Originating in Tokyo 19 years ago, PEdALED clothing draws together form and function thanks to founder Hideto Suzuki’s background in fashion. There is a noticeably different look and feel to the brand’s imagery, with the emphasis on adventure rather than on pro-level racing. Think endurance gravel and long-distance bikepacking, not aero socks and sprint finishes.
Broadly speaking, PEdALED divides its range into two collections: Odyssey and Element, with Odyssey being more gravel/adventure orientated and Element being slightly more road-biased. However, there is plenty of opportunity for crossover between the two ranges, and the versatile Element Tights are a good example of this.
Construction
I’d describe the Element Tights as ‘midweight’. PEdALED describes them as 3-season with a temperature range of 5°C to 15°C. Either way, the fabric is about as thick and warm as you could expect any non-windproof/non-membraned material to be. Multiple panels have been used to create good articulation and a close fit.
The ankle hems have a silicone gripper and both calves have a small reflective tab. Branding is limited to the word PEdALED on the outside of the knee. Elastic bib straps run pretty much from waist height at the rear, rather than using any kind of extra fabric or mesh panel over the back.
Deep thigh pocket and articulated knee panels
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Like many brands, PEdALED has used an Elastic Interface pad, apparently called the ‘Mens Endurance Joy’ model, which they rate as being suitable for rides ‘up to 6 hours long’. The padding is thick but quite soft, with a pressure-reducing central channel and a thinner section at the front and around the perimeter of the pad.
Marking the Element out from many road riding tights is the addition of three pockets – one on the right thigh and two shallower ones at the back; all are open and unsecured.
The two rear pockets are sizeable enough, but I didn’t find them that useful
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Five colours (Black, Light Grey, Raisin Purple, Teal, and Dark Navy (tested)) are available in XXS to XXL for men. Women only have Black as a colour choice, in XXS to XXL, although the women’s product is a bit cheaper.
The ride
Once winter temperatures warmed up enough, or at least stopped threatening hypothermia every ride, I ventured out in the Element bibs.
Having spent the deep winter cocooned in super warm and burly longs like the Lusso Paragon Deep Winter Bib Tights and the Van Rysel RCR Extreme bibs, it was nice to ride wearing the non-membraned PEdALED bibs. As good as the windproof tights are, there is undeniably more freedom when riding in normal bibs.
Despite what PEdALED says, if the thermometer showed 5°C, I’d be reaching for something a bit warmer, but that might say more about me than about the Element Tights! I was, however, still impressed by how warm they were in cool temperatures and cold winds; the dense fabric did a pretty good job of reducing windchill and kept my legs well insulated against the winter weather, even without a membrane.
The fabric did a great job of keeping me warm and allowing maximum flexibility
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
The fit on me was excellent, with my usual size large, snug but in no way restrictive and with plenty of leg length too. The articulation and panelling around the knees worked perfectly, and the silicone grips on the ankle ensured that the hems didn’t ride up either. The waist isn’t particularly high at the front or rear, making pee stops easier but reducing insulation over the stomach. However, the strap length is well judged – they are comfortable both on and off the bike.
I confess that I haven’t yet tested the supposed six-hour limit on the seat pad, but on my usual 2-4 hour rides, the chamois was plenty comfortable enough despite its relatively soft feel. The well-cut design kept the pad in the right place, whether I was in or out of the saddle, and the plush top layer didn’t cause me any irritation.
As for the pockets? Well, I did use the thigh pocket occasionally to stuff an empty wrapper into or to tuck away my phone between photos, but I tended to transfer any contents back to my jersey pockets when I had the chance. It is big enough to keep a phone in, but it is quite exposed on the thigh.
Quality-feeling fabrics and construction
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
I didn’t use the rear pockets much; the only time I found them useful was to store ShotBloks in on cold rides, as my body temperature kept them soft and easy to eat. I guess if you were riding in a pocketless jersey or were carrying multiple gels, then they might be useful, but as they sit underneath the jersey pockets, using them doesn’t really reduce bulk much, and they are less accessible, too.
However, neither set of pockets affects the tights negatively at all, so there is no downside to their inclusion, and they might be useful for some riders.
After a number of rides and washes, the fabric in general looks very good still, but I did notice that there was some damage above the crotch where the zip of a gilet or jacket had picked away at the material. Whether you blame the tights or the top for this, I don’t know (and other tights have suffered the same fate, so the PEdALED fabric is not alone in this issue). It does make me think that gnarly off-road use and the inevitable interaction with trailside vegetation might not be a great idea.
Value and conclusion
Even without the pockets, the Element Tights are basic bibs done well.
The fabric, cut and construction are top-notch, and there is ample weather protection for cool winter days. Much like the Gobik Absolute 7.0 Bib Tights, the Element Tights would make a good one-tight solution to autumn, winter and spring rides without the restrictions of windproof fabrics.
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
At £190, the Element is a fair bit pricier than the Gobik option though. I think that it is a touch warmer, and of course benefits from the three pockets, but there are windproof choices available at that price level too, which would offer even more weather protection.
Ultimately, I think that the price is fair for the quality of the product, but that it is a higher price than is necessary to achieve this level of winter warmth. Whether the brand and/or quality justifies the price is pretty subjective.
