Funkier Firenze Merlot Jersey and Archille Bibs (Men’s & Women’s)

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Funkier Firenze Merlot Jersey

Funkier Archille Bibs

Funky Name But Quality Gear for Men and Women

It seems that recently I’ve stumbled upon new cycling apparel totally by accident. Discovering Funkier Bike brand gear was no different. On one of my local club rides I noticed one of the guys wearing a Funkier kit. I had never heard of the brand and was admiring the style and fit as we took off on our ride. Post-ride he showed me all the components he purchased at a recent local bike expo/swap.

He had the jersey, bibs, jacket and arm warmers. Each piece was well-constructed and he couldn’t stop raving about the affordable price and great fit. Two weeks later another guy in my club showed up with a Funkier kit, also praising the construction, fit and price. With two positive testimonials, I wrote down the information and planned to contact the company.

I Googled Funkier Bike and found that their HQ is in Israel, with a U.S.-based location in Wisconsin. RBR readers should have no problem finding the company’s products, since they are distributed in 40 countries around the world. Their mission, according to the site, is to design and manufacture innovative, high-quality cycling apparel at an affordable price. They definitely meet that goal. I was amazed the $44.95 jersey they sent me was well constructed and even included a 4th rear water-resistant zipper pocket. This feature is usually found only in higher-priced gear.

Three tiers of gear – Something for every body

Funkier is available for men, women and kids, with the product line divided into three types of gear – Active, Pro and Elite. The lines includes apparel, as well as helmets, arm warmers, head gear and socks.

The rep sent me a jersey from the Active line and bibs from the Pro line. Overall, both pieces fit very well. As a side note, with me being 6 feet tall, and my two male club mates being 6’4” and 5’9”, I thought it was a testament to how the brand not only fits different heights, but also different body types.

Comfort, style, performance at an affordable price

The Firenze jersey was from the company’s Active line, which means it has a more relaxed fit. It’s summer weight and incorporates very elastic mesh fabrics. I found the fabric quite breathable but only slightly wicking.

There’s reflective piping detail on the front and back. Three rear pockets provide plenty of storage, along with a 4th water-resistant side zipper pocket to keep your valuables safe.

This jersey has a full-length zipper for easy on/off over bibs. The zipper pull is designed for one-handed zipping on the bike for ventilation. For the arm grippers, Funkier uses DL-doubled-over fabric, which creates a band of Lycra fabric that compresses to keep the jersey in place and reduces muscle fatigue.

Affordable bibs without skimping on the chamois

The Archille bibs are from the company’s Pro line and use the C-13 chamois. It is fashioned from a single block of high-density foam, with a minimalist design. The pad is quick-drying, anti-microbial, soft to the skin and very comfortable. My longest test ride was 53 miles, and I had no issues with chafing or discomfort. Both male friends also rated the chamois and bibs high in comfort.

Like the jersey sleeves, the leg grippers are DL-doubled-over fabric. The grippers kept the fabric stretched, thus the chamois stayed in place. Also, with just the right amount of compression fabric, muscle fatigue was reduced. Flat-lock seams likewise contributed to the comfort and fit. I didn’t have an issue with the leg grippers, but one ofmy male friends said he’d prefer a laser-cut design.

The bib straps were made of white mesh, both stretchable and breathable, and was very comfortable. The back waist of the shorts came up high enough that the white bib straps never showed, even if the jersey top hiked up while in the drops.

Bottom Line

I’m glad I asked my fellow club riders about their Funkier gear. They turned me onto a real find. With three different lines to choose from—Active, Pro, Elite—you are bound to discover the right style and fit to meet your needs.

The company has ably achieved its goal of providing high-quality yet affordable cycling apparel. You could easily pay double or triple these prices for some other brands.

And don’t let the name scare you off. If you tend to wear more conservative kits, the styles are not wild and crazy. There’s something for everyone—male, female or kid.

Sheri Rosenbaum

Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women's cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri's full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.