By Brandon Bilyeu
Cost:
Core Classic Jersey: $144*
Essentials SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Short: $236*
*Actual costs on the US website change slightly day to day as the exchange rate fluctuates.
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online
Colors:
Core Classic Jersey: Black, White, Navy, Mustard, Tangerine
Essentials SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Short: Black, Navy, Stormy, Pumice, Paprika, Olive
Website: Essentials SuperFIT 2.0 Bibshort, Core Classic Jersey
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: 15+ hours
Sizing:
Bib Short: XXS – XXL
Jersey: XS-XXL
Reviewer Measurements and Fit Comments: 5’10” (178cm), 150 lbs (68 kgs), 34″ (86cm) waist, 38” (96.5cm) hips, 33″ (84cm) inseam, 38″ (95cm) chest. Based on the size chart I am a size L in the bibs, but after discussions with Pedla I sized down to M and this was definitely the right choice. For the jersey I went with the size chart recommended S and the fit was perfect.
Pedla – Colorful Kit from Australia
Pedla was founded in 2013 and hails from Melbourne, Australia. Their kit combines performance and aesthetics so you can ride in comfort and style. They also recognize the beauty of our sport comes from the environments we ride in and plant one tree for every order in addition to shipping in environmentally friendly packaging that you can compost at home.
The Pedla collection covers both men and women in a wide range of sizes and diverse color options that go well beyond the typical cycling staple of black-on-black. They offer two Road ranges, Essentials and Pro, as well as Off Grid Gravel, and even Off Bike clothing. I tested out some Pedla summer kit this winter on the trainer and outside. The outside rides were mostly with warmers except for one glorious week with unseasonal temperatures that climbed up to 27C (80F).
Core Classic Jersey – Lightweight for Warm Rides
Hot!
- Light, breathable, and quick drying
- SPF 50 rated fabric
- Clean look with color options and low-key spot pattern
- 3 rear pockets
- Elbow length sleeves for modern look and sun protection
Not!
- No zippered pocket
The Pedla Classic Jersey is a great summer weight top. The main body of the jersey is a solid but sheer fabric with lots of stretch for a snug fit. The sheer nature of the fabric means your bib straps are visible and a base layer is recommended if you want to hide your secret torso tattoos. This minor loss of privacy means big gains in breathability and drying time which help keep you cool in hot weather. The side panels and arms use a perforated fabric for increased air flow.
Starting at the bottom, the jersey is securely held in place by a solid waist band with silicone grippers. The three standard pockets at the rear are well supported by the waist band and have plenty of stretch. A full-length zipper in the front reaches up to the collarless neckline, which combined with the elbow length sleeves makes for a very modern look. A few dots peppered around the jersey break up the monotone color options in what I think is a very classy look.
On the bike the jersey fabric is super soft on the skin and stretches to fit your body shape and bike position. The snug fit is great for cutting through the wind without any flapping. I miss a zippered pocket for my credit card and keys, but the three main pockets can hold lots of gear securely. The SPF 50 rating in such a lightweight jersey is a welcome feature.
Bottom line – Checks all the boxes for fit and performance in a summer weight jersey. Classic looks and color options are great. Sun protection is a must these days and the Classic Jersey has an SPF 50 rating.
Essentials SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Short – All Day Comfort
Hot!
- Six different colors to choose from
- Very comfortable chamois from Elastic Interface
- Form fit with good stretch and compression
- Reflective logos on the sides and rear
- Aggressive leg grippers
Not!
- Size chart seems a bit off, likely need to size down
The SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Short is designed to provide comfort for long days in the saddle. The short is made from Italian fabric with a cut that creates moderate muscle support without restricting movement. The short is available in six different colors ranging from the standard black to a red paprika. A minimalist dot pattern matches the Classic Jersey and provides reflective accents on the side of both legs and the rear of the short.
Holding the short in place are a pair of bib straps that connect to a lightweight mesh yoke at the rear. The straps are a solid strip of elastic material without any seams or hems so they sit on your shoulders without any pressure points or bunching up. The straps are white so they are a great match with the Classic Jersey with less contrast than black straps.
The key to comfort for any short is the chamois and Pedla made an excellent decision to source theirs from world renowned chamois supplier Elastic Interface. The Road Performance chamois is rated for 7+ hours of comfort by way of a multi-density design with a pressure relief channel down the center. The sit bone cushion is 14mm (0.55 in) thick and feels supportive and planted on the saddle. It is a little too early in the season for 7 hours rides, but on a couple 5 hour rides I had no complaints. I also put the chamois to the test on my indoor smart trainer and was very happy with the generous padding.
The first time I pulled on the bib short it was a mighty struggle with the super sticky leg grippers. The grippers hold the shorts in place tenaciously, but also put up a fight to get to the right place. Thankfully Pedla offers a simple tip to help here. Roll the grippers over the outside of the leg, pull on the bib short, and then when the shorts are positioned perfectly roll the grippers into place to lock in the perfect fit. The smooth fabric and compression feel great while the grippers and bib straps make sure everything stays in place. Riding along in comfort I never had to think about the bib short, which is how it’s supposed to be.
Bottom line – excellent fit and comfort make the SuperFIT 2.0 Bib Short a winner for all day comfort on the bike.
Quick Reviews
Pedla Essentials Air Base Layer
The Pedla Essentials Air Base Layer ($63) is soft, lightweight, and breathes/wicks very well. Ample stretch means you can easily get the skintight fit that is required for the base layer to function correctly. And perhaps the best feature is that it comes in a few colors outside of the bland black or white: Plum and Marigold.
Pedla Lightweight Socks
The Pedla Lightweight Socks ($20) come in 13 different color options so you can add some flair to your sock game. The solid color with vertical column of dots front and rear make for a simple, classy look. The socks are super soft with good stretch, extra compression around the arch, and reinforcement at the heel for added cushion and durability. They breathe well and dry quickly.
Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.
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