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Shimano closes the gap on premium road clothing with S-Phyre Cycling Apparel

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Following the launch of the S-Phyre line of premium footwear, yesterday at the Tour Down Under Shimano announced that the line would be expanding to clothing. Following the same concept of using the best materials and construction to create clothing with “numerically proven results,” the S-Phyre clothing lineup will initially include a skinsuit, jersey and bib short combo, gloves, and socks. Looking for performance gains wherever possible, the skinsuit, bib short, and jersey are the only Shimano clothing pieces made in Japan and draw on their knowledge gained from Bikefitting.com to create anatomically designed clothing that both cheats the wind and remains comfortable while on the bike…

Starting off with the skin suit, Shimano claims their design results in fewer seams, better aerodynamics, and a second skin fit with a variable density weaving structure. Both the Skinsuit and the new bib shorts utilize a new chamois design that incorporates a split wing in the rear to help the chamois move with with you while pedaling. It’s also heavily ventilated and uses “targeted support” for key areas of the saddle interface. Promising a 93 second savings on a 40km time trial compared to a traditional jersey and short, the skinsuit is only available in black and will go for $349.99 in S-XL.

Photos from the launch courtesy of Jayson O’Mahoney, all other c. Shimano

The bib shorts also include some highly technical details with a 100 percent engineered knit construction and an S-Phyre graphic knit into the thigh. The leg grippers are woven for a compressive, comfortable fit, and the inside of the thigh features a higher thread count for improved durability where it may rub the saddle. Bib shorts will run $219.99 in black and S-XL sizes.

In addition to being available to consumers, the LottoNL-Jumbo team will be racing in custom S-Phyre clothing, shown here with the S-Phyre short sleeve jersey.

Built with a 3D construction to make the jersey fit better around the shoulders with fewer wrinkles, it also uses a full length zipper, anatomically placed pockets, and are available in black or yellow for $199.99, also in S-XL.

Details of the graphic treatments which are minimal.

To give your hands the same advantage, the S-Phyre gloves use an aerodynamic pull on fit with knit construction and a 3D breathable mesh knit on the back of the hand. The palm uses a perforated Clarino for a thin connection between you and the bar. Selling for $59.99, gloves are available in S-XXL.

Finally, you can’t have a high end clothing and shoe line up without a sock to integrate the two, so of course there is an S-Phyre version. Claimed to include cushioning, better ventilation, slip resistance on the sole, and efficient pedaling specifically tailored to the S-Phyre RC9 and XC9, the socks are sold in black or white for $21.99 in S-XL.

Look for all the S-Phyre clothing to hit retailers in February.

shimano-lifestylegear.com


Photos from the launch by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.

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Antipodean_g
7 years ago

On one hand, in a market so completely over saturated, it’s hard to imagine a product manager thinking this is a great idea at any level.

On the other though, it makes sense. Get the gear into shops and it will sell – it’s clean and just dull enough not to alienate anyone. Prices are not great for a ‘mass produced’ item from a ‘mega’ brand but I’m sure the target market, that guy who has the cash to burn but only believes what the magazines tell him and only buys what’s in front of him, won’t care.

In terms of performance, I’m sure it’ll do what need to be done and being synthetic, will work as well as all the other upper end synthetic kit out there.

myke2241
myke2241
7 years ago
Reply to  Antipodean_g

The front is good, the back shows a lack of graphic design skills. You would think those in the clothing industry of cycling would understand stand that is not where things are headed in terms of looks. Also the cut may be too aggressive the shop crowd.

Andrew Spaulding
7 years ago
Reply to  myke2241

If by graphic design skills you’re referring to the printed matrix of dots around the logo, I’m not sure how you can determine there’s enough of a design going on to conclude that it’s not where things are headed. As for the front, there is literally NOTHING on it. The ‘design’ in this case is one very thin line away from no design at all, which is why I dig it.

Allan
Allan
7 years ago
Reply to  Antipodean_g

Your whole second paragraph…dripping with snark, lol! You must be one of the anti-Shimano guys who thinks they are circling the drain, no?

It’s ok, I have an opinion too. Every time I see bearded, Rapha-kitted guys, I think pretentious and hipster wannabe. So we all make judgments.

Antipodean_g
7 years ago
Reply to  Allan

Anti Shimano and circling the drain? I just bought Shimano Ultra discs, rear mech cassette and chain for a new build. I have Shimano brakes, mech, cassettes and chains on all 3 other bikes as they are simply the best in the game. I don’t think Shimano is going anywhere anytime soon.

I just look at what they’ve done, from a professional perspective working in the game, and say what I’ve said. Unless they just feel like wasting money and effort, they have been very specific in what they’ve done.

Bill
Bill
7 years ago
Reply to  Antipodean_g

Actually, I see this as the launch of a new brand in general. Just like your Dura Ace, etc, they’ve moved the clothing to stop being XC-9, RD-9, etc, and started giving the top end names. The Pearl Izumi side of Shimano, 8 years later, is still completely confusing to everyone, since everything is pro, elite, etc..

A brand name is a big deal, and those blue shoes are pretty awesome looking, so let’s see what they do with it?

Nathan
Nathan
7 years ago
Reply to  Bill

You think the pearl line is confusing? Look at Shimano’s shoe line. The SH-R085 etc. Least marketable names ever. Customers eyes glaze over. These are slightly better but why not just use your well established brand names? People would buy S-Phyre Dura-Ace shoes.

Bill
Bill
7 years ago
Reply to  Nathan

That’s my point, I think they’re trying to move into that model.

Andrea JRA
7 years ago

When will it be available on the web at below dealer cost?

Fernando Claro
7 years ago

Only the bibs looks like a premium level. Jerseys not at all …

Casey F. Ryback
Casey F. Ryback
7 years ago

Priced at $349.99, available on Wiggle for $159.99, free shipping. Available to dealers for $225.99 direct from Shimano with a minimum purchase of 10 pairs, plus freight.

Gab t
Gab t
6 years ago

Just bought a pair of these shorts. From my point of view they are not worth the price. What I didn’t like at all is that they are too bulky on the front with too much compression ( growing area ) and non surprising aeration.

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