Gabba: expensive luxury or a great jacket worth the money?

pelevin

Maybe I can make it my season's goal!

clod71

I just got my Gabba in the post today. I bought it online from that dutch shop - Sanden - for what I thought it was a very competitive price at 112 euro for the SL. First thing I notice is that it's been Made in Romania (???) ... I know it's a globalised world, but still... is that normal? Or did I just receive a cheap imitation?

pelevin

My convert is made in Macau for what it's worth.

clod71

pelevin wrote: »

My convert is made in Macau for what it's worth.

Cheerspelevin... Silly me and my romantic ideas that everything Castelli was made in Italy!

TheBlaaMan

pelevin wrote: »

My convert is made in Macau for what it's worth.

Mine too......bought from US of A though.....

martin.mcevoy

decrrrrrr wrote: »

Everything arrived today so no complaints with the site. Will use them again.

Normally a M in most cycling gear, but I find I need to go to L with the Castelli gear. With that in mind, I ordered L and it fits perfectly.

Now to try it out in the rain..

Am thinking about pulling the trigger on a Gabba from that Dutch website and just wondering what size you are? Not sure whether to get a L or XL.

Thanks

alanjgalbraith

As far as I know Castelli sub contract some manufacturing and thus have clothing listed as made in Romania, Macau, Crotia and even USA. For reference, my US purchased Gabba states Made in Macau..... Either way, one of the most versatile item of clothing I have purchased in the past few years, and a must for changeable Irish weather (anything up to 15C IMO)

ericzeking

clod71 wrote: »

I just got my Gabba in the post today. I bought it online from that dutch shop - Sanden - for what I thought it was a very competitive price at 112 euro for the SL. First thing I notice is that it's been Made in Romania (???) ... I know it's a globalised world, but still... is that normal? Or did I just receive a cheap imitation?

My GF got me one from Ribble for my birthday, and it's made in Romania...I am considering getting her to send it back though and get it from this site for 111 quid as Ribble fleeced her (I could get some arm warmers and socks thrown in for the price she paid), the only thing I'm wondering is, is that 111 a true price because the top right hand corner shows up as 135 or something?

martin.mcevoy

Don't question it, just go with it :-)

On a sizing question....what size are you and what size did you order? Is it a good fit, etc, etc?
I have it all primed to order but am worried that I will get the wrong size. I don't want to try one on in the LBS and order online.

ericzeking

martin.mcevoy wrote: »

Don't question it, just go with it :-)

On a sizing question....what size are you and what size did you order? Is it a good fit, etc, etc?
I have it all primed to order but am worried that I will get the wrong size. I don't want to try one on in the LBS and order online.

I'm 180cm and 76ish kg, I'd be kind of strongly built or at least I was before I started all this cycling carry on..... I went with medium, it's definitely a race fit but I like it that way and I reckon that'll be better for the winter insulation.

clod71

ericzeking wrote: »

My GF got me one from Ribble for my birthday, and it's made in Romania...I am considering getting her to send it back though and get it from this site for 111 quid as Ribble fleeced her (I could get some arm warmers and socks thrown in for the price she paid), the only thing I'm wondering is, is that 111 a true price because the top right hand corner shows up as 135 or something?

It says 134 something alright but when you change the country to Ireland it goes to 111 for some strange reason. Now I bought with a friend so we got two of them and we didn't pay the 16 euro shipping fees. If you add in some nanoflex arm warmers you might just get over the threshold after which you don't pay them...
I'm 170, the medium suits me like a glove.

clod71

martin.mcevoy wrote: »

On a sizing question.... I don't want to try one on in the LBS and order online.

Maybe nasty, but that's exactly what I did, saving myself 70 euro.

TheBlaaMan

The place I got my Gabba has a 20% off sale for 3 days. The convertible version works out at about €117 plus postage - about another €18 if I recall. Only 2 or 3 in each size though
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIPS-24-HOURS-2014-GENUINE-CASTELLI-GABBA-WS-Convertibile-Jersey-Mens-Black-/181361218172?pt=US_Cycling_Clothing&var=&hash=item6fd79e24a9

Plastik

Did you have to pay customs on top?

TheBlaaMan

Plastik wrote: »

Did you have to pay customs on top?

none

forgotten password

word from the wise, stay away from gabba

Lumen

forgotten password wrote: »

word from the wise, stay away from gabba

Why?

Self-asserted wisdom is insufficiently persuasive.

full gas

forgotten password wrote: »

word from the wise, stay away from gabba

Go on let's hear your wisdom, this should be good

ericzeking

Sent back the gabba from Ribble and ordered from the Dutchies...after a week or 2 with no word, I sent 2 emails and got a reply saying they are all out of gabbas...my order was confirmed and paid for by card, they offered me a (not similar) Sportful alternative... I declined this and asked if they would fulfil the rest of my order (2*arm warmers) without me getting g caught for shipping...waiting on response. Chain reaction, it is not!

Anyone with any other good prices for a ss gabba? 170 bucks is the best I can find in my size...

martin.mcevoy

Eric the exact same thing happened to me with the Dutch site. I had mailed them for a week asking for delivery updates and when they finally responded they offered me a short sleeve version or the opportunity to pay a lot more extra for a convertible.
I was able to point out that his offer was ripping me off. He was not aware that Dutch people pay more for the same jerseys that we do. (something to do with VAT possibly).
However, to cut a long story short, after much to-ing and fro-ing I told him that he could give me the convertible as a replacement for the long sleeve and no extra payment or just to cancel my order completely.

This guy is getting a convertible gabba. :-)

I would just hold my ground with them and take no sh1t. What do you have to lose? Regardless of what happens you'll still get a refund

ericzeking

martin.mcevoy wrote: »

Eric the exact same thing happened to me with the Dutch site. I had mailed them for a week asking for delivery updates and when they finally responded they offered me a short sleeve version or the opportunity to pay a lot more extra for a convertible.
I was able to point out that his offer was ripping me off. He was not aware that Dutch people pay more for the same jerseys that we do. (something to do with VAT possibly).
However, to cut a long story short, after much to-ing and fro-ing I told him that he could give me the convertible as a replacement for the long sleeve and no extra payment or just to cancel my order completely.

This guy is getting a convertible gabba. :-)

I would just hold my ground with them and take no sh1t. What do you have to lose? Regardless of what happens you'll still get a refund

Good to know...he can give me a convertible too so!

Maybe I'll forfeit a pair of arm warmers for his trouble!

ericzeking

ericzeking wrote: »

Sent back the gabba from Ribble and ordered from the Dutchies...after a week or 2 with no word, I sent 2 emails and got a reply saying they are all out of gabbas...my order was confirmed and paid for by card, they offered me a (not similar) Sportful alternative... I declined this and asked if they would fulfil the rest of my order (2*arm warmers) without me getting g caught for shipping...waiting on response. Chain reaction, it is not!

Anyone with any other good prices for a ss gabba? 170 bucks is the best I can find in my size...

After some more toing and froing, Dutch Mike has said they will just give me a full refund.

Pottering around the net last night, I found shortsleeved gabbas on Merlin for 140 bob with free delivery.

jamesd

ericzeking wrote: »

After some more toing and froing, Dutch Mike has said they will just give me a full refund.

Pottering around the net last night, I found shortsleeved gabbas on Merlin for 140 bob with free delivery.

Or the full monthy here for a bit more:
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/181361218172?var=480358835371&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
EUR 147.94 plus €19 postage

ericzeking

jamesd wrote: »

Or the full monthy here for a bit more:
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/181361218172?var=480358835371&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
EUR 147.94 plus €19 postage

Cheers but I prefer the idea of the short sleeve one, I feel it's more adaptable...

Plastik

That is the convertible one, the long arms zip off along the red lines around the pits and it is a short sleeve version underneath.

cunavalos

Gabba short sleeve available in a selection of sizes and colours from evans for €108. Best price i have seen this side of the atlantic
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/gabba-windstopper-rain-short-sleeve-jersey-ec033331

thekooman

cunavalos wrote: »

Gabba short sleeve available in a selection of sizes and colours from evans for €108. Best price i have seen this side of the atlantic
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/gabba-windstopper-rain-short-sleeve-jersey-ec033331

bought... missed the long sleeve one which was there yday at 133 euro!

thekooman

new Gabba 2 is out now hence the deductions.... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-gabba-2-convertible-jacket/
nice in blue.

Bambaata

yeah i've been tracking the ebay seller awaiting his next sale but have noticed he now only has XXL and up and hence not likely to see him having a large on sale now

I tried on the large jersey in store at the weekend and actually found that for a race fit it fits better. I had been thinking of sizing up before this

ericzeking

Feck it....caught again, ended up getting mine from Merlin in the end, ~140, serious piece of kit though, highly recommended

Seweryn

As a matter of interest - is it a typical packable jersey, like the type of emergency pocket jacket? Or is it a bit bulkier?

martin.mcevoy

Seweryn wrote: »

As a matter of interest - is it a typical packable jersey, like the type of emergency pocket jacket? Or is it a bit bulkier?

Its much bulkier than an emergency pocket jacket.

Kinet1c

Would a weekly wash of one of these do or more frequent?

Better off going for the convertible?

TheBlaaMan

Personally, I'd wash it as infrequently as possible. Unless it gets really dirty, then I hang it to dry and brush any crap off. No way would I wash it weekly.

jamesd

Hoping the convertable shows up in an XL with that eBay seller or reduced online

richieg

Thinking of selling my convertible XL (which is in perfect condition) to downsize to a medium short sleeve. Lost a good bit of weight this year racing so want something with a snugger fit. Probably go with short sleeve as I picked up nano flex arm warmers earlier in the year.
Must say that this jacket is awesome.

Seweryn

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Personally, I'd wash it as infrequently as possible. Unless it gets really dirty, then I hang it to dry and brush any crap off. No way would I wash it weekly.

Do washing makes it less rainproof over time?

jamesd

richieg wrote: »

Thinking of selling my convertible XL (which is in perfect condition) to downsize to a medium short sleeve. Lost a good bit of weight this year racing so want something with a snugger fit. Probably go with short sleeve as I picked up nano flex arm warmers earlier in the year.
Must say that this jacket is awesome.

Drop me a pm with a price.

Bambaata

Are the nanoflex armwarmers the exact same material as the gabba jerseys/jackets? Im tempted to get the short sleeve and the nanoflex warmers if that is the case rather than trying to catch a convertible cheap somewhere (which there are none of at present in my size)

AmberGold

Nano flex arm warmers feel a bit lighter than the material used in the Gabba. I have both.

A quick question on care of the Gabba, I agree with an earlier poster re washing as little as possible.

Has anyone here washed a good few times and retained its water resistance?

omri

Is gabba a jersey or a jacket you can put on your cycling jersey ?

AmberGold

It's in between a soft shell jacket and a jersey. It wouldn't have that much insulation / warmth so would suit high tempo spins better in colder conditions.

TheBlaaMan

Seweryn wrote: »

Do washing makes it less rainproof over time?

I think this holds true for almost anything short of plastic rainwear.

omri wrote: »

Is gabba a jersey or a jacket you can put on your cycling jersey ?

Think of it as waterproof (not in a downpour) light but warm enough that a long sleeved base layer should be enough in conditions above maybe 5C add a LS jersey for colder.

rab!dmonkey

Here's Castelli's official care guidelines. I wash my Gabba as frequently as any other jersey and it's still performing perfectly (ran it under the tap just there to be sure ). Ironing on low heat or tumble drying on low heat is supposed to refresh the waterproofness.

For those of you wondering whether it's a jersey or a jacket, I'd describe it as a heavy jersey. The fabric isn't quite as soft as a normal jersey, so if your skin is sensitive a base-layer is a must. That said, I wouldn't be likely to wear it over a jersey. I have the short sleeve version and the Nanoflex arm warmers, which I find to be a very comfortable and versatile combination.

jamesd

Medium http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361017674116

Kinet1c

Managed to order the last XXXL from the dude on ebay, any idea if it will get caught in customs?

TheBlaaMan

Kinet1c wrote: »

Managed to order the last XXXL from the dude on ebay, any idea if it will get caught in customs?

Post #19

JKC

Hi all,

Evancycles has a cracking sale on at the moment, just nabbed a short sleeve gabba jacket for €108!

http://www.evanscycles.com/search?query=Gabba&x=16&y=23

jamesd

JKC wrote: »

Hi all,

Evancycles has a cracking sale on at the moment, just nabbed a short sleeve gabba jacket for €108!

http://www.evanscycles.com/search?query=Gabba&x=16&y=23

Ordered one myself too, it's in its way too. Ordered the matching arm warmers and leg warmers in black off ribble too.

mossym

mine arrived from evans on tuesday, went for the yellow long sleeve. looks a cracking piece of kit