For years, I haven’t had to buy much of my own cycling kit. I’ve been fortunate enough to be provided with a number different jerseys and bib shorts. Sigma Sport used Castelli for their staff kit. FulGaz used Pedal Mafia and more recently Santini. In my search for the “perfect” form-fitting aero inspired cycling kit I’ve tried many different brands. The results have been mixed. Below are a few of the brands I’ve worked my way through…
Castelli: I’ve ridden in various Castelli jerseys and bibs for many years, starting with the early sigma Sport jersey and bib shorts combo. In the past they have all been high quality. I actually really like Castelli kit. That’s all fine if I’m not paying for it, but these days a pair of high-end Castelli bib shorts or a jersey can retail for AUD $250 or more, and that’s a lot to pull out of my own wallet!
In recent years I’ve noticed the quality isn’t quite as good as it used to be either. This might just be my own experience, but it’s definitely something. With the influx of more affordable “race ready” kit, I can’t justify splashing out on Castelli.
Castelli bibs and jersey got me though this UCI qualifier gravel race!
NeoPro: Founded by a couple of Australian cyclists, NeoPro took the big brands on head first with kit that looked top notch selling at incredibly competitive prices. Some of their gear retails for less than half the price of the bigger brands! They really pioneered the “affordable market” space (now filled with a multitude of other brands).
In my experience with their jerseys and bibs though, they just don’t hit the mark. The kit is in no way bad, it’s just not great. NeoPro is value for money for sure, but I find that most of my NeoPro gear now sits unworn and unloved in the back of the wardrobe. In fact I don’t even have a photo of me wearing any of it. That really says something.
Santini: The latest batch of kit I received from FulGaz was manufactured by Santini. It’s super race fit, aerodynamic, and comfortable over longer rides. The biggest downside is longevity (and if you have to pay for it, the high price). This is the top tier kit that they produce!
While I absolutely LOVE IT, the material just doesn’t go the distance from a durability standpoint. The raw-cut sleeves lose their stretch quickly and the bibs wear out much faster than other brands. I wouldn’t put my own money into it as the number of wears before it looks “tired” isn’t enough. Straight out of the packet it’s dead set awesome, but it doesn’t stay in that condition long enough.
Caffeine & Cranks: Another Aussie-based brand, C&C have been my most recent discovery during my search for affordable yet high quality race fit kit. I ordered their top of the range Pinnacle aero jersey and bib shorts and so far I’ve been impressed! I’ve completed a couple of three hour rides plus some shorter rides and the comfort has been spot on. It’s still early days, which explains why I only have this one pretty rubbish photo…
I should have straightened up the jersey before snapping this shot! The fit is better than the above photo makes it look. The pastel colour choices aren’t really my thing, and if I’m brutally honest the jersey could be more aero, but overall it’s 90% there. The bib shorts on the other hand have been absolutely excellent. So good that I’ve ordered another pair!
Brands I’ve never tried: In all my years of cycling, I’ve never worn ASSOS or Rapha cycling kit. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to, it’s that prices have been well above my pay grade! I’ve also not tried the new cool kids on the block, MAAP. In a similar strategy to early Rapha, they have priced themselves right at the top of the market and I simply cannot justify that price. Their jerseys do look great though.
Do you have a favourite jersey and/or bib shorts brand? Let me know!
