here is a set for you that can provide protection,and you will make money with it.
haubergeon,bascinet,mail,chausses and war cleaver,morningstar,long spear,war spear,awlpike,long axe,italian sword,bastard sword,cav shield or katana.
you can pick any armor below ~7000 gold for body and below 4000 gold for head. you don't need good leg armor,but that iteams are very cheap.
I have 22k of gold and my set is arabian cav sword,cav shield,champ rouncey or courser,helmet with neck guard,Black Mail with Surcoat or Red Tunic over Mail,mail chausses and i make money with it.
Repairs are not problem at all,you just need to play with shit gear untill you get 15-20k of gold,and then you pick byzantium,great khans,bandit or ant banner because it is almoust always in same side as this clans and play battle. you will always have a good multi and make gold.