Originally Posted by noglider

OK but I'm not really your sage on this matter. I don't have any high end shorts or tights. The sweet spot for value is probably in the mid range. One reason bike clothes are so expensive is that it's a low volume market niche. You might get a cutting edge design in the more expensive brands. In fact, you do. But that's an even smaller niche, and they have to make it up with prices. You could ask at your shop if they have last year's cutting edge.