The following comments are adapted from a page on the Davis Bike Club web site — all credit is to them. Originally we just linked to their page, but copying it here allows us to add further comments.
— Mark Abrahams
Jerseys are typical Voler club cut which is the same as the annual March Madness jersey sizes. [GPC comment: March Madness is a Davis thing. Just be aware that quality bike clothing fits more snugly than regular clothing of the same nominal size, and race-cut and club-cut also fit differently.] Shorts are sized very similar to Pearl Izumi, so if you know your PI size, you can order the same from Voler. On the on-line order form, there are links to products on Voler's site. Click on the "sizing" tab of any item to see a sizing chart.
The two main differences between the full zip and ¾ hidden zip jersey are appearance and ease of entry/exit. You can see the entire zipper on the full zip jerseys, so the ‘V’ in ‘DAVIS’ is split by a thin, solid white line. [GPC comment: similarly for the graphics on our jersey.] With the ¾ hidden zip jersey, the zipper is sewn inside the jersey, so when it's closed you don't see that white line — hence the use of the term, ‘hidden’ — and none of the graphics or color panels are interrupted. Some people are okay with splitting the graphics, others like the unblemished look. Regarding ease of entry/exit, the full zip jersey comes on and off just like a jacket or button-down shirt — easy easy. You gotta pull the ¾ zip jersey over your head like a t-shirt to get it off, which can be a major pain when you're wearing bibs, your jersey pockets are full, you're crammed into a port-a-potty, and really need to go.
This is a personal preference thing. People who wear bib shorts say they love them and people who wear [regular] shorts either hate bibs or have never tried them. The lack of waistband and suspenders make bibs very comfortable, but can also make you feel hotter (as in temperature). Also, having the bib compress your middle and slim down the belly chub a bit is a nice bonus. Voler redesigned the waistband of their shorts for 2010, so it's less noticeable. If you've never tried bibs, now might be your chance. It's almost impossible to get bibs of this quality at this price. Based on 2009 ordering patterns, dudes overwhelmingly ordered more bibs than shorts. Women showed the opposite trend, ordering more shorts than bibs, but not by as large a margin. If you go for the bibs, your life will be a heckuva lot easier if you also go with the full zip jersey. Do it. You'll thank me later. [GPC comment: you can say that again!!]
The Diamante (women) and Torino (men) chamois are high quality all around use pads that are included in the listed price of the bottoms. For $5 more, you can get Voler's top of the line, 5 layer, 3 density women's and men's specific Trilogy pad. Which one will work for you? Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell what will work best for your behind until you try them. Some people swear by the Diamante or Torino while others have sworn by the Ion pad Voler's former top of the line chamois.
If you have other comments, pass them to me and I can post them here.
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