Catlike Whisper Chinese Knockoffs

They look like the helmet, but do they work?

This review is for the Catlike Whisper knockoff models that are plastered all over ebay.  They haven't changed much since I bought mine in early 2012, so the review should definitely holdover from a few years back to the current models.

I initially wanted a Catlike helmet because I thought they looked unique, were lightweight and were ridden by the Cervelo Test Team.  However, when I checked how much they cost, I decided to pass.  They were north of $200 and I believe some Whisper models still are.  To me, this was one of the worst values for a helmet.  Although it did provide "superior" ventilation (according to Catlike) and did stand out, they failed to garner CPSC certification and if I recall did not garner CEN certification initially either.  Eventually they did gain CEN certification (hence their presence in the pro peloton), but for a while in the early to mid 2000s, the USA cycling would DQ riders who wore Catlike helmets because they did not pass CPSC standards.  So I did not want to invest in a helmet that actually provided little protection..if any.

Review

Let me start off by saying be wary of purchasing helmets from ebay sellers in China.  My two experiences have not instilled great confidence in the process moreso than the product.  What I mean is that, when I ordered the helmets, they basically came wrapped in a thin layer of wrapping paper.  My friend when he saw it at the mailbox knew it was a helmet because the wrapping paper basically conformed to the shape of the helmet.  It was not bubble wrapped or even in a protective box that was then placed in another box for shipping.  I ordered a second one (a different brand helmet) from a different seller and it came in a similar fashion, although it did have some bubble wrap (that did not actually wrap around the entire helmet).  There really isn't much to protect the helmet from fracturing from a moderate drop or from getting banged around during shipping.  I say this because I didn't inspect it all that much initially when I first got it and I really should have.  I bought it during the winter and so did not have much use for it.  I never dropped it and I put in one of those plastic drawers for storage.  When it finally warmed up a bit in late February, I took it for a spin.  However, when my buddy was dropping by from Indiana to ride, I took a look at both my helmets and discovered that there was a significant fracture at the front that propagated to the middle of the helmet.  That was only after three months of mostly weekend riding and absolutely no crashes.  So, be wary when ordering as these sellers do not do a particularly good job of shipping.

Anyway, on to the helmet itself.  Let's face it, Catlike helmets are built to be light and well ventilated.  They aren't going to protect you quite as well as say something like the Bell Lumen, which is much thicker, heavier and less well ventilated.  So I knew going in that I needed to be a little more careful.  The knockoff is actually a little thinner in foam thickness than the current Catlikes, but it does ventilate very well (much better than my Bell Lumen and other chinese knockoff) and is very lightweight.  However, as is customary for many chinese knockoffs, the adjuster knob is a bit clunkier and the way they use the pads and locations are terrible.  The pads lining the mid and side portions of the helmet are adequate, but they leave the front awfully uncomfortable.  Next, the straps are also slight uncomfortable as well.  They also seem to be of a different material than brand name helmets.  The texture is rougher and it is a little more difficult to adjust.  My Bell Lumen (although also made in China) has straps that are much smother and adjusting and locking the straps in place is a breeze.

Verdict

I can't really recommend based on the dodgy shipping alone.  When I've order brand name helmets, they often sit in a thick box and when placed in a shipping box, hardly move and none of the foam is exposed such that any impact would hit the helmet first through the boxes.  However, you should contact the seller and let him make his shipping and handling protocol known.  If he or she can guarantee proper shipping and handling, I would be a little more inclined to buy another one, but probably a different model.  The models with the orange ratchet system aren't that good or comfortable.  I may try one more helmet order however, since there are some with a slightly better ratchet system and they finally use larger pad set pieces rather than many individual skinny pads.  

Microshift 10-speed shifters

Microshift 10-speed shifters

Today's review will be on the 10 speed Microshift shifters.  The version I used was the Nashbar branded shifters, but they aren't much different from the Arsis and Centos shifters save the carbon levers.  Mechanically, they are exactly the same.

With SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo having the market shares, Microshift actually made a small dent in the OEM market for a few years.  Microshift used to be found on many entry level Schwinn, Felt, Fuji and GT bikes.  However, many of these Microshift groupsets have been replaced with Apex and Sora and Microshift have gone fairly silent since their announcement on their new 11-speed and hidden cable groupsets.  They also used to sponsor a few teams domestically in the US at the continental and pro-continental level, but they have scaled back sponsorship a little bit.  It is a little disheartening, if Microshift have hit a few potholes as more competition is better in the component market.

Please keep in mind, that this review is for the shifters only.  They were mated to Shimano 105 front and rear derailleurs.

Review

Ergonomically, the shifters are very close to the 6600/5600 generation of shifters.  I did not include the Dura Ace 7800 levers because they are slightly different.  If you were comfortable on those hoods, you'll feel right at home on these shifters.  Not only that, the levers (or button in the case of shifting down) are easily accessible from both the drops and the hoods and are placed in positions that my hands naturally fell into, especially on the hoods.  These shifters are also very light.  I don't remember the weight off the top of my head, but they weighed less than my Ultegra, Veloce, Centaur and 105 shifters.

On the Spesh!

Now, don't let people discourage you by saying that Microshift is crap and that Shimano/SRAM/Campagnolo is the only way to go.  Here's the dirty little secret, most shifters work very well.  They simply pull a cable, nothing more, nothing less.  The smoothness of the shift in my opinion is also exaggerated.  Sure, it matters for racers who require precise shifting to attack and respond to attacks.  But for the recreational cyclist (which even includes serious cyclists who do not race), it doesn't matter.  Cable routing affects shifting much more (external vs. internal wiring and crossed or un-crossed under cabling).  Ergonomics concerns however, are legitimate.  Many of my friends simply prefer Campagnolo because the shifter shape is much more comfortable.  Do the Microshift shifters work?  Yes.  Do they work well?  Yes.  In fact, I prefer them to Shimano in one regard, feedback.  When you shift, you get a defined click in the mechanism shifting in both directions.  I actually really like that, which is why I like Campagnolo shifters as well.  Shimano shifters are much quieter, which is very beneficial in racing, but I find it to be less useful.  It is a small gripe (I know, nitpicking), but I do like the feedback.  BUT, that also feeds into one gripe of Microshift that is understandable.  It's loud, very loud, especially downshifting.  When you downshift, you could probably be heard by the back of the peloton (a little exaggeration).  You aren't going to be surprising anybody with an impending attack on Microshift that's for sure.  In addition, the throw is quite long and can be troublesome to those with smaller hands.  Downshifting also requires a little more brute strength and those with weak fingers may find it annoying.  As I mentioned earlier, my fingers naturally fall so that my middle and ring finger fall on the lever and my index and middle finger fall on the paddle.  I've heard complaints from my friends that simply using the index finger can sometimes get annoying due to the amount of force required.  It isn't nearly as elegant as Campagnolo's ergo levers in which you have your thumb and the force of gravity aiding you.

Verdict

Are these good shifters?  I think so, they do the job and they do it well if you can live with some of its shortcomings.  However, with the trickle down technology seen in Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo, it's really hard to recommend Microshift, especially since Microshift shifters are becoming MORE expensive than equivalent models of the BIG 3.  You can get an entire groupset from one of the BIG 3 for the same price as partial groupset containing Microshift shifters and derailleurs only.  Today's Veloce is so good that Campagnolo has discontinued the Centaur line.  Today's Tiagra is just as good as Ultegra a few years ago and SRAM Apex is yesterday's Force.  If you can find a cheap set of Microshift shifters, go for it.  It is very likely because not many people are searching for Microshift on ebay.  However, at full price on Nashbar, $129.99 for 9 speed and $139.99 for 10 speed and even with the 20% discounts, they are creeping into the price range of the Shimano's 105 line and Campagnolo's Athena and Centaur line and I would much rather have 105, Athena or Centaur over Microshift (apologies to SRAM fans, I just haven't used SRAM is all).

Knockoff cycling bibs from China and found on Ebay

Complete kit for ~$30?  Say it ain't so!

As a disclaimer, I am reviewing the 2013 versions of these knock-offs and at the time were found for $40 for the complete kit.  The price has dropped to ~$30 give or take $5.  It seems that the current kits have an improved chamois from the orange chamois' that were found in the bibs when I purchased the kit.

Finding the right cycling bib and jersey can be frustrating.  For bibs, it literally needs to be comfortable in every spot, the chamois, the thighs, the crotch, the chest and even the feel at end the pant legs.  Much like saddles and handlebars, it's basically a try until you find the right one.  And unfortunately, that undertaking could take years until you find the right one.  Until then, you have to settle for the one that feels the best out of the rest.  Jerseys in my opinion are less difficult to get comfortable with and typically feel very similar across many different brands.  In addition, there are much more choices and easier to return because you often don't need to go for a test ride to test the fit.  Now, on to the review!

Bibs  

When I purchased this kit, I purchased a Team Europcar and Team Euskaltel set of kits, with the former in small and the latter in a medium.  I mostly did so in order to at least get on that fit well.  Return shipping to China just isn't worth it, so if one didn't fit, I'd give it to a friend.  Anyway, the first thing that you'll notice is the rubber gripper at the end of the pant legs aren't really comfortable, even when compared to other brand name bibs that use rubber grippers.  In all honesty, it seems like they either sewed it too tightly or just used too much gripper.  I have a Louis Garneau, Champion Systems and Voler set of bibs that have the grippers, but they actually feel comfortable and not too tight.  With the knockoff bibs, there were fairly deep grip indentations on my thighs after every ride and the chafing from the pants going over the indentations throughout the ride was pretty uncomfortable.  I'd sometimes flip the pant legs so that the grippy part would face outward and that actually alleviated the fit quite nicely.  As with most knockoffs, the stitching isn't particularly consistent.  For the most part, the stitching is actually passable and after two years, the bibs are still solid and not falling apart (and against my expectations), but you'll see the stitching ends constantly, which means that they either didn't stitch it correctly or they over-stitched to compensate for some loose ends.  Either way, it gets a passing grade because there aren't loose threads everywhere and the bibs still hold up.

This was the chamois at the time I bought the kit.  They've since upgraded to a light blue coolmax chamois pad.  This review is on the bibs that have orange chamois'.

So then, how is the chamois?  Not great, but decent and certainly .  On rides shorter than 20 miles, your butt will feel fine.  Any longer and you'll start to get uncomfortable.  It seems like the padding is not particular big enough to support much of your sit-bones or good enough to support it well.  Even getting out of the saddle constantly and 15 miles was all I could handle on these bibs.  This is across two different bikes with two different saddles.  I couldn't really get comfortable on either bike for longer periods of time.  It might actually have to do with the placement of the gel because I am more comfortable on bibs with no padding whatsoever.  The funny thing is that the bibs seemed to get more comfortable in the second year, when the gel or padding was worn down quite a bit and became a little flatter.  I suspect that the gel placement either wasn't optimal or it was pinching on certain muscles or tendons as a result of cheap gel or padding.  Which is a shame, because the bib actually has a good fit everywhere else.  The length of the legs was good, the material was non-chafing, and the the chamois was designed well so that there was no rubbing between my thighs either.  They fit better than my Champion Systems bib and feel much more comfortable to wear and ride (as in just the fit and feel of the material, does not include butt comfort).

Jersey

Not much to really say.  The fit is really good and again, the stitching for the most part is also good.  There will be some loose threads, but after two years, it still holds up quite well.  The material also feels really nice and quite frankly I prefer these jerseys over some of the brand name stuff.  Granted, the brand names have a little better quality material, stitching and fit (these don't quite hug the body, you will get small bubbling sometimes), but for the price, can't be beat.  At this price alone, it would be worth it simply for the cycling jersey.  I will say though, that the newer versions now have waist grippers, which I do not like at all.  The older version that I purchased did not have the grippers and is infinitely more comfortable.

Verdict

I'd say that these bibs are worth the price of admission, IF you don't ride for much longer than 20 miles, don't ride as often or aren't a weight weenie.  Like I said the bibs are fine for the short term and you may even want to order a size up so that the leg grippers don't suffocate you.  The mediums did feel slightly better than the smalls, but not by much and going larger would mean that the bib shorts would become bib knickers for me (I'm short).  They are also good if you ride infrequently because you won't feel bad about an expensive pair of bibs that you barely use sitting in the closet.  I mention that non-weight weenies should take a look because the fit and material in the crotch, chest and leg (grippers non-withstanding) are actually quite good.  If you have plush saddle, the chamois should be more than adequate for over 20 miles.  I used these bibs with a really well padded sunlite saddle and the pain was quite manageable over 40 miles and the chafing was negligible, I never ever had to use chamois cream.  However, I can't recommend these to anyone who rides moderately to seriously.  Add an extra $10 or $20 and you can find bibs that are far more comfortable and of a better quality in material, stitching and chamois whether it be name brand or other slightly more expensive knockoffs.  I would however recommend the cycling jersey, they are a bargain (obviously, they are knockoffs!).