Tested & Reviewed: Q36.5 Jerseys & Bib Shorts

Following Contender’s recent introduction of Q36.5 cycling apparel to our website and shop floor, we’re excited to follow with this detailed product review. Specifically, three familiar faces around Contender–Joseph Bonacci, Isaac Boyden, and Ezra Jefferies–put Q36.5 jerseys and bibs through the ringer, on hundreds of miles of road and gravel riding. For a breakdown of their thoughts, including what they liked, and what they didn’t, please read on. 

Tester #1: Joseph Bonacci

Cycling Profile:

• 5 feet 10 inches, 160 pounds; rides road and gravel

Products Tested: 

• Gregarius Pro Signature Jersey (tangerine red, size medium)

• Gregarius Pro Bib Shorts (black, size medium) 

Test Details:  

• Joseph wore the above kit on 3 total rides (road and gravel), covering nearly 200 miles, including an 8-mile, 4,000-foot climb near St. George, Utah, in 75-degree weather, along with two Salt Lake City classics–Millcreek Canyon and Big Mountain Summit. 

Joseph’s Review: 

What were you looking for in your test?

Q36.5 is known for its attention to detail, quality materials and fit, and a major focus on performance, including the idea of keeping your body at its ideal temperature (36.5º Celsius, or 97.7º Fahrenheit). Specifically, I was anxious to see how the kit performed in these areas. 

Let’s start with the Gregarius Pro Signature Jersey? What did you like? Anything you didn’t like? 

Trying on the jersey, my initial reaction was negative. The jersey chest is built for narrower shoulders than mine, and the zipper had a tendency to unzip itself when I stood up straight. That said, once I was on the bike, this issue quickly faded away, as it is clear the jersey is built for a moderate-to-aggressive road fit. The jersey has long, aero sleeves, which did a great job of keeping the sun off my upper arms (but ruined my early season farmer’s tan!) The pockets of the jersey are built with a complex weave, allowing them to stretch to fit whatever you need, but then still sit close to your back when they are empty, prioritizing aerodynamics and comfort.

Worth calling out–the back of the jersey is quite thin and somewhat translucent. Given this, a fair skinned cyclist might want to consider wearing a layer of sunscreen on one’s back when wearing this jersey, as the UV rays can and will penetrate the jersey, leaving you with some interesting bib tan lines. Although if this is the “I’m a cyclist!” flex you’re looking for at the pool this summer, maybe go with it? Bottom line, this is the most advanced jersey I have owned with a sub-$200 pricetag, featuring the same attention to detail, aero-sleeves, and thermoregulating materials that most brands only put into their top-end gear. 

How about the Gregarius Pro Bib Shorts? 

These bibs have quickly become one of my favorite pairs. The straps are similar to the ASSOS bib shorts, but are made out of a softer material, which is more comfortable under a jersey. The medium bib shorts are a bit longer than what I am used to, so I would like to try out the small bib shorts, to see if those work better for me.

During my rides, I definitely noticed that the chamois is fairly thin, emphasizing a performance-oriented fit and better mobility, but so far, I have not found this to compromise comfort. I especially liked how the chamois is built directly into the weave of the shorts, which keeps it in place. With its super breathable and rapid drying properties, you stay cool as you ride, and you start to forget that you are even wearing bibs at all. 

Any final tips for those considering a Q36.5 jersey or bib shorts? 

For cyclists who prefer bib shorts on the longer side, I would recommend going with your true size. For those who like a shorter fit, size down. And for those who live in hotter climates, or who tend to ride during the hottest part of the day, Q36.5 is a gamechanger. The lighter weight material and breathability are super noticeable. 

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Tester #2: Isaac Boyden

Cycling Profile: 

• 6 feet 1 inch, 148 pounds; rides road, gravel, and MTB

Products Tested: 

• Dottore Clima Jersey (white/black, size medium)

• Dottore Pro Bib Shorts (black, size medium)

Test Details:

• Isaac wore the above kit on 7 total rides (road & gravel), covering ~400 total miles, including local jaunts to Big Mountain Summit, Millcreek Canyon, Suncrest and Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Isaac’s Review:  

Initial impressions of the Dottore Clima Jersey? 

One of the lightest jerseys I have ever worn, it feels like there is nothing there, which is awesome. The “can’t feel it, it's not there” factor is one of my favorites 

What else resonated about the jersey? Any thoughts on the breathability, design, or overall fit? 

In the heat, this jersey really shines—easily one of the best I’ve worn. I used to swear by the Rapha Flyweight, but at peak sweat levels, it would get saturated and then chill me to my core on long descents. The Dottore handles moisture better and somehow keeps you warm enough during chilly canyon descents, which is a huge win here in Utah, where the top of a canyon can be 20-30 degrees cooler than the valley floor. 

I also appreciated the thoughtful design touches—the little Italian flag, mesh pockets for snacks, a zip pocket for essentials, and fabric that stretches and adapts without bunching. Fit-wise, it’s definitely race-cut. I usually wear a small, but the medium sample still felt great—snug but not uncomfortable.

My only gripe? It doesn’t carry weight super well. When loaded up with gels or other gear, it sags more than other jerseys I’ve worn. Also, the neck bunches a bit when you’re in an aero position, which is a weird contrast to how well the sleeves and body stretch out.

Let’s pivot over to Dottore Pro Bib Shorts. What stood out during your test rides? 

Best chamois I’ve ever ridden–period. Be it Assos, ALE, Giordana, PNS, or Rapha, these bib shorts bested them all. The Assos one is a close second, but Q36.5 is a slimmer chamois that I tended to forget was even there, which is an excellent sign. Slim, comfortable, no hot spots, doesn't move, breathable; for me, it checks every box. 

The straps are top-notch too—thick and premium-feeling, but no chafing, and they lay flat. Like the jersey, tons of attention to detail here. And these actually deliver on the “muscle support” claim without feeling restrictive. They’re also longer in the leg, which I prefer.

That said, one downside I found is that these shorts tended to ride up my leg, to the point of annoyance, requiring me to pull them back down every 20 minutes. This could have been the fit–I typically wear a small, but my sample was a medium–but it made me wish they had a silicone leg gripper, which are common on many of today’s bib shorts. I also found myself wishing the bib came in more colors than just black and navy, as I get a little sick of the ubiquity of black bib shorts. 

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Tester #3: Ezra Jefferies

Cycling Profile: 

• 5 feet 10 inches, 165 pounds; rides road, gravel, and MTB

Products Tested: 

• Gregarius Pro Signature Jersey (purple, size medium)

• Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts (black size medium) 

Test Details:

• Ezra wore the above kit on 4 total rides (road and gravel) covering ~180 miles, including a gravel ride in Spain (lucky duck), and 3 road rides on the Wasatch front, including Emigration Canyon and an out-n’-back to the top of Suncrest Drive in Draper. 

Ezra’s Review: 

How was your experience with the Gregarius Pro Signature Jersey? What did you like or not like? 

The fit and feel of this jersey is top-tier—snug and high quality, with the longer, laser-cut sleeves staying in place, which I really appreciated. 

The breathability also impressed me; it didn’t seem ultra-vented at first, but in the heat, it performed beautifully. Candidly, it’s one of those jerseys you forget you're wearing. The deep, secure pockets stood out, especially with a zip pocket for essentials—though I wish it sat against the body, not on the outside. Fit was ideal: snug, but long enough for my frame, which isn’t the case with many jerseys. 

Only downside for me: the neckline felt a bit too high, and I found the fabric tended to bunch up ever so slightly. 

Tell us about the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts. What stood out during testing?

Right away, these felt premium—awesome fit, and the chamois is thin and dense, just the way I like it, and moves with your skin for added comfort–even on bumpy gravel rides. The fabric is breathable with just the right stretch, and the ‘Invisible Pockets’ sewn into the seams are a stylish touch. Shoulder straps are soft, wide, and stable. 

Although I didn’t love the front-only leg grippers, which (ironically) led to some slipping, I do think this can be helped by sizing down, as Isaac also noted above. And while the cargo pockets on the legs are great, I found myself missing the covert pocket on the lower back. It's not the end of the world if wearing this bib with a road jersey, but if wearing these under mountain bike baggies, or with a t-shirt on a gravel ride, I would really miss the extra storage.