FYF - Rouleur Jersey and Hors Catégorie Bib Short
We’ve had the ‘Find Your Freedom’ Rouleur Jersey and the Hors Catégorie Bib Short on long-term test at La Velocita.
We loved FYF’s Signature series and with the Rouleur Jersey and Hors Catégorie Bib Shorts rated as their premium offering, we’re expecting good things.
Photography - Jarrod McShane
Right from opening the postbag, were found a complimentary musette holding the Rouleur Jersey and the Hors Catégorie Bib Short, the difference’s between this kit and the Signature series were noticeable.
HORS CATEGORIE BIB SHORTS
The construction of these bib shorts is great, the fabric and seams follow the contours of your legs, seams are all 4 needle flat-stitched, the result being that you can hardly feel them. Great if you have had issues with irritation from seams.
The hems are different to anything we’ve seen at La Velocita so far this year. There’s no band, fold or change in fabric. They just end with a laser cut, with specific small and comfortable silicon doted grippers. They work really well, but feel quite different to other shorts. There’s also a reflective pixel finish for that added bit of flare and visibility.
Once on, there’s a good level of compression and breathability, through the 4 way soft-touch brushed fabric. There’s plenty of ventilation when riding on those hot days that stops any overheating and friction in those main contact areas.
Even on cooler days when you put in a big effort the fabric remains quite dry due to its great moisture wicking ability. Having dry kit helps keep you warm in the cool by reducing wind chill from damp fabric.
I’m a huge fan of the chamois, like the bibestique bib shorts we previously reviewed it’s comfortable and extremely supportive. I did wash these knicks before I wore them as I found the chamois was stiff when first worn, the one wash before hand gave it the flex I was after.
ROULEUR JERSEY
We like FYF’s approach to design, simple, understated. There’s no ‘out there’ designs so if that’s what you are after look elsewhere. There’s an instant high end feel to this jersey and with its race cut, there’s going to be no flapping in the wind from this one.
The zipper is high quality, full length, lightweight and hidden. On the back of the jersey you have 3 well-sized rear pockets, one with a waterproof inner pocket and again with hidden zipper. There’s also internal access from the pockets to run your headphones through to keep things nice neat and pro.
The tech specifications on this include ‘Bio-ceramic’ material, designed to give you an unrestricted feel. It also means that the jersey performs to high levels in controlling body temperature, through effective wicking of moisture away from you skin/base layer and away in a range of conditions.
Even being a ‘pro’ cut the Rouleur did not restrict our movement, something we really like for a jersey and when well executed can be the difference between a good and great garment.
A cool feature is the mesh laser cut sleeves, they provide great ventilation but don’t forget to put sunscreen on under the arms of the jersey or like me you’ll have a mesh sunburn pattern.
Finishes on the jersey are again the 4 needle flat-stitched seams, laser cut sleeves, hems with small silicon grippers which work great, and for the days spent in the sun the fabric of the jersey provides ultraviolet protection.
OVERALL
I am a huge fan of Find Your Freedom’s cycling gear. The two kits we’ve looked at so far this year are both great. The Rouleur Jersey tested here is top notch, I would love the sleeves to be a little longer but am extremely pleased with its comfort, breathability and race fit finish.
The Hors Catégorie knicks are super comfy, with a different approach to design from the laser cut cuffs.
I was hoping for the knicks to have the FYF signature blue on the ends of the knicks rather than the predominant white, but now I’m just being fussy!!
If you want something a bit different, less seen on the road with top quality premium finishes then you need to check out Find Your Freedom.
SIZE
Our tester weighs 66kg / 169cm tall and wore a size small bibs and jeresy.
We found that following the FYF size chart resulted in a ‘race’ fit that we were really happy with!
PRICE
For just under $300 you’ll get yourself set of kit that looks the business and performs strongly, even when compared to more expensive offerings.
Rouleur Jersey - RRP $129.95
Hors Catégorie Bib Knicks - RRP $169.95
WHERE TO BUY
Hors Catégorie Bib Short - Key features
- 4-way stretch fabric, anatomically contoured to move as freely as you do
- 3D designed FYF BIO contoured chamois with S.A.T
- Pixel Knicks - reflective, laser cut hems
- Easy care and quick drying
Rouleur Jersey - Key Features
- Bio-ceramic fabric for advanced performance and comfort
- Slim fit racing cut
- Full length hidden zipper
- 3 rear pockets plus 1 waterproof zip pocket
- Aperture for ipod/mp3 connectivity
