Bodhi kit has landed in Melbourne. With the Australian online store going live this week, be quick to get in and check out this impressive kit designed and developed in Belgium.

Words - Mike Boudrie Images - Andrew Clifforth

ABOUT

Bodhi Cycling has recently landed in Australia. Run out of Melbourne, the guys based here in Australia have the support of Bodhi in Belgium. Bodhi produce high-end custom clothing for clubs and groups. They’ll also have limited runs of their own Bodhi branded kit available.

We’ve been riding in Bodhi’s top end ‘Black Eye’ kit for couple of months now and are ready to report in.

TheBlack Eye range is marketed as where ‘performance meets Luxury’. The kit is definitely a euro/race fit with Bodhi targeting lean riders that don’t want any flapping material. On test we have the Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve Jersey and Bib Shorts with pad. Bodhi also have other ranges including the ‘Golden Eye’ and 'Red Eye' with more relaxed fits.

QUALITY

There’s no getting away from it, the quality of the Bodhi kit is great. Multiple wears and washes and the Black Eye kit looks as good as the day we pulled in out of the bag. While we’re on that point, we think this Bodhi branded kit is one of the best looking we have seen so far at La Velocita, and it will be well and truly up there in our next issue of ‘Favorite Kit’.

Finish is very good. There’s good pockets that hold their shape with minimum sagging and little to no pulling on the back of the jersey even when stuffed with gear.

RIDE

Black Eye Long Sleeve Jersey

This is not a summer jersey with long sleeves. It’s a heavier weight offering made using a polyester/elastane blend. The result is a fitted look, while offering mid-level weather protection. Bodhi recommend use in 10 to 22 degrees.

On the bike we’ve had a great spring with the Black Eye Long Sleeve, it’s good below the advertised 10-degree minimum when paired with a good base layer and jersey. It got the job done on a very cool start in the Dandenong Ranges and during a freezing fog 20km run up to the start of Donna Buang. The best thing was there was not overheating on the climb. Just unzip to control temp and pedal hard.

There’s a full length zipper, three pockets plus a waterproof zipped central pocket for valuables plus reflective detailing. Finishing touches include a flap to cover the zip at the bottom of the jersey to prevent damage to your bibs, silicone waist gripper and wide sleeve ends.

The only small changes we’d want to see are a flap to cover the top of the zipper against your neck and slightly better wind proofing, however this could reduce the breathability of the Long Sleeve.

It’s a fantastic mid-weight Jersey that looks the business and will be useable in a range of cool to colder conditions, although it’s not the choice if rain is forecast.

Black Eye Short Sleeve Jersey

Like the Long Sleeve the Short Sleeve Jersey has been put together with care. The use of technical fabrics is obvious and its ability to keep you dry on hot days is impressive.

Bodhi claim the usable range is 17 through 37 degrees. While 37 degrees is hot not matter what you’re wearing, we think this Bodhi Short Sleeve Jersey will do a good job in such extreme conditions.

We really liked that Bodhi has opted for three well constructed pockets with reflective detail plus a waterproof zipped pocket. It’s something that we don’t often see on jerseys designed for hotter conditions and a welcome touch. It really factors in the reality of longer unsupported rides where you have to carry spares and food.

The full-length hidden zipper looks great and runs well, there’s no sticking while zipping on the bike. The neck is a good size and did not cause any restriction, but like the Long sleeve, we’d like to have seen a fabric flap at the top of the zip for added comfort. Saying that the hidden zipper design does just cover the top of the zip and results in a very clean look.

To finish, there’s a silicone gripper around the waist and wide arm bands that we loved at La Velocita.

This is one of our current favorites from both a form and function perspective.

Black Eye Bib Shorts

Designed for use from Spring all the way through to Autumn the Bodhi Bibs are a quality offering. Very nicely finished with propriety Bodhi chamois, wide elastic (but not super wide) leg bands and a quality mesh bib section, the result is a comfortable but high performance pair of bibs.

We really liked the chamois in the Bodhi Bib Shorts. It constructed using a mid-weight pad with multiple perforations, increasing airflow, reducing heat an moisture build up and keeping you happy where it matters.

Design is plain black with a white Bodhi logo and wording so in emergencies you can pair these bibs with another Jersey and still look coordinated!

SIZE

There’s a monster size range across the Black Eye Series

10 sizes – XS, S, M, L, Xl, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL and 6XL

Our 188cm/79kg tester wore:

Black Eye Long Sleeve Jersey – Large (Medium would have been also doable but ore of a race fit)
Black Eye Short Sleeve Jersey – Medium
Black Eye Short Sleeve Bibs – Medium

PRICE

Black Eye Long Sleeve Jersey – RRP$190
Black Eye Short Sleeve Jeresy – RRP$170
Black Eye Short Sleeve Bibs – RRP$190

The Black Eye Range also includes Light Jacket, Winter Jacket, Wind Breaker and Bib Tights with and without pad.

WHERE TO BUY

Head to Bodhi Australia’s brand new website at www.bodhicycling.net

OVERALL

This is a quality offering. There’s not going to be a lot of single order Bodhi kit around so you’ll need to be quick. If your after a custom kit for your club or bunch the quality is really great and prices are in the mid-range while offering a premium experience

SPECIFICATIONS

BLACK EYE LONGSLEEVE JERSEY

60 gr 83% polyester 17% elastane fabric with advanced pattering makes for excellent close to body fit
Silicone gripper elastic at wrist and waist
Waterproof zipped rear pocket with reflective tabs
Full length zipper

OUR BLACK EYE SHORTSLEEVE JERSEY

Technical fabrics for extreme moisture management - Unlimited airflow keeps you dry
Silicone gripper elastic at arms and waist
Waterproof zipped rear pocket with reflective tabs
Full length hidden zipper

BLACK EYE BIB SHORTS

The ultimate short for racing and riding in extreme conditions - Different fabrics to bring maximum cooling to each part of the short
Newly engineered bib strap construction is comfortable on a wide range of body shapes.
Bodhi 532 Padding for extreme comfort and moisture management.
Elastic leg gripper for perfect fit in all weather conditions - Double layerd back panel so impossible to see through