When to Gabba ?

mlgt

I'm debating to buy the Gabba 2.

Having been caught in the downpours last week I have been thinking about it for sometime, but was able to get by last year with a rain jacket.

Now the Endura rain jacket is too big and flappy I wanted to invest in something better.

Ive tried it out and the Large fits perfect. My previous castelli jerseys have all been XL.

My question is what temperature would you wear this on your commute? Seeing it is fairly cold in the mornings and can get to 15-18c in the afternoons.

Seeing the weather changing and bringing more rain in the forthcoming months I think it is a good investment up until early May. However have read that you can get very hot in a short space of time. My riding is commuting to and from work. But weekends I get out early mornings to do a 60-80 miler with friends before coming back to parenting duties.

I know the other option is either a rapha rain jacket or get the alpha version. Happy to get some feedback on current gabba wearers old and new.

Thanks

bendertherobot

I've been wearing mine solidly for 2 weeks. Along with nanoflex bibknickers. Done some impressively wet days.

Right, it does not keep you dry. The water does get in, in the end. I wish Castelli would tape the shoulders, externally like the Gore Xenon softshell. That would not, IMO, compromise breathability but would make it even better.

The other thing which it is not is warm. Well, not at 5 degrees or so. It works well without a baselayer at the upper temps and well with one at the lower temps. But, bear in mind, at the lower temps in the rain the water will eventually begin to get the base layer wet.

If this sounds negative, it's not. I'm not buying a rain jacket this year. If it's too bad for the Gabba, frankly, it's too bad.

Alpha? Personally, for November-February, I'd get that before the Rapha Rain Jacket, more versatile IMO. About to order mine because I love the Alpha jersey so much.

pblakeney

Like everyone else, you want the impossible.

Here is a copy of a review that I did on an earlier thread, although I have updated/revised some of it.

"I hope this helps with your expectations levels. One way or the other.
(When I say Gabba, I mean the long sleeved yellow version worn with a base layer. S/S on mild days, L/S if under 5 degrees).
I took my Rapha Rain Jacket out for a test ride this morning. 22.7 miles at 18.2 mph average with 2 climbs.
Conditions - Dry, 12 degrees at departure, 18 degrees on return. Normal wear would have been thin s/s base layer, s/s jersey and arm warmers. I left the arm warmers behind and added the Rain Jacket. In normal conditions I will remove the jacket once warmed up but I decided to test the jacket and pretend it was raining so the jacket stayed on and zipped up.
Initial conclusions - Not as breathable as the l/s Gabba but slightly better than the Gore, and a better fit.
The Gabba is the jacket of choice, the Rapha is the more versatile as it can be put in a pocket and the Gore is relegated to the bottom of the commuting bag for days when it is dry going in but wet going home.
Uses:-
Dark - Gabba.
Cold - Gabba.
Mild & wet - Gabba.
Mild & changeable - Rapha Rain Jacket.
Warm & changeable - Rapha Rain Jacket.
Warm & wet - Rapha wind jacket. (The wind jacket is in no way water proof but it is much more breathable).
Hot & changeable or wet - Get wet."

FWIW, I started wearing my Gabba for morning rides yesterday but IMHO it is too warm in the afternoons right now. If I was going out all day or commuting, I would use the Rapha and pocket it once conditions warm up. The Gabba is not pocketable.

I hope this helps.

mlgt

Excellent, thanks for the replies so far. I will be getting the long sleeved version 2 at the local evans. They will price match and have it in store.

As with you I have been commuting with a SS baselayer and SS castelli jersey. On mornings I have my nanoflex armwarmers and pop these in the pocket on the return journey.

My commute is under 10 miles each way and I don't carry a backpack or anything so all my belongings (wallet, phone, keys and swipecard) spare tube/tools etc should fit in the rear pockets.

Good to know that on warmer days you dont wear a base layer. That can be put into the rear pocket too

But now I typed this out, maybe I should get a little saddle bag!

bendertherobot

I have a Camelbak, the smallest they do, with the bladder removed. Enough room for carrying stuff like rain jackets, base layers, wet gloves! etc.

And also has a little tag on from which I hang a Fibre Flare for more visibility.

cookeeemonster

Worn my ss gabba twice (today and last tuesday) and my rapha rain jacket once (last wednesday).

Of course the predicted rain onslaught failed to happen on all of those days...

Anyway, 12 degrees, 10mph headwind, looked dark and rainy out...gabba with nanoflex arm warmers, ss merino base layer. I was hot and sweating pretty early on. Opened the zip a bit but still hot. I didn't put too much effort in today but I do normally run hot...wish I'd stuck with my normal rapha sportswool jersey to be honest, so for me unless it really is raining out I'll stick with that at 12 degrees and above.

Wore the baselayer for no other reason then I've read about the faff of washing the gabba properly and it losing it's water resistance after washing - it's a pain really. but maybe I'm over thinking things.

My rapha rain jacket was worn at 11 degrees (also no rain materialised) and I also resisted taking it off just to push it to its limits. With the diagonal zip open it wasn't too bad actually, not that much worse than the gabba today, but my jersey and arm warmers were wet when I got to work. Normally I'd have taken it off and stuffed it in my pocket of course, and on the way home it stayed in my bag - so more versatile than the gabba in that respect.

Need to use it a lot more though to come to any firm conclusions...but it is way better than my Gore goretex jacket it replaced - no question

spasypaddy

i would say do not buy the long sleeved version, but the convertible. then you can use it for pretty much 3/4s of the year.

elbowloh

bendertherobot wrote:

I've been wearing mine solidly for 2 weeks. Along with nanoflex bibknickers. Done some impressively wet days.

You must bloomin' stink by now!

apreading

Too hot for Gabba still, for me. Have been religiously wearing my Fawesome (which is a thinner version with no sleeves) with arm warmers though. Just about getting to the point where I will break out the Gabba soon. I do run hot though.

If buying now, I would get the transformer rather than short or long sleeve, you could still wear it as Short Sleeve with arm warmers if you want but could put proper sleeves on when desired.

I am seriously considering the Alpha Jersey. I REALLY dont need anything new (have SS Gabba, Conv Gabba and Mortirolo for when its really cold) and the Alpha Jacket would probably not really fit what I want but the Jersey could offer something that I could run when its still too warm for Gabba perhaps by opening/closing the front. Its alot of money though, especially when you consider what I already have...

vermin

Have ss version. Only worn on a few commutes, with sky pro team ss merino base and no-rain armwarmers (see nanoflex).

Above 10 degrees and dry - overheated badly and struggled to keep going beyond 20 miles.

Above 10 degrees and wet - body overheated, arms cold. I suspect this might be the best I can get from the gabba.

Below 10 degrees and wet - froze and struggled badly beyond 20 miles. Mildly hypothermic after 30.

About 4 degrees and dry - body ok but arms froze to the point where the right arm ached and I lost all feeling in left arm.

Still trying to work out when and how it works.

spasypaddy

i am attempting to decide between the alpha and the rapha pro jacket. they are very similar in aim

apreading

vermin wrote:

Have ss version. Only worn on a few commutes, with sky pro team ss merino base and no-rain armwarmers (see nanoflex).

Above 10 degrees and dry - overheated badly and struggled to keep going beyond 20 miles.

Above 10 degrees and wet - body overheated, arms cold. I suspect this might be the best I can get from the gabba.

Below 10 degrees and wet - froze and struggled badly beyond 20 miles. Mildly hypothermic after 30.

About 4 degrees and dry - body ok but arms froze to the point where the right arm ached and I lost all feeling in left arm.

Still trying to work out when and how it works.

For me:
Gabba Transformer: 1-9 degrees, dry or wet with variation of base layers under it and sleeves on or off.
temp in double digits too warm, switch to fawesome and arm warmers if necessary.
temp 0 or below switch to Mortirolo - toasty!

mlgt

A few varied answers and it still points to the point that its just not cold enough for a long sleeve gabba currently.

Does this mean I simply man up and get drenched on my way to work and back til its colder? I did look at the convertable jacket. Makes sense in a way its best of both worlds.

I have the thermal windproof jacket on today with no baselayer and I was sweating non stop on the way home. So possibility I will now buy the short sleeve one. Gamble on colder dry days I wear the thermal windproof. Although my intention was to sell the older jacket to somewhat fun the new purchase.

My flatmate has the older short sleeve gabba and recommended I stick to a short sleeve one. That makes the purchase cheaper as then I can purchase the gabba 2 SS for just over £100. Paired with the nanoflex armwarmer and bib shorts (sound like a brand wh*re)

pblakeney

mlgt wrote:

A few varied answers and it still points to the point that its just not cold enough for a long sleeve gabba currently.

I think you have the answer right there.
You need something suitable for warmer temperatures. The Gabba is not it.

Edit:- Addressing the original question. Cold in the morning, 15+ degrees in the afternoon. You need something to keep you warm in the morning but packable in the afternoon.

bendertherobot

It was 10 degrees and raining on my 20 mile commute today. That's cold enough.

elbowloh

I wore my LS gabba on sunday in the dry and it was fine?

vermin

vermin wrote:

Have ss version. Only worn on a few commutes, with sky pro team ss merino base and no-rain armwarmers (see nanoflex).

Above 10 degrees and dry - overheated badly and struggled to keep going beyond 20 miles.

Above 10 degrees and wet - body overheated, arms cold. I suspect this might be the best I can get from the gabba.

Below 10 degrees and wet - froze and struggled badly beyond 20 miles. Mildly hypothermic after 30.

About 4 degrees and dry - body ok but arms froze to the point where the right arm ached and I lost all feeling in left arm.

Still trying to work out when and how it works.

Some success today:

7-9 degrees celcius and dry - Gabba with no-rain arm-warmers and merino base was reasonably comfortable, if a bit toasty . So, that's it - it is perfectly usable in dry weather between about 6 and 9 degrees C. All the versatility one could wish for from a £100+ jersey!

The Rookie

I have a tiny Howies 'windproof' small enough to carry in my back pocket on my baggies (or jeans for that matter), not totally waterproof but enough that I only get damp and stay warm without getting too hot, very expensive (at full price - got mine for £40) but very good quality.

I rewaterproof it once a year.

iPete

Been doing the Gabba every day now for a few weeks. With the SS and nanoflex arm warmers I'm covered for most weather. If it gets above 12 degrees I use the built in vent also known as the front zip, amazing really.

cookeeemonster

vermin wrote:

vermin wrote:

Have ss version. Only worn on a few commutes, with sky pro team ss merino base and no-rain armwarmers (see nanoflex).

Above 10 degrees and dry - overheated badly and struggled to keep going beyond 20 miles.

Above 10 degrees and wet - body overheated, arms cold. I suspect this might be the best I can get from the gabba.

Below 10 degrees and wet - froze and struggled badly beyond 20 miles. Mildly hypothermic after 30.

About 4 degrees and dry - body ok but arms froze to the point where the right arm ached and I lost all feeling in left arm.

Still trying to work out when and how it works.

Some success today:

7-9 degrees celcius and dry - Gabba with no-rain arm-warmers and merino base was reasonably comfortable, if a bit toasty . So, that's it - it is perfectly usable in dry weather between about 6 and 9 degrees C. All the versatility one could wish for from a £100+ jersey!

Cant help thinking "WHAT THE F**KING F**K!!!!"

So I was led to believe (possibly by myself, admittedly) that it was like a rain jacket, cept breathable (and not rain proof like a rain jacket).

So if it's not that breathable and can only be used at the exact same temperatures that my rain jacket can...then it's basically the same as my rain jacket but not as good and can only really be worn once or twice a week before washing (which I gotta be careful of because the 'treatment" washes out)...meaning I'll be wearing my rain jacket most days anyway in weeks when it rains all the time.

Nice waste of 100 odd quid!!

Ok, in reality I'll be testing it the next couple of months just to confirm or deny the above...but gabba fanatics, help me out here!! It is good isn't it???????

mlgt

Cheers Im going to purchase the SS tomorrow and pair it with my nanoflex armwarmers.

The other silly question is this. The large is a "very" snug race fit. However the XL is a relaxed fit and shoulders feel better. Granted that I will be in a riding position and I don't think I will lose more weight (or hopefully gain too much over xmas) It would be better to stick with the Large?? I haven't tested the L with a baselayer as such.

porlyworly

My commute is only 10 miles each way but the Gabba has laughed in the face of the monsoons we've had this week. 30 mins in heavy rain and whilst it's not water proof it is much more water resistant than any other jersey / jacket I've tried. 10/10 for Castelli.

itboffin

no gabba would have worked with last nights rain, spray and bow waves, amazingly my proper rain jacket kept most of the rain off me, the jacket was soaked through but held back enough to keep me damp, now that's what i call setting the bar low.

like ordering a steak and getting a bacon sandwich

fat_tail

itboffin wrote:

no gabba would have worked with last nights rain, spray and bow waves, amazingly my proper rain jacket kept most of the rain off me, the jacket was soaked through but held back enough to keep me damp, now that's what i call setting the bar low.

like ordering a steak and getting a bacon sandwich

nothing could have kept you dry (or not very wet) last night. Only if you were sat in a car.

elbowloh

itboffin wrote:

no gabba would have worked with last nights rain, spray and bow waves, amazingly my proper rain jacket kept most of the rain off me, the jacket was soaked through but held back enough to keep me damp, now that's what i call setting the bar low.

like ordering a steak and getting a bacon sandwich

I'd actually prefer a bacon sandwich.


White, bloomer bread and brown sauce.

(will this trigger one of those infamous bacon butty debates?)

bendertherobot

Some tool is going to come along and mention ketchup. You knows it.

pblakeney

bendertherobot wrote:

Some tool is going to come along and mention ketchup. You knows it.

Does that count as a self prophecy?

bendertherobot

PBlakeney wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Some tool is going to come along and mention ketchup. You knows it.

Does that count as a self prophecy?

I think you've got me there. Pesky word choice. I should have said recommend, of course............. :oops:

pblakeney

bendertherobot wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Some tool is going to come along and mention ketchup. You knows it.

Does that count as a self prophecy?

I think you've got me there. Pesky word choice. I should have said recommend, of course............. :oops:

mlgt

Back on topic. It is warmer today. But I am still going to purchase the ss jersey. Just need to try on the XL vs L one more time

mlgt

Ive made the purchase. Went for the L as the XL was a bit loose even if I wore a baselayer. Better to be snug fitting rather.

Although the last one was sold and they only have the gabba and not gabba 2. So hopefully it will arrive on Monday

Cant wait to use it!