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!
Hi Klem. I’ve been using the Le Col sport range for years now and it’s always been a good fit and lasted well. It is very much at the pricier end of the scale but I’ve only really bought when they had their Strava discount codes (which I haven’t seen for a while) and I believe they have changed their loyalty discount scheme so that your points expire. They’ve had so much ‘sale’ marketing recently which has made me a little bit suspicious of their viability!
We switched our Woking CC supplier from Saddledrunk to Kalas and I’ve been impressed by their mid tier offerings which is so far lasting well. Their sizing model is different in that they have a numbered system. I wear their 3+ size jersey, the + indicating extra length in the body, which fits me well. Also you don’t have to ‘size up’ if you’re buying a gilet or jacket as a 3+ gilet is designed to fit over a 3+ jersey. Again the mid and top tiers are priced towards the top end of the spectrum but we now have a scheme whereby our more regular ride leaders are awarded vouchers to use on club kit. Good to have the ride leaders in our kit which inspires our members to invest as well. Love to see a whole group out in club kit.
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Nice one! I’ve still got my Woking CC one-piece suit, I think that is the Saddledrunk one. It fits pretty well although I probably should have ordered one size down. I dig it out from time to time for a ride!
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First, let me say I support you in wearing big logos only when you get stuff free or are paid to wear it. Why so many pay big bucks to become moving billboards is beyond me.
I have one Rapha jersey because it was on sale for less than ½ price. I love it, but my overall impression is that it is a brand for folks with more money than sense. (I have one rich friend who wears it and says their stuff doesn’t last. I mostly see Rapha on men with brand-new bikes and expensive cars.) I love Santini and it fits me well. I haven’t had the longevity issues you’ve had. We’ll see about my newer raw-edged jersey. A lot of commemorative jerseys for rides here in the US come from Voler, who will make even a one-off custom jersey. I like their stuff. We have a local company, Borah. I have one kit from them from a ride and like it. Tried Castelli once and it didn’t fit me well. I still have one long-sleeved wool jersey from Kucharik from decades ago. The wool shorts with real chamois – not anymore.
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Yeah I only wear big logos if I’m getting paid to! Or sometimes if it’s a commemorative ride or retro style jersey. I much prefer plain block colours for my own kit.
Somebody else has mentioned Voler as their club kit supplier and were highly impressed. I don’t think we get that here in Australia so it’d be an international order.
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We’ve tried them all starting with Assos and Rapha and we’re still using some of those pieces over 20 years later! We like G4 Dimension, a local brand produced by a friend.
Sadly, it’s so true that you get what you pay for.
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All of my cycling friends who wear Rapha or ASSOS tell me it’s incredibly high quality kit. I really should have worked harder in school… 💸 😂
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I’ve been using Voler, I’m happy with them. And I buy all my kit. Even our club kit is Voler. Localish California company. In the past I’ve had Pearl Izumi, Giordona, Specialized, Shaverspprt, Assos, Aussy, some Rapha and Castelli.
for wear, fit and zipper life the Voler takes the prize. Padding in the Blacklabel is all day comfort like twelve hours comfort. Their aero jersey is very stretchy. I figure the next time I buy one I’ll go with a small.
the Rapha rain/wind cape I have is in a large. To fit and is only slightly loose. Medium wind jacket from Voler is at the edge of being too loose. The castelli gillet I had was non-stretch and the lettering stuck to the rest of the fabric when washed on gentle with the rest of my kit. It made a huge mess. That was a team buy piece and never was happy with the fit.
it was a large and at the edge of too small. Their sizing never worked for me and their sizing charts didn’t reflect the reality of their fit.
I have one Primal wear jersey from RAGBRAI, it is a medium and is huge. I’ve had others from them as gifts. The arms were tiny to the point of painfully so with bodies large enough to flap badly in size small. Medium is far too big. They seem sized for barrel-shaped humans with tiny arms.
Cycling kit is pretty tricky to buy. Finding a style and size from a brand that fit and are comfortable is the big hurdle then it has to wear well. Bibs here are around $200US, Jersey is about half that. That is significant money to be sweating through.
I’m still on a search for the perfect shoe for narrow feet.
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I’ve been intrigued by some Primal designs but never enough to buy them. It sounds like they are sized for Americans – i.e. people from the US who tend toward that shape. Thanks for the size input. I’ll know to avoid them. I have narrow feet and Sidi fits me well. While I wear a 9 ½ in US, I wear a 43.5 in Sidi. I never buy shoes without trying them on.
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Like you, and most riders, I am always in search of the perfect bibs. Recently I have found Ekoi, a French company, which offer great prices and a perfect fit.
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I’ve heard good things about Ekoi, but it’s been hard to source here in Australia in the past. I should check to see if there’s a distributor now.
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I regularly use Galibier.cc Been a fan and user for years. Good quality at a reasonable price. It’s not 100% perfect or the best probably but value :: quality is the best I’ve found
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I like Nalini tops too, never tried the bibs though
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