We have not looked at bike clothing for a while, so we thought now would be the best time. Maybe down below the equator it’s the summer, but up here in the Northern hemisphere its getting colder, so its time we looked at some warm clothing, we will all need warm clothes at sometime and Spiuk make some of the best available

The Spiuk Clothing History

Spiuk was started by three people, it is now, ten years later, staffed by 25 members who are all based in the Spanish town of Alava from where they supply top quality products to many sportsmen and women all over the world.

The designers first look at what the cyclists need and then design the perfect article, after that a prototype is tested by professional sportspeople. When the item has passed their strict quality control it is then produced and marketed to the public in the best shops.

The Goods!

Spiuk makes lots of different clothing for cyclists as well as helmets, glasses, shoes, massage products and complete bikes. Then with their Kuips line they manufacture frames and forks and all the other components you need to finish off your bike; seat posts, stems, handlebars, saddles, cranks, handlebar tape, headsets and bottlecages, so basically everything except the gears.

Today we are looking at the cold weather wear to keep ourselves warm when getting those winter miles in. so we are testing the Team Line Thetwe-M2W jacket, the Team Line ERGODRY WARM bib tights and the thermal MIDLINE knee guards. All excellent quality and very necessary for cold weather condition training.

The Spiuk Jacket

The upper body is very important as it doesn’t move around much on the bike, especially on a long, flat ride, so in wet, windy and cold conditions you need to insulate yourself and keep comfortable. If you don’t, the cold will sap your energy and apart from feeling uncomfortable you will go slower and slower and you will be wasting good training time. One of the important facets of any sports clothing is the “wicking” properties of the garment, this is its ability to take the sweat away from the skin, so that it doesn’t get cold. That’s the science, what about the jacket?

The Thetwe-M2W material is a microporous membrane made from a waterproof and windbreaker Teflon base developed to resist the worst conditions that the elements can throw at you on a winter ride. The jackets material is ultra lightweight and elastic and has great breathing and thermal properties, it’s a very comfortable fit on or off the bike, the wind cannot get in due to the close, comfortable fitting and the inner fleece keeps you warm as well as taking the sweat away due to its hydrophilic treatment.

Zip Pocket

The stitching is unobtrusive as all the seams are flatlock so as not to chafe or irritate whilst under activity, for safety there is reflective piping on the front and back and the jacket has a secure zipped rear pocket for all your valuable necessities; money, phone etc. the jacket comes in five different sizes and three different colors, so there should be something for everybody?

Jacket

The Spiuk Bib Tights

The Bib Tights are made with a fabric called ERGODRY WARM; this multielastic polyester hollow fiber multifilament is created for optimal use in adverse weather conditions, especially under the duress of physical activity. The ERGODRY WARM material gives freedom of movement, comfort and warmth.

The bielastic material helps muscle activity as it holds the muscles in place, thus it enhances your power output, helps with the precision of pedaling, reduces muscular vibration, so makes riding more comfortable and more productive.

Just like the jacket, the tights have contrasting trim and flatlock stitching on the seems, reflective piping and a short front and ankle zips for easy access and ankle grippers to stop the legs from riding up. The seat pad is Spiuk’s Team men pad, very accommodating and comfortable with padding in all the correct places, slim on the inner thigh area and wider to the back, it will also stay dry to keep you comfortable. Five different sizes and three colors.

Seat Pad

The Spiuk Knee Warmers

Knee Warmer

On a day when it is not too cold you might not want to wear the full tights, this is where the knee warmers come into there own. Shorter than full leg warmers, but very similar as you wear them under your shorts and they keep your knees warm and come half way down the calf muscle to protect the tendons, but to let some fresh air around your legs.

They are made of 80% Polyamide and 20% Lycra, this combination will keep you warm and also they will keep their shape and not go baggy, especially around the knee area. Warm, but not too hot, just right for those cool, bright days when too many clothes are a burden. MIDLINE Knee Guards are “one size fits all” and come in two colors, black and blue. There are also matching arm warmers that are equally useful and comfortable.

BIG Question, How do They Feel?

Very simple, they feel great! The first day was cold and a little windy, with thin material clothing it would have been a terrible day of trying to stay warm and would have probably been cut short been spent in too many cafe’s to have been a worth while training ride.

With the full Spiuk Team Line jacket and tights it was a comfortable ride, warm and dry, the sweat didn’t go cold on the skin and the wind did not cut through and chill the body. At the end of the ride I felt as comfortable as at the start, the seat pad did not rub or chafe and there was no soreness, all very nice.

The second day of use wasn’t so cold, but there was a little rain in the air, not torrential as I wouldn’t want to go out in that! Drizzle would be the best description, dampness works its way into your whole body over time and if there is a wind then that just freezes you, but I had no problems with my Spiuk kit on, dry and warm. On the flat return trip the lads were ripping it up a bit, not flat out, but the pulse was getting near the max. OK, so I admit it, although the sweat was running I still felt dry and comfortable. The knee warmers I have only used once on a short ride and my legs felt fine, the knees were warm and all was great, they will come in for much more use in the spring, that is for sure.

Ankle Zip

The Overall Effect

Obviously we can’t try all the Spiuk clothing, but the Team Line winter collection is just what is needed for the cold weather. Its classy, look great, it fits well and the best thing is it keeps you warm and comfortable. This stuff works very well and looks good at the same time, could be just what you ask for at Christmas.

Spiuk have a Pro Team, newsletters and a Spiuk Club, you can find out all about it and all the other goodies they do at www.spiuk.com have look.

Jacket

We give Spiuk Clothing Full Marks 10/10, ah! But no carbon or titanium, so just a little less.