PEZ Reviews the new kit collab between Italian (Bolzano, in the heart of the Dolomites) high-end kit maker Q36.5, and Italian racing legend Vincenzo Nibali. We take a close look at the “Shark” collection, including Gregarius Clima Nibali Shark jersey, bibshorts, gloves, cap, and socks.
‘The Shark?
Vincenzo Nibali must be one of the top riders of his generation. He won all three Grand Tours (the Giro twice), one-day races and Classics, including the Giro di Lombardia (twice) and Milano–Sanremo, Italian National Road Race Championships twice and a lot of other races. He was born in Messina on the island of Sicily and his nickname is Lo Squalo di Messina (The Shark of Messina). Since his retirement at the end of 2022, he has been working for the Swiss Q36.5 UCI ProTeam. Q36.5 is a sports clothing company, (in case you’ve been living in a cave for the last 12 years) and they brought out a ‘Shark’ range of clothing to celebrate the career of the great Vincenzo.
‘The Walrus’? or… possibly an Orca?
I received ‘The Shark’ collection at the end of last year (thanks Tim Jackson), but the weather hasn’t been that good till recently, although I have been tempted on occasions, but was saving the kit ‘for best’. Q36.5 makes three different Shark designs, but for me it had to be the shark tooth design. I do like white and the black teeth design goes well with the black shorts.
Very well presented
As with all top quality cycle clothing these days, the Q36.5 kit comes beautifully packaged, it was a joy to unpack, like Christmas had come again.
A stunning look
The jersey is made using four different materials, the sleeves are aero ribbed, front feels like a slightly thicker material that also looks breathable and the rear looks similar but a bit thinner. Up the sides and the inner sleeve appears to be a more ‘normal’ lycra, then the pockets are made of a strong, yet nearly see-through material that reminds me of women’s black stockings.
zip-flap and rubberised elastic gripper cuff
A full zip, of course, with a zip-flap at the base and there is a rubberised elastic gripper cuff around the bottom of the jersey, so no riding up. There is a small collar, unlike many jersey going for an aero look, this is quite a ‘normal’ height. As it says on the collar ‘Innovation for Human Performance’.
You can see through the pockets
So how does it feel out on the road? You forget you have it on. The fit is snug, but the materials are not constricting. I was worried about the pockets, but with my iPhone, some cash and a small pouch with two inner tubes and levers, there was no stretch or feeling of the rear ‘drooping’ down. On the first ride there were a few other cyclist going the other direction and I’d like to think I received admiring glances.
No drooping here
The bib shorts are the most important bit of clothing, or more precisely the pad. The Q36.5 pad doesn’t have fancy shapes or bright colours, just plain black with ‘three points of contact’ and ‘Q36.5 chamois technology’ written around the back. There is ample padding and on first inspection it feels like there would be too much, but there is no feeling of wearing something bulky between your legs. On the bike they do give a lot of comfort without chafing. Q36.5 seems to have placed the pad in just the right position, for me anyway. The first test ride was on the home trainer and there were no issues.
Classic black
The bibs are also a combination of different materials. A softer material on the front, breathable side panels and a stronger material at the base of the spine. The straps are wide and elasticated and connected at the back using what looks like the same material they use for the pockets on the jersey.
The shorts gripper – Is it dots? It feels nice
The legs are held in place with cuffs using little dots, unlike other manufacturers, these don’t feel rubbery.
Again, different materials are used in different places
I rode the bibs for an hour on the home trainer and two hours in the ‘real world’ and they are comfortable, no complaints. ‘The Shark’ logo on the legs and back are not over the top, but do break up all that black. I would say that these are a well made pair of bibs, hard wearing and should see a lot of pleasurable use
The pad doesn’t look fancy or complicated, but it works
The bibs and jersey have all the matching accessories: Cap, mitts and socks. Starting with the cap, it’s made using breathable cloth, with five panels giving it a head shape. There are two dart panels to give it better fit. Living in a country where helmets are compulsory, I tend not to wear a cap, but would fit nicely under a helmet.
Matching cap, socks and (not matching) mitts
The socks are particlulary nice to wear. Mostly white (unless you buy the black ones) and are of a sensible hight, sorry PEZ Tech Editor, Chuck Peña, but these are the correct hight, ‘ankle’ socks, not halfway up to your knees.
Very comfortable socks with padding where it’s needed and the Italian colours subtly across the toe
They have extra padding behind the heel and under the sole, with thinner material round the ankle and another different patch at the front of the ankle. Nice touch; a slim Italian flag across the toe area.
The Q36.5 kit brought out the shark in me
There are matching mitts in either the tooth design or black, but Q36.5 sent me a pair of the Pinstripe Summer mitts. a good tight fit with padding where you need it, custom made by the same company that manufactures the pad in the bibs, Elastic Interface. The pinstripe on the back is like the aero sleeve material.
Vincenzo Nibali the real ‘Shark’
To sum up the Q35.6 Nibali Shark collection, I like it. Comfortable and classy. I’ve not seen anyone else around my area wearing it, so it’s also unique. There does seem to be too many people going down the brown and pale shades these days. Everything fits and doesn’t flap in the wind. The bibs are comfortable, so far and the full set looks great. Although I doubt I’ll be mistaken for the real ‘Squalo di Messina’.
Gregarius Clima Nibali Shark Jersey
The Q36.5 Gregarius Clima Nibali Shark Jersey offers exceptional thermoregulation for riding in the hottest climates. The ultra-lightweight material on the front helps the body breathe while the honeycomb mesh back panel allows the moisture to escape. The comfort-oriented Democratic Fit uses our intelligent body mapping cut to enhance the aero performance. As perhaps the most evocative of our Nibali designs, this jersey pairs the sharp shark’s teeth motif with the lightweight material to make even high summer rides in Sicily comfortable.
Weight Size M: 112g
Body Temperature Stability Guarantee: +18°C
RRP: US$152.21 / EU€130.00 / GB£124.00
Gregarius Pro Nibali Shark Bib Shorts
Designed specifically to be paired with the Q36.5 Gregarius Clima Nibali Shark Jersey, the Gregarius Pro Nibali Shark Bib Shorts provide an essential level of performance and comfort that will encourage you to push your boundaries. The bib short graphics match the style and theme of the Gregarius Pro Nibali Shark Jerseys, offering a low-key way to celebrate the riding style of Italian Champion ‘The Shark’ Vincenzo Nibali, one of the most dynamic Grand Tour riders of his generation.
Weight Size M: 175 g
Body Temperature Stability Guarantee: +18ªC
RRP: US$234.17 / EU€200.00 / GB£190.00
Nibali Shark Summer Cap White / Black
A modern take on a classic cycling casquette, the Q36.5 Shark Summer Cap fine-tunes the typical cotton cycling cap by using lightweight knitted polyester and mesh inserts to make the cap as functional as it is traditional. Made complete by the Shark Capsule Collection graphics, it works well paired with the other capsule items or on its own.
Weight Size M: 29.5 g
Body Temperature Stability Guarantee: +18°C
RRP: US$35.13 / EU€30.00 / GB£29.00
Nibali Shark Socks White & Black
No Shark Capsule Collection would be complete without the perfect pair for racing socks. Based on our Ultra Cycling socks, the Shark Ultras use the same super thin, moderately compressive material to work effectively with summer racing conditions.
Weight Size M: 31g
Body Temperature Stability Guarantee: +22°C
RRP: US$21.08 / EU€18.00 / GB£17.00
Dottore Pro Summer Gloves Black
The minimalist design of the Q36.5 Pinstripe Summer cycling Gloves ensures your hands will always feel in control of the bars without overheating or suffering from poor circulation.
Weight Size M: 25g
Body Temperature Stability Guarantee *18°C
RRP: US$58.54 / EU€50.00 / GB£48.00
NIbali Shark Summer Gloves Black/White
The Q36.5 Shark Unique Gloves offer an unrivalled level of comfort and protection as a result of the three-dimensional, seamless and elastic palm. Featuring the same design as the other products in our Shark Capsule Collection, these gloves ensure total control and a second skin feel when holding the handlebars.
Weight Size M: 40 g
Body Temperature Stability Guarantee: +18°C
RRP: US$76.11 / EU€65.00 / GB£62.00
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