| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I am interested in a RoadCrafter one piece, but two things are holding me back. 1. $$$$$$$$$$$$ 2. I live in Florida and I am beginning to believe in global warming (just kidding, please don't turn this into a global warming thread). So, my questions are, does anyone here wear one? If so, how do you find the venting capabilities in HOT weather? If I spend the bucks for that thing I may have to sleep in it. Thanks | ||
| Froggy |
I love mine! Does great year round. In the sub zero NY winters, I add an electric layer underneath. In the summer I just open all the vents and as long as I am moving I am fine. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
In Florida, it'll be less "airy" than a mesh jacket/pant combo for sure. While you are moving, you should be fine, but standing still in a one piece in the Florida heat and humidity would suck. Other than that, it's probably one of the best textile riding suits on the market. | ||
| Staves |
I'm in Chicago and don't wear mine commuting when it's any warmer than about 70 degrees. If I'm on the expressway, the venting does its job and I can wear it into the 80s. Having said that, the Roadcrafter is my favorite piece of gear - nearly indestructible. My suggestion is to look at Aerostich's sizing guide, call customer service to confirm the right size for you, then buy a used 'Stich. There are plenty in great shape to be had. | ||
| Crusty |
I saw this guy wearing one at Homecoming:  | ||
| Hughlysses |
I picked up a barely used one on advrider last year. I've only worn it in cold weather, including this year's March Badness. ~4 hours into that 6 hour trip, I found out it was due for re-waterproofing  . Based on my limited experience with it in warm (not hot) weather, I'm sure Froggy and Ft_bstrd are right- it'd be fine at speed but it would suck in slow traffic. The owner's guide suggests opening the vents, as well as partially unzipping the legs and torso (while keeping the cuffs and neck snapped) to provide even more airflow. +1 to Staves' post. I probably saved ~$300 off the price of a new suit for a like-new one (apart from the water-proofing!). Check ebay, advrider's classifieds, Craigslist, etc. They turn up pretty often. | ||
| Froggy |
There is a black 1 piece size 42L in the classifieds here. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The very first piece of gear I bought was a 'Stitch jacket and pant combo. I went with the Darien so that it fit a little looser. I rode it until August of the first season. July sucked and August was miserable. I bought a mesh jacket for the hottest parts of the year. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I love my one piece roadcrafter. It's very fast on/off and doesn't let me get lazy in regards to 'ATGATT'. I wore my mesh jacket and pants today (first time in two years since the stich) and boy do I wish I hadn't! I was terribly dehydrated and miserable after just an hour or two of riding in high 80's temp. Last Thursday it was in the low 90's and I was more comfortable in my stich all day. If the suit fits right, the underarm vents work great (when in motion) and the suit shields against the heat pretty well. I don't think I'll wear my mesh gear ever again unless it's a really short trip or I know that my riding will be 90% sitting in traffic instead of the normal 90% twisty carving. | ||
| Someday |
My 2 cents. If you get any garment, Don't get BLACK! Sure it looks cool or bad, but it is much hotter than light colored garments. I wear a gray with silver 1 pc Aerostich and have ridden in 95 degree temps. Sure, it's hot when you stop but when moving with the vents open it's like a big air scoop. It's still scooping 95 deg air but it seems more tolerable. If you have to stop, just take it off, it takes about 20 seconds. | ||
| Nutsosane |
I find the 2 piece varieties to be more waterproof than the 1-piec RC. I have AD1 pants and a hi-viz RC jacket currently and find them a good compromise for year-round protection. NUTS | ||
| Atoms |
As for 1. they may cost a lot, but they last a VERY long time, so provided you live and ride long enough, one Roadcrafter would be less expensive than two or three other suits you might go through in the same amount of time. I met a Guzzi rider in Minnesota over weekend who has been wearing the same Roadcrafter for ten years! | ||
| Froggy |
I read stories all the time online of high mileage roadcrafters. One guy has had his since 1992, and was buying another one, not because it wore out, but because he got fat and it didn't fit anymore. I just wish it wasn't so ugly. | ||
| Court |
I've got 4. . . the oldest, my Blue 1-piece is from 1995. A 1-piece Roadcrafter is the ONLY way to ride. It frankly does EVERYTHING from protection to storage and as soon as it's broken in you can get in and out, as Someday said, in seconds. You are more likely to use protection that is easy and convenient. Hehehehe . . . my blue one is pretty snug unless I peel off about 20# I look like sausage in a casing. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Hehehehe . . . my blue one is pretty snug unless I peel off about 20# I look like sausage in a casing. I have a couple older leather jackets that have "shrunk" the same way.  | ||
| Metalstorm |
I just wish it wasn't so ugly. I consider the goofy looks of the suit a bonus. While in the suit, cops don't pay as much attention to me as they do the the guys decked out in 'race' gear sporting knee sliders and all that good stuff. On Edit: My suit is grey with black ballistics. I once had a gal convinced that I was an aero space test pilot  The suit is good on the bike and can be fun when away from the bike  (Message edited by Metalstorm on June 23, 2009) | ||
| Dynasport |
I have learned, that here in Florida, with it 93 degrees and 90 percent humidity, it is HOT no matter what you wear. I currently wear a full mesh Tourmaster Intake 3 jacket and blue jeans. I bought some Tourmaster pants last year (not mesh and I don't recall the name of them) and I have found them very uncomfortable. I was between sizes I guess. I bought the bigger ones first, and they kept wanting to fall off, so I bought the smaller ones and they are tight. What appeals to me about the Roadcrafter is the simple utility of it, plus the thought that I can wear nicer clothes under it when necessary, and commute in it. Right now I really don't have that ability unless I bring a change of clothes. But...I am not a rich man and the price of entry into the Roadcrafter world is steep. I guess if I start saving my pennies now, I can get one eventually. Till then I'll just play with the fun online color selector. I normally just go for everything in simple black, but I can see where that would not be best for the heat. I don't know, I can't see myself in the Hi Viz. Everyone else could I am sure, but I don't know that I would want them too. At least I'll have plenty of time to pick out colors. I do really want one. Cheers. | ||
| Tneall |
I've had my 2 piece Roadcrafter for 3 months and wear it every time I ride. The temp on my 45 mile commute in to work this morning was 80°. It's going to be 99° with 80% humidity on my way home this evening. I open all the vents and leave the jacket open about a third. Once I'm moving it's not at all bad and I'm still ATGATT. My tee shirt is damp when I get home but I'm not dripping in sweat like you would think. Just don't get stuck in traffic. You will get hot in a hurry. As far as I'm concerned a Roadcrafter is worth every penny. | ||
| Aeholton |
Living here in FL, I've been considering buying one of the Olympia Stealth one piece mesh suits. Figured I could wear shorts and t-shirt underneath. Anyone have experience with this suit?  | ||
| Od_cleaver |
I have a two piece RoadCrafter suit. It looks like I will give the only negative opinion on this suit. I used it for one season. It now hangs in the closet. I have gone back to wearing leather from BrooksLeather.com. First, I found the RC too hot. When it got around 80F to 85F, I had to ditch the pants. Also, the jacket did not vent as well as my leather jacket. Second, I lost faith in the ability of nylon to protect me in a paved road slide. I had a low speed brain fart. A hole was worn in the jacket sleeve down to the inner liner. Another foot of sliding and I would have been giving up skin. Yes boys, I wear the ass-less chaps over my jeans with the Kevlar panty liner and the Kevlar knee pads. My guys are much happier now even when I take the Uly out on a hot day. If anyone wants a cleaned, repaired and freshly waterproofed two piece RoadCrafter grey/black size 48, send me a PM. | ||
| Staves |
Re. the Olympia Stealth, I don't have first-hand experience, but there is a lengthy thread on ADVRider in Gear/Equipment. I've been considering the same suit for too-hot-for-Stich commuting. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've been wearing a Roadcrafter two piece since 2002. I HIGHLY recommend it. It's the most versatile piece of gear I own. It is warm in the summer if you're not moving, but even vented stuff is not "cool" if it's 100 degrees outside. It's all relative. The Aerostich stuff crashes well too, no worries there. I tour with it exclusively. I re-waterproof it at the start of each season, and it's never leaked on me. I recall one trip (Fatty was there!) where it rained on us all day. I was the only dry one of the bunch. Everyone else was cold and wet, and I was dry and comfortable, never even had to stop to put on a rain suit....just zip the zipper up to my neck and flip up the collar. If you commute in stop and go traffic in hot weather....well....I'd go with something lighter or vented. The Roadcrafter is a substantial piece of gear. When you get to work, where are you going to store the big, huge, heavy piece of gear? Can't beat the stich!  | ||
| Court |
>>>>As far as I'm concerned a Roadcrafter is worth every penny. Absolutely and does EVERYTHING well. Look . . . when it gets hot out . . it's going to be hot. The time I did the 37 states in one ride it was over 100 all but 1 or 2 days. Once you are moving you are fine. When I arrive, I take the bike cover out and put the Roadcrafter in. I own both 1-piece, 2-peice and Darien. If I were buying ONE . . it'd be a 1-piece Roadcrafter. | ||
| Fung |
I have a 2-piece and an extra jacket. Love em. does everything i need. I do pack a rain suit for the heavy stuff. Pick up a used on and save some $. Figure out your size and start the search. | ||
| Powersports |
the "stitch" is certainly a great piece of riding gear. An alternative you may wish to consider is the Kevlar Ultra Trek available from Wayne Boyer at Motoport. www.motoport.com They are available in air flow mesh and standard, both are breathable, whereas the cordura isn't. I've also had the unfortunate luck to road test mine and I can tell you the armor in terms of coverage and protection zones is outstanding. I have well over 100k of miles with mine as a daily use item and have nothing but good to say about them. They also will replace jacket/pants at no cost if they can't repair it. of course ymmv. | ||
| Ejbeert |
owned my two piece roadcrafter since 1986 plan on owing it till 2086. probably end up costing 5.00 a year. thanks andy | ||
| Natron |
I retired my hi-viz yellow roadcrafter several months after I started bicycling and losing weight. I'm wearing a Rev'It Cayenne Pro now, but I do miss the 'Stich and have thought about getting another one and only using the Cayenne Pro for touring. Nothing beats a one piece roadcrafter as a commuting suit. It hasn't changed in years for a very good reason. | ||
| Lonz |
Aeholton I live in Florida and use the Olympia Stealth. The stealth is nice for day trips in shorts and a Tshirt. It is great for commuting until the rainy season, then I wish I had a 'stich. | ||
| Kimberley |
I have 2 aerostich suits; a 1 pc. and a 2 pc. and I ride year 'round in Oregon. The one piece is great for bad weather commuting. The 2 piece is better for touring as you can separate the jacket from the pants. I'm actually selling the 2 pc....as I've outgrown it. :{ | ||
| Joe_solo |
Have had my 2 piece Roadcrafter for 15 years and more than 300,000kms. The zippers are the weakest point(pull tabs broken - zipper pulled away from seam). Rarely do I have any water intruding. Living at N53 W113 any garment that is warm is a plus. |
