LEVEL Velo's Superfly Jersey and Elite Bib Shorts admirably answer the question, "Why an indoor-specific cycling kit?"
Superfly Ultimate Cycling Jersey-Glitch
$84.00
LEVEL Velo Elite Indoor Shorts
$84.00
It needs to be clear straightaway! I’ve never met LEVEL Velo‘s founder, Si Bradeley. Using my best Long Island accent, I describe our relationship most eloquently. Si is my virtual “Brutha frum uh-nutha mutha.”
New Yorkers have a reputation for telling it like it is—on “The Island,” that goes double for family. We’re brutally honest with those closest to us, often to a fault.
If you need further assurance of the credibility of this review, consider that I’ve based my observations on more than 110,000 kilometers of experience accumulated over a half decade as an “indoor specialist.” The transition followed two decades of real-world riding and racing, including a 4,000-mile trans-America adventure in 2022. I’ve worn a few kits!
Indoor vs. Outdoor
During that time, several critical distinctions between indoor and outdoor riding emerged to influence my evolution in clothing choice.
First, indoor riding is not as dynamic. Indoor cycling doesn’t involve the typical variations in terrain, cornering, or stopping at traffic lights, so riders don’t change their position as frequently. As a result, there’s more sustained pressure on the saddle for extended periods.
Second, the lack of ambient cooling through evaporation causes overheating and excessive sweating. Not only does it negatively affect performance, but it also leads to saddle sores, chafing, and friction points and is a host for bacteria.
“Level Velo envisions itself as the premier performance indoor cycling clothing brand, channeling our resources, innovations, and product development to passionately serve the dynamic cycling esports community. We aspire to lead the industry, leveraging our expertise to support the next generation of cyclists, whether they choose the exhilarating paths of indoor arenas or venture into the great outdoors. Our vision extends beyond clothing; it’s about inspiring a global cycling movement, uniting and empowering riders in their pursuit of excellence, be it under virtual neon lights or beneath the open sky.”
LEVEL Velo founder Si Bradeley
In addition to being fully immersed in the virtual cycling and esports community since discovering Zwift in 2017, Si Bradeley represented Great Britain in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
When conceptualizing LEVEL Velo, he combined his passion for cycling with a background in sports science and over two decades of experience in athlete physiology working with a global brand. Additionally, he served as a consultant for a UK-based cycling clothing company, gaining valuable insights into materials selection and product design. Si founded LEVEL Velo Ltd in May 2022 after two years of concept and consulting with industry experts.
Why an indoor-specific cycling kit?
Then he asked a focus group of dedicated indoor cyclists, “Why an indoor-specific cycling kit?” The answers differentiated the riders into two camps of thought.
The hardcore performance-focused cycling esports enthusiasts wanted a kit that kept them cool, clean, and dry. The fit needed to be snug and secure, without friction or the need to readjust due to riding up of the shorts or jersey that could distract during competition.
Si’s dedication to creating top-notch cycling gear took him on a journey across Europe and Asia, where he spent six months rigorously testing materials and crafting prototypes in his UK production facility. This meticulous process led to the birth of the Superfly jersey, a name that perfectly encapsulates its essence.
The Superfly jersey maintains the classic fit and feel of a traditional race jersey while harnessing the power of lightweight, breathable, and anti-bacterial fabrics for exceptional ventilation and moisture-wicking properties. The choice of fabric for the Superfly ensures an incredibly light and thin garment that feels barely there against your skin.
Si incorporated specific tape on the neck seam to enhance comfort, reducing potential irritation caused by exposed seams. The result is a cycling jersey designed for optimal performance and comfort with a minimalist approach to maximum performance.
The other camp wanted all of those things alongside the traditional feel of an authentic race jersey without the need to ruin one of their high-priced road kits. For those riders, the design keeps the rear pockets, sleeves, and fit of a traditional performance jersey but also uses materials to optimize cooling.
Employing the mantra, “If you look good, you feel good, you do good,” racers zip up a traditionally designed and fit jersey, retaining their real-world riding roots with the mental comfort of using what they know.
Call me superstitious or a creature of routine. I never quite put my finger on it until now, but I fell into that camp—laying out my favorite lucky outdoor team kit for high-priority esports events and big training rides. I’ve been doing it for years despite sacrificing comfort and performance, wearing a cesspool for bacteria, and ripping it to threads. An indoor century seemed an appropriate way to understand “Why an indoor-specific kit?”
First Impressions
The name choice was evident when I took the jersey from the LEVEL Velo branded packaging and held it up. The light shines from the meshwork of threads, giving a see-through yet substantial impression. The thick cushioning and width of the bib short’s chamois pad stood out. I couldn’t squeeze it between my fingers.
The Superfly jersey utilizes ultra-lightweight, breathable materials and incorporates anti-bacterial panels. It features a full zipper for easy access to your chest-strap heart rate monitor and provides additional cooling. All the panels actively wick away moisture and possess anti-bacterial properties. Moreover, its race-fit rear pockets offer versatility, allowing it to double as a warm-weather outdoor jersey.
The bib shorts feature a breathable design with fast moisture-wicking properties and a specialized chamois pad that offers increased elasticity for adequate movement and moisture management. They also include an additional leg grip to minimize movement and provide increased compression around the leg. Solid fabric is strategically placed in specific areas to ensure modesty where it is needed.
Fit, Form, and Function
You know right away when you’ve pulled your leg through as many pairs of bibs as I have. The chamois felt substantial and supportive in all the right areas. The legs were tight, adding that little bit of compression that makes your quads feel primed and ready. The gripper band was thick and layered right where it should be to reduce riding up, below where your thigh tapers down to your knee.
The straps were wide enough to reduce excessive shoulder pressure, and the vented mesh fabric was substantial and flexible. The side and front panels were cut higher than most bibs, which kept anything extra contained where it should be, giving a confident feel and aesthetically pleasing look.
The black and white jersey design is sharp, but that isn’t the priority when riding alone in your basement “Gain Cave.” It fit like a glove, a tight glove. It’s definitely what you would consider a slim fit, with an Italian cut that was true to size for the bib and jersey. The sleeves are longer than most jerseys, ending below your bicep, and feel nice and secure. A grip strip is strategically located on the back to prevent it from riding up. There are pockets (I’m not sure I need them), and the collar fabric is flimsy and doesn’t lay flat (not a big issue).
First Pedal Strokes
When I climbed onto the bike, I felt the chamois conform to my anatomy and the saddle, forming a seamless interface. There was no bunching or sogginess as I rode, and the chamois cream stayed put. The hip pivot point is a frequent area of chafing due to improperly positioned seems and excessive fabric, but not with these bibs.
Remarkably, I only had to pull my shorts down twice during the entire four-and-a-half-hour ride. The gripper band is one of the best I’ve ever used. There was little readjusting despite frequent transitions in and out of the saddle.
The more I rode, the more I appreciated the exceptional moisture-wicking properties of the jersey. I knew I was sweating—a lot—but I felt cool and dry, as did the fabric. There was none of that sweat dripping down your back or arms feeling. You know something just works when you don’t notice it or take it for granted.
The back of the jersey didn’t ride up; the grip strip did what it was there to do. The zipper takes a little getting used to. If I was trying to zip up out on the road, chances are I would have been in a ditch. Luckily, you don’t have that problem indoors.
Final Thoughts
After I ticked over a century, the kit was none the worse for wear. I can say the same after a few washings. All of the seams are intact. There are no fraying or loose threads. Everything is sitting flat. The colors haven’t faded, and nothing shrunk. So far, so good.
The LEVEL Velo Superfly Jersey and Elite Indoor Shorts are exceptional high-performance and functional kit for the price. It’s a hi-tech set of garments worthy of the most discerning indoor specialist and fitting the era of cycling esports specialization.
In this age of the millennial, sometimes that’s not enough. Consumers want to support companies committed to making a positive difference.
LEVEL Velo is significantly impacting the virtual cycling esports world by sponsoring elite cycling esports teams such as BL13 and Abus-Synergy and contributing to the growth of cycling esports as a distinctive and dynamic sport. You can find LEVEL Velo on the backs of the men’s and ladies’ digital avatars competing during the Zwift Grand Prix and throughout the community.
Si Bradeley, the founder of LEVEL Velo, is passionate about supporting young individuals in their journey to excel in cycling, whether indoors or outdoors. He recognizes cycling esports as an exceptional talent identification pathway for the future generation of stars to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Cycling esports provides individuals access to valuable data and insights into their performance and physiology, which were previously less accessible through traditional pathways.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight, breathable, anti-bacterial materials
- Traditional look and feel
- High-quality performance and exceptional function
- Fits like a glove
- Precise blend of specialization and practicality, form matches function
Cons
- I could do without the pockets
- The zipper is small and difficult to use
- The collar fabric is flimsy
- The front panel of bibs cut high, making on-the-fly nature breaks impossible
- Race cut is snug and unforgiving if you don’t fit that mold
- See-through fabric is not for the bashful type
Use coupon code “TheZomm” at LEVELVelo.cc to get 10% off across the entire LEVEL Velo range of products!
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Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
