Build Your Kit: Desert SPF

I feel gorgeous in this kit--the bib holds everything in in the right places and the long-sleeve jersey is elegant (if you can even use that term to describe a bike kit). I wore this for several long rides out in West Texas in November, so the sun was intense but the weather was pretty wacky, ranging from 35 to 65 along the duration of the ride. I really like the fabric on the jersey; it wicked when I got clammy and kept me warm when the air was chilly. The SPF is a huge bonus in the dessert too, of course. Overall, I would definitely recommend. For sizing purposes, I got a small bib and a medium top, and I am 5'7" and 138 lbs.

This is my third Machines for Freedom kit and thanks to the quality the other two are still in use!! I have several other very expensive kits but when I want to feel confident, look good and stay comfortable I reach for my MFF! The full length bibs are my favorite for cool weather riding (just enough cover to keep the cold wind off but thin so I don't overheat as I get into my ride)...but I have also worn them in 95 degrees and humid.
I love the VERY complimentary construction not only for looks but also holds in and gives additional support to my upper abdominal area that following hernia surgery
If your on the fence because you aren't sure there is a difference between manufacturers I highly encourage you to try!! You will fall in love!!

I started biking since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and after 6 months, decided it's time to treat myself to some padded shorts to help ease that butt pain. I ride multiple times a week ranging between 4-14 miles, depending on how leisurely and how many pit stops I make. My bike is my car and replaces running as my cardio. My experience level is a casual rider but I do like to buy nicely designed objects which have a purpose and serve me.

I got the Desert SPF - Small Jersey / X-Small MVP. My height is 5'2"/157cm, and body weight is 49kg. My body type is like an ectomorph. So since I'm a short, petite person, they did bunch around my ankles, and that was something I wasn't sure about.

Now about these bibs, they feel great on, reminds me of compression tights I used to wear when going to the gym. It sucks and tucks, smooths your body in all the right places (but not that there's anything wrong with some cushiony bits - our bodies are made from skin/bones/flesh!). I liked that they are long and SPF since I don't want to get shorts and sock tan in case I forgot to apply sunscreen. 

Secondly, I am worried about the bib-style and how hard it might be in terms going to the toilet. A good friend (male) who rides a lot told me bibs help keep the pants/shorts from falling down, and the waistband from cutting into your stomach. I think I'll rather not go to the toilet w/o getting fully naked so have decided to return the bib pants. Thirdly, I am concerned with the ankle zippers causing discomfort since they are bunching up.

My thoughts on the jersey: A slimmer cut to the body feels more ergonomic especially when going faster, and back pockets are nice and handy. But I'd almost always rather carry stuff in my frame bag, or even a fanny bag. The big thing about jerseys is the ability to unzip and get your core temperature cooler quickly. Again I opted for the long-sleeve because I don't want a t-shirt tan (in case I forgot to reapply sunscreen on my arms.)

Then I got weird anxiety like I'm "showing up and showing off" as though I am this experienced professional biker chick, and so if I wear the whole kit together, I felt like a fraud and not a "real" cyclist, and psyched myself out about it. So that's why I returned the kit. I wish I didn't feel this way but I do, and hope we get more representation in the field that just because someone rocks the kit, it just means they want to be comfortable when riding, judgement free. This felt like a quarantine splurge so I returned.

Now here's my general advice/rant about bike gear since this is my first foray into technical gear. Cycling is an expensive hobby and is incredibly classist - the price point of some things makes me think this is literally the golf of the West Coast and the primary demographic is rich white dudes. The entire sport is disastrously bad at diversity so a lot of the brands I'd researched seemed to cater only to men. That said, I was super excited to try MFF because of how diverse their models are, both in body shape, age, and cultural background. 

A good chamois could mean the difference between a sore butt after a long ride, and a slightly less sore butt. The whole point of a chamois is that the padding moves with your butt.

Good chamoises can minimize the effect of a poorly fitted saddle, but in the ideal world, your saddle would fit your butt so well you wouldn't even need a chamois. The affordable entry-level stuff is nice because of the lower barrier to entry, but an experienced friend told me he's found value in middle-of-the-line stuff, which can be slightly cheaper than brand names but just as good or better.  For chamois and pricing, you get what you pay for but there are exceptions. There are slight differences for a $30 and a $70 chamois, but almost none from a $70 and a $150. Look for sales obviously! 

Arm and leg warmers are good because they make your short sleeve shirt/shorts modular, you don't need to deal with large temperature changes on a single ride, which is very relevant for the Bay Area. But I am undecided if I want to go down that route of investing in this. 

Anyways in conclusion, MFF offers free shipping and free returns, so it's really risk-free to buy and try! But I'll focus on getting a working and properly fitted bike before buying any of the chamois kit stuff. I am considering the essential pant once that's back in stock.

I *love* MFF gear and bought this set for a 3 day bikepacking race in northern Arizona. Out of the box it's obvious that this is high quality gear, as I quickly realized from past purchases. I went on a few rides with the set before my race and felt confident in it, but had some issues come up.
--Jersey--
Pros: Gorgeous, perfect fit, kept me cool and dry during the hot days / kept me warm and dry during the cool night riding. I'm very fair skinned and was out in the desert sun for 12 hours, 3 days in a row -- I had only a very slight sunburn at the end. Impressed!
Cons: After 3 days the zipper had bent at the end and would not close. Two sets of hands couldn't get it to zip up. Luckily I had my baselayer to keep me warm to get to the finish line.
--Pants--
Pros: Super high quality fabric, love the mesh placement, almost enough length in the legs (I'm 5'9", 140lb, ordered M)
Cons: Some of the outer stitching on the chamois came undone on my first townie ride. I also struggle to get my bum in these pants (like wiggling, dancing, jumping struggle), but once I'm in, it's perfect and even a little roomy. Maybe my hips are too wide for the opening? This chamois also did not work for me like older models had. I came out of this race with the worst saddle sores and chafing of my life.

I am loving my long sleeve jersey and pant-bibs - this is a super comfortable and breathable set. I feel beautiful in them as well! I would absolutely recommend MFF to other bicyclists.
Thanks!