Peter Maniaty
It looks good. It feels good. And, at less than $90 for a performance fit jersey and $160 for bibs, it’s pretty good value too, says Peter Maniaty.
OG orange jersey
Bright colours, bold stripes, classic styling. There’s plenty to like about this jersey, especially with its retro orange vibes with hints of Euskaltel–Euskadi and CCC Sprandi-Polkowice. Pulling it on for the first time, the tailored fit feels snug without being tight or unflattering on my middle-aged girth. It also feels very well made with sleek, quick-drying fabrics, flat-stitched seams and a silicone hem gripper to keep things securely in place as you ride.
There are three pretty generous rear pockets with plenty of space for spares, snacks and smartphones, plus a smaller zipper side pocket for valuables. There’s also subtle reflective trim to help boost visibility in low light. Unlike many of today’s more race-oriented jerseys, there are no compression arm grippers; this makes the sleeves a little more relaxed and comfortable (but no doubt a little less aero too, if that’s important to you).
It’s also worth mentioning that the sleeves are quite long, coming right down towards the elbows. Whilst technically it may be part of Cinettica’s ‘Autumn’ range, the Orange OG jersey is most definitely a warm-to-mild weather kit. The lightweight fabrics are unlikely to offer much protection when the mercury drops come April and May; you’re going to need a pretty decent undershirt and arm warmers, maybe even a gilet on colder mornings.
Having previously reviewed Cinettica kit back in 2021, one noticeable thing that’s changed is the fit around the torso. Whilst still far more forgiving than a pure ‘race cut’, the new jerseys are certainly more body-hugging. Overall I found the sizing to be quite standard, however, if you prefer a really relaxed fit around the chest and/or stomach, you may want to go up a size.
RRP $89.95
OG bib shorts
Black bib shorts. They’re a staple in every cyclist’s wardrobe and this great-value offering from Cinettica ticks all the boxes. With two layers of ultra-high-density impact-absorbing foam, the Italian-made Dolomiti Giotto Five-Hour endurance chamois is super comfortable, as are the sheer laser cut leg grippers and lightweight 5cm-wide shoulder straps.
I found the 4-way stretch bib fabric pleasantly supple and definitely towards the ‘relaxed’ end of the fit scale, with only a modest amount of compression compared to high-end (and high-priced) race bibs which can often feel quite tight and restrictive on your nether regions.
Cinettica says its bib fabric offers outstanding thermal properties and moisture wicking, and having worn them through a period of decidedly warm and muggy Sydney weather during the review, my experience certainly backs that up. If I’m being picky, my only real criticism is the leg length; they’re quite short by modern standards and could probably be a centimetre or two longer. But overall I really enjoyed these bibs. Good quality. Good comfort levels. Good value. 
RRP $159.95
