Gabba- is it really all that?!

bendertherobot

62 dollars? That's what, 66 quid

If you did ship it there may be taxes, there wouldn't be free shipping to the UK.

So, just get it from Merlin
https://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-g ... l8EALw_wcB

StillGoing

Merlin are also selling the Raddioppia at £89 53% off list. Ordered one today.

pblakeney

DrHaggis wrote:

I'm still puzzled with what to wear between 10 and 15 degrees, though.

Base layer, s/s jersey, arm warmers and a pocketable jacket for the wet stuff.

mrb123

Gimpl wrote:

Never had a Gabba but bought a Gore Phantom 2 which is apparently the same material, not 100% sure and happy to be corrected. I went for the Phantom over the Gabba as I thought I wanted removable sleeves. The reality is that I have only taken the sleeves off once shortly after buying three years ago and if it's warm enough to go sleeveless it's too warm for that jacket. Worth noting that I do run quite hot. I ended up using it as my main winter jacket in temperatures below 10 degrees with different base layers underneath depending on how cold. Frankly at 8/9/10 degrees I'd probably opt for a long sleeve jersey with merino base layer and a gilet in the pocket just in case.

The Phantom really isn't anything like a Gabba.

I've found the Phantom to be a good jacket for the coldest days as it's very warm in its own right but also quite loose fitting so gives plenty of room to layer underneath.

Like you say, the zip off sleeves are pretty much pointless.

Go in to a shop and have a look at some Gabbas or Perfettos and you will see they are very different beasts. Much lighter, race fit. Designed for tempo rides on cool or drizzly days.

Semantik

Anyone had both the Gabba 2 and Gabba 3 SS jersey who can comment on respective fit/sizing of the two?

gimpl

MrB123 wrote:

Gimpl wrote:

Never had a Gabba but bought a Gore Phantom 2 which is apparently the same material, not 100% sure and happy to be corrected. I went for the Phantom over the Gabba as I thought I wanted removable sleeves. The reality is that I have only taken the sleeves off once shortly after buying three years ago and if it's warm enough to go sleeveless it's too warm for that jacket. Worth noting that I do run quite hot. I ended up using it as my main winter jacket in temperatures below 10 degrees with different base layers underneath depending on how cold. Frankly at 8/9/10 degrees I'd probably opt for a long sleeve jersey with merino base layer and a gilet in the pocket just in case.

The Phantom really isn't anything like a Gabba.

I've found the Phantom to be a good jacket for the coldest days as it's very warm in its own right but also quite loose fitting so gives plenty of room to layer underneath.

Like you say, the zip off sleeves are pretty much pointless.

Go in to a shop and have a look at some Gabbas or Perfettos and you will see they are very different beasts. Much lighter, race fit. Designed for tempo rides on cool or drizzly days.

I'm sure it is looser but the material is exactly the same so cooling/warming properties will also be the same.

bendertherobot

Both the Phantom (main part) and Gabba are, it's true, 92% polyester and 8% elastane. The Gabba is described as Gore X-lite, the Phantom as Gore Windstopper.

FWIW, my experience of the Phantom is that it's a shade thicker than the X-Lite of the Gabba despite them being the same proportion. But I can't be sure.

pblakeney

Gimpl wrote:

MrB123 wrote:

Gimpl wrote:

Never had a Gabba but bought a Gore Phantom 2 which is apparently the same material, not 100% sure and happy to be corrected. I went for the Phantom over the Gabba as I thought I wanted removable sleeves. The reality is that I have only taken the sleeves off once shortly after buying three years ago and if it's warm enough to go sleeveless it's too warm for that jacket. Worth noting that I do run quite hot. I ended up using it as my main winter jacket in temperatures below 10 degrees with different base layers underneath depending on how cold. Frankly at 8/9/10 degrees I'd probably opt for a long sleeve jersey with merino base layer and a gilet in the pocket just in case.

The Phantom really isn't anything like a Gabba.

I've found the Phantom to be a good jacket for the coldest days as it's very warm in its own right but also quite loose fitting so gives plenty of room to layer underneath.

Like you say, the zip off sleeves are pretty much pointless.

Go in to a shop and have a look at some Gabbas or Perfettos and you will see they are very different beasts. Much lighter, race fit. Designed for tempo rides on cool or drizzly days.

I'm sure it is looser but the material is exactly the same so cooling/warming properties will also be the same.

I have both, although older models so there may have been changes but mine are different beasts altogether.

apreading

The Phantom is much older I think and pre-dates the Gabba by several years. When I was 18 stone, I wanted a Phantom but they didnt make them big enough for me. When I started losing weight, I promised myself a Phantom when I got small enough to fit in one! When I got to that size, I did - but I have worn it maybe 10 times and every time hated it. I run really hot and I just couldnt wear it in any conditions. Even when it was cold I boiled inside it. It really didnt breathe at all.

I lost more weight, the Phantom is too big for me now, bought a Gabba because they were the new kid on the block and seemed to be taking the world by storm. Hailed as a 'revolutionary' garment. Its still too hot for double digit temps for me but when it gets cool enough I love it. I still sweat in it but it breathes so while damp, I never get uncomfortable in it because the sweat does escape and the cooling process of sweating does work.

So there is something quite different between the two. Whether that is just thickness or something more technical I dont know.

If the Phantom were as good then surely the Gabba would never have been such a big thing because the Phantom was already there?

mrfpb

Not worn a Gabba (or any Castelli jersy), but love the dhb Aeron Roubaix jersey and matching lightweight gilet (the ones that kicked of Benders long thread). Lovely and warm through the winter. Not a waterproof jersy, but it does keep the rain out for a while. I'm not a big fan of the Aeron "performance fit" due to my oversized belly, but these are too nice not to wear.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-rouba ... ve-jersey/

Sadly the gilet seems to be discontinued.

okgo

Its just a good fit, IMO that is what they nailed gap in the market wise. It doesn't keep you dry, but it will keep you warm.

mellex

Without doubt, the best piece of cycle clothing I own. I purchased the long sleeve version but those sleeves are removable. Wore it through some dreadful conditions last year with just a base layer underneath. Not once did I feel cold and it does withstand a good downpour for quite a while.

ajkerr73

It's a basic human right for a Scottish cyclist.

src1

IMHO, the Gabba is not very breathable and not very water resistant. Sportful fiandre exteme is a similar concept, but properly waterproof, or get something more breathable like the castelli Alpha jersey and add a lightweight shell for heavy rain.

W12_Lad

I haven't used my ls Gabba since I bought an Alpha jersey just before last winter. Easily the best bit of kit I have. I run hot.

rowlers

SRC1 wrote:

IMHO, the Gabba is not very breathable and not very water resistant. Sportful fiandre exteme is a similar concept, but properly waterproof, or get something more breathable like the castelli Alpha jersey and add a lightweight shell for heavy rain.

Agree, 10hrs in non stop torrential rain and my shoulders and chest were still dry when finished. Great jacket. Just a pity the pocket are glued and not stitched - there are issues of the glue coming unstuck leaving you with one large pocket instead of three!

bendertherobot

Essentially, treat the Gabba as a wetsuit and you won't be far wrong.

Or get an Alpha as more of a dry suit (it does give in in the end though).

chippyk

Bender I was just reading this and thinking, my Gabba is like my wetsuit. In heavy rain it eventually leaks but you stay warm. I use it more often in showery weather and if it's lashing down then it's Rapha jacket.

bendertherobot

Yep. Of course, being like a wetsuit means it's great when it rains, but quite horrible if you take it off at your Cafe stop!

src1

I didn't stay warm in my l/s Gabba. If it's dry I'd rather wear the Alpha. If I think it might rain I put a rain shell in my pocket. If it is raining Finadre Extreme. Gabba l/s is a bit pointless as far as I'm concerned.

Having said that, the short sleeve one actually seems more useful, contrary to what I expected. Perfetto light short sleeve is good too.

stueys

bendertherobot wrote:

Essentially, treat the Gabba as a wetsuit and you won't be far wrong.

Or get an Alpha as more of a dry suit (it does give in in the end though).

Exactly, think a lot of people don't get the intended use. It's designed to keep you warm at high work rates, so it trades waterproofness for breathability on the basis that you'll be sweating anyway. Gabba's are great at keeping you warm, keeps the cold rain and wind off you. If you want to stay dry then a rain jacket or hard shell (assuming you ride slowly and don't sweat ;-) )

I've tried the gabba (ss), prefetto (ss), mossa and stolen goat. Prefer the prefetto out of that lot. I've also tried the Rapha shadow leg warmers, which are great, but I couldn't get a good fit in the jersey.

Wheely33

Not quite sure why they said the perfetto was the "new Gabba", then brought out the Gabba3. Have to wonder if losing the Gabba name was costing sales ? Love my SS Gabba 2(s) btw

the_cyclist_of_catan

Wore my new Gabba3 all week, commuting and club ride. Very comfy at 0730hrs, very comfy at 1400hrs, very comfy at 1730hrs. The wetsuit comparison is apt - if it gets damp inside, it's body-temp damp. But once I get off the bike, I want to be out of it pretty quick. It lines up well with my Alpha jacket in terms of providing gear for the next temperature band up. Fired my Stolen Goat Orkaan, which had the horrible habit of wetting-out in under fifteen minutes.

I'd hoped to use the Perfetto Light 2 for the next band of temperatures up from the Gabba, but the sizing is awful; way too tight around the waist/middle (the Alpha and Gabba don't try to cut me in half).

bendertherobot

Wheely33 wrote:

Not quite sure why they said the perfetto was the "new Gabba", then brought out the Gabba3. Have to wonder if losing the Gabba name was costing sales ? Love my SS Gabba 2(s) btw

Gabba is reserved for the SS version. Perfetto for the Vest and the Long sleeve (but still gabba). Then there's the SS Perfetto!

full explanation here:
https://roubaixcycling.cc/2017/09/11/ca ... ba-family/

Wheely33

Clear as mud !

bendertherobot

What's unclear?

Garry H

Does anybody wear a gabba type jersey with a baselayer?

noodleman

I'd also agree about the sportful fiandre extreme being the better choice. More waterproof, better fit and despite being lightweight it is brilliant at keeping me warm. I'm pretty useless in cold weather and I can wear the fiandre without a base layer in freezing conditions and still feel warm.

luv2ride

Garry H wrote:

Does anybody wear a gabba type jersey with a baselayer?

I tend to wear a baselayer with everything, though diffrent types depending upon the conditions - sleeveless mesh through to long sleeve thermal compression. Not sure I'd like the feel of the Gabba / Perfetto direct against the skin, but that's probably just me...

noodleman wrote:

I'd also agree about the sportful fiandre extreme being the better choice. More waterproof, better fit and despite being lightweight it is brilliant at keeping me warm. I'm pretty useless in cold weather and I can wear the fiandre without a base layer in freezing conditions and still feel warm.

Not sure I'd entirely agree. My experience is that the Fiandre Extreme is too warm for me above 10 degrees (but i do run hot). Also, I've found the fit of the Fiandre Extreme to be a bit "cinderella" in that the medium was (just) too tight on me to feel comfortable, on account of the material having far less stretch than the Gabba or Perfetto windstopper material. I have a large Fiandre Extreme but find it slightly looser than I'd ideally like, though it will easily take a double baselayer if needed when the temperature really drops. Therefore, I'm hoping it will work as my 'proper winter' jacket this season, helped by the eye-popping fire red colourway

Therefore, i still have a use for a Gabba alongside the Fiandre Extreme...

stueys

Garry H wrote:

Does anybody wear a gabba type jersey with a baselayer?

Always, I think it helps it wick better. It also keeps the damp material off you