Tell me about Gabba/Perfecto...

Sorry for the duplicate post. Temporary glitch in the STW matrix

I have a perfecto and a Ros alpha.

I like them. I'm a large in rapha and most things buy XXL in Castelli. 6"4 and no longer thin!

I wear base layers.

The perfetto is good to about 4 with a gilet and long sleeve base layer. The Ros alpha was good to freezing and icy roads. I probably shouldn't have ridden a road bike that day.

Not cheap, but nice jackets.

If if bought an XXL perfecto a thicker layer under that would have removed the need for the Ros alpha. Its thicker, but just has insulation in wind chill areas

Never used a gabba or perfetto as similar to you I find the price difficult to justify. I have used a Stolen Goat version before (can't remember the name) and found it pretty good and being only 6'1" found they were plent long enough in both the body and the arms.

They have changed their range now and believe the new version is called the Alpine Jacket, might be worth a look

https://stolengoat.com/product/mens-blackout-blue-alpine-bodyline-jacket/

I have the perfetto. Custom team so lacks some of the features like pit zips.

It's good for what it is designed for which is hard riding in poor conditions.

I get cold hands so long sleeves are a must. If i am happy with arm warmers as it isn't too cold I'd just wear a gilet over summer kit. So the SS option never appealed.

I tend to wear mine with a variety of base layers according to temperature.

In reality it is just a race fit soft shell. I have a dhb equinox from wiggle that I prefer as it has three pockets (2 pockets might be custom kit design?). They do some similar jackets now.

Stolen goat as above. Galibier. Huub. In fact all the big kit manufacturers do something. So if you have a brand you like with a fit that suits you, maybe go there first. 

Perfetto works really well for me. I wear one for pretty much every ride from October until April. I just vary my baselayer depending on temperature, and throw a gilet on top when it gets really cold.

I believe the new version has gone back to 3 pockets, which is better than the previous 2 large pockets. (Old old version had 3 pockets)

I don't think I've paid much over £100 for one, as they are always in the sale at some point. Sportful do a Fiandre jersey which is similar and currently cheap at Saddleback.

I've had a Gabba, but got cold arms.

I'm a small in normal clothes, but a medium or large in Perfetto. You will definitely need to size up!

I don’t think I’ve paid much over £100 for one, as they are always in the sale at some point.

Yeah spring and summer, usually stuffed if buying now (when you actually need it).

I've had a Gabba for years and really like it, it's my go-to winter kit and I just change the layers I can squeeze under to suit. Did make the mistake of getting a short sleeve one though (sure the still called the long sleeve one a Gabba at the time, Perfetto was slightly different), thinking it would be more versatile. What actually happened is that it just gets matched to some arm warmers every time instead. Now also have a Sportful Fiandre, that is taken over from the Gabba for the simple reason that it has arms attached

Came to this thread to talk about Techno.<br />Disappointed :-(<br /><br />APF

I have three Gabbas (all sleeveless) that I use with armwarmers. I love them as they work very well with my temp control/sweat rate. For me, I liked that they could be worn through a lot of different conditions/seasons with just a base layer,but if the temp dropped ,I could chuck on a light rain jacket and be comfortable again.
Having said that,I have met some folk that just don't get on with them as a doitall.

I have both gabba and perfetto. They’re really good and usually on offer. 50% off in various places just now I think. There are equivalents that are very similar, but not regretted getting the castelli. I’ve also got the convertible one with zip off arms, and that’s great too. I’m 6’3 14.5 stone and xxl fits well

Well the names have changed over the years. The original Gabba was long sleeve and when the Perfetto came out it was (I think) short sleeved and a different, lighter Gore Windstopper fabric. Then there was a long sleeved Perfetto lighter than the Gabba. Anyway I have a long sleeve Gabba which is quite heavy weight, a long sleeve Perfetto which is lighter (these both have ventilation zips in the sides) and a short sleeve Perfetto. Oh I have an old Perfetto style gilet (Fawesome).

The short sleeve is excellent for the UK variable conditions - breezy, chance of a shower - with or without arm warmers. Long sleeve Perfetto has just come out for Autumn. I usually wear it with a long sleeve base layer, it's warm, shower proof and bright yellow (apart from the specks of road dirt). The old long sleeve Gabba hardly comes out.

Price? Well yes all Castelli is expensive but I don't think I've ever bought any at full price, there are plenty of sales around and I've had some really good second hand jerseys off Ebay which have been like new. As for GCN if you look through their shop you will find GCN Gabba's and Perfettos which are Castelli made and Castelli prices.

Size wise I would say they are normal Castelli race fit but then I've always found Castelli fit me true to size, i.e. I'm 5' 7" 36" chest 30" waist and Small is spot on, tight but comfortable, Medium a bit loose, which I appreciate many will prefer.

I’ve got an original Gabba with zip-off sleeves that must be 11+ years old, plus a more recent Perfetto. The Gabba is Windstopper all over whereas the Perfetto is a lighter fabric with a non-Windstopper back so it better for milder and changeable weather - particularly with the zip vents. I always wear a base layer. The Gabba has a dropped tail and does a better job of keeping your bum dry. I wouldn’t class either as deep-winter attire - the Gabba can get a bit sweaty/ doesn’t wick too well and can get cold. I’ve also got an alpha insulated Gore Shakedry jacket which is better for wet+cold

Got a few variations from Castelli, endura and chpt3, use them a lot. Short sleeved does me down to about 10 degrees with different base layers and below that long sleeved does very well. Got some nanoflex arm warmers for those in between days.

alexpalacefan

Full Member

Came to this thread to talk about Techno.

And me, thought it was a wierd mash up of 180bpm hardcore and Oaky's take on trance...but I've been to madder clubs!

thought it was a wierd mash up of 180bpm hardcore and Oaky’s take on trance

+1

I have the Galibier equivalents, Sentinel and Mistral Pro. I'm pleased with both, particularly the Mistral which is warm even on the coldest days. Both a lot cheaper than Castelli but as above you can often get a good deal on Castelli clothing.

I've got a Perfetto ROS and really like it for the riding I do, I always wear a Lifa baselayer and that's good for me for a pretty wide range of temperatures. If it's really cold* I add a merino mix T shirt underneath. It's the poshest bit of kit I own and even though it was pretty spendy I've been really happy with it. Sizing is mad though - I've got an XXL but I'm M or L in everything else!

*I'm in the West Midlands and I don't usually venture out if it's much below 4 or 5 degrees.

Came to this thread to talk about Techno.

Yeah it's got me feeling lost like gonzo.

Perfetto has been my go to jersey for the last few winters, light merino base underneath is enough…insulated gilet over the top if it’s really cold but I’m more likely to stay indoors at that point (ice etc.)

Short sleeved Gabba I tend to use (with a very light base) when it’s not so cold but with an obvious threat of rain, almost always with arm warmers…so spring/autumn.

(I hate long sleeve jerseys, only wear them when it’s too cold for arm warmers)

If it’s warm enough to drop the warmers then for me it’s generally too warm for the Gabba, Perfetto gilet for those days, all good options 👍

In U.K. weather i used to love my short sleeve Gabba, I think you have to own one to appreciate how good they are for getting caught out in autumn/spring storms, I think the important thing to remember is it’s not really a waterproof so you may get wet but you don’t get cold.

I’d not go out into rain with one thou those days I’d wear a shell over something.

Always bought the castelli in sales and usually out of season,on the sizing they are what they are race wear for athletes I found them true to size and unforgiving if you’ve been on the pies 🙂

I found them true to size and unforgiving if you’ve been on the pies 🙂

The pies thing I don't mind as I have some control over that 😉

It's my really long body & arms plus wide shoulders which makes most Castelli clothing unwearable. I'll have to try and find a local shop which has a wide variety of sizes, as I can't be arsed shopping on-line for clothes.

Pity, as I'd consider some of the GCN kit...

I have a Perfetto, also have the gilet version and I did have a Gabba (had the gabba first) just found that whenever the weather called for them I’d take the perfetto every time so ended up selling the gabba. 

I'm 6'3" and 86kg, have just got a Perfetto Gilet and XL fits perfectly except for being about 2" too short. Also got an XXL which I never sent back so need to sell, it's better length wise but too baggy in the body for me

I have a Gabba, of some flavour or other, short sleeve version.  I got it for £68 in a Wiggle sale which was a bargain.

It's really good in the 8-12 degree range especially when it's a little damp/misty/foggy, or lower with some kind of base layer on. I nearly always use it with arm warmers so the long sleeve would make more sense.

Have used it down to 2-3 degrees with a long sleeve base, arm warmers and a breathable shell on top.

I do find it a bit sweaty in anything over 10-12 C.

Good bit of kit, would recommend.

183cm / 78kg / medium is perfect for a racing roadie fit.

They’ve changed over the years. I have the first ‘Perfetto’ version and a current Perfetto ROS. The latter is a ‘harder’ shell and much thinner material with an even racier cut (creases around the shoulder unless you are in a riding position). I presume this is because the lineup has increased loads - there are more options now so the standard Perfetto is less of an all-rounder. Buying a Perfetto recently was a very confusing experience.

Both are great bits of kit. At a skinny ish 6’1, I wear a M for most kit and am L in Rapha / Castelli. I am sure (particularly the new style) would be unforgiving of other body shapes.

I love them, use them all the time for mainly commutes from Oct to April. It’s pretty rare to need anything else. I’ll throw a shell layer on if it’s raining hard when I leave the house but it can cope with showers.

SportPursuit have them for 52% off (where I got mine recently) in S/M/L/XL.

davosaurusrex

Full Member

I’m 6’3″ and 86kg, have just got a Perfetto Gilet and XL fits perfectly except for being about 2″ too short. Also got an XXL which I never sent back so need to sell, it’s better length wise but too baggy in the body for me

That's my worry with Castelli jerseys and why I'm reluctant to try on-line shopping. 

Glad I'm not the only one, I wanna be a hippy..

They seem to be designed for petite roadies with matchstick arms and zero upper body muscle, if you own a set of biceps/ shoulders then be prepared to go up 2 or 3 sizes than normal, but then the arms will be comically long. I'm somewhere between M&L in most brands and an XL in Perfetto looks like some kind of techno fetishware, ok for the road but a bit odd for mtb. Functionally brilliant if the fit does suit yr physique though.

Recently bought a gabba with the Castelli nano flex arm warmers. Both were on sale. Very happy with them. Ridden in pretty wet weather, not that cold, kept me comfortable. Great fit, though first time I've ever bought anything in large - 5-9, 72kg.

Take a look at the Galibier version:

https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral-5-foul-weather-cycling-jacket/

I was looking at the Castelli but Road CC's review convinced me otherwise. I have the short sleeves and long sleeved versions along with the bib tights.

Really pleased with all of them in terms of performance and value for money.

https://road.cc/content/review/250844-galibier-mistral-foul-weather-jacket

I've owned the Galibier Mistral, and currently own 3 Perfettos of various vintage.

The Mistral was a short boxy fit, with a much less stretchy fabric. The only thing I thought it did better than a Perfetto was the cuffs. I think the only reason people rave about it is because it's cheap.

I really like my mistral pro, regardless of price.

https://road.cc/content/review/238729-galibier-mistral-pro-jacket

Got both long and short sleeved. Long gets used most rides between now and March. Add a shell if its heavy rain though, though fine in drizzle or showers. Use on the gravel bike too. Short sleeve is perhaps more niche when you have arm warmers and gilet combos too.
6'5" and 14st and XXL is perfect in both 👍

I have a once worn short sleeve XL Perfetto in blue and black that is a bit tight for me. £55 posted if anyone interested please PM me. 

Damn all of you. I just picked up a M perfetto from Merlin for £85! Fortunately it fits my malnourished frame.  

Bumping this back up again and asking a favour!

If anyone has a XXL Gabba or Perfetto, could you measure and report back the front length (zip length, I guess) and rear length (from top of collar to bottom hem). 

And if they are long sleeves, could you also measure the arm length (arm pit to wrist, rather than the top of shoulder). 

Muchos Gracias!

Argh, still on the fence about a Perfetto, I see one in a sort of clashy battleship camo pattern which might actually be contrasting enough to still stand out on grey days but not look immediately filthy when dragged through the mud.

Buuuut I've sort of got all the component pieces for warmth and windchill so perhaps would be better just getting a more robust hardshell for winter gravel to go over the hodge podge of thermal layers for when it's raining...

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a Galibier Mistral Pro and a Mistral Pro 2 please?

@vlad_the_invader xxl 50cm at the front and 80cm at the rear for a gabba

Cheers @robbo1234biking

That back length is probably ok for me (just) but the front length seems very short - quite a bit shorter than any of my existing jerseys. It would be like a boob tube on me!

I guess it's not so important/obvious when hunched over the bars riding. Hmmm

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a Galibier Mistral Pro and a Mistral Pro 2 please?

It might be a mistake on their website. Mine is a pro 2 in orange but is currently showing as a pro on their site. As far as I can see the only difference is the colour.

For info, I've just checked my Perfetto ROS XL (the one with 2 back pockets) and front is 57cm, back 80cm, arms 57cm.
Gabba ROS XL (same 2 pockets) 57cm front and 80cm rear.
Both are a really good fit on me at 70kg and 6' 2".
HTH

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a Galibier Mistral Pro and a Mistral Pro 2 please?

Try emailing them - I've had quick and detailed replies when asking about sleeve length or whatever.

@murdooverthehill Thx, useful to know. I believe that now both Gabba and Peffetto have switched back to three rear pockets so I guess yours is not current model.