Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Non-Thorn Related => Topic started by: in4 on October 11, 2014, 12:46:08 pm
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Whilst being singularly underwhelmed with my Quito as a cycling jacket perhaps Paramo's latest creation might be worth a look.
http://paramoinfo.co.uk/AWB-2VADK-251S5K8N9A/cr.aspx
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Looks good. I have been doing a bit of research into the Paramo Jackets and like the look of the Velez Adventure Light or the Quito, but this may be worth saving up for.
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how much is it .?
anto.
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anto,
Paramo quote £200 for the new jacket. Most on-line suppliers will give around 10% discount for Paramo clothing.
I use a Paramo Vasco (not produced now) it works well for me as it is waterproof and breathes, but it is very hot and too hot for ‘summer’.
in4, I was thinking of getting a Quito for spring/autumn use - what underwhelmed you with your Quito?
Julian.
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Julian didn't you have you paramo stolen on some camping trip. :'(
i bought a few years back a Corrine Dennis winter jacket it works great but i would change a few things like the collor is terrible the pockets are set to far back and not big enough and like all waterproof jackets you will sweat like a dog in it other that that its a great jacket. ::)
anto
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Regarding the Quito:
Pros: Ventilation options are good. I like the combined sleeve/ pit zips. You can move the zips whilst cycling.
I like the two internal chest pockets; very useful for getting your sunnies out easily. I use one pocket for my smart phone with the strava app onboard.
The hood is huge and will accomodate a helmet
Its pretty warm and good in the wet.
Its quiet and you don't sound like a crisp packet.
Cons: Its poorly cut and designed. It billows in the wind and fastening the hood down makes the neck too warm and sweaty. Similarly the nape of the neck area. I invariably end up soaking around the top of my neck.
The cuffs are poorly thought through. I always end up with sweaty wrists and the fabric just holds the sweat.
I'm a bit long in the body so find it a tad short for anything other than riding. Any rain will drip onto your legs if you use it for walking; there is no 'skirt' or channel to guide it away.
I have another Paramo jacket; an Alta 2 which is really, really good. I also have a Paramo shirt which is also really good and its reversable too if you need to be a tad cooler.
Despite liking Paramo gear I would not buy the Quito again. I get the impression that no cyclist was consulted in the design process and it shows.
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so basicall at £200 its pure crap.
if my assos roubix jacket was waterproof it would be the best jacket on the planet .
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I invariably end up soaking around the top of my neck.
That would be already too much for me. I wear a no-label departmentstore sale special which has lasted fifteen years, and is now so ingrained with filth on the bright yellow that no machine can wash out that it's an embarrassment.
In the meantime "proper" cycling jackets have come, and gone to Gorta (the local thrift shop) as inadequate in one way or another.
I'd like to buy a new jacket, but every time I see something that looks good, I hear something like this from an experienced cyclist. Looks like getting the right bicycle components is easy, getting the right gear on the bicyclist is hard.
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I wear this in the colder weather:
https://www.showerspass.com/products/mens-touring-jacket
They've replaced it with a new model which I have not seen. What I like about my jacket is that it has huge pit zips which let me regulate air flow to avoid overheating and getting soaked. Also it goes way down in the back, over the saddle. I have to fuss with that flap every time I get up off the saddle because when I sit back down I always end up on the flap, so I have to flip it back so it goes behind the saddle. But that's a big help too for keeping the saddle dry. I don't ride on a saddle cover. That little flap does most of the work making a cover unnecessary! So I don't mind the minor fuss every half hour or whatever.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r6/kukulaj/Nomad/working.jpg)
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That looks like the business, Jim, and it isn't cut tight and crooked in the arms either like roadie jackets.
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ah another detail. There is that Planet Bike red clip-on light that I've kept on the saddle bag. But with the bag hanging and the light hanging, it ends up pointing pretty much down. On my long night time ride a week ago, I tried this and that method to make that light do some work. Well, there is a loop in the middle of the back on that jacked. Hang the light from that loop... I am leaning forward, the light hangs down... and it all adds up to the light facing pretty well backwards. Not that I could really see, but if I turned my head to look behind me, I could see the flashing light reflected off trees or whatever. That loop on the jacket is useful!
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so basicall at £200 its pure crap.
if my assos roubix jacket was waterproof it would be the best jacket on the planet .
Jags, the Paramo jacket which in4 was underwhelmed by for cycling was a Quito, The new jacket that he is refering to is the Ciclo.
I have been wondering about how it copes with cycling and would be interested in hearing from anyone who'se tried one. I was a bit suprised that there is no ventilation on the back panel which I think it would benefit from, the Vasco certainly benefits from having back ventilation and I had hoped that Paramo would of incorporated something along the same lines on the Ciclo.
I have designed (in my head) the jacket that I hope Paramo will get round to making but so far they've not read my mind, maybe I should put it down on paper and give them a wee nudge. ;)
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anto,
Yes, my Vasco was stolen from the kitchen area of Barnsoul campsite on a bank holiday weekend.
I searched for a replacement and found a shop in Peebles who said ‘sorry sir we only have two on the sale rail’.
I went swiftly there and bought both, one for me and one for a son. I have also bought a nearly new one second hand for another son.
I find the Vasco really well designed as a cycling jacket, waterproof, breathes, lots of ventilation options including a rear shoulder vent, reflective trim, quiet in use, pockets inside and out, hood poppers on and off - stores in the collar. The only problem is it is too hot for UK summer wet weather…
I have tried lots of different materials over the years and the Paramo waterproof stuff works the best for me in the UK.
in4,
Thanks for the feedback on the Quito, I think I will hold off from buying one just now - but I do like the lighter weight/warmer weather feature.
Julian.
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I got a Quito in butternut for about 90 GPB (From the Paramo E-bay site - worth a look !) Had it for a year now and cannot fault it. Even in very heavy rain and with the hood inside the helmet, I stayed dry. Big enough for extra layers of warm clothing.
Maybe my body length etc is different. Only thing is, I altered the velcro on the sleeves so that I can push them up and keep them there in warmer weather. Far better than the other three cycling jackets I had from "proper bike clothing makers". Wore it for today's bike ride - magic !
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Thanks for posting your review energyman. Its very useful for another's experiences to be heard. I agree with you, body shape might be a significant factor in whether the wearer gets a good fit or not. I'm around 42in chest and 12st ( and diminishing!) so not a big lad. My Quito is a large so probably the best size for me all things considered.
Heading on over to the ebay site now...
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Hi
I also have a Quito jacket (green) which has had 2 winters hard use, mostly mountainbiking for which I find it really good. I find it is quite warm, but opening up the vents plus the front zip a bit seems to work at regulating the temperature and stops overheating. What's really impressive is if I put it on over an already wet shirt it dries it out (??).
I agree it's a bit on the baggy/flappy side though - probably not a good choice for the racers.
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Thanks for posting your review energyman. Its very useful for another's experiences to be heard. I agree with you, body shape might be a significant factor in whether the wearer gets a good fit or not. I'm around 42in chest and 12st ( and diminishing!) so not a big lad. My Quito is a large so probably the best size for me all things considered.
Heading on over to the ebay site now...
There are Vasco jackets (limited colours) available on Ebay.
The Vasco has smaller arm vents (rather than the full arm/torso vents of the Quito & Ciclo), the vents are more to the front of the arm and with the back/shoulder vent, you get a good through draught with the zips open. It is too warm for warm weather use really but is a good jacket for the cooler months.
The new Ciclo looks good with the same arm/torso vents as the Quito but in a lighter weight fabric so should run cooler than the Quito, without the shoulder/back vent it does look like it will billow out parachute fashion as the Quito does.
I also have a Paramo Cuzco jacket, I prefer the Cuzco's cut and pocket positioning to the Vasco's but it doesn't have any ventilation apart from the two way front zip which (as Paramo use an inner poppered storm flap) works well, but isn't enough. I prefer the removable/stowable popper attached hood of the Vasco and Cuzco to the permanent hood of the Quito and Ciclo.
If Paramo would take the best bits from all those jackets, with a wee tweek here and there, they would have an out and out winner of a cycling jacket.
The good thing about Paramo, much like Thorn, is that they are quality products which last well and hold a good resale value, if they don't quite suit your needs, then someone else will want them.
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I have a non-cycling paramo jacket. I think its a velez or a quito XXXL I think for a super cheap price if any one wants it. I bought it by accident :(
Didn't know they made cycling stuff, will go have a look......after I've been to the TWO!!!! Aldi's that have been built in my town since I've been away :)
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...TWO!!!! Aldi's ...have been built in my town since I've been away
Two Aldis? Man! Do you have a Lidl as well? I've found the latter occasionally offers some remarkably suitable/high quality cycling goods. I'm wearing a pair of Lidl socks now, and just hung my Lidl cycling rain jacket in the closet after my morning 5-mile walk.
Best,
Dan. (...who dearly loves good kit for cheap prices)
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No sadly only Aldi, but they do some cycling clobber too.
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I have a non-cycling paramo jacket. I think its a velez or a quito XXXL I think for a super cheap price if any one wants it. I bought it by accident :(
I'm interested Richie, maybe you could post a photo so we can work out what it is.
Cheers,
Iain.
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Re: Paramo Jacket for Sale. It came into my head whilst I was reading this post.
I will go find it and report back here and a put a link to a new thread on the For Sale items.
I'm selling most of my possessions including a lot of spare cycling kit so you'll probably see quite a bit over there in the coming weeks.
As I'm banned from the bike at the moment I'm just off out on my first ever 20 mile walk. If I survive I'll put the details up when I return :)
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As I'm banned from the bike at the moment I'm just off out on my first ever 20 mile walk. If I survive I'll put the details up when I return :)
Oh no - what did you do wrong??!
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I've ruined my sit bones. Need to stay off the bike for a minimum of two months to let them heal. Have been sitting on a 25p kids rubber ring for the last month :)
My Jacket is a Quito XXL Colour - butternut (orange) and grey
I'm going to wash it and reproof it with Nikwax then I can take some photos
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I wonder, has anyone on the forum first-hand experience of the Ciclo jacket now?
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I've been using a Quito for a couple of years. For cycling I have reservations. But:
Pros:
1. Like the long sleeves
2. Like the length
3. Like the venting options, particularly as they can be adjusted on the move.
4. Like the zipped internal pockets; just right for phone, money, keys etc.
5. Like the hood and the collar; quite adjustable according to weather.
Cons:
1. Expensive
2. The cut of the material means fabric sits on the shoulders/nape and acts like a sweat magnet;not nice
3. It does have sail like qualities in a wind; its not cut close to the torso, well not mine anyway ( more pies needed!)
4. The cuffs are awful; they collect sweat, are flimsy and should be elasticated/zipped and made of more substantial material
5. The two, lower internal pockets are not that useful without zips.
I use mine for walking in too so its a useful spring/jacket for two activities. I'd not buy it exclusively for cycling.
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Thanks for that, not very encouraging though... Looking for a walking/cycling jacket for my girlfriend actually, and having has mixed experiences with GoreTex and eVent I thought of giving Paramo a go. Now not so sure!
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Kuba sus out Corrine Dennis cycle ware for quality cycle specific clothing she makes goos stuff at great prices.
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Thanks for that, not very encouraging though... Looking for a walking/cycling jacket for my girlfriend actually, and having has mixed experiences with GoreTex and eVent I thought of giving Paramo a go. Now not so sure!
I got a Paramo Quito in 2011 for my Spain tour to use as a lightweight walking/cycling jacket. For cycling I only use it in cooler weather as I sweat a lot. The vent zips help, but I find that anything really waterproof steams up inside in warm weather cycling, although the Paramo system suits me better than Goretex or equivalent membrane-based raingear. In winter, I often wear the Quito on days when it isn't raining, which I wouldn't do with a conventional waterproof. As the Quito is lightweight, I don't expect it to last all that long, the cuffs on mine are getting shabby after 4 years of fairly light use.
A Paramo alternative to the Quito for a light waterproof system is their Bora fleece/windproof combination. This consists of a lightweight fleece treated with water-repellent, and a lightweight windproof jacket without liner. Neither is waterproof on its own, but together they seem to work very well, at least for me. I got this combination in January, and have been wearing the fleece most days since (cycle commute, at work, walking). I put the windproof on top only when it is very cold or raining "properly", the water-repellent fleece works OK for light showers. For my needs, Bora fleece/windproof is more suitable than my Quito, but as it is also a lightweight combination I don't expect it to last all that long with the heavy use it's getting at the moment.
I got a heavier and more durable set of Paramo jacket and trousers for my wife for mid-season and winter walking use. I can't remember the exact model, may have been Pajaro or Cascada. My wife also wears the jacket for cycling, so far she has used it up to temperatures of about 15°C, far too warm for me to use something similar myself. The trousers are a bit baggy, including at the ankles, so not really suitable for cycling. But comfortable enough to be worn as dry-weather walking trousers, unlike conventional overtrousers.
An advantage of Paramo stuff over ordinary lightweight raingear is that it can be reproofed just by washing in the appropriate NikWax product. Down side might be that this washing/reproofing needs doing fairly regularly, otherwise the clothing loses its waterproofing properties.
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I bought a Paramo Quito Cycling Jacket last year after my last jacket (Montane Stormrider) delaminated after 18 months of hard use. I was finding that it didn't really matter what brand or how expensive they were 2 years hard use was about all I could expect from one, which is not good enough in my book.
I also do a lot of walking and after years of using various Goretex, Sympatex and eVent fabrics I decided to go down the Paramo route. For walking in the UK I think they are the best waterproofs you can buy. I use an Adventure Light Smock 80% of the time, it's my favourite, I used it yesterday walking in the Carneddau Mountains where the temperature was changing from being very warm to a cool breeze depending on how sheltered I was from the wind. The great thing about Paramo's are the venting options, yes they do run warm but I find that I can regulate my temperature better than other fabrics. I also have an Alta II which i use for mainly for winter walking. The other reason I love Paramo is that they don't sound like a crisp packet when you are on the move.
I think the Quito is a good jacket but it could been better. I've had to restitch the flaps on the cuffs, and the cut is a bit loose. The hood is excellent. I'm hoping to get 10 years out of mine.
You would think that by now someone would have manufactured the holy grail of cycling jackets, an ultralightweight, waterproof, breathable, great fitting and long lasting jacket but until then the Quito will do for me.
Regards,
Neil
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My Alta 2 Jacket is great. I've used it in all sorts of bad weather and its always kept me dry and warm. Its well designed and Paramo will do FOC repairs, provided you've not abused the garment.
Similarly, my Paramo reversable shirt is a winner for me. Its a rather shapeless, ugly garment in some respects but its very functional. You turn it inside out for warmer weather and, when combined with an outer garment such as an Alta or Quito, it works very well. Unlike other barrier systems condensation is minimal and, as others have said, you never sound like a crisp packet; useful of you are doing a spot of birding. They hate crisps ;)
I've heard of others happily using Paramo smocks for cycling purposes but have not tried one myself. For me a Holy Grail type cycling jacket might be something like a Quito but with better cuffs, a wedge- shaped design and a detachable hood whilst still retaining a high-ish collar.
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I reckon Paramo should employ you as their new garment designer, you are spot-on regarding the Quito improvements.
Personally I couldn't cycle in the Smock, it would be too warm and heavy. It's also quite short and boxy but I suppose if you just want one coat to do everything maybe it's possible.
Neil
PS The seagulls in Llandudno love crisps, especially salt and vinegar.
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Right. Thanks for all clarifications regarding Paramo. I looked up Corrine Dennis as Anto suggested but not quite what I need, as it has to work on and off the bike. Also quite keen to see how NikWax works in practice, so just order Paramo Zonda fleece & jacket combo, which is similar to Bora but a female cut. £130 isn't bad for two garments that can be worn separately or together, depending on the weather. Will report how it fares in a few weeks (or rather months, if this weather continues!). Cheers!
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Just taken delivery of a (now discontinued) Ciclo in Daffodill yellow, it is an "athletic fit" which is a bit tighter than the same sized Quito which I love.
The latest model is called the Ciclo Light but that is still being sold at silly prices.
Mrs Energyman did not comment which after 40+ years of marriage I still don't know what that means.
I intend to only wear it on the belt bike so I don't get it covered in grease marks (which adorn my Gortex).
Windy cycling today.
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the ... Quito which I love
Appears from the Páramo website that the Quito is no longer offered. If so, bummer :-( as I was thinking of getting one bef my next UK cycling safari. Not sure if there's a direct replacement for the Quito. If not, I think I'll look instead at a Ground Effects jacket -- the NZ dollar is closer in value to its wonky Cdn counterpart.