Whos bibs do you prefer at the "entry level"?

I've heard a lot of people going back and forth saying the Rapha Pro Team is better or the Assos S5 is better. Everyone seems to agree that Assos makes much higher end product at the top of the collection, but what about the price point that most of us can afford?

I wear the Rapha Pro Team bibs almost exclusively. I can't imagine anything feeling better (I have tried Assos, Craft, Castelli, and Hincape). My buddy wears almost exclusively Assos and swears by them.

I think it comes down to person preference based on your unique build/body geometry. Buy one of each, I very much doubt you will be disappointed with either one!

I was JUST thinking about asking this same question. The rapha pro team chamois is AMAZING. never tried the assos, so hard to compare.

Assos has a few different chamois, and I have both the UNO and the Mille versions. Love them both, and the dimples are cool. Never tried Rapha bib shorts but have their jersey and casual clothing, and they are very high quality and stealthy.

Capo?

I do not consider Capo, Louis Garneau, Castelli, etc. to be on the same level as Assos or Rapha.

I own a Capo jersey, it's ok.

I have the Assos S5 F13 and the Uno bibs. Love the chamois on both of them, the F13 has a thinner chamois, more panels and a "racer" cut. They feel like a second skin and are priced like it as well.

The Uno ones have a more relaxed fit and a thicker chamois. My butt says they are still superior to the 4D PI chamois.

Is there a Rapha dealer in Phoenix? I'd like to take a look and buy a pair of their bibs to compare if they seem to be comparable to the Assos ones.

Haus

I like capo. I like my top line louis garneau more. I think the rapha and assos bibs are in a different level above.

my capo padrone is superb, as well as my dorato and martello. they don't start using their carbon fabrics until martello, but they use much nicer materials starting with the dorato (1 below martello)

i talked to the capo rep when i worked in a bike shop this summer and was told that they use two different factories in italy. one produces their lower level stuff (modena, tomba, turismo) and their higher end stuff in another (dorato to padrone). it's understandable some people don't like capo as much because the higher end stuff is hard to find in stores soyou need to order usually

Capo is on a higher level than Castelli and Louis Garneau, the fabrics and chammys are much higher quality. The Capo Dorato (Padrone, Martello, GS Capo Giro Kit, custom team kits, etc) on up has an excellent chammy that is just as good as Assos and Rapha IMO. Try one of the higher end Capo kits out (which means you'll probably have to buy it and drop at least $300 sorry) and see if you don't like it more than your Assos or Rapha.

not that this has anything to do with bibs or the question at hand, but I hate how long capo makes their sleeves! everytime I put on my capo cima set I think about bringing my jersey into to an alterations and having them shorten the sleeves.

Castelli Body Paint?

it's part of their race fit, but yes, sometimes i wish i could have them shortened so my tan line wouldn't be so close to my elbow. the padrone isn't too bad with the length and fits a little smaller than the dorato (really stretchy fabric)

Rapha?
Assos?
Entry level?

I'm sure both make great products, but I'm not sure if Raph's worth it's crazy high price tag. Most people around me say you're paying for the looks more than the functionality when it comes to Rapha.

Quotation marks, anyone? That means quote unquote entry level, which means what those companies refer to as their entry level but isn't entry level.

Thanks for getting it.

Based on all the hype, I've ordered a pair of Assos bibs. Well, my PI's have been chaffing and I NEEDED a new pair of shorts/bibs. I got it at CC using a coupon code for 20% off so it wasn't too much of a hit on the wallet.

Anything you bought would be an improvement over PI.

From what I understand, PI makes changes to their shorts every year. The 2010 models were perfect for me. The 2011 models, not so much.

I might get Rapha next bib or Assos. Love my Assos though. Just got a pair of castelli and they can't even compare.

I know, right? My castelli bin kind of sucks. Even the Canari bib I have is better.

They are and you aren't. Believe me, I have tried a lot of different brands and nothing compares to Rapha/Assos quality, fit, and durability. Not to mention customer service. I crashed with a BRAND NEW jersey @ 20mph. Went down hard on my shoulder, I was very surprised at how little damage the jersey sustained.

I mentioned this to the girl working at the Rapha store here in SF and she said "oh, just mail it back to them and they will repair it for free and send it back." I did and they did for just the cost of postage.