Shutt Velo Rapide’s Roubaix 3/4 Knicks are lighter-than-average knicks well-suited to cool spring rides, but be careful when selecting a size as they’re generously proportioned.
Shutt are a British brand and their clothing is, first and foremost, designed to fit ‘normal’ riders, and not racing snakes, and that’s reflected in the cut of the knicks. It’s a refreshing approach for riders who traditionally struggle to find clothing which fits properly.
“Like most companies we are a mixed bag of thin, small, tall and maybe just a little tubby so we know that most people do not fit the mould of a competition cyclist,” they say. “This is why we designed our garments to fit the normal everyday rider – racing cut but not too tight, comfortable but still fitted.”
Cycle clothing comes in all shapes and sizes. At 5’11” and 71kg, I’m typically a size medium, although there are a couple of Italian brands where I require a large, and Shutt is one of the few brands where I normally take a small (the smallest size available).
Trouble is, the knicks are larger than previous Shutt clothing I’ve tested, including the Sportive jersey which arrived for review at the same time, and while they fit well enough on the legs, the bib straps are too big, to the extent they don’t sit flush with my chest and, as a result, don’t offer the support they’re designed to offer. It’s not necessarily a problem which will afflict most riders but one worth noting if you’re on the smaller side, although Shutt tell us they’re planning on introducing an extra-small size. Straps aside, the knicks are well made with a ten-panel design which offers a good fit from the waist down.
The fleecy Roubaix lining is a little lighter than that you’d normally expect to see on a pair of winter knicks or tights and so these are well-suited to temperatures in the low teens, of which there’s been no shortage this spring, and, of course, what will again become the norm once ‘summer’ passes.
The high back is also fleece-lined, as are the straps, so there’s plenty of coverage. A short zip on the front of the knicks makes comfort breaks, well, comfortable. Shutt use a Pro-Gel anti-bacterial chamois from TMF which is well-padded and provided plenty of support on longer rides of three hours-plus. Other features include flat-lock seams which sit comfortably next to the skin and silicone grippers which help lock the legs in place.
All in all, these are well made knicks which, given the perpetual spring-autumn-winter in which we find ourselves, will get plenty of use in the UK – if the size is right.
Sizes: S-XL
Price: £99
Website: Shutt Velo Rapide
