Pizzaiolo Americano 

As some of you know, I am pretty new to cycling. Like any sport though, I like to have the right equipment. When I bought my bike, I also bought a set of long bibs they had on sale because it’s the end of winter. Now I want to pick up a few sets of short bibs and a jersey or two for myself and my wife. There are a million brands out there and probably even more here in Italy. I always prefer to buy quality over things that won’t last and don’t mind spending to get it but, I don’t buy things specifically because of the name brand or status symbol items. Any suggestions on high quality, fairly priced gear?

San Pedro

I really like dhb bib shorts. They tend to be a good price. They're sold on wiggle and chain reaction cycles.

kbarch

If you want to ensure you get good quality, remember not to rely on brand name alone, especially with big brands like Castelli and Giordana - you'll need to pay attention to the product line. And if you aren't looking for status symbols, you're in luck - as you know, past-season gear is always the best deal.
Anyhow, I may as well give a little plug to a manufacturer I was introduced to last year: Rosti. I'd never heard of them before, but evidently they make AG2R's kit. I only learned about them because they made the kit for the tour group I joined to watch the Giro last year. VERY comfortable and well made. Just checked their website, and it looks like their prices are fairly reasonable, too, however, most of their designs are none too subtle.

Dopefish905

Tried a few brands, assos is the best for me, doubt I’ll ever switch. Well worth the extra $$$

brianmcg123

Giordana.

Capo72

I like La Passione, right there in Italy. https://www.lapassione.cc/ I really like some of their styling, some I don't, but the quality is excellent. They have matching socks, gloves etc. Overall I think they are a great value. Free shipping after $110 for US customers and shipped from Italy in only a few days. I have several of their pieces and have never been disappointed.

TrojanHorse

Castelli, if they fit you, Giordana, Sportful... all Italian brands, should be readily available. Assos is great too, albeit a bit spendier than the others. Do a little research on the specific model you are interested in, most of them have tiered product lines and the better (more expensive) tiers tend to have better fabrics and better chamois.

robbyville

I've certainly run the gamut of cycling clothing over the years, there are some very good bargain brands and some less good. From a very reasonable price standpoint as well as comfort and durability I've done well with:

Pearl Izumi - Select line, these are actually one of the cheaper lines but have worked better for me than the higher end ones.

Sugoi - Very good quality for the price

Giordana - The Silver line (not sure if they still use that terminology), more expensive but has worked really really well for me. I like the extra compression that they offer.

Castelli - I've had it, I don't bother with it anymore. I've had different lines and quality levels, just has not been worth the challenges in that every freaking thing fits differently. One day I'm a large another an XL, and even a medium. So much more problematic that I've had to send items back.

Assos - Probably where I'm sitting more and more now. I started with the newer S7 Equipe line. really comfortable but the chamois is a little thinner and all their stuff is a lower cut which is kind of a shame since I like the belly to be tucked in more (I have a bit of a gut). Still, when you're in the saddle you don't care about that and these are awesome. I've also just gotten some of the Cento line which is listed as their endurance riding short, thicker chamois and their Kuku panel (a panel that your junk is up against, and brilliant). Assos is super pricey and I still haven't decided if it's totally worth it but so far so good.

Pizzaiolo Americano 

Thanks. Just realized why I know your username. I am over on HDForums as well. Getting ready to sell my Dyna as soon as it warms up though...

robbyville

Funny!

Yeah I just sold my Dyna a month and a bit ago. Got great money for it albeit I poured my heart and soul into that bike. I loved working on it as much as riding it and had completed basically everything I wanted to do. Couple that with really not riding a ton here due to the heat (I would put it away in June and barely ride until October), I was just pissing myself off.

I'm always on the hunt for another though. Thinking I'll look at something in the 2008 range that I'll build up a new engine on, etc. I really enjoyed the hobby work.

nwrig004

I went thru dozens of bibs and short (Pearl Izumi, Giordona, Castelli etc) while they worked for a while eventually they all didnt yield the result I wanted for the long distance aggressive riding I do. I went with the Pactimo 12 Hour Bib havent looked back. What i've gathered over the years is the chamois is the key if that is made by a quality supplier you will probably have better results, cheap gel or foam chamois just dont cut it for long days in the saddle or arent comfy enough to settle in on shorter rides.

robbyville

Never heard of them before. Stuff looks beautiful, will need to try some out next!

Pizzaiolo Americano 

I think I enjoy working on them as much or more that riding them myself...I have a 16 right now. If I buy again, it will be a 99-02 with a carb.

caloso

Castelli is great, if you get the right fit. As mentioned above, ignore the label because fit is different from year to year, product line to product line, even piece to piece within the same product line.

If you do go with Castelli, spring for the extra Euros to get the upgraded pad. You won't be sorry.

Munk69

Another vote for Pactimo. I have several of their pieces, and each one is great quality and a very reasonably priced.

nwrig004

Damn right! Their coordinated kits are great also and for the price can't beat em

Rocket-Sauce 

Rapha is very nice. Expensive so buy from their sales or "Archive Shop".

Performance Ultra bibs are very nice and go on sale all the time. Best bang for buck imo.

No matter shorts what you get, stick with black!

memebag

"Baleaf Men's Pro II Gel Padded Cycling Bib Shorts" from Amazon. $30 each. The padding fell apart on one after 1,000 miles or so. They fit and I never think about them when I have them on. I can't imagine how they could be better.

motosonic

Another vote for Pactimo. Hands down the most comfortable, durable and breathable gear I've ever owned.

robbyville

I had also forgotten about Pactimo, I only have one pair of their bibs, never tried any jerseys but I forgot how great they are. Smack dab in the middle of good price points as well. I just peeled mine off after this morning's ride, can't believe I missed them in my initial post but everyone who's mentioned them is bang on, fantastic comfort and value for solid construction.

winston63 

A number of people have mentioned Castelli, and I do like some of their product line but be very careful about fit: certain lines at least appear to be sized inconsistently.

I like Pearl Izumi Select and absolutely love anything from Sugoi that I've tried. I've also had good luck with Specialized RBX, but it's definitely expensive.

Drew Eckhardt 

Torso geometry and fit preferences vary significantly so YMMV. Look at the size charts.

If you're an average sized climber (5'10, under 140 pounds in good shape, 33" chest, 26" wais) I suggest Voler XS race-fit, LG XXS pro-fit (which they don't usually make), LG XS skin-fit, or Verge Sport XS skin-fit (they make a nice aero thermal jersey) all with ample room for ten pounds of winter fat. Castelli, Giordana, and Pactimo don't make jerseys which fit or at least don't sell them to the public.

Bottoms vary some too.

Voler black label shorts and bibs use a nicely shaped Elastic Interface Technology (same guys that do the Assos and Rapha pads) chamois with stiff 120kg/m^3 foam beneath your sit bones so you don't sink into them and put pressure on tender bits. You can try a pair risk-free with their 90 day return policy.

Get last season custom program size samples if you want to save money, where $30 can get you a $100 jersey or $50 a $200 aero model. Allowing for weekly laundry loads and clean clothes on each ride so you don't break out, six short sleeve jerseys, six thermal jerseys, six shorts/bibs, etc. add up.

Bomb Komodo

For inexpensive, the DHB stuff is the standard. It doesn't last forever, but it will get you through at least a year of riding. I believe the chamois is made the same way Rapha's is, but just not to the same quality.

Rapha bibs are awesome. That is all I wear now. I did what most people suggest and bought sale items only. The aero bib was on a crazy sale from $300 plus down to around $150 or so. That's been my go to since. It is very comfortable and well made.

Really, the main thing I'd suggest is go high quality with the bib (and only go black or dark blue). Then you can go with about whatever jersey and save some cash on those.

tagaproject6

Good stuff! Great designs, too.

noglider 

I've bought a lot of Nashbar clothes, because the value seemed irresistible, and I've regretted it every time. I guess there are reasons their stuff is inexpensive.

I've also read about problems with sizing of Castelli clothing. I have one jacket of theirs, and it's fantastic, and I don't mind the price now that I love it so much. I also had a hat of theirs which was also fantastic. (I lost it.)

Pearl Izumi seems like a good brand which is neither cheap or expensive, and quality seems good.