Impasse II rain jacket gets new colors – blue for men (left), pink and gray for women (center). They get a taped seams, pit zips, a detachable hood and drop tail for cycling, but look just as good off the bike (especially the gray women’s with its heathered look).
The Transformer II (right) is their convertible jacket-into-vest. Last year, it was a lightweight windbreaker material, but for 2017 it gets a warmer, slightly thicker polyester with a bit of stretch, making it more like a soft-shell jacket with DWR treatment. The sleeves are connected across the back and zip off to turn it into a warm vest with Napoleon pocket.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Shorts all carry over unchanged, but the tops get updated. The men’s Farlow and women’s Ridgeline get longer 3/4 length sleeves and updated colors and graphics. The fabric is a bit more abrasion resistant, and it has a slightly more tapered cut so it’s more “trail” than “DH”. $59.99
Collins MTB Jacket is their winter/fat bike shell jacket with full DWR treatment, waterproof zippers, pit zips, helmet-friendly hood and tons of zip pockets. Inside, there are internal jersey pockets along the lower back that are shaped to hold things like a pump and tube. It’s not as breathable as some, but it’s made for really cold days, down below freezing. I’m wearing this in the Eleven Bikes ride review if you want to see it in action, and I’ll attest to its warmth and comfort…that day was below freezing and the Collins kept my upper body snug without excessive layers underneath.
CHCB COMMUTER
The Borough is their commuter set of jacket and pants. The jacket switches from bright orange to hi-vis yellow. Retail is $49 pants, $69 jacket.
The Overby and Landis hoodies get minor color updates (blue hits instead of orange on men’s, and a red fabric for women’s).
The CHCB Puffy Jacket is new and reversible, with a quilted pattern on the “lifestyle” side. Turn it inside out and you get a brighter burnt orange color and napoleon pocket. Collar is soft, reminiscent of a moto or bomber jacket. Reflective hits on both sides, front and back. $129.99.
Not shown, the CHCB pants get a lightly darker gray color. The CHCB Wilson and Susie quilted hybrid jersey jacket switch from a Merino wool blend for the sides and arms to 100% polyester.
Hit any of the links to go directly to the product page. As is typical, most of them are already on sale and a ridiculous deal…some more than half off. (Full disclosure: Links are affiliate links, so we might make a couple pennies if you buy something.)
