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Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:20 am
by Devon
So I'm looking for something similar to a Castelli Gabba but without the price tag. Anything around that's suitable? It's partilarly the warmth yet short sleeve aspect that I like.

EDIT: My research has found these cheaper alternatives;

    Capo Lombardy Jersey
    Craft Elite Bike Weather Jersey
    Santini H20 Short Sleeve Jersey

Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:20 am
by Weenie

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Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:44 pm
by fitty4
just my words.............I have been looking as well and it seems like the sportful bodyfit pro vest is similar yet different because it is a vest but the price is better and it could be that it is not that rainproof as the gabba. I can't find a good review either so I'm still looking

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:50 pm
by Devon
Rainproof isn't as important as warm. I don't mind getting wet so much, and if it's particularly wet I will wear a proper rain shell on top. Will look into the Sportful, thanks.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:52 pm
by lannes
Maybe you could look at the Gore Ozon and Oxygen Windstopper Jerseys, they don't look like they can match the Gabba for protection.

There is always the Castelli Fawsome windstopper vest.

I wear the Gabba with a gore thermal shirt windstopper baselayer, which gives me 2 layers of windstopper, the sportful no rain arm warmers over the longsleeve base layer gives the arms the same protection.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:07 pm
by giro di lento

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:18 pm
by Devon
The Lombardia Jersey looks perfect, and is cheaper than the Gabba by £50

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 2:38 pm
by Devon
Original post updated with two alternatives I have found.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:53 pm
by Fatbiker
Get yourself something with an Gore-Tex Active Shell. Keeps you dry no matter what! Gore does on themselves that is really nice.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:59 pm
by Devon
I'm not a particular believer/appreciator of Gore-Tex. Overpriced and I've never had any experience worth getting excited about to be honest.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:47 pm
by geedawg
been trying to do some research on the capo lombardia jersey. . .i know that the bikeradar article mentions a full windproof / waterproof membrane up front, but i am not seeing that in any other descriptions on a couple of online retailers. if it's not completely windproof and it is just dwr treated roubaix material, then it will definitely not be as warm as the gabba.

the craft version looks pretty similar to the gabba, but i have a feeling that it might be lighter / thinner. i have had other craft garments with ventair material. . .windproof but imo not as water resistant as windstopper. most reviews i have seen say that this jersey is a "cheap" alternative to the gabba.

i have a santini long sleeve jersey that is made of the same material as the h20 jersey. it feels and breathes just like a typical roubaix jersey, except with a smoother outer finish. same warmth as you would expect from a normal roubaix jersey as well. NOT windproof. but it sheds light showers and spray very well. pretty much equivalent to the castelli nanoflex line of clothing. i got caught in a 10 min downpour with the jersey, and put on a rain vest. the heavy rain soaked through the uncovered arms pretty fast. but in lighter rain and showers it works great.

the advantage of the santini over the gabba though is definitely its breathability. no windstopper material is going to breathe as well as roubaix fabric. but then again roubaix doesn't block wind. when it is just threatening showers and is otherwise mild, i almost always wear the santini and pack a rain vest with it. if it is already showering i'll take the gabba. if it is downpouring or if it is lighter rain but my ride will be 3+ hours, i'll wear my pocket liner rain jacket and call it good. the gabba is great, but i don't trust it in extended rain for an all day ride, as it will soak through eventually after several hours of constant rain.

in the end, i really like both my santini as well as my gabba. but they serve different purposes. i'd say the gabba is more versatile in that it is warmer with the windproofing, will keep you dry longer, and will stay warm even when wet (at least for an hour or two, giving it a 3-5 hour window of warmness even in constant rain) without being too warm for more mild days.

as a side note, how are the capo or craft jerseys cheaper than the gabba? here in the US they all go for $150 retail. it does seem that PBK has the craft weather on sale now though. . .

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:44 pm
by Devon
Thanks for the review. I was never intending this jersey to be my sole layer. I spent all last winter with no waterproof layer (a roubaix /windproof fronted gilet only) and was fine. I was however planning to get a waterproof/windproof jersey this year to be worn with a thermal base layer and have a packable for when the rain gets very bad. I don't mind being wet, and in fact like it as long as I'm not cold!

I think I'll go to local shops and see if they have anything I can have a look at.

In regards to price, here the Gabba is £150-200 whereas the Capo is £110 and the Santini/Craft are on sale at the moment for £60-70.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 9:37 am
by Fatbiker
Devon wrote:I'm not a particular believer/appreciator of Gore-Tex. Overpriced and I've never had any experience worth getting excited about to be honest.


This year I have ridden my Gore-Tex lined Mammut Felsturm yet from the Netherlands to Italy. On the way I encountered looooooads of rain and snow, but I never got wet. Trust me, there is no other fabric available (no cheaper than Gore-Tex anyway) that is able to do so. The guy who rode with me wore a Gore jacket lined with the same Gore-Tex fabric and his jacket worked great as well.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 6:29 pm
by Cosmo
Vermarc aquazero.

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 5:19 pm
by any123
ekoi rainvolution

this is a french brand, i ordered one which is on the way so i can not yet say anything about it.
it is 40€ at the moment in the french onlineshop. i want to give it a try.

http://www.ekoi.fr/de/en-reduction/2274 ... ution.html

Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 5:19 pm
by Weenie

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Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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Re: Gabba alternatives?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:49 pm
by Rick
I do believe in gore-tex. It works like a miracle. But it is expensive.

But as an alternative: I once attended a race with an experienced Belgian guy who had us all smear our torsos all over with vaseline before heading out on a race that had unexpected showers move in. That really worked almost miraculously too!