I’ve been using nashbar bibs and shorts for the past year as well as some cheap shoes until I read this thread and so I went to my LBS and dropped some major $$ on several sets of Pearl Izumi Elite bibs, jerseys, warmers as well as a pair of Fizik shoes and a new helmet and I am completely blown away by the difference on my first ride. I didn’t think I would notice much of anything but it really was a night and day difference.